Indian Army News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
15-April, 2017 11:40 IST
President of India awards standards to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee awarded Standards to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar today (April 15, 2017).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that any nation draws it strength from all elements of National Power, and the capabilities of its Armed Forces are a major source of National power. Although we are a peace loving Nation, we will use all instruments of National power in order to protect our sovereignty. He was confident that our brave soldiers will rise to the occasion, as they have done so in the past, to meet the challenges and emerge victorious.

The President complimented the brave men of the Armoured Corps Centre and School for their impeccable turnout and outstanding precision in the parade they displayed today. This distinguished Establishment has a glorious past and rich tradition of professionalism and excellence in imparting training to the men of the Armoured Corps, the Indian Army and Friendly Foreign Countries. Since its inception in 1948, the Armoured Corps Centre and School has distinguished itself in service of the nation. In recognition of its selfless devotion, professionalism and dedication to service the nation honours it today, with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation.

*****

President's Secretariat
15-April, 2017 11:38 IST
Address by the Hon’ble President standard presentation ceremonial parade at Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar


Ladies and Gentlemen.



2. It is indeed a very pleasant occasion for me to be present here today at Ahmednagar, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to award my Standard to Armoured Corps Centre and School, on this glorious and memorable day.


3. I compliment the brave men of the Armoured Corps Centre and School for their impeccable turnout and outstanding precision in the parade they displayed today. This distinguished Establishment has a glorious past, and rich tradition of professionalism and excellence in imparting training to the men of the Armoured Corps, the Indian Army and Friendly Foreign Countries. Since its inception in 1948, the Armoured Corps Centre and School has distinguished itself in service of the Nation. In recognition of its selfless devotion, professionalism and dedication to service the Nation honours it today, with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation.


4. Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, any Nation draws it strength from all elements of National Power, and the capabilities of its Armed Forces are a major source of National power. Although we are a peace loving Nation, we will use all instruments of National power in order to protect our sovereignty. I am confident that our brave soldiers will rise to the occasion, as they have done so in the past, to meet the challenges and emerge victorious.


5. Armoured Corps Centre and School completes 69 years of glorious service to the Nation and Armoured Corps. The Heroes of Armoured Corps whom we read of in Battles of Zoji La Pass, Khem Karan, Asal Uttar, Chawinda etc all got their basic and advanced training in this splendid Establishment. There is a famous saying that “It is the Men behind the Machine that matters most”, and it was proved time and again in all wars fought by India, that the superior training of our tank men enabled them to destroy our enemy in their sophisticated tanks. These victories would not have been ours, had the dedicated men of Armoured Corps Centre and School, which makes tankmen from boys, not done their task of training these heroes with utmost dedication and sincerity. It is due to the untiring and relentless hard work of the men of Armoured Corps Centre and School, that the Establishment is deemed to be a “Centre of Excellence” in imparting quality training to the Indian Army. I also take this opportunity to pay my homage to the gallant soldiers of the Armoured Corps, who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the Nation. The majestic War Memorial on far side of the Parade Ground, stands in mute testimony of our homage for the brave soldiers.



6. The Cavalry have evolved, and so have our Cavalry men. May your Sword always remain sharp and your morale sky high. In acknowledgement and recognition of its outstanding performance over decades, I am pleased to award “Standard” to Armoured Corps Centre and School. I am confident that the Centre and School will continue to strive for excellence with professional zeal and serve the Nation in the years to come. I also take the opportunity to compliment the men and families of Armoured Corps Centre and School, past and present. I wish you the very best for a glorious future.


Jai Hind



*****

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inspecting the Guard of Honour at the presentation of the President’s Standard to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar, at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra on April 15, 2017.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Standard to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar, at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra on April 15, 2017.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a group photograph at the presentation of the President’s Standard to Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar, at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra on April 15, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...and-order-situation-with-jk-governor-4614530/

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat on Saturday visited Jammu winter capital city and met Governor N N Vohra whom he apprised of the law and order and the border situation in the state. Recent incidents of stone-pelting during the recent by-polls also came up for discussion, it is learnt.

Rawat arrived here late this afternoon and met Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Jammu, an army officer said. The two have discussed various issues regarding polls, security grid and law and order situation in Kashmir besides border situation.

The Army chief briefed him about enhanced vigilance and deployment on the Line of Control (LoC) in J&Km apart from the counter-militant operation the Army is undertaking in valley, the officer added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
17-April, 2017 19:32 IST
Army Commander’s Conference Begins

Biannual Army Commander’s Conference commenced on 17 April 2017 with the opening address by Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt.

Army Commander’s Conference is an important event in the planning and execution process of the Indian Army.

To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through a collegiate system comprising the Army Commanders and other senior officers who will deliberate upon the prevailing security scenario, strategic and actionable issues to ensure effective combat edge of the Indian Army.

Gen Bipin Rawat, the Army Chief, in his opening address emphasized that all systems were working well and complimented all those who are working on the ground. He observed that Indian Army continues to hold a strong image and a professional reputation. He exhorted all ranks to endeavour to further strengthen the same.

Shri Arun Jaitley, Honb’le Raksha Mantri, addressed the Army Commander’s Conference and complemented the senior military hierarchy saying ‘whenever the challenges multiply or their nature changes, Indian Army has always outperformed itself’. He stated that modernisation of defence equipment is the topmost priority for the Government.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
18-April, 2017 17:49 IST
Indian Army Veteran Reaches Delhi Cantonment on the Penultimate Day of his Pan India Homage Cycling Journey

Major General Somnath Jha (Retired), 58, after having spent 37 years in the service didn’t want to simply hang up his boots the usual way. He remains the man on mission. Being a third generation soldier of the Indian Army he took up the daunting task of cycling throughout the Country in the memory of our fallen soldiers. Maj Gen Jha decided to pay homage to each of around 21,000 Armed Forces personnel, who have lost their life since Independence, by cycling for two minutes for each of them. In the words of Maj Gen (R) Somnath Jha “This is my symbolic homage to my brethren who didn’t have the privilege of retiring as I did since they made the supreme sacrifice before that”.

He hit the road 18 days after he retired on 19 Oct 2016 starting his journey from Ambala Cantonment (from where he retired) and has cycled for 42,000 minutes across 29 states over a period of seven months. Gen Somanth Jha reached Delhi Cantonment his penultimate day of his homage journey. He shall be concluding his homage journey at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi on 19 Apr 2017 where he shall lay wreath to pay homage to fallen comrades.

During the journey his day would start usually early in the morning and would cycle till he hits his day’s target which could be anything between 70 to 150 km taking minimal breaks in between. The couple paid homage to every war memorial in their way of journey. At his age he could achieve the feat speaks volumes about his dedication and feelings for the honourable cause.

Commissioned in the 11th Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry, Major General Jha is not new to such adventures. He has several challenging achievements under his belt — like scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro at the age of 54 and learning paragliding at 56. Major General Jha is not alone in his one of a kind endeavour. He is accompanied by his wife Chitra – who is, a life skills coach and author of several motivational books. Mrs Chitra Jha takes care of the liaison and logistics making arrangements to stay at the next place of halt.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Pic courtesy: @adgpi

http://zeenews.india.com/india/work...in-rawat-rawat-to-top-commanders-1997040.html

New Delhi: Amid outrage in Kashmir over the controversial 'human shield' video, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday reminded top army commanders about the 'strong image' of the force and called for efforts to reinforce it further.

Gen Rawat was speaking at the Army commanders' conference, which deliberated on an array of issues including the evolving security situation, modernisation of the force and logistical difficulties for troops in conflict zones.

In his address on the opening day of the three-day conference, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley hailed the army for tackling challenging situations, and said modernisation of weapons and other critical systems for it is the government's "top-most" priority.


He complimented the commanders, saying "Whenever the challenges multiply or their nature changes, Indian Army has always outperformed itself", the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The conference will deliberate in detail on the prevailing security scenario, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, besides "strategic" and "actionable" issues to ensure effective combat edge over adversaries.

"He (Gen Rawat) observed that Indian Army continues to hold a strong image and a professional reputation. He exhorted all ranks to endeavour to further strengthen the same," the Ministry said.

The video, showing a man tied to an Army vehicle purportedly as a shield against stone-pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election, has triggered a public outcry prompting civil and army authorities to launch separate investigation.

The Army commanders' conference is an important event in the planning and execution of various key decisions relating to the country's security and strategic interests.

The issue of Non-Functional Upgrade (NFU) also figured during the deliberations. There has been demand for implementing NFU in the armed forces.

Under the NFU scheme, officers in central group A category get automatic time-bound pay promotions. Pay hike under NFU scheme are independent of organisational requirements and vacancy.

http://zeenews.india.com/india/modernisation-of-defence-equipment-top-priority-jaitley-1997053.html

New Delhi: Modernisation of defence equipment is the top most priority for the government, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday as he addressed the Army Commanders' Conference here.

The Defence Minister "complemented the senior military hierarchy" and said "whenever the challenges multiply or their nature changes, Indian Army has always outperformed itself", an official statement said.

The minister said modernisation of defence equipment is the topmost priority for the government, the statement added.


Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, in his opening address emphasiaed that all "systems" were working well and complimented all those who are working on the ground.

He observed that Indian Army continues to hold a strong image and a professional reputation and asked all ranks to endeavour to further strengthen the same.

Top commanders of Indian Army are meeting in the national capital from April 17-22. The commanders will deliberate upon the prevailing security scenario, strategic and actionable issues to ensure an effective combat edge for the Indian Army.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-April, 2017 16:23 IST
Army Veteran Pays Homage to Martyrs, Plans to be a Global Nomad

Major General (Retired) Somnath Jha, aged 58 years, after serving the Army for 37 years, remains a man on the mission. This third generation soldier took up the daunting task of cycling throughout the Nation for 183 days as his tribute to around 21,000 Armed Forces martyrs since Independence. He cycled 11000km in 43,528 minutes, dedicating two minutes of cycling to each martyr. Asked as to ‘why two minutes of cycling’ and the Veteran replied ‘we observe two minutes silence for each of our martyr’.

On this journey, Major General Jha was pleasantly surprised at the support from individuals, local government offices, police and citizen groups. He was overwhelmed by the fact that most people he met related to the sentiment of his mission and joined in to pay homage to the martyrs for whom he was riding.

Gen Jha concluded his homage journey by laying of wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on 19 Apr 2017 and vowed to undertake similar endeavour once the National War Memorial is dedicated to the Nation.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates participating in the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

Candidates after the physical fitness test during an army recruitment rally at Dholewal in Ludhiana on Tuesday, April 18. (HT Photo)

 

[RISING SUN]

Operation shape-up: Indian army to let waist size determine promotions
As part of the plan, all personnel must undergo an annual “obesity evaluation examination” effective from next month. Overweight officers and soldiers in the Indian army have been warned that they may lose their eligibility for promotions and transfers if they don’t slim down. The privileges that could be taken away from them could also include the right to attend ceremonial functions.

According to a news report, the army has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward obesity in its rank and file. This happened after a sample survey of 767 soldiers last year found a third of them overweight. The findings put a question mark on the combat-readiness of the world’s third largest army with 1.3 million personnel, the report said.

As part of this plan, all personnel must undergo an annual “obesity evaluation examination” effective from next month. The annual confidential reports (ACRs) of officers will henceforth carry a full-size picture, instead of the previous norm of a passport-size photo, so that any bulge around the waist is visible.
Waist size determines promotions

According to the report, waist size will determine promotions as certificate from the officer, who writes the ACR of the personnel to be promoted, will be sent to departments concerned. Promotion will be held back for anybody 10 percent above the “ideal body weight”, until he shaped up.

If the promotion order comes before the certificate is issued, he will not be allowed to wear the next rank till the commanding officer certifies that he has reached the ideal weight. The idea came from then army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, a fitness enthusiast who ran 10km each day. Suhag was apparently appalled at the increasing girth of the men under his command.

As things stand, no overweight personnel can go abroad on assignments unless he is specially exempted or is a war wounded. Besides, plump officers will not be granted reemployment either and applications will have to be accompanied by a fitness certificate, mentioning the ideal body weight.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/lif...y-to-let-waist-size-determine-promotions.html

 

[Hindustani78]

India's security challenges including the situation in Jammu and Kashmir were discussed at length in the conference. Photo Credit: PTI

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/607859/army-officers-discuss-security-threats.html

Top army commanders have carried out a detailed analysis of India's internal and external security threats and decided to push for modernisation of the force, besides advocating a tri-service doctrine to deal with major security challenges.

At a six-day annual commanders' conference, the top brass of the army also deliberated extensively on human resource policy of the force, including growing complaints against the Sahayak system, and decided to evolve a "more pragmatic" approach to addressing such issues.

On the promotion of its personnel, which is another sticky issue, the conference felt that the "highly pyramidal structure" in the army results in over 50 per cent of the workforce not being promoted despite being highly competent and decided to go for enhanced transparency and inclusiveness to ensure "greater equability".

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, during the deliberations, called for a more "participative" form of policy formulation to address human resource issues, and senior officials said branches of the army headquarters concerned have accordingly been directed to initiate wide-ranging interactions on it.

In his address at the valedictory session, General Rawat stressed the need to work in a collaborative manner for maintaining combat effectiveness of the army and sought a greater focus on enhancing air defence and aviation capabilities.

"It has been decided to give heft to the modernisation plan," the army said in a statement sharing details of deliberations at the conference which came to an end yesterday.

It said Gen Rawat expressed confidence at the way the army has been adapting itself to the "dynamic" internal and external operational environment while stressing the need for sustained and holisticmodernisationof the force.

India's security challenges including the situation in Jammu and Kashmir were discussed at length in the conference.

"He added that there is a need for sustained and holisticmodernisationof the army wherein combat and manoeuvre arms, air defence and aviation are on high priority," it said.

It said a comprehensive plan to speed up land acquisition for infrastructure development has been decided to be addressed through state governments.

The conference was also addressed by Chief of Air Staff B S Dhanoa and navy chief Admiral SunilLanba.They laid emphasis on evolving a joint operational philosophy to deal with various security challenges.

"During the deliberations, a session was dedicated to discussion with the Ministry of Defence to evolve a more wholesome action plan on administrative and modernisation issues," the army said.

In the backdrop of rising cases of jawans coming out against the Sahayak system and army personnel approaching courts for grievance redressal, the conference extensively deliberated on internal health of the force.

"During the deliberations, important issues having HR policy ramifications have been discussed. There is an impetus to evolve a more pragmatic HR plan. The core values of the army though haven't changed; rapid societal changes and discernible impact of socio-economic aspirations on army have been a focus area," it said.

In the recent months, a number of videos had surfaced in which some army jawans were seen voicing their anger over the colonial-era system, complaining about being made to do household chores of superior officers.

Referring to issues relating to promotions, it said, "The army, unlike most government departments, has a highly pyramidal structure, which results in over 50 per cent personnel not being promoted despite being highly competent thus necessitating the optimum utilisation of this pool of competent personnel."

"The conference deliberated measures to enhance transparency and inclusiveness leading to greater equability," the army said.

It said the proposals to make the Short Service Officers entry scheme more popular, streamlining the intake pattern, employment of women officers and grant of honorary ranks to Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers have been deliberated with positive roadmaps.

The army commanders conference is an important event in the planning and execution process of the force. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through the collegiate system comprising army commanders and senior officers.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
23-April, 2017 14:11 IST
Army Commanders Conference Concludes: Army Chief stresses on need to Push modernisation and inclusive HR Policies

Army Commander Conference came to an end on 22 April 17 with the closing remarks of General Bipin Rawat. The Biannual Army Commanders’ Conference had commenced on 17 April 2017.


During his closing address the Chief of Army Staff impressed upon the need to work in a collaborative manner for maintaining combat effectiveness of the Army. He expressed his confidence at the way the Army has been adapting itself to the dynamic internal and external operational environment. He added that there is a need for sustained and holistic modernisation of the Army wherein combat and manoeuvre arms, Air Defence and Aviation are on high priority.


It has been decided to give heft to the modernization plan of the Army. A comprehensive plan to speed up land acquisition for infrastructure development has been decided to be addressed through the State Governments. The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshall BS Dhanoa and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba had also addressed the Conference emphasising on evolving a joint operational philosophy. During the deliberation a session was dedicated to discussion with Ministry of Defense to evolve a more wholesome action plan on administrative and modernization issues.


During the deliberations, important issues having HR policy ramifications have been discussed. There is an impetus to evolve a more pragmatic HR plan. The core values of Army though haven’t changed; rapid societal changes and discernible impact of socio-economic aspirations on Army have been a focus area of the just concluded Conference. The Army unlike most Government departments has a highly pyramidal structure, which results in over 50 percent personnel not being promoted despite being highly competent thus necessitating optimum utilisation of this pool of competent personnel. The Conference deliberated measures to enhance transparency and inclusiveness leading to greater equability. The proposals to make Short Service Officers entry scheme more popular, streamlining the intake pattern, employment of Women Officers and grant of Honorary ranks to Junior Commissioned Officers and Non Commissioned Officers have been deliberated with positive roadmaps.


The Chief during the course of the deliberation highlighted the need for a more participative form of policy formulation. Concerned branches of the Army HQ have accordingly been directed to interact with wide cross-section of offices, branches, and personnel.


Army Commanders’ Conference is an important event in the planning and execution process of Indian Army. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through collegiate system comprising Army Commanders and Senior Officers.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
01-May, 2017 17:54 IST
The Armoured Corps Celebrates ‘79th Armour Day’


The Armoured Corps celebrated its ‘79th ARMOUR DAY’ on 01 May 17. The event commemorates the mechanization of the erstwhile Indian Cavalry on 01 May 1938, when the SCINDE HORSE became the first Indian Cavalry Regiment to stable its horses and convert to the Vickers Light Tank and Chevrolet Armoured Cars. The elite ‘Tank’ Corps celebrated the DAY with serving & veterans officers’ fraternity of the Corps and other arms/services. The elegant function truly epitomized traditional elan, camaraderie and all – round excellence that characterizes the Armoured Corps.


‘Courage in the face of fearful odds’, has been the enduring saga of the Armoured Corps and is exemplified by the award of two Param Vir Chakras, 15 Maha Vir Chakras and 60 Vir Chakras, amongst the large number of other gallantry and distinguished service awards bestowed upon its officers and men, after independence. The elite Arm has transited from Light Tanks / Armoured Cars in the 1930s to Stuart and Sherman tanks, Centurion heavy tanks, AMX-13 light tank in the 1950-60, the indigenous Vijayanta tank, Russian T-54/55 and PT-76 tanks in the intervening period, to is present day fleet comprising the T-72 (AJEYA) tank, the modern T-90 (BHISHMA) tank and the indigenous Main Battle Tank ARJUN. Organized, equipped and trained to effectively accomplish assigned mission in all types of conventional operations in varied terrain, the Armoured Corps also contributes substantially to the Army’s counter insurgency effort with a large representation in the Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles. It has a standing Contingent in the UN Peace Keeping Mission in Lebanon as its representatives amidst the blue beret fraternity.

 

[Hindustani78]

Indian Army jawans keep vigil amid heavy snowfall in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a day after ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army in krishna Ghati along the LoC.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-loc-calls-for-vigilance/article18359138.ece

Forward defence: General Bipin Rawat visiting the frontier areas in north Kashmir on Tuesday . | Photo Credit: PHOTO/THE HINDU.;PHOTO/THE HINDU. -


Army chief briefed on border security situation
The Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, on Tuesday visited the frontier areas in north Kashmir and interacted with commanders and troops deployed along the Line of Control.

Gen. Rawat’s visit comes just a day after two soldiers were killed in a Pakistani ceasefire violation in the Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch.

The Army Chief called for “vigilance” on the LoC to thwart any misadventure from across the border, especially as the summer sets in. He was accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders.

The Army Chief was briefed by formation commanders on the security situation on the border and measures instituted to strengthen the security posture, besides overall operational and logistical preparedness, a defence spokesman said.

Suspected militants looted a bank in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday afternoon. A police official said a masked gunman barged into the Ellaquai Dehati Bank, Kader, and decamped with ₹65,000.

A bank employee said the militants were carrying pistol. “The incident occurred when employees were busy in public dealings,” said the bank official. A major combing operation was launched in the area.

The incident comes just a day after five policemen and two bank employees were killed by militants in Kulgan after attacking a bank van.

Kulgam attack

According to the police inquiry, the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was behind the Kulgam attack.

“Militant Umar Majid, a resident of Souch, and two others had attacked the cash delivery vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Kulgam’s Pumbai,” said the police.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/mili...e-army-chief-on-defence-spending-2002232.html
Military not getting its due share: Army chief on defence spending
The Army Chief lamented that the spending on defence is considered a "burden" by many in the country and the military is not getting its due share.

PTI| Last Updated: Thursday, May 4, 2017 - 19:15

http://zeenews.india.com/india/mili...e-army-chief-on-defence-spending-2002232.html

New Delhi: A national military strategy and a security framework will be finalised very soon to effectively deal with security challenges facing the nation, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday.

In an address at a defence think tank, the Army Chief lamented that the spending on defence is considered a "burden" by many in the country and the military is not getting its due share.

Citing China, he stressed that India's true potential will be realised only when both economic growth and might of the armed forces go hand-in-hand.

He said the country must look for new friends and allies to deal with neighbours along India's western and northern borders, an apparent reference to Pakistan and China.

Referring to India's security challenges, Gen Rawat said the drafts of national military strategy and national security strategy were ready to deal with pressing issues coherently.

"We should be able to identify our own national military strategy. We do not have a national military strategy as of now. Directorate General of Perspective Planning has been tasked to come out with it.

"We are also coming out with the national security strategy which will be given to the government. Both the draft documents are ready and hopefully we will be releasing them very soon," he said after unveiling 'Strategic Yearbook 2017' at the United Service Institution, a national security and defence think tank.

Holding that a strong military is essential for India's forward march, he said the general thinking among people is that expenditure on defence "is a burden" on the economy.

He said a "very strong military" is key for the economy to develop and cited China's policy in this regard. The army chief also identified ensuring energy security as another important requirement for India to become a major power.

"While we are developing our economy, the military is not getting its due share. I think here we need to draw a lesson from China," he said, adding military and economic growth should be "co-joint" as they are two tenants of national power.

India's defence budget for 2017-18 was Rs 2.74 lakh crore, which is 1.63 per cent of GDP. China's defence budget is close to three per cent of its GDP. There has been a feeling among security experts and the defence establishment that the modernisation of armed forces is taking place at a very slow pace and that government has not been allocating adequate funds for it in the last few years.

Talking about the evolving security situation in the region, he said India must have close ties with countries like Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan considering the security matrix.

He said such a policy will recreate the outreach India had before partition.

The army chief said such a strategy will create two pronged dilemma for India's western neighbour, Pakistan, but also help in tackling issues with India's northern neighbour, China.

"We have to start looking at how do we carry out counter-encirclement for our future adversaries. Developing alliances, developing friends to overcome the (current) deficiency is important. That must be part of our strategic thought process," he said.

The army chief said that time has come for India to have a say in all major issues at the United Nations and the country must work hard to attain the membership of the UN Security Council.

"We must create alliances and friends also so that we find a rightful place at the UNSC. Time has come for India to have a say in all that happens in UN," he said.

On energy security, he said India has a huge potential to generate solar and wind energy and it must focus on these energy sources.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
09-May, 2017 18:02 IST
Girls from Jammu & Kashmir visit Delhi and Bengaluru as Part of Army’s out reach programme


As part of the Indian Army’s ongoing outreach programme to foster the spirit of National Integration across the entire swathe of the country, a tour of 16 Girls from the remote town of Gingle, Uri Tehsil in Srinagar District of Jammu & Kashmir is being organised form 02 to 11 May 17. National Integration Tours are educational and motivational tours for school children, youth and local populace of J&K and North Eastern States, with an aim to provide an insight into the rich heritage of the country, various development and industry initiatives that are afoot exposing them to varied career options while providing an opportunity to interact with renowned personalities.


During the course of the tour, the children have visited various cultural and historical places in Bengaluru and Delhi. The participants interacted with General Bipin Rawat on 09 May 2017, who shared his experiences of these areas with the students and motivated them to work hard and contribute actively in the Nation Building process.

TAGS : National Integration, Gingle, Uri, Srinagar, educational and motivational tours, youth of J&K, heritage of the country, cultural and historical places



Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
12-May, 2017 18:21 IST
Army Hospital (Research & Referral) Celebrated International Nurses Day

Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantonment, celebrated International Nurses Day, here today, to honour and respect the nurses for their incredible and selfless dedication towards patient care. On the occasion, a special event was organised where Additional DGMNS Maj Gen Sushila Shahi, addressed the gathering. Commandant AH (R&R) Lt Gen A K Das and Maj Gen Shahi, distributed ‘Certificates of Excellence’ to the deserving nursing officers from various departments. Principal Matron of AH (R&R) Maj Gen Elizabeth John, addressing the gathering, emphasised on the spirit of nursing among nursing staff. The event was marked by the presence of veteran nurses of the military nursing service and nurses from the civil hospitals.

International Council of Nurses commemorates this day annually around the world on 12th of May as the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. The theme of this year is “Nurses: A Voice to lead, achieving the sustainable development goals.”