Spats underline need for a policy on war memorials and ceremonials
War Memorials are monuments constructed to commemorate battles and sacrifices, basically to inspire future generations. Unfortunately, there was avoidable, petty squabbling on the recent shifting of Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ). Binary division and confusion was compounded by ill informed, selfappointed experts. The desire to encash this emotive issue, during impending elections by both parties is […]
Pakistan stands at crossroads
The geostrategic environment around India has indeed become very murky and chaotic. Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan are embroiled in flux and turbulence. Lankan imbroglio has geoeconomics dimension with China being the main catalyst for fiscal abyss and looming humanitarian crisis. Kathmandu is headed for elections under court-mandated caretaker government. Naypyidaw is still grappling […]
Agnipath & lessons from recent conflicts
The unresolved stand-off in Ladakh has thrown up many lessons. Major one is limitations of much-touted technological asymmetry of PLA. There has been lampooning of conscripts and Chinese fear of body bags. The ongoing war in Ukraine has once again highlighted limitations of Russian conscripts, as also their much trumped tech prowess. Ukrainian volunteers, armed […]
Service pensions with grace and gratitude
In a country where soldiers are respected and much venerated, 58,275 veterans got a rude shock when their pensions were withheld on mere technical grounds of not submitting the life certificate, second time in the same year. The cause of this ‘snafu’ is the introduction of a new pension administration system — SPARSH (System for […]
Reforms need deliberation and piloting
Veteran community is worried and venting angst on proposed major changes under the Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme, packaged as ‘Agnipath’ and ‘Agniveer’. They are also peeved at a modified pension disbursal system, with another catchy name of ‘Sparsh’. In keeping with the American proverb, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, reforms should be […]
Lessons from Kargil conflict that need to be relearned
We are commemorating 23rd Vijay Diwas to celebrate our victory in a conflict that was prosecuted as reactionary limited war. This nomenclature is considerable improvement, on another action in 1967, which has been brushed aside as battle skirmish, with no battle honours or commemoration, not even campaign ribbon. The reluctance to grant appropriate recognition to […]
Remembering heroes of Haifa
War Memorials are ideally located in military areas or in spaces shielded from casual mobs. Having frequently visited Amar Jawan Jyoti, it is indeed gratifying that dignified National War Memorial has come up in accessible, yet designated space. Defying this norm is Teen Murti Haifa Memorial, located at busy traffic island in capital. It was […]
New CDS at helm: Institutional reform with smart budgets is way forward
There has been flurry of reactions, on appointment of General Anil Chauhan as the second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The most notable aspect is that government has overcome inertia, determined detractors and queuing effect, to restore faith in this concept. In the intervening period of 10-odd months, speculation was rife. It was even rumoured […]
Gen Bajwa legacy and Pakistan Army’s new chief
Pakistan is staring at an abyss and imploding chaos in the long-term, but in the near-term, next week is certainly likely to define the course of the nation’s travails. Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Azadi March concluded on November 26 in Islamabad; Lt Gen Asim Munir, COAS designate was to retire on November 27, two […]
Legacy of first CDS: Need to reorient and push forward
It has been a year since we lost our first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Bipin Rawat in a very unfortunate helicopter crash. I first met Gen Rawat as Cadet Bipin in NDA, two terms (a year) junior, in the same squadron. He became Brig, a term used in the academy, for relegated cadets. […]