Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s second woman defence minister, Indira Gandhi being the first, assumes her appointment with immediate effect. Like all her predecessors, she would have limited knowledge on the functioning of the military. The three service chiefs and the defence secretary would spend time, slowly taking her through the paces, enabling her to comprehend the complexities of military power and […]
Friday 25th Aug, a black day, when the Haryana government writ collapsed in the state. It was the day, when Ram Rahim, a self-styled godman was to be sentenced for alleged rape in the Panchkula CBI courts. For a week, Lakhs of his supporters had been entering the city, jamming sidewalks and parks, creating confusion amongst residents, conveying the message […]
Chidambaram’s recent article in the Financial Express entitled, “Centre has taken a maximalist position on Kashmir like militants”, is seeking to defend the failures of the UPA and deflect its faulty policies to the present government. Further, a weak opposition is always scared when the government in power adopts a different approach, which may succeed. Every approach must be given […]
Fading Indian politicians seek limelight solely hoping for a boost in their careers. A few minutes of media glare, they hope, would re-open doors to a flagging career and maybe their party would suddenly recognize their capability. Mani Shankar Aiyar rushed to Srinagar, seeking to hobnob with the Hurriyat, knowing that even when his party was in power, they had […]
The nation is aware, Lakshman had amply illustrated it in his cartoons, that finding an honest politician is akin to seeking a needle in the haystack. The needle may still be found, an honest politician unlikely. Politics is never the art of caring for the common human, but first of filling pockets, then possibly catering to the needs of the […]
The Indian system of governance, in the manner it has evolved post-independence, is unique, especially as it concerns the functioning of the military. Fear and lack of trust on the military, compelled the government to relegate it to the level of attached offices, the only country to do so. It was post Kargil and the Kargil committee report, which blasted […]
The past few months have witnessed a series of media attacks on the army. It began with the present Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) appointment, moved to the complaint by one jawan of a million plus army and covered the statement made by the COAS on stone throwing and disrupting operations against militants in the valley. Every incident erupted on […]
India has just finished celebrating its 68th Republic day, wherein the nation smiled proudly when the military walked down Rajpath in its finery and perfect unison. The laying of the wreath by the Prime Minister at the memorial of known and unknown soldiers, at India Gate, prior to the commencement of the event, was a solemn moment. The display of […]
Post the meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan at Ufa and the announcement of NSA level talks, the security situation along the Pakistan border has been steadily deteriorating. The scale and quantum of ceasefire violations has increased dramatically, resulting in casualties to both civilians and security personnel. Attempts at infiltration are more than normal. The attacks in […]
India shares its international boundary with six different countries. In addition it has a maritime boundary of over 7200 Kms. With some of our neighbouring countries we have an excellent relationship, in the case of a few, the border areas tend to lend themselves to heightened insurgency, and with others, the border dispute is yet to be settled. This has […]