Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa flew a trainer version of Tejas.

Bengaluru, February 14

A month after he flew a solo sortie in single engine MiG-21 fighter, Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa flew indigenous LCA Tejas on the first day of Aero India 2017.Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa flew a trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh, who is principal director at NFTC, being his co-pilot during the sortie over Yelahanka airbase.Less than 15 days after taking over as the IAF chief, he flew solo in a MiG-21 fighter jet, the oldest fighter aircraft in the IAF’s inventory.Dhanoa flew the MiG-21 Type 96 aircraft from the IAF base at Uttarlai, a forward base in Rajasthan.His predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha flew the Tejas last year, becoming the first IAF chief to fly the indigenous fighter. — IANS

A retired Kerala officer says bosses violated his right to life

Around the time when a BSF jawan’s video went viral on soc­ial media this year exposing the dismal state of affairs in the uniformed forces, a reti­red lieutenant colonel wrote to Army chief Bipin Rawat, complaining about a more shocking experience that however got no media attention. In early January, the video by Tej Bahadur of 29 battalion showed how jawans are served substandard and insufficient food due to a corrupt system that forces them to sleep on an empty stomach at times. In his January 13 letter to Gen Rawat, Lt Col (Retired) Arun Kumar complained about a gruesome experience he faced while serving the army. He said army denied him food and there has been no act­ion after he complained about this violation of his basic human rights and right to life.

“I didn’t have the courage (to go to the media) and my case proves that the jawan was right (in doing so),” Kumar, 57, tells Outlook, citing the complete apathy to his written complaints. A native of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Kumar had filed numerous complaints against “corrupt and dishonest” officers that only resulted in much torture and harassment to him since 2002.

“I had been put in the psychiatric ward twice. They put me on medicine to make me a psychopath. I have been criminally assaulted, illegally confined, denied medical treatment on numerous occasions by army doctors, denied food and subjected to an illegal general court martial. All this has been done to eliminate me since I did not compromise on honesty,” he claims.

Having served the army for 33 years, Kumar had raised the issue of corruption a dozen times. “Most of my allegations involve financial dishonesty and moral turpitude of senior officers,” he says. “I had filed three statutory complaints—in 2003 and July and August of 2010. None was registered. A mail from the Army HQ later said they won’t take cognizance of my complaint. Letters from the President, some ministers and MPs went unanswered­.

“The Army knows my claims will be pro­ved. So they have neither ordered a probe, nor instituted disciplinary proceedings agai­nst me for the allegations,” he adds. “This makes the criminal conspir­acy evident.”

Kumar’s family friend, Flt Lt M.P.S. God­ara, faced a similar fate after he petitioned the defence minister in July 2016 about torture by his Commanding Officer. “He was later beaten up and assaulted four times by colleagues. It was planned. A court-martial is being orchestrated against him,” Kumar says. Godara is now stationed in Thane. “His parents are government schoolteachers and they are running from pillar to post.” Youngsters join the forces with a lot of motivation, but the “corrupt” system only de-motiva­tes them, he adds.

CHANDIGARH: Justice Virender Singh, chairman of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), has assured the members of the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association, Chandigarh, that every effort will be made to clear the pendency of the cases at the Chandigarh bench. At the UT bench, no permanent judicial member is functioning since September 23, 2016.

Justice Singh suggested a special court of the AFT at Chandigarh, which will be presided over by him on March 11 and he would take up all covered matters of rounding of disability as well as the honorary Naib Subedar cases, which are directly covered by the Supreme Court judgments.

Justice Singh came from New Delhi to hold Chandigarh bench on Thursday and Friday. The cases have piled up considerably due to non-functioning of all the three benches at Chandigarh.

Bhim Sen Sehgal, chairman of the All India Ex-servicemen Welfare Association (AIEWA) and a practicing advocate, apprised Justice Virender Singh regarding the pendency of the cases which has caused inconvenience and harassment to the war widows, disabled soldiers, family pensioners as cases have been pending for the last four to five years.

Sehgal further apprised that even the judgments of 2010, 2011 and 2012 have not been implemented by Union ministry of defence and principal controller of defence accounts, Allahabad.

It was also agreed by the AFT Bar members present in the court. He told the members that he would make all out efforts to get the judicial members appointed on regular basis not only in the AFT Chandigarh bench but also at other benches.

Justice Singh is also holding the court on Friday at Chandigarh.

New Delhi, February 6

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today reviewed joint exercises at mid-sea. The duo witnessed a host of activities that are  part of Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX).The exercise, which started on January 24 off the western coast, involves some 50 Navy warships, including aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra. The drill is testing and validating abilities in conventional war, anti-submarine warfare and securing sea lanes of communication. The two Chiefs witnessed the firing of surface-to-air missile and ship-launched Brahmos. They sailed aboard INS Vikramaditya and witnessed the ‘large force engagement by a flotilla of ships against threats simulated by IAF comprising airborne radars and fighter jets like Sukhoi-30 MKI.  Threats emanating from different directions were ‘neutralised’ by using Beyond Visual Range missile capabilities of MiG 29Ks fighter jets operating from INS Vikramaditya. The Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa is deployed to conduct amphibious operations. The Boeing P8-I, a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, are operating alongside IAF jets.  The IAF’s IL-78 refuelled IAF and Navy planes mid-air. — TNS

Perhaps because I’m an army son that it rankles and I wince each time I see a civilian attempting a military salute. The sad but brutal truth is they don’t know how to do it, which is why the action looks silly. Equally importantly, they clearly don’t feel comfortable and the awkwardness shows.

Yet Indian politicians insist on saluting. They believe this is the patriotic thing to do and though that sentiment is genuine it doesn’t hide the spectacle they make of themselves which is why I end up laughing whenever I see one of them trying to do one.

Now let me tell you a few home truths about the military salute. It looks best when done by strapping soldiers. Height and build are part of what makes the salute look smart. Short, dumpy, pot-bellied men can end up looking comic. It also needs to be done with military precision.

Whether it’s the naval or army version, your fingers need to be together and stretched out straight, not splayed or awkwardly angled. That makes the difference between the swagger of a serving soldier and the shambolic decrepitude of Dad’s Army!

There are, however, a few other things that civilians don’t seem to know or appreciate. In the army an officer or soldier would never salute bare-headed. A cap or beret is an essential requirement. Without one an army man will instead bring himself to attention and pull his arms downwards.

Of course, the navy and air force have different traditions. Naval custom requires an exchange of salutes regardless of headgear or dress. And, I’m reliably informed, since 2006 the air force salutes even while seated.

My point, however, is simple: Even with headgear civilians attempting to salute look uncomfortable and, actually, odd. Indeed, they can often look inelegant and occasionally comic. So, for heaven’s sake, why do our politicians do it?

It isn’t that there isn’t an acceptable and rather becoming alternative. The American tradition of placing your right hand over your heart, as you stand to attention when the national anthem is played, is the best.

It goes well with western suits and skirts just as it would with Indian bandgalas, kurta pyjamas, sarees and salwar-kameez.

Though not military the gesture does undeniably suggest heartfelt respect. That, after all, is what you intend when the national anthem is played or the flag unfurled. It’s also a tradition followed by some Indian organisations. If the pictures I’ve seen are accurate, I believe it’s customary for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members to hold their right hand across the chest with the fingers pointing left during the national anthem.

Shashi Tharoor attempted this when he first became an MP and encouraged those around to follow suit but, alas, ended up facing legal action for disrespecting the national anthem. Understandably, he’s never tried it again. But Shashi was correct and his critics wrong.

I’m confident our politicians would feel happier placing their right hand over their heart rather than attempting, in their creased kurta pyjamas or billowing sarees, a military salute they can’t do well and look decidedly ill-atease performing.

It’s just that someone has to be the first. When that happens the practice could become acceptable very quickly. I guess we have to patiently wait for the first prime minister or president to strike out and be different. I wonder who it will be.

20 soldiers killed in just over a month this year alone

An ice avalanche killed 10 Army personnel atop the Siachen glacier in February 2016. Tribune photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 3

A rise in winter temperature coupled with unusual amounts of snowfall have made the mountain slopes in Jammu and Kashmir risk-prone with 20 Army troops dying due to avalanches this year alone in just over a month.The Centre has asked the Chandigarh-headquartered Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) to study the phenomena and prepare a detailed report on what all are new vulnerable spots needing mitigation measures. The SASE predicts avalanches and suggest preventive measures.The 20 deaths have occurred in three separate avalanches all in northern part of the Kashmir valley. Last year in February, an ice avalanche killed 10 troops atop the Siachen glacier. Minister for State for Defence Subhash Bhambre today informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply: “The DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is working on four projects to develop new technologies for more accurate prediction of avalanches.”A rise in minimum and maximum temperatures in winter has led to at least three immediate off-shoots — The quantum of snowfall has doubled, winter is setting in late and thirdly, the rise in minimum temperature is not allowing the snow to freeze into hard ice. Thus, snow remains moist, resulting in slippery slopes that are avalanche-prone. The DRDO/SASE have 56 high altitude observatories and 55 automatic weather stations in Uttarakhand, Himachal and J&K. Further, avalanche-related forecast specific for Army is drawn by DRDO from its five avalanche mitigation centres, which have teams of SASE stationed alongside Army. 

http://voiceofesmpunjab.blogspot.in/

Capt warns to crack whip, Cong once again at war with its own

REBEL TROUBLE Party woes self­inflicted, rebels say false surveys, loyalty to leaders decided tickets

CHANDIGARH: It is a poll ritual. All the 1,600-odd Congress ticket applicants had signed a ‘loyalty’ pledge to accept the official candidate announced by the party and not unfurl a banner of revolt.

In 2017 elections too, the Congress is battling more of its same old woes. After a delayed distribution of tickets, the Congress is once again at war with its own as withdrawal of nominations ends on Saturday.

In a remake of 2012 elections, when Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh had inadvertently announced a “qatal-e-aam” (massacre) of rebels at a rally, Capt on Friday again issued an ultimatum to party rebels to “toe the party line or face expulsion from the party for life”.

Before the stick, Amarinder had dangled the carrot — by promising to accommodate in key positions those who withdrew from the fray in support of the party nominees, after the Congress came to power.

But with many of them still defiant and the party worried by unconfirmed reports of deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal again propping Congress rebels with “funds”, Amarinder said in a statement on Friday that he and general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari have successfully quashed rebellion in most of the 20-odd constituencies where there have been reports of rebel trouble. The unofficial list has nearly 29 rebels, some of them with potential to cause major damage.

LOYALTY MATTERS?

But the bushfires are far from over. And party insiders believe much of the Congress woes are self-inflicted. “Banga MLA Tarlochan Soondh and Gurbinder Singh Atwal were denied tickets not owing to surveys but for being close to Amarinder’s known baiter, Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Dullo. Both are now contesting as rebels from Banga and Nakodar, respectively, and will dent party’s prospects there,” party sources said.

Party spokesperson Nimisha Mehta denied she has agreed to withdraw from the race from Garhshankar seat. “Asha called me up on Friday asking me to withdraw. I challenge her to show me the surveys that show Luv Kumar Goldy as a winner from this seat. It was she who played favourites in the ticket game,” Nimisha said.

Some Congress MLAs also question if surveys decided the candidates of Ludhiana South and Sunam seats. “The surveys were just an excuse to adjust loyalists. And while Amarinder wanted enough of his own to ensure he can be the CM, other MPs and screening committee members too have served their own interests. Surveys and ‘one family, one ticket’ rule were used as elimination round for others,” a senior MLA said.

PAST REBELS WHO GOT LUCKY

Though the Congress has loyalty affidavits, if you rebel, you stand a greater chance of being rewarded with a ticket in the next election.

Past rebels who lost elections but dented the party prospects, such as Sukhjinder Singh ‘Lalli’ Majithia, Madan Lal Jalalpur and Deepinder Dhillon, have been allotted tickets this time. So has been Rajnish Kumar ‘Babbi’, who won as a rebel from Mukerian.

Badals’ interests in conflict with state exchequer: Sidhu

CHANDIGARH: Cricketer-turnedpolitician Navjot Singh Sidhu kick-started his poll campaign from Chandigarh with the bashing of the Badals. He accused the state’s first family of “looting” Punjab in excise collection, tourism and transport sectors during SAD-BJP’s 10-years rule.

RAVI KUMAR/HTNavjot Singh Sidhu addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh on Friday.

“The Badal family’s intention was to become richer with people’s money. Punjab has suffered a lot due to the never-ending greed of the Badal family, which has a direct conflict of interest with the state exchequer,” he said.

Sidhu, who addressed the media here in the presence of Congress in-charge for Punjab affairs Asha Kumari on Friday, will fight as a Congress candidate from Amritsar East constituency for the February 4 elections.

Comparing the excise collection figures of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, he said Punjab has 12,500 liquor vends and the annual revenue collection from these stands at ₹5,610 crore as against Tamil Nadu’s ₹26,188 crore from its 6,323 vends. “Punjab has the highest per capita alcohol consumption. This trade has been monopolised by the Badal family for the last 10 years. Indirectly, every bottle in Punjab is sold by the Badals,” Sidhu said.

He said due to poor implementation of policies during the 10-year rule of the Akali-BJP government, Punjab lost ₹1.5-lakh crore. “Had this money used, the state could have been free of debts, which rose from ₹44,000 crore to ₹3-lakh crore in 10 years,” he said.

He said government-run hotels in Punjab have been closed and put on sale on the excuse that they were loss-making ventures. “The Badals sold government hotels and resorts to their associates at throwaway prices. A hotel built by the Badals in the periphery of Chandigarh reportedly charges up to ₹5 lakh per night,” he said.

“Before coming to power in 2007, the Badal family owned 50 buses, but now the number stands at 650 and the number of transport companies owned by the family has risen from two to eight,” he said, adding, “Government companies having larger fleets are running in huge losses, but Badal family’s buses are profiting.”

On his joining the Congress, Sidhu said, “I joined the party without a condition. I will have a role in campaigning to make the party win the polls,” he said .

Attacking the opposition in typical Sidhu style, he said: “Pagri sambhal jatta, bairian ney lutt liya sara maal oye (It’s time to save the turban… enemies have looted the riches),” he said .

DAY OF SIDHU VS BADALS

Friday saw a ferocious war of words between the ruling Badals and Navjot Sidhu. Sample this:

SIDHU’S STRIKES

They (Badals) sidelined me in Amritsar. Jealousy is jaundice of soul.

The loss of Punjab is directly proportional to Sardar Badal’s gain.

Badal saab, tu kar kar hera-pherian, charr baitha teesi (Mr Badal you made it to the top by wrong-doings).

BADALS’ BARBS

Sidhu has changed so many mothers … First, it was BJP, then AAP and now Congress.

SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

Sidhu betrayed BJP. He is now a paid agent of Congress and can’t be trusted.

PARKASH SINGH BADAL.

Sidhu’s oratory is limited to laughter shows. In Lok Sabha he rarely opened his mouth.

NO SHOES, NO BLACK!

Cautious after a shoe attack on CM Parkash Singh Badal recently, the police on Friday asked attend- ees to remove their shoes before the CM’s daughter-in-law and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal arrived for the Akali workers’ meeting in Mansa’s Bhikhi town. Black clothes were also banned, lest these be used to mark protest.

SIDHU’S TAKE

OnCMcandidate: “I met Rahul Gandhi (AICC vice-president) a few times and never demanded anything. I have no personal agenda”.

On BJP: “Before leaving BJP, I met all its leaders and requested them to save Punjab. I would have easily left Amritsar and contested from Kurukshetra if it was in Punjab’s interest.” On AAP: “I met Arvind Kejriwal and told him that I don’t want anything. They didn’t want me to contest the polls.”

President’s daughter slams AAP

LUDHIANA: Lambasting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, a senior Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of President of India Pranab Mukherjee, claimed that there is no truth in claims made by AAP of development in Delhi.

HT PHOTOSharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee, addressing the media in Ludhiana on Friday.

While addressing a press conference in Ludhiana on Friday, Mukherjee said that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is misguiding the people of Punjab by making false claims about development works in Delhi. District Congress president Gurpreet Gogi and Ludhiana West Candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu were present during the press conference.

Mukherjee claimed that no development has taken place in Delhi while liquor vends have been opened at various places. While attacking on SAD-BJP alliance, Mukherjee said that the SAD-BJP government is responsible for drug menace in Punjab.

SAD office-bearers join Congress

 

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 20

In another jolt to the SAD-BJP alliance in the city, many SAD office-bearers today joined the Congress in the presence of Manpreet Singh Badal at a function held in the trans-railway line area in Ward number 40 and 41.The leaders who came into the Congress fold were SAD vice-president (city) Gurcharan Singh Aulakh, SAD women’s wing vice-president (city) Baljit Kaur Bhullar, SAD women’s wing vice-president (city) Poonam Verma, organising secretary circle canal Bhola Singh, youth president of Ward Number 43 Dr Resham Singh, youth wing circle canal vice-president Anil Yadav and others.Congress candidate Manpreet Badal assured the new entrants that they would get due respect and honour.He claimed that after coming to power, record development would be undertaken in the trans-railway line area and this area would benamed new Bathinda.