Friday, August 28, 2015

INDO -PAK GEO MILITARY : INDIA - THE ONLY EXTERNAL THREAT - PAKISTAN MILITARY

SOURCE:



     INDIA - THE ONLY EXTERNAL THREAT - PAKISTAN MILITARY
 
 
 
Published on Aug 28, 2015
The Pakistan Army has told the country’s Senate Defence Committee that India is the only external military threat to Pakistan. Watch the full report here.




© Provided by IBNLive

Islamabad: Pakistan military has told a parliamentary committee that India is the only external threat to the country and the situation with regard to ties was volatile in the wake of the suspended Indo-Pak dialogue. 


The Senate defence committee led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed yesterday visited military's Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where it was briefed by chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood and his team.


The military officials shared the perceived threat with members of the Senate that India had over the last couple of years purchased weapons worth USD 100 billion, 80 per cent of which were Pakistan-specific, the Dawn reported.


The Indian army's 'shopping spree', it was said, was continuing and over the next five years it would be buying weapons worth another USD 100 billion. India, which is the world's second largest arms importer, has more than doubled its military spending over the last decade.


Delhi's defence budget for this year was USD 40.07 billion, the paper said.

This requires a continuous evaluation of the situation and upgradation of the response mechanism, the members were told. The committee was also informed that the situation was volatile in view of the suspended dialogue between India and Pakistan and the absence of any conflict resolution mechanism.
They were also informed on how the Joint Staff Headquarters worked as a higher defence organisation and Strategic Plans Division, which is the custodian of the nuclear programme.
Talking about the non-traditional security challenges, the military officials said threats in cyberspace were posing a major challenge and urged the government to establish an Inter-Services Cyber Command to combat cyber-attacks and cyber-warfare.

 

OROP: Veterans reject govt offer, boycott '65 war celebrations

SOURCE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-a-DqXRp7M


OROP: Veterans reject govt offer, boycott '65 war celebrations  

Published on Aug 28, 2015
Protesting ex-servicemen boycotted golden jubilee celebrations of the 1965 war on Friday after they rejected the Central Government's latest offer on resolving the impasse over OROP as the protest entered its 75th day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-a-DqXRp7M


 
 
 
Published on Aug 28, 2015
Retired military personnel upset by the lack of a breakthrough on the issue of one rank one pension (OROP) have decided to boycott the government’s celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of India's 1965 war with Pakistan.
Veterans to boycott 1965 war events after OROP talks collapse  
 
 
 



OROP row: Delegation of ex servicemen meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Published on Aug 28, 2015
Demanding immediate implantation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), a delegation of ex servicemen today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence.






Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today met the Army veterans who are demanding the implementation of One Rank One Pension or OROP and promised a resolution even as a stalemate over a critical clause continued.
Despite Mr Singh's intervention, sources say the government is firm its offer of reviewing pensions every five years while the veterans are demanding an annual review. The review rationalises outdated pension rates, in effect raising them after a particular period.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related stories
 
PM will make announcement on OROP 'as and when time comes', says Defence Min Parrikar

One Rank One Pension Talks Break Down, Vetrans to Boycott 1965 War Victory Celebrations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talks between the government and the veterans reportedly broke down once again on Thursday night. Upset veterans decided to boycott celebrations today to mark the 50th anniversary of India's successes in the 1965 war against Pakistan.
 
There had been speculation that a date for implementing OROP could be announced today if an agreement was reached between the government and ex-servicemen.
 
Last night, the group of ex-servicemen negotiating with the government, walked out of a meeting that they had hoped would finally bring a breakthrough on their demand of two decades. They said they could not accept the government's new proposals on OROP.
 
Sources said, the government is unwilling to appear as buckling under the veteran's pressure to implement OROP. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday that PM Modi would make an announcement "as and when time comes".
 
The government is said to be upset that more and more veterans are joining the hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, which began after PM Modi failed to announce OROP in his Independence Day speech on August 15.
 
OROP will give equal pension to servicemen retiring with the same rank regardless of when they retire.
 
 

1965 War Victory Celebrations Dampened By OROP Protests

 
 
 
 
1965 War Victory Celebrations Dampened By OROP Protests
 
 
For the first time, Army veterans today boycotted the official celebrations and commemorated the 1965 victory at Jantar Mantar.
 
New Delhi:  Brigadier DP Nair had confirmed his presence at the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemoration function in the capital to celebrate 50 years of India's victory in the 1965 war against Pakistan. He got ready, his medals proudly adorning his blazer. Then, as he was about to leave home, he changed his mind, heading to Delhi's Jantar Mantar, instead of India Gate, where his "fellow brothers", as he put it, were protesting.
 

"I don't believe in boycotts, this is my government," he told NDTV, "But I thought it was unfair for me to attend the government function when my brothers were here protesting for OROP (One Rank One Pension)."

For the first time, veterans today boycotted the official celebrations and commemorated the 1965 victory at Jantar Mantar. continuing with their demand for One Rank One Pension. Maj General Ram Nath also boycotted government functions to support fellow veterans at Jantar Mantar. "We want to celebrate but it's very unfortunate that it has come down to this," he said.

With many veterans staying away, the President met the few who showed up at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, while Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar reiterated the government commitment to its election promise.

"OROP has been accepted. We are committed to it. There are some gaps. It will take some time," he said.

The protesting veterans today also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Sources say, even though most hurdles have been cleared, except one. The government is firm its offer of reviewing pensions every five years while the veterans are demanding an annual or at least a biennial review. The review rationalises outdated pension rates, in effect raising them after a particular period.
              
Story First Published: August 28, 2015 19:44 IST
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Thursday, August 27, 2015

OROP:: MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE ON OROP -‘DOCTRINE OF BELLIGERENCE

SOURCE:
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/comment-missing-the-bigger-picture-on-orop/article7583273.ece



                MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE
                                      ON
                                    OROP

                                                                                BY
                                                            
                                                                       Raghu Raman



 
CALLS FOR PARTICIPATION: “One Rank One Pension is not just a dispute between ex-servicemen and the government. It is a national security issue where every citizen needs to pitch in.” Picture shows ex-servicemen at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi protesting for OROP.
 
 
  • Ex-servicemen protesting for One Rank One Pension at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi earlier in the month.
     
  • PHOTO: PTI
    Ex-servicemen protesting for One Rank One Pension at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi earlier in the month.

  •  

    The One Rank One Pension issue has been ignored for too long. But any victory achieved through bellicose means will be, at best, pyrrhic, leaving a bitter legacy.

     
    The Indian armed forces are fighting their toughest battle ever. For an Army that has fought on every terrain and in every operation imaginable, this battle is confounding.
     
    Because this time, they don’t know which side the enemy is on.
     
     
    As the national discussion about the plight of ex-servicemen reaches a crescendo, the toughest battle is being fought not at Jantar Mantar between the khaki and the olive green, nor is it being
     
     fought between South and North Block that house the mandarins of the Defence and Finance ministries respectively.
     
    The battle is definitely not about the blame game between political parties, none of whom solved the problem when they could. Neither is it being fought on primetime channels where screaming ‘experts’ misconstrue volume for value.
     
     
    The toughest battle is being fought by the young leaders of our armed forces – the Lieutenants, Captains, and Majors. It is they who have to lead troops into battle with no material incentives to assist them. Consider their situation.
     
     
    Acute shortage of officers


     It is well-known that the Indian armed forces are facing a grave shortage when it comes to junior leaders. Many active combat units are facing an acute shortage of officers. Young officers, barely out of their teens, are handling bigger responsibilities than ever before and stepping up to discharge additional duties.
     
     
    It is these young leaders who have to answer disconcerting questions from their troops, picketed in the heights of Siachen or the heat of the Thar, on
     
                  why their Own Government
     
                                          is
     
                               Manhandling Them.
     
    They have to justify the perceived perfidy of former Generals who seem to have forgotten their troops and the promises made to them. It is time we started thinking about our frontline troops and junior leaders who are getting disillusioned with their role models.
     
     
    All stakeholders in this game, by definition, are on the same side.
     
     So, whether it is the ‘treacherous’ politicians; the ‘Machiavellian’ bureaucrats; the ‘arrogant’ policemen; the ‘indifferent’ bean counters or the ‘unreasonable’ ex-servicemen
     
    they are all citizens of this country who will pay a heavy price if the fibre of our apolitical armed forces unravels. And it is unravelling.
     
     
    Social media is rife with serious dissent among ex-servicemen and, more alarmingly, serving soldiers and officers. Conversations bordering on sedition are creeping into discussion threads. Junior officers are openly questioning the spine and integrity of their seniors. Soldiers from serving units are contributing monies to fund the One Rank One Pension (OROP) agitation, albeit in their personal capacities.
     
     
    Sane voices who dissuade such collection are countered by those who challenge the basis on which Chiefs regularly contribute a day’s salary of the entire Army to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund without the consent of their soldiers. Such open discussions — which just a decade ago would have amounted to heresy — constitute a grave development and provide a fertile ground for elements inimical to India.
     
     
    It is critical to step back and look at the big picture. The fact that the OROP issue had been relegated to files for far too long is obvious from the critical mass of the problem and the indignation of the aggrieved. The fact that a former Chief chose to withdraw as an interlocutor underscores the divide and truculence of both sides. But it behoves the leaders of our Government, bureaucracy and most importantly the Defence Forces, both serving and retired, to realise that this impasse cannot be resolved in a combative manner. This is because, on one side you have the Indian armed forces,
     
     
     
     who have never learnt to take defeat regardless of the casualties suffered,
     
     
     and we should be thankful for that.
     
    Any result short of a victory will demoralise one of the finest armies of the world.
     
     
    However, on the other hand, if the demands of OROP are achieved through bellicose means, what kind of armed forces would we leave as a legacy?
     
     
     One that fights its own government to get its due?
     
     Where does the story end?
     
    What prevents this pyrrhic victory from becoming a new
     
                      ‘DOCTRINE  OF  BELLIGERENCE '
     
    that the armed forces use to press their demands in future? And what example will they set for their junior officers, struggling to keep their troops motivated?
     
     
    The resolution to OROP doesn’t have to consist of a single silver bullet. Solutions can be a combination of the private sector stepping in with post-retirement options; the clustering of ex-servicemen into categories and re-skilling and funding them for entrepreneurship; and a slew of other measures to ensure the dignity and livelihood of our ex-servicemen.
     
     
    We can achieve this outcome provided we comprehend that this is not just a dispute between ex-servicemen and the government. It is a national security issue where every citizen needs to pitch in. Because, if war is too serious a business to be left to generals, nation-building is too serious a process to be left to the politicians and bureaucrats.
     
     
    (The author is a former Army officer and founding CEO, NATGRID.)
     
     
                                                                COMMENTS
     
     
                                                                      BHART  
    Armed forces are demanding their right. And government should resolve this matter as fast as it can do.Indian democracy is surviving because our army is most disciplined and satisfied (despite having lots of problems) otherwise we have many examples of armed ruling across the world. Once become rebellious it will be difficult to make it as disciplined as it is now.
     
    • V Vyjayanthi  
      The government should reach out to the ex servicemen who had served their country and explain the administrative, legal and financial dimensions in implementing the OROP as per their demands. The government pays military pensions for a longer period as 80% of the forces retire at 35-40 yrs. Various political leaderships who had committed to OROP have done so without considering the nuances of its implementation - the ex servicemen were superb vote banks to be exploited. Once in power they conveniently forget about the various issues of retired servicemen and war widows. If finance is the problem then governments can look for other avenues to raise pension funds. Wasteful government expenditures can be cut. Scamsters and money launderers can be brought to book & the swindled money put to good use. Laterally induction of fit personnel into paramilitary forces can save pensions. The threat to boycott the 1965 war celebrations and the RD parade by the veterans is also uncalled for.
       
      • RS R S  
        Almost every post in media is written by the officers and centres only around the Commissioned Officers to show them the most deprived people though every Officer gets around 45,000/- (Minimum of Major in 2015 including DA) in his monthly pension. None of these learned writers includes the Jawans and their widows, either in any Pay/pension related topic or in his comments. Only Jawans (Junior Commissioned Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Sepoy) retire (or are kicked out) between the age of 35 to 40 years and live in inexplicably harsher conditions than the Officers during service.
         
        Patriot Down Voted
          • S Sekhar  
            Dear Sir, 1.This article is among the very best written on this subject.(Disclosure, I am a proud veteran) 2.The writer is highlighting the national security issue rightly;we have many second, third generation soldiers in the Armed Forces.Thus, we have Col Pushpinder Singh on fast at Jantar Mantar, and his son as a serving Officer. Can you imagine what is going through his mind and that of thousands of serving soldiers whose fathers, grandfathers are made to go on fasts, agitations for what is their right? And further humiliated by policemen on the eve of Independence day? 3.The real problem is the disconnect of the Armed Forces community with the ruling elite.It is reasonable to assume that if some of our senior politicians, bureaucrats,or their kith and kin served or are serving in the Armed Forces,this issue would not have come to such a pass. The cultivated disdain the elite has for Soldiers coupled with the pettiness of the IAS lobby is a poisoned cocktail. This has to change
             
          • M Major  
            It is evident that Mr Modi's cocktail of nationalism and economic paradise doesn't include the serving soldiers and veterans of the Armed Forces. He wants to continue with his election vote catching mode of governance and back track on his earlier promises on technical basis.
             
            • BY Brig YVR  
              A simple return to pre 3rd pay commission status of the Defence Services will resolve the issue. The defence services have been exploited for too long by the IAS and the civil services and the Government
            •  

               

              OROP: AS ON 27 AUG 2015 AT 1800 Hrs





                  OROP:  AS ON  27 AUG 2015 AT 1800 Hrs


              Will braves accept anything short of full rollout of OROP?  

              Published on Aug 27, 2015
              Two more army veterans, who are on fast unto death here demanding implementation of 'One rank, One pension' scheme, were evacuated from Jantar Mantar on Thursday after their medical condition deteriorated.


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krh5Lnzon-8

               
               
              26 AUGUST 2015 1800 HRS
               
               
               
              OROP protest: Fight for dignity enters 74th day but Centre still dithering over 8,000 crores  
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
              Nation at 9: Will government honor 1965 heroics?  
               
              Published on Aug 26, 2015
              Fight for dignity enters 73rd day but the centre still dithering over 8,000 crores. And with less that 48 hours to go day for 50th anniversary of 1965 war, will centre honour our war hero.
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

              OROP stir: Veterans hopeful of a breakthrough soon

               
              |
               
                         

               
               
              OROP: Veterans hopeful of a breakthrough soon
               
               
              New Delhi: Defence veterans on Thursday expressed hope that a conclusion will emerge soon to the talks over implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme.

              A team led by Nripendra Misra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, is holding negotiations with the veterans, informed sources said.

              "We are hopeful that a breakthrough will be reached soon," Col. Anil Kaul (retd), the spokesperson of the ex-servicemen's front, told IANS.

              Sources told IANS that the government wants 2011 to be the base year, while the veterans say it should be at the 2014 level, along with a three percent increment every year, which the government is not agreeing to.

              Besides, the government wants payments to begin from April 1, 2015 as against the agreed date of April 1, 2014.

              If the date of implementation is 2014, the government will have to pay arrears worth over Rs.12,000 crore.

              Talks within government circles and negotiations with the veterans is still on, while two of the veterans on a fast-unto-death, Col. Pushpender Singh (retd.) and Hav. Ashok Chauhan (retd.), are still in hospital. Both continue to be on fast.

              Hav. Major Singh (retd), whose condition deteriorated, is still at Jantar Mantar as well. He has been on fast since last Monday.

              A spokesperson from the veterans' side said medical arrangements have been made at Jantar Mantar to address any emergency.

              On Wednesday, Commander A.K. Sharma (retd) and Sanwal Ram Yadav, father of martyr Ln. Nk. Sunil Kumar Yadav, also joined the fast.



               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

              OROP : STUPIDs I WAS NOT DEFENDING YOU - I WAS DEFENDING MY COUNTRY'S PRIDE

              SOURCE : NOT  KNOWN



                           Indian Army's Death Wish. 
                                                BY
                                           💀💀💀
                                       
                                         anonymous



              Dear India, thanks for killing my Pride.

              I wish I was in Pakistani Army.

               PAKISTAN  In spite of having been beaten repeatedly by India, it wouldn't still have bothered me one bit. Because it's not what my Enemy thinks of me.

               A Soldier's head is held high if his Countrymen hold him in high Esteem.

               On this sad parting with YOU, the most ungrateful lot, I still would like to thank you, for the Pride I lived with all along, simply believing I was enjoying your respect. I would have lost my Fighting Spirit long ago had you behaved so indifferently earlier.
              Thank you for maintaining my Self-esteem for so long.

              Luckily, though I risked my life for you in every past operation, I survived though I  was shot at twice. I now thank you for making me aware of what blunder I would have done to Die for you.

              Why should Soldiers die for you when you have decided to perish yourself. 



               I wish I had been in Pakistani Army all along. You would probably have learnt your lessons much earlier. Being there, I wouldn't have had to beg my own Government to make me strong.

              Here, I was in a Country, where my own Government and the Babus feared me, 
               hated me, despised me more than the Enemy.


               I don't need the Enemy, cos I have you.

              You thought you would continue to be safe as long as you had enough stupid canon fodder like me. You were grossly wrong. I was not the only one who was going to die. You too would have died eventually, old, sick and miserable, slaves of a stronger enemy, in your own Country.


               If you thought I was defending you all along, you were dumb.

              I was not defending you.

              I was defending my Country's Pride.

              Thanks to your behaviour, I am relieved, I am liberated, I am free to live my own life now.


               Why? Because that Pride is gone.


              My dear Countrymen, you don't mean a damn to me anymore. Not only have you insulted me, humiliated me, used me and abused me, you also did the same to my forefathers in Jantar Mantar, my elders, my Inspirers, my Motivators.

              You have slaughtered the Goose which laid Golden Eggs for you.



              You are     DOOMED.


              If you have any doubts, please read what Chanakya said to the Great King long ago.

               Now, you are on your own.

               You take care of yourself. I don't even want to wish you the best any more

              BECAUSE YOU DON'T DESERVE IT. 

               Good Bye.


               WE SOLDIERS WILL LOOK DOWN UPON YOU FROM THE HEAVENS


               
              ........Rot in your own hell 😡

























               

              OROP : One Rank One Pension: A forgotten promise ? BREAK THROUGH (?) OR BROKEN PROMISES

              SOURCE:
              http://www.msn.com/en-in/news/national/breakthrough-soon-in-talks-with-government-on-orop-sources/ar-BBm81Og







              Breakthrough Soon in Talks With Government on OROP: Sources

                                                         BREAK THROUGH  (?)
                                                     OR
                                     BROKEN PROMISES


              One Rank One Pension: A forgotten promise ?  



              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBBbjbUELy8

               
               
              ONE RANK ONE PENSION : A Promise Forgotten? - 1
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
              ONE RANK ONE PENSION: Forgotten Promise? - 2
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
              Breakthrough Soon in Talks With Government on OROP: Sources  [???   !!!!] 
               
               
              The protesters demanding the implementation of the One Rank One Pension Scheme, or OROP, believe that they are about to each a breakthrough in the negotiations with the government, sources said.
               
              The government, sources said, is likely to accept the figure of Rs 8,298 crore per year as the basic additional annual payout. The sources also said the protesters believe that the government is coming around to accepting a formula under which the process of equalising salaries can be completed in four years.
              The army veterans believe that the government will dispense revised pensions at 2014 rates, sources said.  
               
              The talks between the government and the army veterans have been continuing after Tuesday's session remained inconclusive.
               
              In their talks with Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh, who had been acting as an intermediary, the protesters had turned down the government's suggestion of implementing the scheme from 2015 instead of 2014, sources told NDTV. This was the key issue on which the talks have been stuck for long.
              Sources have told NDTV that a "positive movement" is expected on the issue this week since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is handling the matter.
               
               
              There have been speculations that the announcement will be made on August 28, the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with Pakistan.
               
               
              The implementation of the scheme - a promise made by the BJP before last year's general elections -- will give equal pension to servicemen retiring with the same rank regardless of when they retire. At present, a soldier who retired many years ago is paid far less than someone several ranks junior to him retiring now. It is expected to benefit 3 million former soldiers.