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GOG PROVIDING FREE TRAINING TO YOUTHS FOR BSF/CRPF RECRUITMENT:जीओजी युवाओं को दे रही निशुल्क आर्मी भर्ती ट्रेनिंग - IN HONOUR OF THE UNIFORM BY LT GEN BHOPINDER SINGH (RETD)
- ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL, EXTENSION OF RETIREMENT AGE OF COLONELS OF THE INDIAN ARMY, 57 YEARS
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- DEATH OF TOURIST IN J&K NOT CONDUCIVE TO TOURISM: NIRMALA SITHARAMAN
- NAWAZ SHARIF NOW FACES PROBE FOR LAUNDERING $4.9 BN TO INDIA: REPORTS
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ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL, extension of retirement age of Colonels of the Indian Army, 57 years
Dear friends,
I wish to inform you that recently the ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL, Principal Bench at New Delhi has rendered a favourable judgment in the matter of extension of retirement age of Colonels of the Indian Army, at par with that of Gp Captain and Captains of the other two sister services. My plea was to enhance the retirement age of Colonels from 54 to 57 years. I was the first person to file this matter in the AFT way back in 2015 just prior to my retirement (case No 599/2015). Other officers filed similar cases subsequently.
A copy of the judgment has just now been made available on the website and I have gone through the entire contents of the said judgment. Judges have passed a very strong and favourable judgment, directing Govt of India to consider the case of the applicants and formulate a policy which shall set right the anomaly. The judgment can be accessed here. http://aftdelhi.nic.in/index.
The judgment also grants consequential benefits to the applicants (alone). In simple terms, it means that post formulation and implementation of the revised policy relating to superannuation ages of Cols, the Cols who were applicants in this case will be given continuity in service, seniority and all pay and allowances as admissible.
Now, those who have retired in the last few years and those who are at the brink of retiring, should also be made aware so that the benefits flowing out of the above judgment can be availed by all. To avail the benefits of extension of retirement age, and the consequential benefits viz. continuity in service, pay and allowances, seniority, and refixation of pension in case of already retired officers, they should also approach the AFT, New Delhi by filing their respective cases seeking same relief as had been asked by the original batch of applicants who now stand vindicated and are bound to get their rightful due from the MoD very soon. It is important that this exercise be completed ASAP preferably within the next few weeks as delay will only weaken and hamper your chances of getting same relief and benefits from the AFT. Interested officers may contact my lawyer Shri Harshvardhan at +91- 9140870945.
Regards,
Col Nisheeth Singhal Retd
+91-7045533967
Death of tourist in J&K not conducive to tourism: Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Naval Commanders’ conference in New Delhi. Tribune photo
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 8
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the death of a tourist in an incident of stone-pelting in Kashmir was not conducive to attracting tourists to Jammu and Kashmir.“We need to be firm with terrorists and ensure safe movement of tourists, said Sitharaman while addressing a press conference after inaugurating the Naval Commanders’ conference here. The state wanted to promote tourism, the minister said.Speaking about maritime strength, she said, “India will be a force to reckon with in the Indo-Pacific. All of Navy’s demands for the year 2017-2018 have been met.”At the conference, the Navy will review its new mission-based deployments philosophy aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region. The new deployment philosophy, in furtherance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of security and growth for all in the region (SAGAR), aims at sustained, peaceful and yet responsive presence of Indian naval ships in critical areas and choke points.The Navy’s focus over the past year has been on combat efficiency and material readiness, and upkeep of its large fleet of 131 ships and submarines.Naval commanders would deliberate upon steps to improve the teeth-to-tail ratio and explore niche fields such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Harnessing cutting-edge technology, specifically those ‘Made-in-India’, to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency would be another key focus area of the commanders.Indian Navy has been the flag-bearer of the indigenisation and ‘Make in India’ initiative. As many as 27 ships and submarines are currently under construction in Indian shipyards, including the first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘Vikrant’.
Nawaz Sharif now faces probe for laundering $4.9 bn to India: Reports
File photo of Nawaz Sharif. AFP
Islamabad, May 8
In further trouble to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s top anti-corruption body on Tuesday ordered a probe against the embattled former Prime Minister and others for allegedly laundering USD 4.9 billion to India, media reports said.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a press release said its Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal took notice of reports making rounds on news channels claiming that Sharif allegedly laundered USD 4.9 billion to India, the Express Tribune reported.
According to the media report, this incident is mentioned in the World Bank’s Migration and Remittance Book 2016, the release said.
However, details of the media report in question have not been mentioned in the brief statement issued in Urdu, Geo TV reported.
The statement claims that the amount was laundered to the Indian Finance Ministry after which Indian foreign exchange reserves witnessed an increase and Pakistan suffered as a result.
Sharif is facing three corruption cases at the accountability court following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case. An NAB inquiry is also under way against him for alleged illegal expansion of a road leading to his estate in Lahore’s Jati Umra locality.
Once formulated, this will be the fifth case against the ousted premier by the NAB.
Earlier today, the accountability court sought more time from the top court to end the trial on references filed by the NAB against members of the Sharif family.
Accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, who presides over the hearings, has written a letter to the top court requesting for a second extension in the trial.
Earlier in March, the Supreme Court had granted a two-month extension to the accountability court to wrap the proceedings.
However, as the two-month deadline expires, the case is nowhere near its end, with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments still untouched, the country’s top anti-graft body is running out of time.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had disqualified Sharif last year, forcing the three-time prime minister to resign. Sharif has dismissed the corruption charges as politically motivated.
The political future of Sharif, who leads the country’s most powerful political family and his party, has been hanging in the balance since then. If convicted, he can be jailed. PTI
An article beyond the usual pass on posts
Some of us saw this Bn from close quarters and Col now Brig (retd) purushe my ex CO dealt with some court-martials. Story below as told by Brig Gakhal of Sikh Regt;
THE SPIRIT TO WIN !
“It is not the dog in the fight that matters but the fight in the dog.” Harold Robbins.
1. The other day i had a lunch appointment with Col Karam Singh Virk and it is that which brought to mind this quote of Harold Robbins that one read in college. We met to glean the events of Disbandment of 9 Sikh, an event entrusted to his charge after the CO was attached. During the course of the three hour interaction, he eyes were perpetually moist at times the tears made an appearance, but his voice never quivered or cracked. Having commanded three Battalions, it was his fate to preside over the disbandment of the third. The emotions were but natural.
2. Towards the close of 1984, Col Virk who was commanding 20 Sikh at Charmagad, was summoned at short notice to assume command of 9 Sikh. At that point in time the unit was split in three locations. The detainees numbering 387 in Ganganagar under 14 Bihar, 05 Officers,16 JCOs and 200 OR who were on leave /courses on 7/8 June 84 were attached at Bikaner with a Field Regiment and the remaining 05 officers,10 JCOs and 140 OR were at Lalgarh Jattan. Though technically Col Virk took over 9 Sikh he was actually commanding 05 Officers, 10 JCOs and 140 OR, a rifle Company strength. His efforts to concentrate the Battalion less the detainees at one location did not get the approval of the chain of command. It is in that scenario that the ‘fight in the dog’ came to the fore.
3. The Competition calendar was being finalised and Col Virk was asked if 9 Sikh would like to participate. With nothing to loose the answer to the amazement of brigade staff was an affirmative. The X Country team was unaffected by the events of 7/8 june and won the brigade hands down. First nine positions went to 9 Sikh. The Rajputs & Gurkhas were way behind. Hockey followed, the original team had been mauled by the events of 7/8 June. Available talent practised day and night with little else to do.( The unit was disarmed and as such training with arms was not possible). Hockey was also won, comfortably. Basket ball posed problems as the Rajputs boasted of Command level players and a well oiled team. Col Virk a basketballer himself had in LT PK Singh a fine talent, between them they mustered, skilled and trained a team. Col Virk often witnessed the Rajputs at play and was able to strategize their game plan. Come the finals, the Sikh’s defensive play frustrated the skilled Rajput players who lost rationality as reputation was at stake. A victory here stunned the Rajput Battalion.
4. Boxing is a prestigious Gurkha sport. Sikhs have little talent in the lower weights while the Gurkhas lack in higher weights. On the final day, the first three knock outs by Gurkhas and chants of “Ho Kay Hoi na” motivated the Sikh heavier weights. To cut a long story short the Knock outs that followed silenced the audience and as the trophy was handed over to 9 Sikh Jaikar’s reached a crescendo. The only sport in which coy worth of 9 Sikh were runners up was football, where the Gurkhas won a closely fought final by 3-2.
5. What motivated a motley Company strength to show the prowess they did ? Right Leadership and Right Spirit. 9 Sikh was always renowned for the limitless spirit to win. A unit that within a year of its raising in Apr 1964 won the Gen Chaudhry Match and repeated the win the following year. A gruelling physically demanding competition that ended in testing accuracy in firing. A unit that captured 46 Sq KMs of the Lipa Valley in sept 1971. Their spirit to win was endless !
Its not the Dog that matters its the spirit in the dog !! so well said !!
Ball in Pak court: India says 2018 SAARC summit unlikely
Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 24
India resetting ties with China does not imply Delhi will soften its position on Pakistan and terrorism sponsored from its soil, said sources. Questions are being raised if Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in the same room with his Pakistani counterpart during the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit in China in June, will be open to formally reviving dialogue with Islamabad. India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO last year. New Delhi believes multilateral dynamics are different from bilateral ones and that it is too early to comment on the possibility of a handshake or conversation between the India-Pakistan PMs on the SCO sidelines in Qingdao, the sources say. Also, India is not warming up to the idea of reviving SAARC this year. The summit dialogue to be hosted in Islamabad in 2016 saw an India-led boycott in the wake of the Uri terror strikes. Unless Pakistan passes on the hosting right, Indian PM will be unwilling to participate.And the eight-member South Asian grouping charter states that even if one head of government or state does not attend, the summit meet cannot be held. “In the current situation, we do not contemplate a SAARC summit. It is difficult to have a summit when one of the countries is involved in actively sponsoring cross- border terrorism. There has to be a conducive environment for it,” underlined a government source, ahead of Modi’s talks with Xi Jinping, President of Pakistan’s all-weather friend China.Interestingly, India managed to win Chinese support at the global counter-terror funding body FATF (Financial Action Task Force) meeting recently to grey-list Pakistan.
Last Sikh Queen’s earrings fetch nearly 6 times auction estimate
The earrings belonged to the youngest wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Photo courtesy Twitter handle: @bonhams1793
London, April 25
A pair of gold pendant earrings from the collection of last Sikh Queen of Punjab Maharani Jind Kaur fetched 175,000 pounds, nearly six times the guide price, at an auction here.The earrings, the highlight of the Islamic and Indian sale at Bonhams yesterday, were estimated to attract bids between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds.The earrings belonged to the youngest wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was the only wife of the Sikh ruler not to commit sati on his funeral pyre following his death in 1839.She went on to be appointed as the de facto ruler of Punjab before being captured by the British. It was only many years later when she arrived in England that her jewellery, including the earrings on sale, were handed back to her.“The impressive price paid for these beautiful pieces of jewellery conveys their significance,” said Oliver White, Head of Islamic and Indian Art at Bonhams.“These gold earrings are a powerful reminder of a courageous woman who endured the loss of her kingdom, and persecution and privation, with great dignity and fortitude,” he noted.When Kaur’s five-year-old son Duleep Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Punjab in 1843, she was appointed Regent.The Punjab Empire at the time stretched from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas and the court was fabled for its artistic and scientific achievements and opulence and riches.The East India Company invaded and annexed Punjab, despite armed opposition organised and led by Kaur. She was deposed in 1846, separated from her son and imprisoned.According to Bonhams’ historians, the Maharani’s personal wealth was confiscated and the state Treasury plundered by the British Army.The famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Timur Ruby were sent back to London as gifts for Queen Victoria. Mother and son were eventually reunited after 13-and-a-half-years in 1861 when Kaur moved to England to be with her son. She died in 1863.Besides her earrings, some of the other Indian highlights of the Bonhams auction this week included a painting by Gujarati artist Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh.His ‘Composition in green and black’ inscribed on the reverse with the artist’s name sold for 40,000 pounds, within the guide price estimate of 35,000 and 45,000 pounds.Another Indian painting, dating back to circa 1820-30, ‘Shiva and Parvati with Ganesh, Karttikeya and Nandi on Mount Kailasa’ went under the hammer for 16,250 pounds, beyond the estimated 8,000-12,000 pounds.A ‘Mother and Child’ portrait by Jamini Roy dating back to circa 1950 fetched 11,875 pounds, also beating the guide price estimate of 6,000-8,000 pounds. — PTI
UK envoy sorry for calling Golden Temple a mosque
London, April 24
A top UK diplomat has called the Golden Temple a mosque following which he apologised for the gaffe amid protests by Sikhs.Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, referred to the Golden Temple in Amritsar as the “Golden Mosque” in a tweet on Monday.“At the Queen’s birthday party, presented with picture of The Queen at Golden Mosque in Amritsar in 1997, a permanent memento for Deputy High Commission’s wall,” he tweeted. On realising his mistake, he apologised for the gaffe. The Foreign Office top diplomat said this morning: “I was wrong: I am sorry. I should, of course, have said the Golden Temple or, better, Sri Harmandir Sahib.”However, Bhai Amrik Singh, the chairman of the Sikh Federation, said: “This was a major gaffe by a top civil servant and unacceptable. It demonstrates a remarkable level of ignorance from someone in his position.” “In our view, a public apology and admitting the mistake is not enough. What we need is a commitment from the UK government and senior civil servants to root out such ignorance and discrimination or we will continue to face hate, abuse and threats of violence,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.The gaffe comes as Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to launch an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the Indian Army’s 1984 raid on the Golden Temple under his party’s government. The Labour leader promised that an investigation into the attack, which is said to have left thousands of people dead, would be in the party’s next manifesto. — PTI
Why the row over DSP cadre merger with Delhi, other UTs
SENIOR POLICE OFFICIALS SAY THE MERGER WILL SET A SYSTEM IN PLACE, CURRENTLY NONEXISTENT, FOR PROMOTION AND TRANSFER OF CHANDIGARH POLICE DSPS, WHICH CAN ONLY HAPPEN ONCE THEY ARE A PART OF DANIPS
From page 01 CHANDIGARH: There’s been a row over a home ministry (MHA) proposal to merge the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) cadre of Chandigarh Police with that of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Services (DANIPS), with even the Punjab chief minister opposing the idea.
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has proposed the merger of the Chandigarh Police deputy superintendent of police (DSP) cadre with the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Services (DANIPS). There are at present 23 sanctioned posts of DSPs in Chandigarh police with 11 are held by officials of the Chandigarh cadre and 10 by DANIPS.
RATIONALE BEHIND THE PROPOSAL
Senior police officials say the merger will set a system in place, currently non-existent, for promotion and transfer of Chandigarh Police DSPs, which can only happen once they are a part of DANIPS. The police officials are permanently stationed in Chandigarh once they are recruited at the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) level.
WHEN WAS THE PROPOSAL INITIATED?
Anuradha Gupta, an IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, was UT home secretary when a DSPs deputation met her to ask for promotion to the rank of superintendent of police (SP). As no such provision existed then and SPs came to the city on deputation from New Delhi, Gupta proposed the merger for the first time.
WHY ARE SOME OFFICERS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL?
Some Chandigarh Police officers don’t fancy the idea of leaving the comforts of the city and move to other UTs. Then comes the question of seniority – once the merger happens they will be junior to their DANIPS counterparts as they are recruited as ASIs whereas the former, say in Delhi Police, are recruited a higher level as sub-inspectors.
WILL THE MERGER BE A GOOD MOVE?
The merger, many police officers say, will be in the interest of the local police officers as more openings will be created for promotions to SP or even DIG ranks.
Transfer to other UTs should also not be such a big issue for the DSPs, they say.
WHY IS THE PUNJAB CM AGAINST THE PROPOSAL?
Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has opposed the move, saying Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and a disputed territory as of now. He has called for continuing the existing pattern of all Chandigarh UT posts being shared between Punjab and Haryana in a 60:40 ratio. The merger will dilute the stake of Punjab in Chandigarh, making the CM a likely target for rival parties Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party for working against the interests of the state.
WHAT NEXT?
DANIPS now is a proposal put forward by MHA for comments and observations up to May 19, after which it will be sent to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for approval. From there, it will go to the finance and then the personnel ministries and finally to the Union Cabinet for clearance.
It has also been learnt that inspectors and police officials in line for promotion to posts of DSPs in Chandigarh are contemplating legal action if the proposal is implemented.
Defence secy flies SU-30 at IAF base in Sirsa
SIRSA: Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra visited the Air Force base at Sirsa on Saturday. He was accompanied by Air Marshal SB Deo, Vice-Chief of Air Staff.
The defence secretary and the Air Marshal flew a sortie each in Su-30 MKI squadron based at Sirsa. The mission was flown in a dense network-centric environment as part of the ongoing pan India IAF level exercise Gaganshakti.
The two-week long exercise, being conducted by the IAF, is one of the biggest so far in terms of participation of forces, intensity of operations and scale of logistical support, a defence release said. The defence secretary and the Air Marshal also interacted with the personnel of the base.
Ex-servicemen walk for martyrs
IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE CIVILIANS AND EXSERVICEMEN MEET AND DO SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR A NOBLE CAUSE
Here we are on a beautiful morning in April, all ready for a walkathon. This one is, however, different from a sporting event that’s usually dominated by youngsters. Ek Kadam Shahidon Ke Naam (One step for the martyrs) has been organised by ex-servicemen from Ambala for India’s martyrs – soldiers killed in action.
I am with the Ambala Cantt group and we take off on the dot at 6.45 am from the Phoenix Club. It is a 5-km route along the GT Road. As convenor of the Ambala Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) I am happy to be walking with INTACH members Vipin Malhotra and Saighalji and many spirited ladies, all our aching limbs and tiredness forgotten. As the ladies request that we slow down, we pause for a group photograph and then walk on to remember our heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Bhalla Saheb, an IAF ex-serviceman becomes nostalgic as we pass the Air Force Station where he had been posted 50 years ago. At 82, this tall, slim, and straight ‘young man’ matches steps perfectly with the rest of us.
Finally, we realise we have done it! Approaching Jaggi City Centre near the Kingfisher Resort, on the AmbalaChandigarh highway, we find over a thousand people, neatly seated, and enjoying the cultural programme. Many people have come from villages close by, including families of ex servicemen. A woman sarpanch recounts the sacrifices of her husband (a Subedar in the army) who died fighting the enemy on the India-Pakistan border. Then there are people reciting poems, one eulogising Shaheed Bhagat Singh and another highlighting India’s unity in diversity. The atmosphere is charged with positive energy and we all seem to be suddenly connected by a single thread – desh bhakti (love for the nation).
As we enjoy the programme, relishing our healthy breakfast served at the venue, some veterans take the stage to salute our martyrs. There are cheers as Subedar Multani Saheb and his dedicated team (organisers) request the chief guest, Dr R C Mishra, additional director general of police, to give away awards to walkathon participants who are above 85 years of age. How beautiful!
