Monthly Archives: August 2018

The centenarian marathon runner, an inspiration to many, turned 112 recently

Gaurav Kanthwal

PEOPLE often ask me about my age, I say I do not remember, Internet vich sab ditta hoya hai (Everything is mentioned on Internet), what else can I say.

Village life teaches you to be simple, earthy and be happy-go-lucky. Trust in God and do the right, they say. With God’s grace, I am hale and hearty. I wake up at around 7 am and freshen up. After some time, I have an alsi pinni and a cup of tea. It has been my routine for years now. Homemade pinnis are my favourite, and if I do not have one in the morning, it is difficult to start my day. The breakfast consists of roti and vegetables. Around 9-10 am, I sit out or take a round outside the house and tend to the kitchen garden and plants. In the afternoon, it is again roti and vegetables. Sometimes, when I am not too hungry, I have fruits only. I rest for a while and take a short nap as it gets hot outside. In the evening, sometimes, I go out to meet my neighbours and relatives. A glass of milk and one roti is my dinner. I try to sleep early, around 9 pm. As there is nothing much to do, I lead a simple and easy life. My children and grandchildren take care of everything for me now. I just watch my food and try to remain active. And, of course, keep faith in God.

Waheguru is there for everyone’s well-being. I like talking to people because that keeps negative thoughts away. I have restricted travelling a lot. I like staying at home now more. But it is not as if I do not like travelling. Recently, I had gone to Delhi to take part in a marathon. I do not run now but that does not stop me from cheering others to run. Marathons, or otherwise.

I travelled around nine hours from my hometown Beas to Delhi, back and forth, and enjoyed it very much. I also plan to go to London and Nottingham in July to be with my son and daughter. Whenever I go out, people ask me how do I stay fit. Although I am slightly hard of hearing, my eyesight is still good. I do not wear spectacles and do not take medicines.

This year has been particularly bad for the crops. Unseasonal rains have caused a lot of damage. We have 10-12 acres in Beas. Some more has been taken on lease. My son Sukha Singh has been busy with that. He remains a little worried but I try to cheer him up.

I have faced trying times in life. The death of my wife, eldest daughter and a son shook me. At one point of time, I had lost the purpose to live but gradually I got back. I started running at the age of 81, ran marathons, and set some records too!

One must always make an effort to keep oneself happy, and stay away from worries.

On completion of 50 years of glorious date of commission from (29 Apr 1973 – 28 Apr 2023),  all those who passed out from OTS (Officers Training School) Chennai now called OTA (Officers Training Academy on 29 Apr 1973 , celebrated their completion of 50 years of date of commission  with families ,all over India and abroad where ever officers now Veterans have settled down.

This day when Gentlemen Cadets were transformed into Officers after  proudly supporting the first star on our young shoulders (Tech 6 – wearing two stars).  They were Commissioned into various Arms and Services, we moved forward taking on our responsibilities. Some  left after completing mandatory five years of service into newer pastures, other taking premature retirement and shouldering new responsibilities. Whereas the diehard continued serving till the day came for them to hang up their boots. During this time, many Course mates (CMs) were due to health issues, accidents and other causes and 2 minutes silence was observed  to pay respect and remember our departed souls of lost  who had departed from this world to the next one, who  left us before they were 55/ 60 yrs of age.

All took initiative at their places but the ball was set in motion by  holding   Golden Jubilee Celebrations(GJC)  at OTA, Chennai (24 Mar- 26 Mar) the place of commission . It was a pleasure meeting our CMs and interacting with them. The whole affair was well attended, reviving our memories of the time spent at OTS (Now OTA) during the training period. The whole scenario of OTA has changed, with newer buildings and newer get up, but this no way lessened our enthusiasm. White House speaks was interesting giving the observe. The cumulative events of the GJC are the get togethers were  organised by the CMs at various locations on 28/29/30 Apr.

The Chandigarh Chapter consisting of SS15 & Tech 6  Course mates located in Tri City celebrated  Golden Jubilee with families over dinner  at DSOI Chandigarh on  28 April 2023.by  cutting two Golden Jubilee cakes Champaign toast at the end was raised for the health of all course mates & families health. Some pics

28/4/23 CGT Tri City. L>R Seated- Mrs Charanjit, Mrs Sarla Redhu, Mrs Bhatia, Mrs Jitender Mallan, Mrs Mimi Sohi, Mrs Rani , Mrs Madhu Tuli, Mrs Kamini Singh, Mrs Bhandari, Mrs Reena Panta, Mrs Rachna Tomar.

L>R Standing- Charanjit S Khera, GS Panta, HS Sohi, RPS Bhatia, K Bali, Joginder Singh, VP Singh, DS Tomar, JS Mallan, ML Bhandari, Balbir Singh, JP Singh

JAIPUR celeberation

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 28

In a daring midnight operation, pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed a plane on a remote airstrip in Sudan to rescue 121 people, including a pregnant woman.

IAF’s special operations plane C-130J planed without runway lights on ground and no navigational landing aids at a small airstrip at Wadi Siedna, about 40 km north of Khartoum.

The 121 people had no means to reach Port Sudan, located a distance of some 850 km from Wadi Siedna.

The operation was carried out on the intervening night of April 27 and 28. The Wadi Siedna airstrip has a degraded surface, with no navigational approach aids or refuelling facility. It does not have lights required to guide an aircraft landing at night.

Approaching the airstrip, the IAF pilots used their onboard electro-optical and infrared sensors to ensure that the runway was free of obstructions and no inimical forces were in the vicinity. The pilots adopted a tactical approach — as done in war zones — using night vision goggles.

On landing, the aircraft engines were kept running while eight IAF Garud commandos, fully armed with automatic weapons, secured the passengers and their luggage into the aircraft. The take-off from the runway was again carried out with night vision googles.

More return home from Sudan

The Indian armed forces on Friday evacuated 754 citizens under Operation Kaveri along with a local staff member of the French Embassy in Khartoum and her family in stepped-up operations that also saw the use of the Wadi Seidna air force base close to the capital of Khartoum.

👍. The decision was awaited for a long time, a good decision has been given.
Very good news about Aadhaar. Share to everyone💐🙏

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu (extreme left) and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) in New Delhi.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 28

A day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh blamed China for having “eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations” by its actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Beijing today issued a statement attempting to delink the border issue from other bilateral issues.A statement posted on the Chinese Defence Ministry website described yesterday’s meeting between Rajnath and Gen Li Shangfu at New Delhi. Without wanting to commit itself to resolving the three-year-old stand-off at the LAC, the Chinese statement said: “The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalised management”.Clearly making an attempt to delink the LAC stand-off from other matters, the Chinese statement quoted General Shangfu as having said, “As major neighbouring countries and important developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences.” India has conveyed that the resolution of the LAC stand-off is a prerequisite to anything else. Rajnath Singh had yesterday categorically conveyed that “development of relations between India and China was premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”. He had added that “all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and commitments. Violation of the existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations”.

The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other’s development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability, the Chinese statement said.

On the LAC, the Chinese statement today said “General Shangfu pointed out that currently, the situation on the China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels”. The Chinese statement added that “it is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries and make proper contributions to the development of bilateral relations”.

This is the first visit by a Chinese Defence Minister to India after the armies of the two countries have been locked in a stand-off along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh since April 2020. General Shangfu is here for the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting.

Go to the showroom and book your vehicle of your choice, colour,model etc by paying token of advance.

Take the engine no and chasis number.

Take a quotation of the vehicle as per csd price.

Take availability certificate

Now enter your basic service details, canteen grocery card number, chip number etc on the web site
“https://afd.csdindia.gov.in” by clicking on “shop now” than “new register”
Create your username and password

Note:- Don’t commit any mistakes while filling the form because once you fill and submit the form, it is tough to edit and till than the site will not allow you to Book the vehicle.

6. During every login you will get an otp on your registered mobile.
7. After entering the site click on “search” at the bottom of the web page and type the same vehicle you booked in the showroom, click on it and check the price displayed it should be same as said by the showroom otherwise tell showroom to amend it accordingly.
8. Mean while initially it will ask state,area, canteen etc select the canteen which is near to you.
9. Now after completing the initial about said formalities you have to pay the amount in full to csd store either direct thru your account or bank loan or partially both.
10. Now upload all documents like proof of payments,aadhar,Pan,Last pay drawn or ppo, availability certificate with engine and chasis number. After uploading all you have to click at the bottom of the page ” Generate Challan”. After that you will get summary sheet take print out the same and keep safe with all other uploaded documents in duplicate.
11. Visit to NOMINATED URC with all these copies,along with original Grocery card and identity card.The csd person will check everything and keep the copies.
12. After 2 or 3 days you will get mail and sms to collect PO/ Supply order.
13. Collect the same from CSD and submit at the showroom and collect your vehicle.

Note:- The site is getting updated regularly as the site is new.
They are trying to make everything hands free and avoid visiting canteen shortly they are thinking to give PO by downloading from your login site.

Compiled by the the PUNE URC in the general interest of all beneficiaries.

Dear Sir,
When the disbursal of arrears of ladies and gallantry award winners are to be completed by 30 Apr 2023, as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court, our Min of Def (ESW) issues the letter on 28 Apr 2023 to the Service Chiefs to disburse arrears by the time lines laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court.
I am aware some of you are very un-chartable to our officers and subordinates working in Min of Def (ESW). You have to understand in Govt of India you got to follow laid down procedures to carry out any task. Any minor deviation to the procedures invites severe disciplinary action.
Let me discuss how the letter has been issued to the three service chiefs to disburse the arrears in the succeeding paragraphs.

1. The Attorney General or Solicitor General who received the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court on disbursal of arrears of OROP- II will send it to Min of Def (ESW).
2. Min of Def (ESW) sends it to Min of Def for arranging funds for disbursal of arrears.
3. Min of Def asks its Financial Advisor to demand funds from Min of Fin (Revenue).
4. Min of Fin (Revenue) will take their own time to arrange funds and place it at the disposal of Min of Def who in turn informs Min of Def (ESW).
5. The draft letter will be made by Desk officer. Desk officer sends the file to Under Secretary. Under Secretary sends it to Deputy Secretary duly approving recommendation of Desk Officer. Deputy Secretary sends the file approving the recommendation of Under Secretary it to Joint Secretary. Joint Secretary approves the recommendation of Deputy Secretary to Secretary (ESW). Secretary Min of Def (ESW) takes it to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri who is busy in electioneering in Karnataka. Once he comes back to Delhi the Hon’ble Minister on file writes “issue letter on disbursal of OROP arrears”. The file goes down from Secretary (ESW) to Joint Secy (ESW) to Dy Secy to Under Secretary to Desk officer.
   Now the draft letter is made by Desk Officer. He sends it to Under Secretary. Under Secretary sends it to Deputy Secretary. Deputy Secretary sends the file to Joint Secretary. Joint Secretary send it to Secretary. Secretary says “Approved”.
   The file comes back from Secretary to Joint Secretary. Joint Secretary says “See the directions of Secretary on Disbursal of Arrears on the draft letter. Take immediate action”. The Deputy Secretary writes “ See the instruction of Joint Secretary. Take immediate action” and sends it to Under Secretary. Under Secretary writes on file “ See the directions of Deputy Secretary. Take immediate Action”. Finally the Desk Officers instructs all the three Service Chiefs to implement.
   Service Chiefs says “ We do not disburse arrears to Ex-Servicemen” and sends the file back to Desk Officer.

Desk officer seeks permission of Secretary to issue letter to banks. The Secretary finally gives his approval “ Send the letter to the banks”. The file comes back with instructions of the Secretary through the chain to the Desk officer.
Desk officer sends the file to the CPPCs of banks. The CPPC osf Banks reply to Desk officer that “ We need instructions from PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj.”
The desk officer seeks permission of Secretary, Min of Def (ESW) to send the letter to PCDA (Pensions). The file is approved by Secretary, Min of Def (ESW) with instructions “ Send the letter to PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj”. The Desk officer issues letter to PCDA (Pensions) Prayagaj.

PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj tells the Desk officer “ We need instructions from CGDA”.

The Desk officer sends the file right upto the Secretary, Min of Def (ESW) who says “ Approved. Send the file to CGDA.”. The desk officer issues the letter to CGDA.
CGDA tells the Desk officer “ We need instructions from Financial Advisor of Defence Services”. The desk officers moves file to Secretary Min of Def (ESW) seeking his permission to send the file to FADS.
The file comes back from Secretary “ Send the file to FADS”.
The Desk officer sends the file to FADS.
FADS issues the letter to CGDA. CGDA issues the letter to PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj.
You all think govt employees do not work. See how much effort has been put in by everyone to issue a simple letter to disburse arrears of OROP- II.
Finally the letter is issued to the banks who have to disburse the pensions. At times orders are given on telephone to cut down time.
So do not blame banks if they have not disbursed your arrears. Govt of India loves the rules and regulations laid down by British though British have changed their method of government functioning long decades back.
warm regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd)

PTI

New Delhi, April 25

The first batch of Indians stranded in violence-hit Sudan left the country onboard India’s naval ship INS Sumedha as part of the evacuation mission ‘Operation Kaveri’.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said 278 people onboard the ship departed Port Sudan for the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

“First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah,” Bagchi tweeted.

India on Monday launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to bring back its nationals from Sudan that has been witnessing fierce fighting following a power struggle between the regular army and a paramilitary force.

On Sunday, India said it has positioned two transport aircraft of the IAF in Jeddah and naval ship INS Sumedha at Port Sudan as part of its contingency plans to evacuate the stranded Indians.

The government had on Friday said it was focusing on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently located throughout Sudan.

The deadly fighting between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group for the past 12 days has reportedly left around 400 people dead.  

Attack by terrorists near Poonch’s Bhimber Gali area | Assault rifles & grenades used

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, April 20

Five soldiers were killed when an Army truck carrying soldiers of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was ambushed by terrorists near Bhimber Gali in J&K’s Poonch on Thursday afternoon. Assault rifles and grenades were used to target the vehicle, said sources.

“At 3 pm, an Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri Sector (which covers Poonch area) was fired upon by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility. The vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists,” an Army spokesperson said. Five personnel of the RR unit deployed in the area for counter-terrorist operations were charred to death.

The deceased are Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh (all from Punjab) and Lance Naik Debashish (Odisha). A seriously injured soldier was rushed to the Army Hospital, Rajouri. The firing came from the adjoining forest areas. The Army has launched search operations. Traffic remained suspended on the Bhimber Gali-Surankote road after the ambush. Commuters were told to take the Bhimber Gali-Mendhar-Jarran Wali Gali to Surankote-Poonch route or the Krishna Ghati top to Poonch route. Commuters were stopped from taking videos and clicking pictures. Lt Col Devender Anand, the Defence PRO based in Jammu, requested the media not to circulate the videos and photos of the incident.

Anguished, says rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was anguished by the tragedy. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” he said.

TOOK ADVANTAGE OF RAIN

At 3 pm, an Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in Rajouri Sector was fired upon by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility. The vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists.

Northern Command