- Today India celebrates it’s 74th Army Day. The Defence Forces of the country are the last resort as an instrument of State Policy to implement the Will of the State in a conflict situation with another country.
- There is a magnificent parade held this morning in Delhi Cantonment and also at various military stations across the country. The basic aim is to keep alive the spirit of national pride in the nation, and also the coming generations understand the sacrifices of their elders and get motivated to respect the serving and join the Military.
- We have a first as the Indian Army is showcasing the new climate friendly camouflage combat uniform today. NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) was engaged to suggest the new design, they also suggested the fabric. It is lighter and more comfortable to wear. The shirt will not be tucked in (perhaps like the tunic in the 1940s and 50s). A T-Shirt type vest will be worn underneath. The design is separately modified to be suitable for the women’s form. The print shall be digital and the colours have been retained to make it better for camouflage. Waiting to see details today.
- Our minds also go to the recent loss of our CDS (Chief of Defense Staff) Gen Bipin Rawat and the entire crew and passengers in a helicopter crash. Early investigation reports suggest there was loss of orientation or Spacial Disorientation. This led to Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT). The twin-engined MI-17 V5 helicopter is a highly advanced version, flown by highly decorated and experienced two pilots (did both get disoriented?). It has radar that would warn of close proximity to land or any obstacle and alerts for loss of height. They also have a drill where a test flight run is done a day before the VVIP is flown. While we wait for the proper and detailed findings to be made public; The Nation is looking forward to the announcement of the name of the next CDS. In the case of Judiciary the hierarchy is well defined; the line of next CJI is clear, even that a woman shall be the CJI for a month after about seven years is made public. But the Military which is highly seniority based is waiting for a nod from the Government.
- A long pending Bill in parliament, which had died a natural death is also worth a mention. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar a MP in Rajya Sabha from Kerala and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and Information Technology of India had introduced a Bill many years back, but for various reasons it was never tabled in Parliament. On the occasion of Army Day I would like to highlight what it is all about, and appeal to the PM and the Defence Minister to have it debated and passed in the next Parliament session. A Bill in Parliament – To enshrine in a law a Covenant – a Commitment between the people of India and the Armed Forces Community (serving as well as retired) and their families (including bereaved families), pledging a duty of care and improving support towards them in return for their bravery and sacrifices made for protecting the nation; to ensure that they face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The nation’s commitment to respect and support its Armed Forces is an unwritten pact between society and the military, and this pact has been reinforced by custom and convention since time immemorial. It exists in Great Britain. Centuries ago, Kautalya, the great political strategist, wrote to Chandragupta Maurya on the importance of having a pact between society and military: “The day the soldier has to demand his dues will be a sad day for Magadha. For then on that day, you will have lost all sanction to be king.”
- The Defense Forces also have a long pending demand of providing the full OROP (One Rank One Pay), something the PM had promised, but only partly fulfilled.
- Another long pending demand is from the Ahir Community for recognising their sacrifices and allowing them to fight under their own banner of Ahir Regiment. Until it is raised the Ahir Community fights under the banner of other communities like the Kumaon, Rajput, Bihar etc. A race with a legacy of valour since the Narayani Sena in Mahabharat is treated like mercenaries by the Indian Government. On 16th November 2021, the Hon’ble Defense Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh visited the renovated Memorial Dedicated to the valliant Ahir’s at the Famous Battle of Rezang La in Ladakh against the Chinese. It was the sacrifice of these 126 men that stopped the Chinese from entering Ladakh.
- The budget session of parliament is coming soon. The Government makes tall promises for the Defense Services. The proof of the pudding is in its eating, will the Government increase its allocation to the Defense Budget as a percentage of the total budget year over year is to be seen.
Jai Hind.
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Lt. Col. Atul Chaudhary (V) I.A. |
