Brig PS Gothra (Retd) “Damn serious soldiering, Ravi?” heard Ravi as he felt a tap on his shoulder. He was picking up a mug to pour tea for himself in Batote TCP. It was Major Anil, his course mate and neighbour in the separated family accommodation. Nine months ago, they had travelled together to join their respective RR units. Before Ravi could answer Anil said, “Looks … [Read more...] about Heavy Debt
The Ogre of Red-Tapism
Brig PS Gothra “That is your office,” said the civilian clerk, who had accompanied Major Kabir, from the main gate. Kabir was recently awarded Tagma-i -Jurat for his bravery against the terrorists. As he entered, a couple of rats scurried away, he saw five sacks of documents on the right. In front he could see an old wooden table with a steel revolving chair. Through the … [Read more...] about The Ogre of Red-Tapism
Ecstasy in Operations
Brig PS Gothra (Retd) “Don't pull the trigger Saab,” said Subedar Pradhan as I was aiming at the head of the man seen on the telescope of sniper rifle. “Why?"I asked. By three in the morning on that cold night, we were in place to look for terrorist movement in the forest across the hill. The operation was planned based on the information given by a 'source' that there … [Read more...] about Ecstasy in Operations
Between cowardice, stupidity and bravery
Brig PS Gothra (Retd) “We were grazing our goats in the jungle below when two gunmen appeared and they asked us to leave the place immediately. So, we left our goats behind and are moving to our hamlet to inform our parents,” said the four children when we saw them coming up on the track we were moving on. I could clearly see fear in their eyes. We gave them some toffees and … [Read more...] about Between cowardice, stupidity and bravery
China in Nepal: The Indian perspective
Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan Nepal’s relationship with China’s first recorded official engagement dates back to the middle of the seventh century, when Nepal’s armed forays into Tibet led to Chinese intervention favouring the latter. It resulted in the signing of the Sino-Nepalese Treaty of 1792, which provided a tribute-bearing mission from Nepal to China every five years as a … [Read more...] about China in Nepal: The Indian perspective
Chief of Defence Staff : An imperative for the Indian Armed Forces
Lt General Satish Dua The government of India has recently issued a notification regarding appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). According to this notification, the CDS may be appointed from among serving as well as retired three or four star rank officers from all three services — Army, Navy and Air Force — subject to their being less than 62 years of age. This … [Read more...] about Chief of Defence Staff : An imperative for the Indian Armed Forces
The Chinese Debt Trap
Maj Gen C P Singh (Retd) “There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country: One is by the sword; the other is by debt" John Adams (2nd U.S. President) “Parvane ko nahi pata ki jis shamaa se who lipat raha hai, wahi usko jalaa kar raakh kar degi.” Have you heard of this famous Bollywood line about fatal attraction of the moth to a flame? Similar is the … [Read more...] about The Chinese Debt Trap
With Miltablishment support waning, Imran may not survive 2022 as PM
Sant Kumar Sharma Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KP in short, is a province of Pakistan where Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has a clear majority. It is Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party which holds 94 out of 145 seats in the state legislature. Some days ago, there were local body elections in KP and surprisingly, PTI was easily beaten by Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamaat Ulema … [Read more...] about With Miltablishment support waning, Imran may not survive 2022 as PM
Farewell to the General – am I seeing a changing India?
Col Lalit Chamola, SM ( veteran) I was heartbroken, extremely sad and on the verge of crying when the news of the untimely and tragic death of my dear friend, General Bipin Rawat, in the helicopter accident was flashed on 8 December, 2021. In my grief, I also witnessed the response of my fellow Indians from all parts of the country irrespective of the class, caste, … [Read more...] about Farewell to the General – am I seeing a changing India?
Indian Air Force: Sentinels of the Sky
Maj Gen C P Singh, (Retd) The fourth largest operational Air Force of the world, Indian Air Force ‘Touches the Sky with Glory’ as it celebrates it’s Raising day on 08th Oct 2021. They deserve a 100 gun salute from the 130 crore Indians. Interestingly, IAF has taken their motto “Nabham Sparsham Deeptham” from the eleventh chapter of Shree Bhagvad Gita and always lives up … [Read more...] about Indian Air Force: Sentinels of the Sky