A massive armed forces veteran rally was held on 20th May at Jantar Mantar. Over five thousand veterans from the three services, spread across the rank and file, representing 14 states from Kerala to J and K, attended the same. The rally was also marking the 1071st day of the agitation, demanding OROP, which commenced on 16 Jun 15. Those who gathered […]
The army chief in a recent press conference stated a few facts, which merit further justification. His major comment included that ‘Azadi’ is not feasible and those who challenge the army or demand ‘Azadi’ will be fought against. Secondly, numbers of militants killed are irrelevant as others would join, ensuring that the cycle continues. Thirdly, the Indian army fights with […]
Based on a demand from across the nation on the need to establish our own memorial for those military personnel who laid down their lives in service of the country, the government announced the construction of a new war memorial in Oct 2015. This issue was pending for decades with every government looking for reasons to delay its decision. Even […]
Dear Prime Minister, As a veteran I would request you to consider directing your bureaucracy for issuing a policy for honouring martyrs who gallantly lay down their lives battling anti-national elements in various parts of the nation, Kashmir, North East and even Naxal infected regions. These are soldiers, from different security agencies belonging to various parts of the country, who […]
A few conflicting reports over the last week have enhanced the distance between the government and veterans. The recent announcement of the defence minister to not withdraw the cases presently in the courts against pensions and disability claims by veterans and war widows has angered the armed forces community, both serving and veterans. Similar has been the case with no […]
January 14th is armed forces veterans’ day. It is a day when veterans would be felicitated by the serving and briefed on ongoing schemes impacting them. The armed forces are possibly the only service, where veterans are cared for and respected all through life. This is because of a close bonding between the serving and them. In most infantry regiments, where […]
While the army does not hold patent rights for nationalism and national unity, it alone has done more to enhance this feeling within the nation as compared to any other institution or organization. Every soldier is a nationalist, willing to lay down his life safeguarding the nation’s citizens & interest. He walks into the line of fire knowing he may […]
Garga Chatterjee in his article published in the First Post on 17 Dec 17 entitled, ‘Indian army’s misleading tweet about 71 war adds to a culture of jingoistic misinformation puts Bangladesh government in a tight spot’, is a lopsided view of the 1971 war victory. His article is based on few tweets placed and removed from the army public information […]
Recent inputs project an enhanced drive by political parties to tap into the power of social media for the forthcoming Gujrat elections. This is the future and needs to be tapped in earnest by all seeking protesting against the government. As per available data, India presently has over 350 million smart phone users, with numbers growing rapidly. Thus, by the […]
The veterans’ agitation over OROP at Jantar Mantar, in its initial stages was a success, as it compelled the government to act and announce its release. It gained national sympathy when police targeted decorated veterans on pre-Independence Day 2015. It forced a senior police officer to come to the site and apologize for police highhandedness. Post the OROP announcement, many […]