In honour of a Sepoy Muleteer and his devotion to duty — a trademark of so many like him

photo for representational purpose only

Lt Gen Raj Kadiyan (Retd)

Napolean had said, ‘An army marches on its stomach.’ It underscores the importance of logistics. And for the Indian Army, deployed in remote, undeveloped areas, mules have been providing the crucial last-mile logistics. Historically, animals have been an inseparable part of the Indian Army. The mule corps played an important role in various theatres during World War I such as France, Gallipoli, Egypt and Basra. With mechanisation, mules may be phased out, but that is the march of time.

In 1976, our battalion moved from Jalandhar to the high altitudes in the central sector. Our Commanding Officer could not accompany and being next in line, I moved the battalion. The Brigade Commander scheduled an operational discussion a week after our induction. Ignoring the mandated acclimatisation, I decided to visit all the forward posts before that event.

I was on way to Lapthal post. A section of men and a detachment of mules carrying miscellaneous lumber were in accompaniment. The track to the nearly 14,000 feet high post ran alongside a steeply sloped mountain.

Sepoy Muleteer Girdhari Lal was in charge of two animals. Walking behind the rear mule, he was holding on to its tail. This gave him support in climbing, but more importantly, gave confidence and a personal touch to the animal. Walking just behind, I noticed Girdhari was constantly talking to the mule. This monologue was as if he was telling the loaded animal a story. I have no idea whether the animal understood, but Girdhari knew.

The second mule that was ahead of Girdhari was relatively new and had yet to master the art of mountain walking. At one sharp bend, there was a sudden gust of headwind. The rookie mule lost balance and fell down the slope. Instantly, Girdhari, uncaring of his own safety, jumped down.

The mountainside had small pebbles strewn when the rock was blasted to make the track. After two side-rolls, the animal miraculously found footing and stood up. Girdhari, taking a tumble himself, instantly reached the shaken animal, held his reins and patted him soothingly on the neck. Since there was almost a 6-foot-high retaining wall, they could not climb back. The other muleteer immediately brought an older mule to walk along the track in parallel while Girdhari walked the rookie animal on the lower side till they found a suitable gap in the retaining wall where Girdhari could climb up along with the animal.

On reaching the post, the entire party was taken into a heated tent and served hot tea and ‘pakoras’. But Girdhari got busy unloading the animals, watering them, giving them feed, and covering them with a warm blanket after a grooming massage. Only thereafter did he think of himself.

Girdhari’s act in jumping down was extraordinary. Being on the spot, I had seen an example of extreme bravery and dedication. Those days, the system of awards for gallantry as well as meritorious service was not as liberal as it is today. The spurt came only after we started counter-terrorism operations in the Valley in full view of cameras and the Army’s actions became widely visible.

But Girdhari’s act merited recognition. On return to the base location, I held a Sainik Sammelan. Being an eyewitness, I gave a graphic description of Girdhari’s daring action. I then announced a cash award of Rs500 to him from the regimental funds. The men broke into a loud applause. When Girdhari came up to receive his award, the Subedar Major asked him to say a few words. Not being an orator, Girdhari spoke only a few words shyly: ‘Maine jo kiya woh to mera farz tha sahib.’

In those brief words, Sepoy Girdhari Lal summed up a soldier’s creed. Soldiers do what they do out of a sense of duty.

eakening of federal structure, increasing economic inequalities and the rise of communalism are creating fissures in society, and pose a real threat to the country. The question is, do we choose the path of repression or reconciliation? Take the people along on the path of development and secularism; only a united India will ensure a secure India

Photo for representational purpose only

Gurbachan Jagat

At a time when we, as a nation, are concerned about external threats from countries inimical to our security, what worries me equally, if not more, is the growing discontent within the country. In fact, the two go together hand in hand and a peaceful, united country can face external threats with great confidence and efficiency. The weakening of our federal structure, increasing economic inequalities and rise of communalism are some of the issues facing us. Each leads to fissures in society, creating a ready body of manpower and resources which can be easily manipulated and used by external agencies to create serious internal security threats.

One of the gravest challenges facing us is the weakening of the federal structure. This is not a development which has taken place overnight, but the process has now snowballed and is visible to all. In recent years, the Centre has abrogated to itself many of the financial powers of the states and in other matters also, like agriculture. Ever since the implementation of GST, the states (especially those ruled by Opposition parties) have lost a large part of their financial independence and are dependent on the Centre for even their dues, forget any largesse. According to a written statement in Parliament in February, a massive Rs2 lakh crore in GST dues was owed by the Centre to the states by November 2020. As per media reports, Maharashtra is owed almost Rs30,000 crore, Bengal claims Rs77,000 crore. The economists and accountants amongst us might want to comment on this sovereign default. Furthermore, the states were forced to borrow funds to meet their dues, thereby increasing their debt load and keeping the Centre’s books cleaner. The financial crunch facing the states is such that they cannot carry on normal development activities without the help of the Centre. In emergencies like floods, droughts, earthquakes, etc, they are utterly helpless and dependent upon the Centre. The Centre follows a carrot and stick policy, which leads to further increase in tensions that exist. This is also a part of the weakening of the federal structure, with the states left holding the bag. This will lead to antagonism and alienation.

The weakening of the federal structure can further be seen in the enactment of laws regarding agriculture, which is a state subject. This has led to one of the biggest and longest agitations in recent history. Farmers across the length and breadth of the country have come together in a face-off with not only the Government of India, but also the mighty industrial honchos whom they suspect to be behind these laws. We are entering uncharted territory with these new laws, where large sections of the peasantry are being alienated. This has led to tensions between urban and rural India and does not augur well for our security. Added to this is the fact that most of our officers and men in the police, paramilitary forces and armed forces come from rural areas and are sons of farmers. They form the backbone of our security forces. The role played by some sections of the media in heightening this divide is highly biased and suspect. Foreign agencies will not be sleeping on these new self-made fissures and will use people both inside and outside the country to create further problems. Evidently, large funds have already been sent by dubious organisations — this will all add fuel to the existing discontent. Many parts of the country have been embroiled in internal conflicts (Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland are all a case in point), are we not again amplifying the voices of dissent and alienating sections of our society?

The next serious threat is the open proliferation of communalism in most parts of the country. It was always present below the surface and used as vote banks during elections. There were periodic clashes between the two communities and rioting also took place. At some point, the strong criminal underground owing allegiance to both the communities started playing a major part in the clashes. This was witnessed in the Bombay riots, as also in other states. Recent developments have pushed secularism further into the background and differences have begun to surface more openly and a sharp polarisation is taking place. Issues like CAA and NRC have increased the polarisation of society and further heightened the insecurities of the minority communities. The minorities fear that their Indian citizenship itself is in danger and that it may lead to large-scale disenfranchising of a community. These laws are still hanging fire and when acted upon have the potential to aggravate the security situation. Added to these have been other incidences to keep the pot boiling regarding suspect cow slaughter and ‘love jihad’ laws, which again target Muslim youth. Laws have been enacted in BJP-led states and cases are being registered and the accused arrested.

This total polarisation of communities is not a good thing for our internal and external security. The minorities are in sizable numbers and if misled, can pose a threat to our internal security. Unlike Pakistan, Myanmar or Afghanistan, who have primarily chosen the path of repression against minorities, we had so far walked the path of secularism and tolerance. This has been our strength not only by creating a vibrant democracy and a growing economy, but also globally it gave us a voice in democratic forums. The foreign media today is increasingly describing India as a state which no longer tolerates dissent and is bracketing us with countries which have throttled freedom.

In case of hostilities, we would have to look over our shoulders while facing the enemy. The recent occurrences in Ladakh are a case in point. We have had trouble at the LAC and LoC because China and Pakistan have never really accepted the border lines. Now some kind of temporary détente seems to have been worked out, but can we repose trust in it? Last year, the ceasefire violations were the highest in recent times. China has never accepted the unilateral change in the status of J&K after the abrogation of Article 370, and the resulting tension on the border has a direct correlation. The entire erstwhile state of J&K was under lockdown for a full year, hundreds of additional companies of PMFs have been deployed since then, crores have been lost in revenue. Politicians chest-thumping on Aksai Chin and PoK rarely have any personal stake in the battles which follow. Only a greenhorn would say that the Kashmir issue is dead. It reminds one more of the lull before the storm.

Unemployment and economic disparity are ever increasing. The disparity between the rich and poor is reaching mind-boggling levels. These are creating ripples in society across the board and we may soon be faced with a tsunami of protests creating further law and order situations. This inequality of income and unemployment levels are ticking time bombs perhaps posing a greater threat to our internal security than the enemies across the border. The Maoist and Naxalite movements have had large-scale consequences spread through numerous states — Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Maharashtra have all suffered extensively. The root of these movements lay in the perceived disparity and exploitation felt by the cadres who joined.

It would be in the national interest if we could settle some of these and reduce the tensions. The question is, do we choose the path of repression or reconciliation? We must remember that these are our people and our country. We have to make a choice, our leadership has to make a choice, for we stand at the crossroads of history. All my life, wherever I have gone in the country, the common man has wanted peace and education and health for his children. It is the leadership with its vested interests which advocates divisiveness and is an obstacle to peace. Take the people along on the path of development and secularism to form a united and secure India free from fissiparous digressions.

— The writer is ex-chairman of UPSC, former Manipur Governor and served as J&K DGP

New Delhi, March 6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a holistic approach focused on breaking down civil-military silos and expediting the speed of decision-making.

Lauds forces for diligence

• PM Narendra Modi called upon the forces to optimise manpower planning in military and civilian parts of the national security architecture.
• The forces were appreciated for the resolute dedication shown in context of the Covid pandemic and challenging situation on the northern borders.

Modi advised the services to rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that had outlived their utility and relevance. Doctrines, procedures and customs practided in the armed forces needed to be indigenous, the PM suggested. He was addressing the valedictory session of the Combined Commanders Conference at Kevadia, Gujarat. Taking note of the rapidly changing technological landscape, the PM highlighted the need to develop the Indian military into a ‘future force’.

Maritime command – a giant leap

• India will set up an overarching maritime command. It will have warships, fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, aircraft carriers and special amphibious brigades of the Army.
• The maritime theatre commander will be responsible for securing the sea lanes of communications and maritime security along the 7,500-km coastline.

The PM was briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff about the discussions during this year’s conference. This included setting up of theatre commands which would mean all forces operating under a single commander in a demarcated area. — TNS

Ex-SERVICEMEN* *IN SUPPORT* *OF THE FARMERS*. 
 A seminar is being organised  in support of Farmers agitation to support their demand to legalise MSP and withdrawn of the three unconstitutional, undemocratic, and interfering of central govt in the State jurisdiction to frame laws on agriculture   All Ex-Sevicemen of tri- city to attend the seminar with the Moto of *Jai Jawan Jai Kissan*

as under 
*LOCATION*- KALA BHAWAN, SECTOR 16,CHANDIGARH (CLOSE TO THE ROSE GARDEN).*DATE*- 13 MARCH. *TIME*- 10.30 AM.  To be seated by 10:15 A.M
Ladies welcome and those who wants to speak May fwd their names 
*MAXIMUM* attendance is *REQUESTED*
 Any ESM wants to speak kindly fwd your name 
Regards, Col Charanjit Singh9988266450

Brig Prahald SIngh Veterans ,chairman Sanjha Morcha and GOG Distt Head Pathankot was in chair along with other sr officers

“Seeking innovation and novelty”, Modi had called for the participation of personnel below officer rank in these meetings, which officials say could end up “diluting” the services command-and-control structure.

Chandigarh: The participation of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the ongoing Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) at Kevida in Gujarat, following a recent government directive, has been widely castigated as “disruptive, disturbing and uncalled-for” by serving and retired Indian military officers.

Many said such a move, reportedly at the behest of the Prime Minister’s Office or PMO which had mandated the attendance of junior commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and jawans at the two-day CCC, could eventually end up  “bypassing or diluting” the services long-nurtured and critical command-and-control structure.

“The CCC is an important annual event where inter-service synergy on national security issues is achieved through mutual consultation,” said Brigadier Rahul Bhonsle (retired) of the New Delhi-based Security Risks consultancy group.

The relevance of opening this up to PBORs needs careful consideration for obvious reasons, especially with regard to overall command structures, added Bhonsle one of the few retired officers commenting on this unexpected move involving PBORs, who is willing to be named.

Other veterans – and serving officers – were more forthright, but preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, either from the administration or the services or both. One former three-star Indian Army officer declared that India’s armed forces were not a “political party that called for all-cadre representation in its highest forum, and neither is it a panchayat”. It is a professional institution, developed over centuries with form, tradition and operational experience that is conditioned to operate in a hierarchical structure to fight wars, he declared.

 photo from the site of the 23 February accident at Akhnoor | By special arrangement

New Delhi: Ammunition manufactured by the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has again come under the spotlight with two accidents resulting in two fatalities over the past two weeks. Both incidents involved the dependable 105mm field guns of the Army and the BSF.

The first incident took place during a live firing training in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu on 23 February. It led to the death of Gunner Sayan Ghosh of the artillery regiment and left two others injured.https://518c9bcbd80521c4b3b29511f845d94f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

Describing the accident, a defence spokesperson said the barrel of a 105mm gun suddenly burst into pieces and the flying splinters hit the three soldiers.

The second incident occurred at the Pokhran firing range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Tuesday. BSF constable Satish Kumar died in the accident, and three others were injured. While the BSF has not issued a statement in this regard, sources in the force said the accident was caused by a “premature blast” in the muzzle of a 105mm field gun. 

In both cases, the respective forces have ordered a court of inquiry. However, BSF sources told ThePrint that faulty ammunition is the prime suspect in the Jaisalmer incident.

“The projectile burst just as it exited the muzzle, leading to the death of one constable. Two others were injured. An investigation into the incident will be conducted. It is a case of premature muzzle blast,” a BSF source said.

The ammunition for the guns is manufactured by the OFB, which has courted scrutiny for the equipment it makes earlier as well. 

Reached for comment on the Akhnoor and Jaisalmer incidents, OFB spokesperson Gagan Chaturvedi said it can only be offered once the accidents have been investigated. 

“All accidents are investigated by a defect investigation team comprising representatives of all stakeholders. This is yet to be undertaken and hence no comment can yet be offered,” Chaturvedi said in a written response to ThePrint.

The OFB, he added, has consistently maintained that accidents are “complex phenomena” that are attributable to a number of causes, including design, storage, maintenance, and shelf-life-related issues.

“Any investigation, therefore, has to be holistic in nature,” the OFB spokesperson

Also Read: Ordnance factories are now a ‘hurdle’ for armed forces. Corporatisation is the way out

Quality concerns

The OFB, which functions under the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production, is one of the oldest state-owned production entities.

Sources in the defence establishment said there have been a lot of problems with regard to quality of ammunition produced by the OFB, an issue they have flagged at multiple levels.

In September last year, the Army, in an internal note, said the use of OFB-manufactured equipment had resulted in over 400 accidents between 2014 and 2019 and led to 27 deaths.

According to the Army’s assessment, it had disposed of ammunition worth Rs 658.58 crore within its shelf life between April 2014 and April 2019.

The OFB, which has 41 factories, countered the claim by issuing a statement where it said only 19 per cent of the accidents involving defence ammunition between January 2015 and December 2019 could be attributed to the board.

It also sought to note that 19 of the 27 fatalities cited in the Army assessment occurred in the 2016 accidental mine explosion at a depot in Pulgaon, Maharashtra.

The accident, the board said, involved anti-tank mines that had been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and were manufactured strictly according to their design. “Design deficiencies were subsequently noticed and suitable changes are being evaluated,” it said.

The government is keen on corporatisation of the OFB but efforts to this end have not been successful yet.

In July last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the conversion of the OFB “into one or more than one 100 per cent government-owned corporate entities”.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting to explore possible actions to make ordnance factories more robust in keeping with the prevailing and futuristic defence requirements of the country.

Also Read: Not bullets but explosives cause maximum injuries to Army personnel: Study

Some Vir Naris were honored at Abohar Military Station. Tribune Photo

Our Correspondent

Abohar, March 5

As a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, ‘veer naris’ were honoured by the Army during a function held at the Military Station today.

They were honoured in the presence of former servicemen. A ‘victory torch march’ was also organised. Children participated in ‘run for fun’.

Four ‘vijay mashals’ have been sent to different parts of the country that would return to Delhi after completing the year-long tour. One of the ‘mashals’ was given a rousing reception recently at the Major Surinder Prasad Memorial, located near the alma mater of the 1965 war hero, who was was awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously.

Claims beaten up thrice each day, one of the cops spat on his face & was asked to walk while his feet bled

Shiv Kumar joins a protest against the farm laws at Matka Chowk in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune Photo: Vicky

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5

After the sessions court at Sonepat granted bail to labour rights activist Shiv Kumar (24) on Thursday in an attempt-to-murder case on the “grounds of parity”, he arrived at the PGI today after his release from the jail. He was earlier granted bail in two cases of rioting and extortion on Wednesday.

Also read: Dalit activist Shiv Kumar’s medical report reveals 2 fractures, broken toenail beds

At the hospital, after doctor’s consultation, an X-ray was performed on him, the reports of which will be out on Saturday, said his friend Jasminder, who accompanied Shiv’s father Rajbir and another friend Ankit. Joined by some members of the Students for Society (SFS), Panjab University’s student organisation, the trio marched straight to Panjab University, outside the VC’s office where members of PURSA staged a hunger protest.

Of police ‘brutality’

Shiv Kumar, president of the Mazdoor Adhikaar Sangathan, sat on a chair, with plaster on his right leg, and narrated the tales of brutality meted out to him at the Kundli Police Station. “From January 16 to January 23, I was beaten up every day at least three times daily for a minimum of one hour. The cops would ask me where the organisation’s getting funds from,” he said.

Shiv tailed the memories of his arrest from the Kundli border. “I was at the washroom near a KFC outlet at Kundli. Safai karamchaaris asked me to get out. Some four or five people, dressed as civils, put a cloth on my face, pointed two pistols at me and asked me to walk with them. I screamed for help, but in vain. After walking a while, they asked me to sit me in a car. At that time, I got to know they were police,” he said.

“They drove me to a police station, Staff One behind Purani Kachairi near Gur Mandi in Sonipat. There, they removed my clothes, at beat me up brutally, like an animal. My hands were tied. They hit my feet. My toes were bleeding. Then, they hit my hands in the same way. Cops would get tired, but the beating wouldn’t stop. Pattey maarey hai, stretch khol dena, koladi pherna, chappal maarna…. one of the cops even spit on my face. This is how they tortured me for three hours. Then I was asked to walk, while my feet bled,” he said.

The police, said Shiv, would not allow him to talk to his parents despite repeated requests. “I gained strength from Bhagat Singh. He was beaten up too. Also, a comrade’s words gave me support, he would say: ‘pair toot jaye, honsala nahi tootna chahiye’,” Said Shiv.

The police has slapped charges of extortion on Shiv, but that, says, Shiv is absolutely baseless. “I feel it was a backlash of labourers siding with farmers on the ground level. We maintain a diary and have helped a minimum of 300 labourers with their salaries amounting to some Rs5 Lakh. I’ve been part of the sangathan and its founding member since 2018,” he adds.

‘Sleepless nights’

Shiv still gets sleepless nights thinking about the days he spent in jail. “I was presented in court on January 23 at night, somewhere between 10 pm and midnight, while others were presented during daytime. I was locked up in the car and the IO and another police officer spoke to the judge. They came with remand orders. I was then left at the Kundli police station for 10 days. There, I was mentally harassed and verbally abused even though they didn’t beat me up during the remand time,” he said.

Shiv still wonders why other people who were jailed with him, one arrested for peddling heroine, other for theft or robbery, weren’t beaten up as much as he was?. “They we’re asking me the same question. But I didn’t have any answer. On knowing about me even they’d support me,” He said. Kumar said, he would be leaving for Tikri and then Singhu tomorrow. Today, he also visited protesters at Matka Chownk and Sector 37 traffic lights.