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No matter what the minister said, he was speaking in an official capacity and his comments can’t be taken lightly. This is part of a wider strategy to inject certain things into the public discourse that fits in with the belligerent, intolerant nationalism this government is pushing. ACHIN VANAIK, founder, Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s remarks about when and how nuclear weapons should be used came on the eve of a crucial meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in Vienna that is expected to take up India’s application to join the elite club.

They also came at a time when India’s Prime Minister was preparing for a landmark civil nuclear agreement with Japan, whose sensitivities about atomic weapons are no secret.

The point of having a credible minimum nuclear deterrent and a nuclear doctrine that is largely out in public is that there is no need to talk about the nukes, or what India intends to do with them.

Parrikar, of course, tried to pass off his remarks as a personal opinion. “Why a lot of people say that India has (a) No First Use policy… I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly… as an individual, I get a feeling sometime why do I say that I am not going to use it first,” he said on Thursday.

Experts, however, argued that the greater the ambiguity about a nuclear doctrine, the greater the deterrence. Some even contend that India erred by making public its draft nuclear doctrine in 1999, almost a year after the blasts in Pokhran, and by releasing parts of the doctrine on its adoption in 2003.

“The more ambiguity and opacity there is about a nuclear doctrine, the more it adds to deterrence,” Bharat Karnad, a national security expert at the Centre for Policy Research, told HT.

Karnad, who was part of India’s first National Security Advisory Board that put together the draft doctrine, said the members of the body were “aghast” when the government of the day decided to make the document public.

Achin Vanaik, one of the founders of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, said it had become the norm for some Union ministers and chief ministers to make “outrageous” statements that were later rationalised.

“No matter what the defence minister said, he was speaking in an official capacity and his comments can’t be taken lightly,” Vanaik said. “This is part of a wider strategy to inject certain things into the public discourse that fits in with the belligerent, intolerant nationalism this government is pushing.”

Vanaik also questioned the nuclear stance of India and China, saying both weren’t “practising what they preach” about No First Use. He said, “No First Use implies these countries should have enough weapons only for a second strike but they’re both expanding their arsenals.”

Observers have contended that Parrikar’s remarks were an apparent retort to recent sabre-rattling by Pakistan, but Karnad argued that the neighbouring country did not even pose a “credible threat”.

Referring to a country’s capacity to absorb a nuclear strike, he said the “exchange ratio between destruction imposed and destruction absorbed” would be far greater for Pakistan.

The General Officer Commanding, Delta Force, offers floral tributes to Manjeet Singh at Dharmund. Tribune Photo

Our Correspondent

Batote, November 7

A soldier slipped to death while patrolling in the Chanderkot area of Ramban district on Sunday night.The slain soldier has been identified as Lance Naik Manjeet Singh of the 12 Rashtriya Rifles.According to sources, Manjeet Singh fell into a gorge after he slipped from the hill slope while patrolling at Kini Batti on Sunday night.His body was extricated on Sunday night and brought to Field Army Hospital in Batote. After a post mortem and legal formalities, his body was sent to his native Prem Nagar village in Doda today afternoon, the sources added.Besides various Army officers led by the General Officer Commanding of the Delta Force, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Mohammed Aijaz, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ramban, Randeep Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mushtaq Choudhary, Commandant, 42 Battalion, Sashastra Seema Bal, Rajesh Ticku, Assistant Commandant, 84 Battalion, CRPF, Aditya Ruhela, tehsildar, Batote, Srinath Suman and naib tehsildar Saifullah Shah offered floral tributes to the soldier.In his condolence message, the General Officer Commanding, Delta Force, said the Army was proud of the brave soldier and assumed full responsibility for ensuring best possible lifelong care and concern for the bereaved family as per best traditions of the Army.

An administrative approval to relax norms is awaited. — File photo

New Delhi, November 7 A number of abnormalities or ailments which earlier rendered people unfit to gain entry into the Air Force or fly aircraft are soon set to go.With no scientific evidence to back notions like spinal deformities affect flying, the Air Force will soon modify its medical norms for pilots and new applicants declared unfit due to this reason.Also, with new medical technologies and better drugs available for treatment, several ailments like asthma, diabetes, coronary heart diseases and hypertension may also go off the list.The Medical Board of the Air Force has also removed 19 drugs like anti-diabetics off the list which were earlier considered as a “taboo” for flying.”After going through several national and international literature and various research we have done in our Institute Of Aerospace Medicine, we are trying to get some of the pilots, who are declared unfit for flying…”We are looking into those issues and taking out a new order for commissioning, selection and flying purposes and they will be declared fit (for flying),” Air Marshal Pawan Kapoor, Director General Medical Services (Air) said referring to spinal deformities.”There are 10-12 ailments which have already been taken off. Rest are in the pipeline and decision is likely in next 7-10 days,” he said.He said while medical approval has been taken, an administrative approval is awaited and the process will be done without compromising with flight safety.Kapoor was speaking at sidelines of 64th International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine here, attended by experts across the world from the field of aerospace medicine from both civil and military aviation.The Air Force had formed a committee comprising spinal surgeons, neurosurgeons, physicians, radiologists and it was concluded that there is no evidence to show these spinal deformities can affect flight safety and physical capability and conditioning of the pilots.Referring to Schmorl’s nodes, a spinal abnormality, he said, “There was a perception that these nodes make you get prone to spinal fractures, backaches but no scientific literature was found.”Certain abnormalities like disk degeneration will be taken up on a case to case basis, Kapoor said. In his address, Chief of Air Staff Arup Raha said although modern aircraft with advanced technology are highly capable, human limitations — physical, physiological and psychological — at times do not allow the exploitation of these machines to their full potential.This gap, he said, is ably bridged by the aviation medicine specialists. — PTI 

Dehradun, November 4

Activists of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) held a symbolic funeral procession of Union Minister VK Singh over his statement on deceased ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal here today. The protesters said Singh should apologise for his statement.The protesters, led by NSUI state president Shyam Singh Chauhan, held a procession that passed through different routes of the city. Chauhan said, “Soldiers strive round the clock to safeguard the international boundaries but the Union minister tried to defame an ex-serviceman who ended his life for his dues.”“It’s the matter of proud that there is a huge representation from Uttarakhand in the defence forces. NSUI activists will not tolerate insult to army personnel,” he said.It may be recalled that after Grewal committed suicide in New Delhi, VK Singh had said, “Though OROP is said to be the reason behind the extreme step, no one knows the exact cause. We don’t know what his mental state was.” Singh had also said that the deceased was a Congress worker, who contested Sarpanch elections. — TNS

From: Satbir <satbirsm@gmail.com>
Date: 21 October 2016 at 10:57
Subject: FAUJI JANTA PARTY (FJP)

Dated: 20 Oct 2016
To: 

Dear Friends,

1. Fauji Janta Party (FJP) was introduced to the Nation on 05 Oct 2016 at Press Club of India New Delhi through a well attended Media.  The Pres Conference was chaired by noted Advocate Shri Ram Jethmalani.
2. Another important Press Conference was held at Sood Bhawan Sector 44A Chandigarh on 18 Oct 2016 where FJP was introduced in Punjab with a special focus on the forthcoming Punjab Election.  Operation ”Chardhi Kala” has been launched in Punjab to inform the people about the FORMATION OF FJP” right up to the village level.  It is a Party with a difference with main focus on deliverance of good governance on schedule with Military Precision.  We are confident that the people of Punjab will give us the convincing victory.  Simultaneously, we will spread our wings in other states and at the centre.  We wish to assure the people that we will provide honest and quality governance for which we will start the functioning from very moment we from the Govt in state or at the Centre.
3. In order, to sustain the Party Logistically for management of Rallies, for preparation of publicity materials, and other administrative needs we will need funds.  We request all members of defence Fraternity and the citizenry of the Nation to join in this effort by donating funds generously. 

BANK DETAILS – FJP

4. You may send the cheque/DD/deposit directly in above account in your local PNB Branch, or do an e-transfer. Please send us the filled Membership or Donation form(s) by post at.

Sh. Ram Mehar Malik                                                                         National President, Fauji Janta Party                                                      Plot No: 124, 2nd Floor                                                                          Pocket –III, Sector 24, Rohini, New Delhi – 110085

 

5. Please address your emails on the above matter to the following email IDs:

(a)     Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd), Chief Patron Fauji      Jantar Party,  Mob No: 09312404269 satbirsm@gmail.com

(b)     Ram Mehar Malik, National President, Fauji Janta Party

 Mobile – 9871759977,rmmalik2003@yahoo.co.in,  faujijantaparty@gmail.com

6. Your contribution will be highly appreciated.

Jai Hind!

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) 
Chief  Patron FJP
Mobile: 9312404269, 0124 4110570                                                                                       

Email: satbirsm@gmail.com

ALANDHAR: The defence wing is set to hold a recruitment rally under unit headquarters quota (UHQ) at Punjab Regiment Centre, Ramgarh Cantonment.

While the enlistment for soldier clerk is set for November 19, for soldier (general duty) and soldier tradesmen, the screening is on November 22.

The notification issued by the defence department states that recruitment for soldier on general duty, Sikh (except Mazhabi, Ramdasi and Rai Sikh), Dogra and other Indian caste (OIC) candidates hailing from Punjab, Himachal Pardesh, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, North and North West Rajasthan will be considered.

The defence wing has also laid the qualification required for the posts: solider (general duty) category candidate should have passed Class 10 with a minimum of 33 % marks in each subject and 45% in aggregate.

Meanwhile, candidates hailing from Jammu and Kashmir except Jammu’s Samba and Kathua district should have simply cleared Class 10.

For soldier’s clerk category, Class 12th pass candidate with minimum 40% marks in each subject and 50% marks in aggregate will be considered.

For soldier tradesmen category, candidates need to have cleared Class 10.

For soldier general duty category, the candidate should be between 17½ -21 years of age and for soldier clerk and soldier tradesmen category, the age of the candidate should be between 17½ to 23 years.

Candidates are required to bring their original certificates and latest 15 colour passport size photographs (in turban and without turban) attested on back side only.

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 28

Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today visited the Pooh and Samdoh areas of tribal Kinnaur district, bordering China.The visit of Gen Suhag was kept a closely guarded secret and even the Kinnaur administration and police were completely unaware of it. The visit assumes significance in view of escalating tension and ceasefire violation along the Line of Control. Suhag visited the brigade headquarter at Pooh and Samdoh along the international boundary India shares with China.He interacted with the Army personnel posted along the border area and inquired about their well being and problems. He flew back later in the afternoon.

 

1.      Lieutenant General Surinder Singh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal took over the reins as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the prestigious Western Army on 17 Sep 2016. In keeping with the traditions, the General Officer paid homage to the Martyrs at the Veer Smriti and reviewed Guard of Honour at the command Headquarters.

2.     Lieutenant General Surinder Singh, an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Pune was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, BRIGADE OF THE GUARDS in 1979 and later commanded the same unit. In a distinguished military career panning near four decades, he has tenanted critical Command and Staff appointments in active counter insurgency and operational environments. He has held important operational appointments in Military Operations Directorate and the Perspective Planning Directorate at the Army Headquarters. The General Officer has vast experience in Operational logistics as well having tenanted key logistic appointments on the western front. He also has had the distinction of serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Liberia.

3.     The General Officer is a graduate of Staff Collage Camberley (UK), The Higher Command Course and the National Defence Collage. He has served as an Instructor at The Infantry School and The Collage of Military Engineering. He has commanded an Armoured Brigade, a Division in Strike Corps and operationally committed Corps in the Eastern Command prior to taking over the Western Army.

4. Lieutenant General Surinder Singh is a proud recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service to the Nation. He is also the ‘Colonel’ of The Brigade of Guards.

AMRITSAR: “Indian soldiers were the bravest of the brave. It was an honour to command them,” says Major Tom Conway (retd), 98, one of the last surviving British officers who had commanded Indian soldiers.

Major Conway was in Amritsar on Sunday for the inaugural ceremony of War Memorial and had come to north India after 80 years. “They (state government) wanted other officers around as well, but probably I am the only one surviving,” he says.

A World War-II veteran and one of the heroes of Battle of Alamein, he had commanded the Dogras, Sikhs and Pathans.

Major Conway joined the British Army in April 1940. “I volunteered to join the Indian Army in Egypt. I had heard and read so much about India. I had read Rudyard Kipling and I was also impressed from the tales of valour of the Indian soldiers,” he says. He joined Guides Cavalry where he commanded companies of Dogras, Sikhs and Pathans. “Dogras were the quietest. It was being said that they were easier to command. But they were all good,” he adds. “I used to take train from Pathankot to Kullu valley which used to run at ten past midnight daily. I used to visit Dogra soldiers’ families to get to know them better,” he recalls. WORLD WAR-II WITH INDIAN SOLDIERS

In 1941, Guides Cavalry was a reconnaissance regiment for 8 Indian Division in Egypt. “We were armed with wheeler carriers, made by Tata,” he narrates. Then they went to Syria. “One of our brigades was overrun. We were retreating,” he adds. Then he was asked to go to Sudan where he commanded the Sikhs.

In November 1942, the Battle of Alamein took place in Egypt where he was one of the heroes and got a medal too. “First time in 3 years, Germans had a major defeat. Churchill (Winston) said it was not the end of war but the beginning of the end. Our job was to keep the Army chasing,” he says. Then he was sent to Iraq to check Germans from the North, but they instead attacked Russia and tasted reverses.

“By the beginning of 1943, there was no threat to Middle East. I was sent to India. I was to engage in Burma (Myanmar) with 15 Indian Division but was sent to North West Frontier area as small-scale battles were going on there. I commanded Dogras there,” he adds.

In 1944, he went to Britain for a month which was his first leave in four years. He looked after Indian contingent in London and retired after victory parade in 1946.

“It is wrong to say that the British only recruited martial races in India. In the 18th century, most of the soldiers in the Army used to be from the Southern parts,” he says. After going back to Britain, he married a Chinese teacher and stayed in Japan for about 25 years. “I would love to go back to Kullu valley again… Though I do not know whether I would be able to make it,” he says.