Addressing Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat, PM Modi highlighted the need to develop the military into a ‘future force’ taking note of rapidly changing technological landscape.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia on 6 March 2021 | PIBText Size: A- A+

New Delhi: Asking the armed forces to shed the legacy system and practices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday called for enhancing indigenisation in the national security system, not just in sourcing equipment and weapons but also in the doctrines, procedures and customs practised in the three services. 

Addressing the top commanders of the three services at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia, Modi also called for a holistic approach, focused on breaking down of civil-military silos and on expediting the speed of decision-making.

Taking note of the rapidly changing technological landscape, the PM highlighted the need to develop the Indian military into a “future force”, a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

The PM also advised the services to rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that have outlived their utility and relevance, it added.

The statement also said PM Modi particularly appreciated the inclusion of Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers in this year’onfernce.

Also read: PM Modi hands over indigenous Arjun tank to Army in Tamil Nadu

Indigenisation of military customs

It was not immediately clear what old practices and customs the PM spoke against as the forces draw their traditions from the British era.

Indigenisation of British practices has been a focus area over the past few years, especially since the Modi government came to power in 2014.

Military personnel now increasingly greet each other with ‘Jai Hind’ rather than with ‘Good Morning’, ‘Good Afternoon’ or ‘Good Evening’, an officer in one of the three services said.

Moreover, the marching tunes of the military has now become more or less based on Indian tradition, the officer added. 

There has also been an increasing demand among various quarters to do away with the Sahayak system in the armed forces, especially the Army.https://e913a1d655bbf0c6e1497ad3457bd771.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The British officers used to get allotted at least one jawan to take care of their clothes, shoes and other items. It slowly took the turn of able-bodied jawans at peace stations getting posted for household chores.

The formal uniform of the armed forces are also drawn from the British era with brass belts and insignias, another officer said.

Modi appreciates armed forces

Meanwhile, speaking to the highest civilian and military leadership of the national defence system, the PM conveyed his strong appreciation for the resolute dedication shown by the armed forces over the past years, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenging situation on the northern border.

He emphasised the need to optimise manpower planning in both military and civilian parts of the national security architecture.

The prime minister pointed out that the country would be celebrating 75 years of its independence next year, and called upon the armed forces to use the occasion to undertake activities and initiatives that would inspire the youth of the country, the PMO statement said. 

Also read: Modi dares China, tells Indian Army ‘our enemies have seen your fire and fury’

For representation. Photo credit: iStock

Beijing, March 7

China and India should stop “undercutting” each other, shed mutual “suspicion” and create “enabling conditions” by expanding bilateral cooperation to resolve the border issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Calling the boundary dispute as not the “whole story” of the China-India relationship, Wang said that both countries were friends and partners but they should shed their suspicion of each other.

Answering a question at his annual press conference on the current state of India-China relations following the tense standoff in eastern Ladakh since May last year and how Beijing viewed the relationship going forward, he said it is important that both countries manage their disputes properly and expand bilateral cooperation.

“The boundary dispute, an issue left from history, is not the whole story of the China-India relationship.  It is important that the two sides manage disputes properly and at the same time expand and enhance cooperation to create enabling conditions for the settlement of the issue,” Wang said at the virtual press conference held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress, China’s Parliament.

In his lengthy answer, Wang, who is also a State Councillor, did not touch upon the recent disengagement of troops from the most contentious north and south banks of the Pangong Lake area in eastern Ladakh after the 10th round of military-level talks between the two sides.

Wang’s comments on the border issue came days after he held a 75-minute telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during which the latter emphasised that the disengagement of troops at all friction points is necessary to bring peace and tranquillity on the border and for the development of bilateral relations.

Also on Friday, India’s Ambassador to China Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui and called for completing the disengagement of troops from all areas in eastern Ladakh, saying that it would help restore peace and tranquillity at the border and provide conditions for progress in bilateral ties.

In his remarks, Wang pointed out that the world expects both China and India to safeguard the common interests of the developing countries and advance multipolarity in the world.

“On many important issues, our positions are the same or close due to similar national realties, therefore China and India are each other’s friends and partners, not threats or rivals,” the foreign minister said.

“The two sides need to help each other to succeed instead of undercutting each other. We should intensify cooperation instead of harbouring suspicion at each other,” he said.

Without directly referring to the eastern Ladakh standoff, Wang said, “the right and wrongs at what happened at the border area last year are clear, so are the stakes

 “We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultation. At the same time we are resolved to safeguard our sovereign rights”, he said, reiterating China’s stance on the border standoff.

Wang said it falls on both sides to solidify the existing consensus, strengthen dialogue and communication and improve the various management mechanisms to jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

On how China looks to move forward its relations with India after the border standoff, Wang said, “In the year ahead we hope India will work with China to truly deliver on the important common understanding reached by our leaders that the two countries are not threats to each other but opportunities for each other’s development”.          

“Together we can bring greater benefits to the 2.7 billion people in China and India, make greater contributions to the advent of the Asian Century” he said.

He said the China-India relationship is essentially about how the world’s two largest countries get along and pursue development and rejuvenation together.

“As two ancient civilisations, next door to each other and as two major emerging economies with each over one billion people, we have broad common interests and tremendous potential for cooperation”, he said.

At home, both countries face the “historic mission” of bettering lives, accelerating growth, Wang added.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

Subsequently, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in fierce hand-to-hand combat on June 15 in Galwan Valley, an incident that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in over four decades. Eight months after the confrontation, China admitted that its four soldiers were killed in the fight. — P

Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, March 7

A 48-year-old farmer died by suicide as he hung himself from a tree at the Tikri-Bahadurgarh border on Sunday. He left a note blaming the three contentious farm laws for the extreme step.

The deceased, who was actively participating in the farmers’ agitation, has been identified as Rajbir from Hisar district.

A suicide note recovered from the spot said the three farm laws were responsible for him taking the extreme step.https://81106ecaeb53f4cc369906d20d23c9db.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The incident came to light when fellow farmers spotted his body hanging from the tree near the Kasar village turn and informed the police.

In a suicide note, Rajbir called upon the farmers to go back home only after the three farm laws are repealed and the minimum support price (MSP) is guaranteed. He also demanded the Union Government fulfil his last wish and repeal the laws.

“The government demands sacrifice hence I sacrifice on behalf of farmers,” stated the suicide note.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Haryana has expressed a deep sense of grief on the tragic incident.

“The note left behind by the deceased shows the extent of anguish among the protesting farmers as a result of utter insensitivity of the Modi government,” said Inderjeet Singh, a leader of the SKM.

He claimed these sacrifices shall not go to waste and the people would “severely punish the BJP and JJP”.

Last month, a farmer from Jind in Haryana who was also supporting the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws had allegedly hanged himself from a tree, merely two kilometres from the Tikri border protest site.

Earlier, another farmer from Haryana had allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at the Tikri border. He had died during treatment at a Delhi hospital later.

In December last, a lawyer from Punjab had allegedly killed himself by consuming poison a few kilometres away from the protest site at the Tikri border.

Earlier, Sikh preacher Sant Ram Singh had also allegedly ended his life near the Singhu border protest site, claiming that he was “unable to bear the pain of the farmers”.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting since November last year at Delhi borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, demanding a rollback of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.

However, the Centre has maintained that the new laws will bring better opportunities to farmers and introduce new technologies in agriculture. —with PTI

Women raise slogans before leaving for the Tikri border, in Sangrur on Sunday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, March 7

Under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), women here have left in large numbers for New Delhi to participate in International Women’s Day function at the Tikri border against the central farm laws.

“The agitation at Delhi borders has been continuing for past more than 100 days, but the central government is not ready even to listen to our demands. With our participation, the agitation would definitely be strengthed,” said Balwinder Kaur of Kalajhar village.

Since the start of the anti-farm laws protest, the rural women have not only taken up all responsibilities of daily household chores, but have also lent support to the movement when called for.

“My son and husband have been part of various protests since it all began. I, along with my daughter-in-law, have also been participating in protests. I will reach the Tikri border and join my husband who is already there. My daughter-in-law is alone at home along with my grandson. Same is the situation of many families in our village” said Mukhtiar Kaur from Gharachon village.

“A majority of women have been leaving for Delhi from our area. The March 8 function would be an eye-opener for the central government,” said Jagir Kaur, an elderly woman from Bhawanigarh.

The vessel was virtually flagged off by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister on March 6; this is the first time in the world maritime history that a ship is being sailed by all women officers

his is the first time in the world maritime history that a ship is being sailed by all women officers. Photo credit: Twitter/shipmin_india

New Delhi, March 7

In an attempt to acknowledge the efforts of women in breaking down the stereotypes in erstwhile male-dominated maritime sector, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has flagged off an all-women crew onboard Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) vessel MT Swarna Krishna, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Sunday.

The vessel was virtually flagged off by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister on March 6, it said.

“The Shipping Corporation of India, as a part of its ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations and also to commemorate the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, achieved another feat when Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the ‘All Women Officers’ Sailing’ on MT Swarna Krishna — SCI’s product carrier from JNPT Liquid Berth Jetty on March 6, 2021,” the Ministry statement

भारतीय नारी शक्ति सदैव इतिहास बनाती है! विश्व इतिहास में पहली बार एक ‘कार्गो-जहाज’ (एमटी स्वर्ण कृष्णा) को महिला कप्तान और केवल महिला अधिकारियों की टीम के साथ समुद्री यात्रा पर रवाना किया गया इस #InternationalWomensDay समुद्री क्षेत्र में कार्यरत महिला नेतृत्व के ज़ज्बे को सलाम

This was the first time in the world maritime history that a ship was being sailed by all women officers, it added.

Secretary Shipping Sanjeev Ranjan; chairman JNPT Sanjay Sethi; Rajiv Jalota, chairman, Mumbai Port Trust; and DG Shipping Amitabh Kumar attended the ceremony virtually and commended the efforts of the women seafarers.https://54effd04122b00bdc1d7a4fec79d194e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

“The move demonstrated the gradual shift in the perception of seafaring as a male-oriented profession and the principles of Diversity & Inclusion that SCI upholds. SCI has been a pioneer in employing women seafarers onboard its vessels and has implemented various initiatives, including age relaxations and fee concessions to aspiring female cadets through its Maritime Training Institute to promote their integration into the maritime sector,” the statement said.

New Delhi, March 7

Even as the harvesting season is around the corner, farmers have made it clear that they won’t be lifting their dharna from the Delhi border till their demands are met. Instead, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the protests, has decided to expand the movement to other parts of the country.

Jagmohan Singh Patiala of the BKU (Dakaunda) said the unions would announce the future course of action on March 11. “We are planning to expand the movement to other states, including the poll-bound ones. We will coordinate with opposition parties, but we have no political motive,” he said.

Yudhvir Singh, general secretary, BKU, said: “We will hold meetings in Bengal on March 12-14, Madhya Pradesh March 14-15, Odisha March 19 and Karnataka March 20-22,” he said. — TNS

‘Women Farmers’ Day’ at protest sites

Thousands of women will gather at the protest sites at Singhu, Tikri and at other Delhi borders to mark “Women Farmers’ Day” on Monday, as announced by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. Many have already arrived in special buses from Punjab. BS Rajewal, a member of the Morcha, said: “ The stage will be managed by women, and the speakers too will be women.” TNS

May be truncated as pa

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi rides a tractor to attend a kisan mahapanchayat in Meerut on Sunday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 7

The remaining half of the Budget session of Parliament will commence here on Monday with the finance bill listed as the top priority along with the passage of the demand for grants for various ministries.

Although the primary business through the session would be financial, the Opposition led by Congress is gearing up to attack the BJP-led Centre for the failure to resolve the ongoing farmers’ agitation, rising prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas and the LAC issue.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday chaired a strategy meeting with parliament leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and asked party MPs to continue to back the cause of farmers.

The meeting was held on a day when AICC general secretary Priyanka Vadra attended another farmers’ mahapanchayat at Meerut.

Sonia had earlier written to PM Narendra Modi asking the government to pass on the benefits of lowering global crude oil prices to consumers.

She reiterated in the meeting that the government was profiteering from common people by refusing to lower taxes on petrol and diesel.

The Congress is also expected to continue its attack on the farmers’ issue as the farmers’ protests have completed 100 days and the unions have pledged intensification of the agitation across India over the coming days.

The government has said they are willing to suspend the laws for 18 months and discuss the irritants with the stakeholders. “The offer stands,” Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar said.

Among important bills listed for consideration in the current session are the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Amendment Bill, 2021, and the Cryptocurrency Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill.https://fb21e14dcc7bd5f9bf3499605844a62f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this week that the government was in dialogue with the RBI on the issue of digital currency after the apex court left the matter to the executive.

Meanwhile with the elections already declared in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, several political parties have urged the presiding officers of both Houses to consider cutting the session short as they would be required to canvass in the respective areas.

It is learnt that nearly all MPs and parliament staffers returning negative RTPCR reports, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaish Naidu could discuss the possibility of resuming the normal functioning of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which are sitting separately in two time slots during the day.

rties urge officers to consider poll schedule

Movement to expand to West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 7

Farmer unions on Sunday said that they will not be returning from Delhi borders till their demand that the new farm laws be repealed are met.

Unions will unveil the next agenda and programme for the coming days on March 11, Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary of BKU (Dakaunada) said.

Also read: Farmers’ agitation to continue till rollback of three farm laws: Tikait

The aim is to expand the movement to other parts of the country, including poll-bound West Bengal and, states like Madhya Pradesh Karnataka and Odisha, added BKU general secretary Yudhvir Singh.

Senior leaders say despite “many hurdles posed by the government and its agencies”, “the movement is going strong and is set to become bigger”.

However, they continue to insist that their movement was apolitical.

Also read: Hisar farmer ends life by hanging from tree at Tikri border, blames three farm laws

Jagmohan Singh said the organisations will coordinate with BJP’s rivals to make this clear to them.

“We are apolitical, we want to make it clear to the Opposition parties as well,” he said

Unions are also planning meetings, panchayats and mahapanchayats in other states.

Yudhvir Singh said the movement has got tremendous support from across the country and it is now time that farmers in other states like Odisha and Karnataka to register it physically.

“For 100 days farmers have been camping at the Delhi borders in the bitter cold, many have also died. But the government’s attitude has not just been disappointing but also shameful. We have no other option but to take the movement to other states and ensure our physical presence there. We will do whatever it takes to show our ‘nararzgi’ (anger),” he said.

Yudhvir Singh said the movement has got a very good response from Rajasthan and they are considering a panchayat in Jaipur on the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

“We will hold meetings/panchayats in Bengal on March 12, 13, and 14, Madhya Pradesh on March 14 and 15, Odisha on March 19, and Karnataka on March 20, 21, and 22. The movement is no longer limited to dharnas. If we want, we can collect a huge crowd on Delhi borders in one hour, but that is not the only aim now,” he said.