THE first-rung leadership of Independent India was understandably wary of the armed forces. The men and the institutions were handed down unaltered by the British who not too far back were utilising these very resources to stifle the Independence movement. The army-led takeovers in Pakistan and Myanmar added to their wariness. Without patriotism as a mobilising tool, Nehru’s post-colonial nationalism comprised an inclusive  Indianness in communion with a wider community of recently  liberated nation. Military and its valour as mobilising elements were incorporated after the eye opener in the 1962 war. Since then, politicians have experienced electoral joy in invoking the military: two stellar examples are Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan and Indira being equated with Durga for the dissection of Pakistan.

But not even the Vajpayee government, with a similar DNA as the current dispensation, had not gone so grossly over the top. Perhaps they are banking on the proverbial short memory to eulogise a military operation that pales before the many acts of valour by the Indian armed forces since Independence. No wonder the serving and former military officers, who know better, have been uneasy about this naked display of political upmanship. The videos streaming out of our urban centres confirm the apprehension that the idea was to use the soldier as a prop for the BJP’s political propaganda. Pakistan next door offers a vivid example of what happens when the lines between the military and the civilian sphere are consciously blurred. The public display of militarised religious symbolism, Pakistan found out, was one of the major means for the promotion of the culture of militancy and radicalisation. South Block’s enrolment of the army as a proxy election campaigner will not just shortchange the electorate by glossing over the more critical bread and butter issues. Rajnath Singh had found his attempt to become the UP chief minister badly derailed after the BJP once too often whipped up patriotic frenzy over the Kargil war. Elections are still at a distance and the danger of overkill is a likely possibility.

NEW DELHI:rmy Chief General Bipin Rawat on Sunday said that the youth fighting for freedom itself doesn’t know what they want. Speaking on Pakistan instigated violence in Kashmir, Army Chief said, “Pakistan wants these types of trouble (violence) to continue in Kashmir. They want that peace shouldn’t return in this area. They’re trying to radicalise the youth of Kashmir. Pakistan has decided to bleed India with a thousand cuts. This is a stated policy of Pakistan”

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Tarn Taran, June 27The district police on Wednesday booked a medical store owner, his wife and their two accomplices who had allegedly assaulted an ex-serviceman, Jasbir Singh (53), at Noordi village here on Tuesday.The district administration has started a probe into the incident. Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal marked an inquiry to Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sandeep Rishi. The latter visited the Civil Hospital on Wednesday and recorded the victim’s statement.Jasbir has been protesting against drug abuse in his native village. This did not go down well with the suspects. Assaulted at his residence, he was admitted to the Civil Hospital with injuries on legs and arms.“I have been complaining about the sale of drugs by the medical store owner and his wife for the past several years, but nothing was done by the police to nail the couple,” he claimed.Medical store owner Gurdeep Singh, wife Raj Kaur, Happy and Kala were booked. No arrest has been made so far.Jasbir alleged that Gurdeep was a drug peddler. He claimed that his brother-in-law, Ranjit Singh (45), had died of drug overdose five years ago, following which he had become an anti-drug crusader. The Tarn Taran police said raids were on to nab the culprits.

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 19

With an aim to promote sculptures and murals among the art lovers in the city, the IAFA in collaboration with Impressions, an art group, hosted a national exhibition featuring artists from across the country.The exhibition has art works by 16 artists, with sculptures and murals in 3D and graphic art as well. “3D art has developed as commercially viable option for artists in almost all genres of art. Since its introduction to the Indian art scene, many senior and upcoming artists are working in this format. But the lack of presenting opportunities and exposure is a limitation we are working to remove,” says Aruna Sharma, an artist and member of Impressions art group. Sharma’s paintings are also a part of the exhibition.Murals and sculptures from the IAFA-owned collection are already on display at one of the galleries, the effort is to highlight the genre among aspiring art students.“A workshop on mural making is being held in art gallery everyday for this month. Dedicated efforts are being made to educate young artists about latest media and other developments to enable them in popularising the art form,” says Sharma. The exhibition was inaugurated by IAFA chairman Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.

Chhattisgarh-cadre officer Chief Secy; two advisers to Vohra appointed

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 20

A day after his recommendation, Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday issued a proclamation imposing Governor’s rule in the state under Section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, following President Ram Nath Kovind’s approval.The Governor had sent the recommendation after the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in the state with the BJP pulling out. That was followed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, submitting her resignation.Editorial: An unmourned alliance exitsBefore the recommendations, Governor Vohra consulted leaders of all major political parties to find out possibilities of an “alternative alliances”. This is the third time that J&K has been brought under Governor’s rule under NN Vohra since January 2015, following the Assembly elections held in November-December 2014, when no party got a clear majority in the 87-member House. The PDP with 28 and BJP with 25 seats formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on March 1, 2015. The state came under Governor’s rule from January 9 to March 1, 2015. It was again imposed following the death of Mufti Sayeed on January 7, 2016, when Mehbooba Mufti refused to take over. She finally took oath on April 4. Earlier, Governor’s rule under Vohra was imposed  from July 11, 2008, to January 5, 2009, after the Congress-PDP coalition collapsed. Meanwhile, 1987-batch Chhattisgarh-cadre IAS officer BVR Subrahmanyam has been appointed as the new state Chief Secretary in place of BB Vyas, who has been appointed adviser to Governor Vohra. Former IPS officer Vijay Kumar will be another adviser.Subrahmanyam, considered an expert in internal security matters, served as private secretary to former PM Manmohan Singh during 2004-2008. He worked with the World Bank from 2008 to 2011 before again joining the Manmohan PMO in 2012. He was in the PMO after Narendra Modi became the PM in 2014 and stayed till March 2015. Vyas was given a year’s extension last month. Due to superannuate in November 2017, he was given two extensions till May-end to remain Chief Secretary.

Golden Jubilee Celeberations for the June 1968 Batch of Gentlemen Cadets of the esteemed INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY, Dehradun, Utterathund, was held for three days 13 to 15 June, though the actual date the cadets became commissioned officers was on a rainy day on 09 June 1968. The batch consisted of approximately 140 veteran officers from National Defence Acfademy (NDA), Direct Entry (DE), Army Cadet Corp (ACC,) Officer Training Unit (OTU) and 25 Technical Graduates, along with their spouses and 20 widows of the officers who are no more.

To say the least, preparations began nearly a year back, it had been a Herculean task to contact the course mates scattered to the far off corners of the country and the world. Thanks to the great efforts of Col. Ravinder Singh Bedi, who rallied the largest group to ever participated in GJC.

This class of 68 contributed to the Army 11 Lt Generals, a Kirti Chakra and Sena Medals and others. They all, as young officers, distinguished themselves during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, and later other major Operations undertaken by the Army. Many Unsung amoungst them. In addition, the course has the distinction of producing a Vice Chancellor, sky divers, mountaineers, CEO of NGOs, entrepreneurs, educationists and corporate heads.

The core organising team was headed by Col. Bedi and Brig. RS Rawat, who was  the winner of ‘Sword of Honour’. The course paid high tributes to the Officers, and instructional staff that trained them in IMA, transforming the then trainees Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) into young officers. “A dinner hosted for instructors as a mark of respect towards those who trained the Gentlemen Cadets at the IMA”.

It was an emotional re-union. So much had changed in 50 Years, now most over 70 years, hardly recognizable. Tears of immense Joy and merriment was in the air, with renewed promises to ‘Keep in touch’ and to look forward to the ‘Diamond Celeberation’ in 2028! Their dossiers were presented, vetrans went through them with immense curiosity and amusement. The course was trooped around the IMA in Buses. There were numerous changes for the better in keeping with the present day conflict requirement. They went through a nostalgic experience, while the ladies were in awe, with greater respect for their other halves, for having undergone such rigorous traning.  The IMA was fully geared up for the occasion and helped the course enjoy their stay to the fullest. The veterans performed the  ‘Wreath Laying Ceremony’ where the vetrans ‘Slow Marched’ their way to the ‘WAR MEMORIAL’, to remember their comrades in arms lost in the service to the nation . Both officers and Ladies went though a very emotional and teaful experience.

“The departed course mates were also remembered and cake was cut and ‘TOAST’ was raised to them and their brave widows.

There was much gaiety joy, outstanding food, Music and dancing. Course talent surprised everyone, with Maj. Gen Shiv Jaswal (Trumpet), Brig. RS Rawat (Vocals and Mouth organ), Col. Jai Jind (Elvis songs), Mrs Arun Prabha Ghai and others. The diehards played Golf! A hilarious ‘Skit was Presented by Lt. Gen. Zameer-udin Shah and his wife Sabiha. The hub of the activities was in Vikram Batra, Gentlemen Cadet’s Mess and the Company Lines of the Gentlemen Cadets, where these veterans and their wives stayed.

The course departed, with tearful hugs and promises to keep connected, so much so, they suggested that the event be held every year in different cities or even abroad!