SSNT2 Meet at RSI , Bangalore, on 02 Mar 2012

We had a small group of 4-5 of us meeting for Beer in the morning at  RSI. We met Col Prakash (Grenadiers) in the CSD Canteen in RSI he is also seen in the snaps. We missed him in the evening get together.

Regards.

Lt Col. Pradeep Shirgaonkar ( Retd )

+91 9987154946

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SSNT2: Naushera Company

Arun Kumar, Naushera Coy, commissioned in ASC, is kind enough to send Us the Group Photograph of the Company. After participating in Bangladesh War, he joined NCC in 1972. Retired in 2003 as DD (Trg) from NCC Dte Delhi. The Company photograph is uploaded on the Blog. His contact details are included in the Course Address List.

Course Dinner 2011

Course Dinner was organised at the Vasant Kunj Farm house of OS Deswal, IAS, on 23 Apr 2011 in Gurgaon. Over 20 course mates along with their Lady Wives got together to mark the occasion. Unfortunately I could not attend the Event as I was out of station.

The Event was a great success. OSD and his wife Neeru were 'totally' involved in making the Event memorable, Thanks.

We are not able to upload the snaps of the Course Dinner 2011 as I received none. Could still do it if I receive them.

All the Best!

We Are Blessed

INTERESTING COINCIDENCE !

India is blessed by.....

Amma in South;
Didi in East;
Bhenji in North;
Aunty in the Capital;
Madam in Center;
Nani on top (the President)
& "Wife At Home"

And yet people say.. It’s a Man's World ?

Courtesy: Shashi Varma

Some Memories: 21 - 23 Apr 1967

Our Passing out Parade was held on 22 Apr 1967. Lt Gen (then) Manekshaw, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, took the Salute. Pgme for the Passing Out was spread on 21-23 Apr 1967, with pipping ceremony on 23 Apr 1967 preceded by Buffet Supper in the OTS Cadets Mess.

Bn SUO D Dasgupta , School SUO BK Kailash, and Company SUO C Singh Deo were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal respectively.

A large number guests were present on the occasion. Justice and Mrs RS Narula, parents of Channi, also graced the occasion.

You have sweet memories!!

Sukhi

Courtesy: Channi Narula

Course Dinner 2011

Course Dinner 2011 was organised at the Farm House of OS Deswal. The Event went of very well with routine bonhomie in full display and 'usual' hugs.

Some who missed, we find them next year.

List of the attendees is enclosed.

Sukhi

Emerging Strategic Defence Culture in India, and Interplay of Civil - Military Relations

"Failing to Deliver Post-Crises Defence Reforms in India, 1998-2010", a Research Paper of Anit Mukherjee of the IDSA, laments lack of 'strategic culture' and inapt 'civil-military Ralations' as the main causes for the Reforms failing in a way.

This paper analyses civil-military relations in India from 1998 to 2010. It examines the reforms undertaken within national security agencies and their eventual outcome. In doing so it explores two major questions—what precipitated the reforms in India’s national security agencies after the 1999 Kargil war? And, what was the impact of these reforms and did they achieve their stated objectives?

It analyzes the Kargil Review Committee and its follow up, the Arun Singh Committee and describes some of the debates therein. While examining the implementation of defence reforms it then argues that despite some incremental progress they have failed the vision of their architects. This is primarily due to bureaucratic politics and the unique features of civil-military relations, which can be more accurately described as an “absent dialogue.” The penultimate section describes recent calls for re-visiting the defence reforms process but argues that without political will this is unlikely.

“bureaucratic inertia, political ineptitude and the state of civil-military relations .... may have more to do with the absence of strategic thinking”. Indeed, as this paper argues it is broadly these three factors that have obstructed defence reforms.

We, as a nation, let our inadequacies perpetuate incrementally for personal gains. This is the history of our sub-continent and its people unfortunately -- SvipjaCMRChair.

Read the Paper : http://www.idsa.in/system/files/OP_defencereform.pdf

SvipjaCMRChair

'Humour in Uniform'

Courtesy: Dheeraj Singh, Navjot Singh

Tempering Through Struggles

Courtesy: Ram Bagai

Army: Overused, Under-Appreciated?

On 26 Jan 2011, our ‘star’ Colonel SPS Rekhi participated in ‘we the people’ show of Barkha Dutt and contributed meaningfully in the discussions. Rekhi of course has contributed a lot to the System in various fields. Well Done, Rekhi !!

Click the following Link to see the Video, it is over 40 minutes. Ad clips in the beginning of the video are embedded by the Author.

We the People, 26 Jan 2011


Sukhi

'The Last Post'

We have all heard the Armed Forces Buglers rendering 'The Last Post'. It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. Here is the story behind it.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they gave him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:-

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
-------
Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
-------
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky .
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh.

Courtesy: Mr GS Sahni, ex-Secretary, IAS.

PS: Remember those lost and harmed while serving their country. Also remember those who have served and returned; and those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Brief Details of Channi Narula

Name & Rank: Capt. C S Narula
OTS Company: Meiktila
Corps: EME
Discharged on: 7 July 1973
Joined Civil Service: 7 July 1973.
Contact in India (June to October)
B 032 Belvedere Towers
DLF Phase 2, Gurgaon 122002
Mobile: 981871 6507

Address in Namibia (Oct to April)
P.O. Box 31428, WINDHOEK
NAMIBIA

Tele: +264 61 243065 (Res); +264 61 251567 (O)
Mobile: + 264 81 127 0921

e mails:
narulac@gmail.com
joys@mweb.com.na

SC Course 1987: SSNT-2 Get-Together

Hi Sukhi,

I am enclosing a photograph of our SSNT-2 Course get together while on Senior Command Course in July 1987 for publication on the Blog. Ten of us attended this course. This get together was not attended by uthapa due reasons unknown those who attended were: Kanwal, Merchant, Kewal Singh, Dhand, O P Kohli, ? (I cannot recall the name please help), Kailash, Anil Bhardwaj.

I am missing from the photograph because it was snapped by me.

Good hunting,

Paddy Dutta

Warm Greetings to My Dearest Buddies of SSNT-2

Hi My dear batch mates,

It is over four decades ago that we passed out from OTS, Madras, on a day that coincidentally happens to be my birth day too! (23 Apr). Except for few of us who have been meeting now and then while in Service, majority of us never met one another. Thanks to the samaritan effort of our dear colleague, Brig. Sukhwindar, there is a forum for us to interact and exchange one another's tale of stories in our “fading years" of our lives.

It will be a better idea, if we can share our life experiences whether on pleasant or unpleasant side, so that each of us will be interacting more often though this blog site, created by Sukhwindar.

To start with I wish to give you all in brief about me. My last posting while in Service was with Signals Enclave Computer Centre in Delhi, where from I took premature retirement in Feb, 1987 to enter into 'civvies' life as an Engineering college Professor at MIT, Manipal (South India ). After a stint of 5 years in Academic line, I went to join the Industry, as Senior Manager of Tata Elexsi Ltd., (Mainframe Computer mfg. Company in those days) in 1991. One year on, I left the company to take up an offer with a Chinese Company in China as the General Manager, in 1992 till 1997.

In 1997, I longed to be an entrepreneur, and started a company of my own, " Li Qun Enterprises ", which has been mainly a ' turn key projects handling ' Company undertaking multiple Products Sourcing, price negotiations with manufacturers, and to export items as per Global customer requirements.

In 2009 (last year), I decided to get relocated back to our sacred motherland, India, and moved back to Bangalore, where I have my own ' sweet home '. Being active and still agile, I did not want to ' idle ' and lead a sedentary life. So I took up an assignment with VIT University (Velour Institute o Technology) in Vellore, near Chennai, as Professor in its Business School and have been teaching Operational Management subjects to MBA students. (http://www.vit.ac.in) You can see my picture, if you go to Academics, select, VITBS, and Faculty (POSQ Division)

On the family front, currently me and my spouse, Rama are hale and hearty and live as ' honey mooning ' couple. Our three Children, by Grace of Almighty are all settled in their lives in comfortable way. Our eldest daughter, Dr. Gita Shekar along with her husband, Bharath, who works as Director ( Retail Marketing ) of Amazon.com and their daughter Nikita is settled in Seattle, USA.

Our second daughter, Anita Shekar, who is a Computer Engineer, is with IBM in Austin, Texas USA along with her Computer Software husband, and their two Children, Jharna and Arnav, and permanently settled there.

Our youngest Son, who is a Management graduate, is settled in Hong Kong, along with his Chinese spouse, since year 2000.

I can be reached either by email : major4511@gmail.com or on phone : 0416-2202755 (Ofice) / 2204603 ( Res ), 09677807632 ( Mobile ). Currently we are spending 4 weeks of vacation with our Son and daughter in law in Hong Kong, and will be back to Vellore on 27 June, 2010.

It will be my great pleasure, to hear from my dearest batchmates from henceforth.

Wishing you all a very healthy, happy and prosperous lives... buddies..

Major KL Chandrasekhar

2010 Course Dinner

2010 Course Dinner was organised on 23 Apr 2010 in the DSOI, New Delhi. A large number of batch mates attended the Dinner along with their lady wives. A good number of officers and their wives from outstations joined-in. I am NOT including their names specifically for fear of getting their ire if I inadvertently miss some. Delay in uploading this Post is precisely because of this -- I was all the time awaiting latest List compiled during the Dinner to place on the Blog; it was not to be despite requests. So, I decided to upload the photographs I received.

I have however taken care that 'faces' outside Delhi find place in this Posting.

It was a good Get-Together with usual warmth, and lot to speak and share. Lots of Ideas to advance the 'togetherness' as usual over a few drinks, but nothing would move forward except yet another Course Dinner in 2010.

All the Best till we meet next.

Sukhwindar
www.ssnt2.blogspot.com

Guess Who All !

Courtesy: Channi

CRPF Men 'Shot Dead' by Maoists in Chhatisgarh

It is difficult to comprehend loss of over 70 CRPF Men to the Maoists in Chhatisgarh without any casualty to them. There is no flaw in planning LRP Operations continuously for four days by a sub-unit. LRPs are known to go far beyond four days. Execution of the operations and ‘Conduct of the Company in the LRP’ needs to be put under scrutiny if we have to avoid such 'massacre' in future.

Let ‘truth’ be known to the Planners!

It is distressing to hear ‘mass killings’ of uniformed personnel in the Operations. No ‘plain’ reasons stand to justify the incident. No ‘cover-up’ are to be encouraged.

Sukhwindar
Svipja Technologies

India's Think Tanks

Firstly, Think Tanks should in the normal course aim to influence targeted audience for getting their ‘mind share’. It should take a ‘systems approach’ to an issue with the ultimate objective of sound implementation to achieve the desired outcome. It is not correct to say that the Policy Makers or Others may not ‘heed to the advice, or may not be influenced’ by the Think Tanks. It does in a way. If not, these are not Think Tanks then - their research results may be ‘tainted’, not in line with the democratic values, or totally out of context. Think Tanks need not work in ‘vacuum’ of any kind and should relate to the existing or future course(s). That much for the concept.

Secondly, Think Tanks need to be staffed with practicing managers/researchers and academia of the right kind to tackle real-life situations, and not be pure ‘philosophic’. These should relate to our ‘own’ environments. This would help in looking at their findings from ‘Policy Angle(s)’. Who funds it may not be very important in today’s intellectual scenario; system sees it through and places credibility on the Think Tanks accordingly. There may be hundreds of them but a few are creditworthy.

Thirdly, the subject matter to be tackled could take the form of a 'Chair’, for long life. The Chair could be established in Corporates, Universities, Foundations, etc, provided they operate under the Charter of Think Tanks. Intellect is widely dispersed.

Mr Kanti Bajpai’s Article in today’s TOI on ‘ Think Tanks in India’s Democracy’ puts the subject issue in a perspective, but the 'common notion'.

Click: Think Tanks in Democracy

'Svipja Civil-Military Relations (CMR) Chair' be seen in this context, a faithful delivery to the Indian Democracy and its People in CMR.

Svipja Technologies

Launch of 'Svipja Civil - Military Relations Chair'

General

“Svipja Civil- Military Relations Chair” (or ‘Chair’, for short) has been set-up by Svipja Technologies with a view to harness Ideas from Intellectual Defence Community to promote Civil-Military Relations in India. Views from the International Community will also be welcome.

This work is needed in order to raise intellectual capital of the stakeholders in line with the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It would help reinforcing democratic values in the Defence Community with Military Ethos intact.

Objectives

The establishment of the Chair and Fellowships is expected to:

1. Promote healthy and meaningful exchange of ideas amongst the intellectual Defence Community on civil-military relations in the Indian Context.

2. Facilitate wider, deeper, and un-biased discussions / interactions amongst the intellectual Community, and Faculty / Moderator(s) appointed against the Chair or as Fellows, in particular.

Terms and Conditions

The creation and operation of the Chair and Fellowships will be subject to the terms enumerated in the succeeding paras.

Methodology Research work on the subject will be undertaken by a Team constituted by Svipja Technologies within the Objectives laid. Certain identified Blogs / Sites will be used to initiate discussions amongst the stakeholders. Once done, ‘finished product’ would be circulated to the stakeholders, and published in a transparent manner.

Donor(s) Svipja Technologies will meet all the expenses of the Chair as a Founder.

Founder Fellowship Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh will be the first faculty against the Chair.

Guidelines for “Appointment” of Faculty Against the Chair To be approved by the Board of Governors established by Svipja Technologies / Trusts / Donors.

Eligibility Anyone with a track record in defence with independent, impartial & sound logical abilities would be eligible to be considered for “appointment” against the Chair. Individual(s) being considered would first be appointed as Moderator(s). The Chair has a Think Tank’s charter.

Duration of the Chair The “appointment” against the Chair will be made for a period of up to five years. However, continuation into the fourth and fifth years will be subject to a review at the end of the third year. Further, an individual may be eligible to be considered for re-appointment, together with other eligible candidates, for a period of up to 5 years (without a break) any number of times.

Designation Member(s) appointed against the Chair will be called “Svipja Civil-Military Relations Chair Emeritus Research Fellow / Research Fellow / Research Associate Fellow”.

Research Grant To be assigned by Svipja Technologies on need basis as the faculty / work expands.

Intellectual Property (IP) Rights As a result of the “appointment” against the Chair, there shall be no change in the rights applicable to the IP developed by the researchers / faculty members and/or his/her collaborators.

Strategic Alliance(s) Svipja Technologies would be willing to establish strategic alliance(s) with like-minded bodies.

Research Presentations Research Articles will be published on Media/Sites/Blogs identified for the purpose. In addition, as a result of the “appointment” against the Chair, the faculty would be expected to undertake Presentations of the research findings of the Chair to various targeted audience, organizations and institutions.

Conclusion

This work would enhance intellectual capital of the stakeholders for security of the country in environments unfolding in the 21st Century India. Dynamics of the Civil-Military relations needs to be captured routinely in the Indian Polity.

All Veterans are welcome to contribute their thoughts.

Sukhwindar

www.svipja.com

Civil-Military Relations: Why are These More Important in a Democracy?

There is a ‘rooted’ tendency amongst Us to narrow Civil-Military Relations to IAS-Military Top Brass. In wider sense it in fact relates to who governs the Country, Civil or Military leadership?

Civil is all encompassing - politicians, civil bureaucracy including allied civil services, police, State machinery, civil offices providing services like supplies, power, water, teles, transportation, roads, etc. Military and its personnel deal at various levels of ‘civil governance’ in official and personal capacities. Any aberrations to military personnel while on duty, off duty, or at home leaves them frustrated if not handled well. Military has expectations to be governed / handled diligently and in an orderly fashion. It is here that a soldier ‘grumbles’ when he is ‘towed’ to follow ethos alien to him.

First damage to civil-military relation stems when a soldier is handled shabbily, dishonestly, or indifferently in the Civil. And this could multiply manifold as he moves through his ‘life cycle’. In his frustration, he then uses ‘force’, the only ‘expertise’ developed in him to reach his objective, at least temporarily, willing to face its consequences subsequently.

Any nation has to be sensitive not to bruise soldiers’ pride in day-to-day interactions. Self-Pride, Self-Respect, Self-Reliance, High-Class Motivation, Professionalism, Ability to Lead by Example, etc are his inherent strengths. Any act that tends to lower it is damaging to the Forces, and Nation as a whole. Anyone including Armed Forces Leadership hurting/undermining these basic traits in any manner is doing disservice to the Nation as it may result in ‘mass grouse’, sometimes difficult to be handled by leadership. That’s why the Armed Forces handle cases of bad management, indiscipline or corruption strictly.

‘All Civil Institutions’ need to fully appreciate it in a democracy like India, where ‘ethos & personal examples’ tend to become casualty.

A Soldier is a Class by Itself and Should be treated as Such. He is then ‘fit’ to deliver optimally ensuring Your Freedom.

We are an established democracy now, it is time that we talked and discussed Civil-Military Relations openly, and organised ourselves on 'Systems Approach' both in thinking and action.


Sukhwindar
Svipja Technologies
[It is a stub, could be expanded to a full Article by some Researcher(s)]

You Are Blessed !

Courtesy: Harpal Grewal

Happy Holi !

Creativity in Adolf Hitler

These drawings and watercolours are the childish attempts of a want-to-be-artist, Adolf Hitler. He was dreaming of attending courses at the Academy of Belle Arts in Vienna. Unfortunately, they did not accept him at the Academy. If they had accepted him, the world would have definitely been different today …

Courtesy: Mohinder Singh Saundh, IITK, Sweden.

Def Expo 2010: 'Self-Respect' Comes from 'Self-Reliance'

India has fairly large-sized Security Forces to maintain its integrity with hostile environment in the South Asia and not very conducive environment for its development & growth in the rest of the world. Do we let India realize its potential, is the question to be answered by the developed nations, and how would it affect Us? This should be the main ‘Term of Reference’ for developed nations.

We have small and large advocacy organizations operating in India which are always happy in ‘Doing Down Indian Achievements’ for reasons best known to them. 30% of Us below poverty line, corruption, slow Govt. processes, etc are well drummed, but what is not appreciated is ‘middle class and above’ in India, tone of young Indians to achieve heights, its technological leaps, improvements all around despite certain problems, etc. It is a kind of Psy War unleashed on Us by interested parties with connivance of some of Us, even intellectuals ‘hired’ to do Us down --- a dangerous trend.

GoI has always had a vision to achieve ‘near-self-reliance’ in various fields. It has achieved this with mixed success. Security Industry, Defence & Aerospace specifically, has not reached the objective for various strategic and tactical reasons. Our focus to achieve high degree of self-reliance in this Segment must remain – a message delivered loud and clear in Def Expo 2010.

Policy Initiatives like ‘Buy’, Buy & Make (Indian)’, and ‘Make’ need implementation in all its facets. ‘Tainted Advocacy’ by Indians must stop for larger good whether You are part of an Indian or a foreign firm. Look at the development of the Indian Industry pragmatically in keeping with the ‘strategic needs’ of the country, of course with business sense. All this will help Us retain our independence in thought and action.

National Security is Not a Pure Business Case, Nevertheless Profits Flow.

Brigadier (Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.indiandefenceindustry.com/
(An e-Hub for India Defence & Aerospace Ecosystem)

Def Expo 2010: Defence Offset Policy Implementation

India’s defence offset policy would be the key driver for growth and modernisation of the defence industrial base, says the Govt. “The industry therefore will evolve in sync with the overall development, leading to progressive policy initiatives coming up in future,” said Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju.

Raju outlined that offset proposals worth 49,000 crore are in the pipeline. Given the complexity involved in supervision of offset, an administration infrastructure has been put in place.

Public Sector alone will not be able to absorb the offset that are to be generated in future, he said. Offset, therefore, give domestic players an opportunity to enter the sensitive defence industry. The Govt. is also planning to extend tax sops enjoyed by exports firms to domestic players as well. Also, combining Public and Private Sector skills that will help achieve higher degree of defence indigenisation is also being mulled upon.

According to Raju, the role of SMEs has been a testimony of being a backbone of the defence industry and its role is vital for the self reliance of the industry. Urging the industry to gear up, the Minister earmarked the prospects of Buy and Make (Indian) category which facilitates JVs with foreign OEMs, strengthening R&D and technology up-gradation among others.

A strong defence industry will help India leverage its Buying Power, expanding technological base, facilitating global tie-ups and JVs. This will be aimed at reducing defence imports and promoting indigenisation, Raju said.

Brigadier(Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
www.IndianDefenceIndustry.com
(An e-Hub for India Defence & Aerospace Ecosystem)
Credit: Financial Express.

Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year!

Sukhis

Power of Ideas & Implementation

How do we translate our ideas into success? How can we actually shape public policy with a mere notion – that freedom and free markets are the best way to organize society?

We start by realizing that ideas are the most powerful force in the world. Power can be found in politicians, armies, activists and institutions. But the reason for their power is ideas, because ideas explain why people do the things they do.

What people believe determines how they behave, for whom they vote, the laws and rules they accept or reject and what kind of society they will work to adopt. Ideas determine whether a culture embraces free markets or socialism, democracy or dictatorship. Change ideas, and you change the world.

Political leaders may enact public policy, but they seldom generate the ideas that drive policy. Politicians usually act within a fairly narrow range of politically acceptable Ideas. They cannot operate outside that range without jeopardizing their political standing.

The range of credible ideas circulating in the intellectual marketplace determines the range of politically acceptable options. So if you have a Think Tank that changes the intellectual landscape, that Think Tank actually shifts the range of politically acceptable ideas.

Milton Friedman has said Think Tanks are at their best when they change what is politically & socially possible.

We must remember we are engaged in a battle of ideas. In spite of political obstacles, we are not battling against personalities or people. We should promote ideas that shift the very ground of battle, and that is 'Intellectual Entrepreneurship'.

Brigadier(Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.svipja.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)
Credit: Atlas Economic Research Foundation.

A Very Happy Diwali !

Wishing You all Cheer and Happiness on this Diwali!

Sukhis