Just had our daughter married with 20 family members.Two big positives - only close family,fun & bonding not seen or felt in a long time.And...the big fat wedding tamasha was replaced with a big fat cheque for newlyweds to make a comfy home.That's the way ahead.Views anyone?
A foreigner just clean bowled me today.
He asked me why we pay toll tax on the roads?
I replied it was for better roads, highway facilities, road safety.
He then asked me if I paid taxes?
I said yes.
He sounded surprised. Weren't taxes meant for better infrastructure,
When you lived your life in a South Indian ( thambhi) Regiment, enjoyed rasam instead of tea, had rice with sambar & butter chicken, drank toddy with the Monk & celebrated Onam or Pongal or Ganesha or Holi or Deepavali or Christmas with the same gusto.... You know it is the
A narrative is being driven by Pak that the US rout in Afg will make Kashmir look like a walk in the park @ escalation of violence in Valley.Indian response is clear & escalation dynamics come at a cost. Pak has always miscalculated time & again.
Just shuffling through my old papers. A decade ago while in the IDSA, a high level delegation from Maldives came visiting. One agenda point was particularly interesting... Living space.
If the ocean continues to rise by even 1 metre (3 feet) due to global warming, the delegation
As a cadet in NDA our Adjt gave us advice on life - there will be 3 crossroads in life. Take wise decisions. 1- choice of arm/ service, 2- selection of your life partner,3- select your son- in- law/ daughter-in-law. Yesterday I successfully completed all 3 decisions. Party time!
A Sikh bodyguard beside a Chinese nobleman's grave in Singapore. Sikhs were so feared in China and hired as personal guards by wealthy Chinese. They believed they would even protect them in their afterbirth. That fear & awe manifests on the LAC even today.
For the record. The India- Pak war in 1971 lasted 13 days. It resulted in creation of a new nation. 50 years on, Ukr- Rus war enters Day 16 with no end in sight. What would you attribute this - strategy? Equipment? air power? intelligence? Morale?
As we approach the Fourth year of the Galwan clash, a balanced assessment of the incident is warranted.
IMO, China lost big time - militarily, economically & diplomatically. On the other hand it nudged India to strengthen deterrence.
Militarily, aside from the loss of 43
At an iconic place with the icon himself (circa 1993). From the pages of my personal album...Few soldiers and leaders carried the aura of the Field Marshal.
Here is one diehard who wants all of us to believe that he is serving the nation. To the best of my knowledge the Army has NO such glitzy vehicle with a HR BA number .If you can't join the Army, ape the Army.
@adgpi
@westerncomd_IA
Today is an extremely sad day. Brig BC Rana, SM, DOGRA passed away due to a sudden heart attack.
I was the BM in the Kasauli Brigade when he was the Commander.
Rarely in service have I come across Commanders of his mould. He was what "operational" Commanders are made of :
@Chohan_31360
Sir, the aim was to question the concept of tolls on our roads. Apparently, tolls in most developed & even developing nations are history.
I had no answer. I thought some informed people would throw light.
How does it have anything to do with Modiji?? 🤔
Just watched "
#Sam
"....Reminded of these lyrics by Jason Blaine in the song 'They Don't Make Em' Like That Anymore'
"Standin' shoulder to shoulder with him now,
I still feel small
And I'm still lookin' up to him like he's ten feet tall
There's somethin about that generation
Post retirement blues? Just got gyan from an elder veteran of experience. He says after 4 months of twiddling his thumbs at home his wife sat him down and said " I married you for better or worse but NOT for lunch"!! Since then he makes himself scarce at lunch.😂
@Tiny_Dhillon
swill not survive the next war:
* If your Commanders from Platoon to Corps are unable to see their area of responsibility in real time.
* If you are emitting electronic signals from your own location.
* If your tactical drills are to employ troops larger than a platoon/troop
Today is a landmark in my transition from the Army to corporate life. Had the honour to ring the bell as we listed at the BSE SME at double the offer price!! The last year was a slog but commitment & dedication has borne result.
Way to go Droneacharya Aerial Innovations Ltd!!
Happy to share a unique initiative that I have conceived at the USI with Go Magic Trails - Battlefield tours.This is the first of the six proposed tours led by veterans. It's open to all domestic or international tourists with an interest in Indian military history.
France is hopping mad at the "stab in the back" by Australia. Unprecedented decision to withdraw her Ambassadors from US & Australia. The Anglo- Saxons have reunited!!
Young officers could do well to study the tactics employed by both armies in the ongoing Rus-Ukr war. The ones that come straight to the mind are:
* The acceptance of 24hrs of daylight in battle... There is nothing like "night"& "cover of darkness".
* A complete re-look at the
When you fight a war, you fight to win. There is no place for runners up. There is no place for personal glory. Nation comes first always and everytime.
Cricket is the same. To win you need killing instinct. There is no place for personal heroics or landmarks. You cannot be a
I argue that to defend our interests in
#Siachen
glacier & Eastern
@Ladakh
we need to ensure "strategic depth" in
#GilgitBaltistan
Strategic Depth in Gilgit-Baltistan is a Necessity for India
One of the finest examples of deception in our history - Rana Pratap's horse Chetak wearing a mask of a baby elephant at Haldighati to deceive Man Singh's elephant to close in & attack him by placing his hoof on the elephants head!! Amazing story... needs to be told to our kids.
@Chellaney
When IA Chief says the Army is at "highest" level of readiness, be assured every word carries weight & consequences. India has built adequate deterrence to embarrass Xi's ambitions in 2022 - creating a conducive external environment is critical for China in the year of the Tiger.
The biggest takeaway for India from Ukr-Rus war? Unless part of a MILITARY alliance, forget any support or assistance from ANYONE. They are part of the clapping circus. Build capability, bide time. Never lose focus of national interests, keep your fists clenched & powder dry.
Lest we forget.This day last year, in a bold & decisive action, the IA occupied Kailash Range in Ladakh. That action estb a new normal in IA response to any aggression along the LAC in future. It forced PLA to come to the table & earned IA respect in comity of nations. Jai Hind.
Pak- Afghan relations are skidding down a knifes edge. With both recalling their ambassadors post the abduction case, the repercussions on future Afghan govt-Taliban talks & Taliban-Pak ISI "arrangements" are evident.
A RUSI report written by Samir Tata argues that India- China war is likely in 2025-30. The report is based on three suppositions:
1. That India will "seize Kashgar" (note!) through the Kunjerab pass after capturing Skardu & Gilgit to threaten the 'proposed' Iran pipeline along
@RnaudBertrand
Should the US "defund" the UN & China steps into "fund" the shortfall, it would be a win-win for China.
In fact, that will shift the leverage on the UN with China.... Remember China wants to change the "rules based" order!!
At the First ever Indian Military Heritage Festival... Bonding between two proud veterans... Gens Ram Gaur & Ramesh Kulkarni, the first & second GsOC of 28 Inf Div.
Gen Ram Gaur handed over the baton to Gen Ramesh Kulkarni in 1987...in the Kargil sector. Very few would recall
Today 38 yrs ago we-73 Reg/1983 crossed the "antim pag" here. I had the privilege to be its Dy Commandant & Chief Instructor( aka the chief whip 2016-17). This pic was mymemento in 2017. A toast to my coursemates both looking from above & below. We did our duty! Cheers brothers!!
@SCK_840
Dear Mr Shiva!
I was a soldier for 38 years. I don't understand economics so well.
It is much the same as you may not know how many litres of oil are to be filled in a recuperator of a gun that fires 30 kms.
In your words "that can't be hard to understand"... But do you??
More pain for Pak. China demands $38mn ( 6.5bn PKR) as compensation for Dasu terror attack victim from an already bankrupt Pak. So much for higher than mountains friendship!
@ANI
@asthana_shashi
@kakar_harsha
@Chellaney
When "strategic thinkers" bring down the level of debate to customs & traditions of the Indian army, it's a new low in "strategic thinking". Time to write your memoirs. And write them in sanskrit.
Nothing like "chupoing" ganna in winters. Couldn't resist old habits... spread a newspaper & enjoy peeling & chewing the sugarcane with your teeth in the sun.
This is new PLA Army badge. It summarises the RMA in PLAA -wings(surprisingly) represent Army Aviation, sprocket wheel in Centre the mechanisation & cross- wire & dot the Special Forces. Future wars by PLAA will focus on these 3 arms as they are ideal for short,swift local wars.
@kakar_harsha
Amazing! A civilian lecturer in the PAF College is under the Army Act & sentenced by a Summary General Court Martial!! In India they are under Civil Services Rules. This is a grim reminder of the authority & control the Pak Armed Forces have even over common civilians.
Armed conflict with Taiwan? At stake 4500 Twn enterprises on mainland, $195bn Twn investment,$165bn cross strait trade, $560bn trade with US, 80% loss in semi- conductors, GDP growth - 2.3% crash to beyond - 5%. Zhongnanhai must be weighing the eco impact to "save face".
A shout to industry esp those falling over each other to absorb Agniveers into their conglomerates.Last pay drawn of an Agniveer will be Rs 40,000+ allces. Avg mthly salary of a driver is 12K, clerk 21K, bank guard 11K, an airline tickets executive 23.3K, a machinist 17K. 1/2
Jap plans to support Taiwan if PLA attack, Duterte does a U-turn & signs SFA with US, UK Carrier transits SCS, USN does FONOPS in Taiwan Straits, Austin in SE Asia,PLAN live firing in SCS, China-Russia joint exercises NW China. It's getting to be a hot summer in & around China.
When the Engineer-in- Chief confirms preperation of nuclear hardened shelters for weapons & ammo we should be proud of our capabilities & assure our countrymen of a reliable & assured second strike capability.
@majorgauravarya
@arunp2810
@manpreetsethi01
#Musharraf
,infamous COAS & architect of
@Pakarmy
debacle in Kargil is dead.Families of those who lie in unclaimed graves in those mtns can get some closure,finally. Few like these were fortunate that the
@Indianarmy
handed them with over with dignity due to a soldier in death.
As another Covid variant threatens in 2022, l recall
lyrics of the Dire Straits number 'Why worry now' :
"Why worry, there should be laughter after pain
There should be sunshine after rain
These things have always been the same
So why worry now?
Why worry now?" Chin up! HNY!!
@MinhazMerchant
@CChristineFair
@BBC
@PhilippaBBC
Here in India there was a time when if BBC said it...that was final. Today when BBC says it we cross check facts from other channels. BBC lost credibility amongst informed Indians quite a while ago.
39 yrs ago,we swore to uphold the integrity & sovereignty of India on 17 Dec 1983. Never dreamt I would be one of the fortunate ones to preside over the same oath to later generations as the Deputy Commandant & Chief Instructor of our alma-mater - the Indian Military Academy.
@szymonkopec
@MalikAshok
That's very heartening to hear!
Next trip please be our guests in Chandigarh & give us a chance to show you around parts of the Simla hills & green Punjab.
@RajeevSrinivasa
@RajeevRC_X
Dear Sir, I start every meal with rice ( with my right hand!!) & have chappati later. Here in the North, rice is served after roti or 'parota'... But they will never understand. 😀
Gen Zhang Youxia a war vet of Vietnam will lead PLA tom- toms Chinese media.That's laughable. War experience as a platoon Cmdr in 1979 in no way justifies experience in leading a nuclear armed PLA in integrated joint operations, 43 yrs later!
@alpha_defense
@chellaney
@ANI
A legend passes on.
Col ( then Maj) Balwant Singh was the 2iC of 2 SIKH during the epic battle of Raja Post in 1965 against Pakistan. When the CO, Lt Col NN Khanna, MVC fell leading from the front, it was Maj Balwant Singh who took over command mid- battle & held the battalion
My piece published in the
@ChanakyaForum
where I argue that the man behind the machine is a huge challenge for the
#PLA
to achieve victory in battle.
It's a 6 min read. Appreciate views.
@USIofIndia
@majorgauravarya
The recent news of the deployment of Turkish Bayraktar-TB2 drones in the Maldives should interest Indian defence planners.
The TB2 deal between Maldives & Turkey is valued at $37mn. The cost per piece is approximately $5mn. It would be fair to assume that Maldives have gone for
This is Gen George S Patron's Confidential Report written by Gen Eisenhower. Candid. Straightforward. Most imp - due consideration to professional competence over personal traits.
Fortunate to celebrate Fathers Day dinner with my Dad... 90 & going strong!
He says he is determined to earn 100% pension from the government... At 100!!
May HE always keep a watch over him & fulfill his dreams.
Happy
#Fathers
Day!
#FathersAreBest
#FathersAreAwesome
This day last year. A farewell to arms and to a life which I knew no other. At the stroke of 12 pm....driven back by my wife to a home that I left for 42 years. And how's it going? Never knew I ever retired!!
An iconic picture. When was the last time a Brig briefed a PM on the bonnet of a Jeep with the Chief & others senior Cdrs looking on? The Brig is Sam Manekshaw ( later Fd Marshal). Ops Rooms have started getting stuffy...fresh air & feel of ground is more productive.
If tour of duty as a concept was highly questionable, this radical change of "all out & one fourth in" is even worse. The punch line in between reads "A substantial sum of money is expected to be saved this way".Soldiering & sacrifice versus rupees on a weighing scale.
It is now official.
* Pak has chosen NOT to be a democracy after pulling out from Democracy Summit.
* Decision driven by Chinese pressure. CPEC has slowly morphed from controlling Pak eco & mil to foreign policy as well.
* One more step to colonisation.
Every soldier must read these words etched on the walls of the historic Saragarhi gurudwara at Ferozepur. It immortalises the sacrifice of 21 Sikhs in the greatest unequal battles ever fought by man...the Battle of Saragarhi fought on 12 Sep 1897.
There appears to be some positive progress in breaking the impasse in India- China relations.
Undoubtedly, the need of the hour was a political rapprochement.
That has perhaps been set into motion. Here is why.
*
#Putin
's visit to
#china
&
#Modi
's hurried visit to
#Russia
This is a brilliant piece in "The Diplomat" that explains the impact of "One Child Policy" on the demographic dividend in Chinese society.
Key takeaways :
* Lifting the One Child Policy is NOT showing any gains.
* China is growing older before it becomes rich.
* Women have
@sharad_col
Sad to hear such language from a former colleague. At some stage in service we may have saved each other's life.
But that's a different matter.
Retirement is another world!! I am learning that some currency notes are "black"in colour,"ho jayega"means it will never happen unless...& time, appointment,schedules are totally flexible depending on who is on the recieving end. To be fair I was warned. Everyday is an education!
Great to hear the HM in Arunachal Pradesh say " India begins from Kibithoo... We call Kibithoo India's first village." The border village plan is a game changer. The messaging to China is clear. Btw...just as a matter of interest my Twitter link is
@kutch2kibithu
.
@atahasnain53
@gauravcsawant
Being in a war zone armed with just a mike & a bulletproof vest calls for courage & dedication of a very high order. Keep up the good work Gaurav!!
@USAmbIndia
@USAndKolkata
Mr Ambassador, Arunachal Pradesh offers some of the finest tourist vacations in India. I hope this visit will spur you to encourage tourists, trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts to come to ALP & experience the culture & traditions of the loving people of the state on their India
@Tiny_Dhillon
@penguinrandom
@PenguinIndia
Looking forward to an exciting book from Gen Tiny Dhillon! I am sure it will be a huge inspiration for the youth of our nation. Believe me, no one can tell it better than Tiny!!
A flypast of a different type to celebrate India's 74th Republic Day. Greetings on the occasion to all my countrymen from my company Droneacharya Aerial Innovations Ltd.
Jai Hind!!
The first casuality of war is truth.
If you want to know the truth, first read the story of the vanquished.
Thereafter open the pages of the victor.
Only then will the real truth, stare you in the face.
When two Coursemates meet you can't miss the sparkle in their eyes, the warmth in their handshake & the naughty grin on their faces. Never mind if they are 88 yrs young...4 JSW/ 13 Reg / DOC: 6 June 1954. That's brotherhood & bonding for you!!
@KushalSinha001
Camouflage means to hide or disguise from an adversary. Why on earth would a Search & Rescue force want to be hidden, disguised or concealed from the very people they aim to rescue?Reason- an obsession to somehow copy the Army. Poor wannabes!!
Military commanders must be extremely cautious with use of mobile phones in operational deployments. Remember, Russian Generals were targeted in the early part of the Rus-Ukr war through their mob phs. At least 7 lost their lives.
It is no secret that the emissions can be
After a backbreaking 12h drive from Chandigarh, finally reached the pristine & breathtaking Tirthan valley. Living in a tent besides the trout rich Tirthan river brought memories of months on end in tents & bashas in service. Amazing campsite, delicious food, total " thand"!
In my travels through
#Europe
I met many Indian youth, amongst others, who are in the
#service
industry.
Some conclusions:
* No one gets rich in Europe. They just earn sufficiently to live a good life.
* With high rates of taxation, in some countries as much as 36-48%, the
Amazing efficiency of the Chandigarh
#Police
!!
Within 3 hrs of my passport application at the PSL I got a call from the local police station for police verification.
We were not at home, but went to the Sector 34 PS today i.e. after 24hrs and we were pleasantly surprised by the
I did an interesting study of offrs in flag rank of PLA,PakArmy & IA. It avgs 11-12 yrs for Pak & IA & over 20 yrs in PLA. If you want to build mil strategic thinkers you need to give Cdrs more exposure in public policy, diplomacy & strategy besides revisit the retiring ages.
@RnaudBertrand
Please do not forget that Kashgar was also part of the ancient Indian Kushan empire. The hugely respected & popular Indian king Kanishka, ruled over Kashgar & beyond. Therefore, in history, aside from the Turks, Indian Kings too had control of parts of present day China. In other