IAF - KARGIL

How IAF Firepower Severely Dented Pakistan's Psyche During The Kargil War
                                           Rakesh Krishnan Simha - July 31, 2016, 2:59 pm

 

SNAPSHOT

Despite not given final approval to cross the LoC, the IAF was able to inflict considerable damage on Pakistani forces while operating within its airspace.

With its massive airpower, the IAF achieved three key objectives: early Indian victory, demoralising the Pakistani military, and showing the limitations of nuclear deterrence.

On 12 June 1999, Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz hastily arrived in New Delhi, ostensibly to discuss ways of ending the Kargil War. Aziz, who deeply resents India, had landed with a single agenda – he implored India to "stop its airstrikes".

KARGIL

Kargil : How Much ‘By The Throat’ Did The Pakistan Army Have Us?
Syed Ata Hasnain - July 04, 2015, 11:59 pm   
Of course, Pervez Musharraf’s claims that the Pakistani army caught ‘India by the throat’ in Kargil in 1999 are wrong. Here, Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain explains just how wrong they are.

Coming into the 16th anniversary of Operation VIJAY (Kargil 1999), the media is awash with analyses about the operations in Kargil in May-Jul 1999. This is aided no less by gung-ho statements by the likes of General Pervez Musharaf, the then Pakistan Army Chief and later dictator President. Considering that the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict is also shortly going to be upon us, Pakistan is going to open the floodgates of psychological warfare to project to our people its military prowess. Informed military and other strategic analysts need to meet this projection head on lest the Indian people are left in self-doubt. This analysis is all about Operation VIJAY and suitable pieces on 1965 too will follow.

HOME REMEDY - ACIDITY

Remedies for Acidity 

10 home remedies for acidity that really work! Acidity foods All of us have suffered from acidity at some point in our lives.   Either it is that extra gulab jamun at a family function or that spicy samosa  during tea break. Whatever the reason may be, acidity can be quite an uncomfortable experience, and sometimes we are left with no option but to reach out for that bottle of antacid.But, did you know that there are alternative, natural remedies that work just as well and don't leave you with the ill-effects of too much medication? Read about the new-age technique to relieve the symptoms of acidity.

INDIAN ARMY - KUNAL

Is working in the Indian Army over-hyped?

Kunal Mulay

I just want to share a story of mine which completely changed my perception regarding Indian Army.

LINE IN THE ROCK

Scientists to launch global hunt for 'line in the rock' marking the 'scary' new man-made epoch

                                                       courtesy: Shankar Ambady 

Declaring we now live in the 'Anthropocene' would reflect the impact of artificial changes to the Earth's climate, chemistry, lifeforms and even the rocks of the future.

 Ian Johnston  Environment Correspondent, The Independent

 Earth's city lights from, seen from space, highlight the impact humans have on the planet Nasa

A worldwide hunt for a "line in the rock" that shows the beginning of a new geological epoch defined by humanity's extraordinary impact on planet Earth is expected to get underway in the next few weeks.

ARMED - RATHER HARMED FORCES

 Armed forces discriminated against, left out in the cold by IAS, IPS . Government must explain why, protect soldiers'

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/armed-forces-discriminated-against-left-out-in-the-cold-by-ias-ips-government-must-explain-why-protect-soldiers/

Armed forces discriminated against, left out in the cold by IAS, IPS … Government must explain why, protect soldiers'

August 17, 2016, 2:00 AM IST Nalin Mehta 

Despite the 7th Pay Commission's award which gave 33 lakh government servants and 14 lakh defence personnel (with 54 lakh retirees and 18 lakh veterans) salary and pension hikes from August 1, 2016, defence forces personnel and veterans have been angry. Independent Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar is a member of Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence and tells Nalin Mehta why he thinks armed forces havebeen treated unfairly and why this matters:

What are the armed forces' problems with the 7th Pay Commission award?

AIMA SIR'S SHOW

. "But this is Aima Sir's show" 

                                         By Sidharth Mishra in Pioneer

Wrote this piece in the Monsoon of 1999

In July-Aug 1999 I was visiting forward areas in the Poonch-Rajouri sector. This was when the Kargil war had just ended and infiltration by Paskistan-backed militants had shifted southward. The assignment was to cover both the firing from beyond the Line of Control and from within. Our requirements needed covering both the forward infantry battalions and also the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) units combing the hinterland.

One such RR unit was located at Thana Mandi near Poonch. The unit location was very scenic in a valley alongside a river. While travelling around Poonch we happened to meet the Brigadier commanding the RR force in the area at a Gurdwara. He invited us to join him in visiting the RR battalion at Thana Mandi.

The young officers at the battalion made an impeccable multi-media presentation to the force commander. Impressed, I congratulated the Captain handling the mouse. He replied, "But this is Aima Sir's show." When I asked for 'Aima Sir', I was told that he was out with his company on a patrol. "I assure you he wields the gun as efficiently as the mouse," his commanding officer had said.

BABUs - INDIAN BUREAUCRATS

THE CURIOUS CASE OF INDIAN BUREAUCRATS

Constantly we are taken on a ride to newhere by these all powerful Babus. Even the politicians are
vulnerable. But never our IAS Babus .

 

AS RECEIVED FROM OUR READER

Last week Maj Gen Joshi called on me. He was an esteemed instructor
during our Degree Course days, and EME officers would remember him as
one of our finest engineers. Indeed, he spent most of his time with the DRDO. He was commissioned in Jun 1960 and was in the Eastern   sector during the 1962 debacle. He has analyzed the event very systematically, and his study reveals the following :

KARGIL REVIEW- BY A PAKISTANI GENERAL

KARGIL REVIEW - BY A PAKISTANI GENERAL. 

A surprising confession on Kargil by Lt Gen Shahid Aziz, former GOC 4 Corps, Pak Army. 

An old piece worth a read and relevant even  today. When will Pak make peace with itself?

By: Shahid Aziz | 

Kargil, like every other meaningless war that we have fought, brings home lessons we continue to refuse to learn. Instead, we proudly call it our history written in the blood of our children. Indeed, our children penning down our misdeeds with their blood! Medals for some, few songs, a cross road renamed, and of course annual remembrance day and a memorial for those who sacrificed their tomorrow for our today; thus preparing more war fodder for our continuing misadventures. Since nothing went wrong, so there is nothing to learn. We shall do it again. We decide. You die. We sing.

MOD - UNIQUE ORGANISATION

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is unique in most aspects

                                            by  Major General Mrinal Suman



. No other country can boast of such a set-up. Not convinced? Read on.
Responsibility for India's national defence is discharged through MoD, which
provides the policy framework and wherewithal to the armed forces. MoD has
five Secretaries, heading different departments. Here is a closer look at
their functioning.


Department of Defence (DoD)
According to the Allocation of Business Rules of the government, the Defence
Secretary heads DoD that is responsible for the defence of India and every
part thereof, including preparation for defence and all such acts as may be
conducive in times of war. In other words, he is tasked to ensure the
defence of the country. Surprised? Yes, it is his responsibility and not
that of the Service Chiefs.

OLD ROLLS ROYCE

 104-Year-Old Rolls Royce

Look at the beautiful pictures of a real beauty!  A million thanks to the person who sent it to me.  

Did I make a wise Investment, with my latest buy?

Elegant limo or more reminiscent of a charabanc? The roof rack and the the spare tyre don't help! A matter of taste perhaps, but undeniably a fine piece of workmanship. Was sceptical about the claim that it had a Bakelite steering wheel till Google confirmed that this early plastic was invented as early as 1907. M

KASHMIR - MAJ GAURAV ARYA

SOMEWHERE IN KASHMIR
  Posting of Major Gaurav Arya

Dear Soldier,

During the last few weeks Kashmir has seen choreographed bloodshed, at a scale not witnessed in the recent past. And you, my friend, are in the middle of a media firestorm. They say that you have not exercised adequate restraint. They sit in air-conditioned TV studios and claim that you are a killer.

Over 3000 of your brothers have been injured in the past one-month, some critically. Many have been martyred. No one knows about this because for those who disseminate news, the country is inconsequential and you are expendable.

BEGGERS GET COINS ONLY

  Those Who Beg Get Coins Only.

Military Pleading Corrupt Establishment for Justice #7thCPC

http://mycriticalreviews.blogspot.in/2016/08/those-who-beg-get-coins-only-military.html
While discussing step motherly treatment being given to soldiers by govt once I told a serving army commander "Those who beg get chillar (Coins) only". I was from his unit and regiment and in his personal staff. He knew my habit of being blunt but somehow he always liked my arguments, so he discussed it further. He asked, what is the solution?  I said in our democracy military has a constitutional role, play it and communicate with govt as mother conveys with her child with firm eyes.

KARGIL - PAK AIRFORCE VIEW POINT

Kargil Conflict and Pakistan Air Force

--  the view from the other side  ----

Pakistani writings on Kargil conflict have been few; those that did come out were largely irrelevant and in a few cases, were clearly sponsored. The role of the PAF has been discussed off and on, but mostly disparagingly, particularly in some uninformed quarters. Here is an airman's perspective, focusing on the IAF's air operations and the PAF's position.

Operational Planning in the PAF

HAVAN - BACTERIA CLEAR HOME

'Havan' for bacteria-free homes: Study

LUCKNOW: Want to lead a healthy life and free your home from bacteria? Perform 'havan' at regular intervals.

A study carried out by a team of scientists at National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) here has claimed that smoke emitted during havans reduces airborne bacteria to a large extent, minimising possibility of infectious diseases.

"Burning wood and medicinal herbs, better known as 'havan samagri'(mixture of wood and odoriferous and medicinal herbs), can effectively reduce pathogens in the air," NBRI's senior scientist Chandra Shekhar Nautiyal said.

50 WWII PICs - COLOURIZED

  50 WWII COLOURIZED PHOTOS

 

Not many of us left who were around at the time the photos were taken. One had to be there to fully appreciate and identify with these fine photos.

​ ​

World War Two black and white photos that are researched and colorized in detail by Doug and other artists from the 'Colourisehistory Group.' These 50 breathtaking colorized photos look like they were taken yesterday.

PAKISTAN'S PROXY WAR IN KASHMIR PROVED

Dear Friends,

 I have written about Husain Haqqani's former Ambassador intv with Maroor Raza as well as what has been happening in Kashmir and across the border in Pakistan. If you like it please circulate.

 http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/no-free-lunch/pakistans-proxy-war-in-kashmir-proved/

 Best Regards,

Ashali

 

Pakistan's proxy war in Kashmir proved

August 3, 2016, 7:15 PM IST Ashali Varma in No Free Lunch | India | TOI

Ashali Varma

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — 'The Victoria Cross: A Love Story'. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Recent news on Times Now have brought out the extent of the game Pakistan and it's so

DEATH KNELL TO MILITARY

  Neo-liberal Agenda - A Death Knell for the National Military

Strategic Affairs
Atul Bhardwaj

The Indian soldier is in a state of stupor. The civil–military relations in the country are in crisis. The government's policies are aggravating the situation, alienating the armed forces by lowering their status and salaries in comparison to other arms of the state. Neo-liberal forces are using the crisis as an opportunity to introduce military transformation that would splinter the national military and replace patriotism with profi teering.

MILKY WAY - BREATHTAKING PHOTOS

Russian Photographer Captures Breathtaking Photos Of Milky Way Mirrored On Salt Flats In Bolivia -  
 &nbspRita Grasyte

 In May 2016, Russian photographer, Daniel Kordan, traveled to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia – the world's largest salt flat and took some photos that look out of this world. Using a 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon lens, he managed to capture the Milky Way being reflected on the flooded salt flat at night, and the results are absolutely breathtaking.

INSURGENCY AND THE ARMY

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/opinion/insurgency-and-the-army/157635.html 

Insurgency and the army

Harsha Kakar

02 August, 2016

 

Jammu and Kashmir flared up after the encounter in which Burhan Wani was eliminated. The situation should have been expected and requisite security measures adopted. The Centre was compelled to react and the only answer was to induct additional security forces into the area. The media and political circles debated the crisis with emphasis on the efficacy of pellet guns and the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). While employment of pellet guns is a police decision, AFSPA involves the army. News channels revelled in the AFSPA debate and also drew parallels to the situation in the North East. However, most failed to realise the true role of the army.

 

AGE 65 & ABOVE

Once We are Between 65 and 75 Yrs

 1. It's time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it.  Don't just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.
 
2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don't feel bad spending your money on yourself. You've taken care of them for many years, and you've taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.
  

THIRD PILLAR OF DEMOCRACY

http://ex-servicemenwelfare.blogspot.in/2016/07/concept-of-civil-military-parity.html

Sunday, July 31, 2016

CONCEPT OF CIVIL MILITARY PARITY
DEFENCE FORCES : THE THIRD PILLAR OF DEMOCRACYby Col Ashok K Singh,Veteran

 

Rewards by 7th Pay Commission to defense forces and its acceptance by BJP Govt has send shock waves and disbelief among soldiers. On promise of Narendra Modi, Soldiers voted in mass for BJP govt hoping to get justice for a humiliating and unconstitutional treatment given to them by Cong Govt under Mrs Indra Gandhi just after a historic win in 1971 war with Pakistan.

 

STOP BEING DEFENSIVE ABOUT KASHMIR

Stop being defensive about Kashmir

By Vikram Sood      The writer is former chief of R&AW

Well-known facts are sometimes forgotten, conveniently overlooked or twisted to suit a particular narrative. So, it is necessary to restate some facts and bring the discourse back on rails.

Kashmir, all of it, belongs to India and it will stay like that. We have a document affirming the status of Kashmir and Pakistan has never observed the UNSC resolutions of April 1948 to solve the issue. In any case, Jammu and Kashmir is no longer listed by the UN as a dispute.