At the last hearing in the Supreme Court for the grant of Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) for the armed forces, the government sought more time to file additional objections. Additional objections were subsequently filed, all aimed at justifying the non-grant of NFU to the military. In summary, the reasons given by the government included firstly, policy making is the government’s exclusive […]
In a report in the TOI in Dec last year, Rajat Pundit had stated that the army loses 1600 personnel every year without going to war. His figures, obtained from the MoD, indicate that at an average 350 soldiers, sailors and airmen die in accidents, while 120 commit suicide. Other causes remain health and training accidents. Losing the size of […]
There are rumours afloat that Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) for the armed forces may be released sometime soon. It could be either on the orders of the court based on an appeal whose decision is awaited, or by the government prior to the elections, seeking to assuage the armed forces. This has been the demand from all sections of the military. […]
I recently attended the 37th raising day of my regiment, along with many veterans from all ranks, spread across the nation. The regiment had for the first time been relocated to the town where it was initially raised in Jul 81, after a strenuous tenure in high altitude. For all of us, who were part of the team which joined on […]
The army has begun a study for reviewing the colour service of a soldier. ‘Colour Service’ implies the minimum service which a soldier must complete to be eligible for pension. Presently a soldier must serve a minimum of 17 years, extendable by 2 if he so desires. Pensions commence from 17 years. Converting this into age, a soldier who joins […]
In his rallies prior to the 2014 elections, PM Modi had promised the moon to the armed forces. He had vowed to implement OROP pending for almost five decades, assured a strong response to Pak and promised the armed forces the desired equipment and capabilities. His announcement of ‘Made in India’ and ‘Make in India’ were expected to make the […]
Recently, based on a report in a newspaper stating that the army has decided to drastically cut down its procurements from ordnance factories by 50% and use the funds to procure ammunition and other essential stores, press reports conveyed that the soldier would need to use his own funds to buy his uniform as the same was now not being […]
My batch which joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1975, became commissioned officers in the Indian Army on 09 Jun 1979. It has been 39 years since we took the ‘Final Step’, which marks the end of training and the beginning of military service. That was the day, when we who joined as young boys, became leaders of men. […]
As we grow older, we become more fixated in our views. Despite all criticism, we seek to defend ourselves, even against rational thoughts and use every means to justify our beliefs. This is the background behind the latest article by respected veteran, General HS Panag, published in the Newslaundry this week, termed ‘A history of transgressions’. The article is based […]
The recent incident when a mob, emerging from Friday prayers in downtown Srinagar surrounded and attacked a CRPF gypsy with stones, compelling the driver to rush away to avoid being lynched, which in the bargain ran over a youth trying to block its path was blamed by a section of the media as the highhandedness of security forces. The report […]