A Historical Anecdote with Gen Zia Ul Haq

General IJ Rikhye, founder of IVOANA passed through historical times. We are proud to have him as our founding member. Here is an anecdote sent by an officer from Gen Zia's regiment which had on its rolls, Gen (then Maj IJ Rikhye). 

General Zia ul Haq was originally commissioned in 13^th Lancers.  He was an Emergency Commissioned Officer (ECO). He was transferred out of 13^th Lancers on an adverse report for playing Indian music in the mess and probably being observant Muslim and praying openly.  That is how he landed in 6^th Lancers after the war with recommendation that he should not be offered regular commission.  Captain (later MG) I. Rikhey was squadron commander of Jat Squadron of 6^th Lancers.  When Rikhye joined the regiment, he was posted to Punjabi Muslim (PM) squadron.  6^th Lancers was not an Indianized regiment and CO was not sure how Indian soldiers will react to an Indian officer.  CO asked Risaldar Major Dadan Khan (a PM) about his views of posting an Indian officer to the squadron.  Dadan replied that Rikhye Sahab ‘apna bacha hai’ (our son) as Rikhye was a Punjabi Hindu who grew up in Lahore.  Senior most Indian VCO of PM Squadron Feroz Khan took Rikhye under his wings and made sure that he succeed. 

Your brother (Brig. Jatar) was with Jat squadron and that is how he became friends with Zia. Rikhye helped Zia and gave final recommendation that he should be offered regular commission (this would not be the last time that Zia was bailed out by seniors).  Zia was later transferred to Guides Cavalry and then commanded 22 Cavalry.  See picture and an interesting story below of that vintage era.

Rikhye first met Zia at UN general assembly meeting.  Zia was shaking hands with all standing in line to greet him but on seeing Rikhye embraced him warmly surprising all those present.  Rikhye was invited by Zia when later was president of Pakistan as his personal guest.  He also invited your brother but he could not come due to ill health as you mentioned.

Lt. Colonel Zia ul Haq as CO of 22 Cavalry 1966 in Multan. Standing next to him is regiment’s adjutant Lt. Zia Masood. (Picture courtesy of The Friday Times).

When Zia was commanding 22 Cavalry, his adjutant was also named Zia (Masood).  Lt. Zia’s girlfriend one day rang up the office but he was not there and phone was picked up by CO Lt. Colonel Zia saying that “assalam alikum.  Colonel Zia speaking”.  The girl thought that Lt. Zia was trying to fool her by mimicking voice.  She made fun of him and said that ‘till yesterday, you were Lt. Zia and today you are Colonel Zia.  Tomorrow, you will say I’m General Zia’.  (this story was narrated by an officer of 22 Cavalry).

MG I. Rikhye’s wife was kind enough to send me his books.  Rikhye’s son Ravi is a good friend and I recently met him in Maryland.  I have a copy of history of 6^thLancers that I’m looking to gift to the regiment.  If any Pakistan army officer can help me to send this book to the rightful owners that will be great.

Regards,

Hamid

Action to be Taken by Retired Personnel When Still in Good Health and Sound Mind

Let us at least try and make few changes so that our loved ones would not
suffer after we go. We do not know what will happen in the future. But, as the Scout motto
goes: “Be prepared"

Endorsement of Family Pension and Age of Spouse in Pension Payment Order (PPO)

1. Please check if your PPO contains an endorsement giving the name and age of the spouse
and details of ordinary family pension. If it does not, at the earliest make out an application
in triplicate and send it to the agency that had issued the PPO - PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad/
PCDA (N) through PDPA/ CABS. Make sure to attach all supporting documents and duly
attested joint photograph as indicated in the specimen. Keep a copy the application in the
master folder that you will be making for the spouse for follow up action if necessary in case
the endorsement is not received during your life time.

2. The PPO may contain endorsement of the name of the spouse as family pensioner but the
age of spouse may not be recorded either in the PPO or in any other document in your
pension folder maintained by your Pension Disbursing Agency (PDA) (your bank or the
agency from whom you receive your pension). In such a case, you may apply for necessary
action to the DESA with copies of proof of age of your spouse. Furnish any supporting
document such as a copy of the statement of family particulars submitted by you at the
time of your retirement or certified and notarized copy of your spouse’s birth Certificate,
driving license, SSLC/Matriculation certificate, passport, voter identity card or any other
normally accepted proof.

3. When the endorsement and the acceptance of age of spouse are received, attach them to
the original PPO and also make a few copies for safe custody. If the endorsement and the
record of age of spouse do not exist and if you do not take action as indicated above, after
your time your spouse has to go through a cumbersome and time consuming procedure to
get the family pension properly authorized along with record of age- so do not delay.
NOTE: The original PPO should contain an endorsement about the family pension indicating
an enhanced rate of family pension and an ordinary rate. If there is no such endorsement,
please take it up with the authorities concerned as indicated in paras 1 and 2 above. In the
event of the pensioner’s demise before the age of 67, the spouse/family pensioner is
entitled to the enhanced rate for seven years or till the date on which the pensioner would
have attained the age of 67 whichever is earlier. Thereafter the ordinary rate would apply.
In both cases, the rates as periodically revised, along with the revision in pensions by
successive Pay Commissions, would apply.

Bank Account for Pension

4. If you are drawing your pension through a single bank account in your name and if, at
the time of your retirement or within one year thereafter, you have not made a nomination
in favour of your spouse, please do so immediately. This will enable your spouse to receive,
after your time, any balance left in that account as well as any arrears of pension due to
you during your life time. Consult your bank on the procedure for nomination.

5. It is now permissible to convert your single bank account for pension into a joint account
with your spouse/person mentioned in your PPO as the one entitled to receive family
pension. If you have not already done so, please submit an application to your bank to this
effect.
After your time the joint account will become a single account in your spouse’s name into
which the family pension and any life time arrears (LTA) can be credited. It is desirable to
make a nomination as indicated in Para 4 above even if the pension account has been
converted into a joint account so as to ensure trouble-free payment of your (LTA) to the
spouse/nominee after your time.

6. If you do not wish to take action as per 4 above, open a joint account in the name of
yourself and your spouse, preferably in the same bank, if you have not already done so.
This will automatically become a single account after your life time and the family pension
can be credited to this account. Alternatively, open a single account in the same bank in the
name of your spouse so that, when the time comes, on advice to the bank, the family
pension can be credited to this account. Also ensure that your spouse makes a nomination
in favour of a child/ family member or any other person of her/his choice for this single
account so that when the need arises, the nominee can get the amount left in that account
without any further formality.

7. Make sure that the nominations/ conversions into joint account as applicable as per paras
3, 4 and/or 5 above are duly reflected in the bank records and also keep the relevant copies
of such endorsements in the master folder for your spouse.
ECHS Membership

8. Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) came into effect on 01 Apr 03 as a
public funded Government Health Scheme for provision of medical care to Ex-Servicemen
(ESM) in receipt of pension or disability pension and their dependants including spouses
(wife/ husband), legitimate children and wholly dependant parents. If you have not already
done so, you may consider enrolling yourself as a member. Please contact the nearest ECHS
Policlinic/Naval Station for detailed information and assistance in enrolling.
Check all your nominations

9. It’s a usual practice to put a name (i.e., in the first place if you have mentioned it) and
royally forget about it. Most of us have named one of our parents as a nominee for
investments, bank accounts opened before marriage. We have not changed the same even
years after they are no longer there with us. Even your salary account usually has no
nomination.
Therefore, kindly check your Nominations for :-
- Bank Accounts
- Fixed Deposits, NSC
- Bank Lockers
- Demat Accounts
- Insurance (Life, Bike or Car or Property)
- Investments
- PF & Pension Forms

Passwords

10. We have passwords for practically everything. Email accounts, Bank accounts; even for
the laptop you use. What happens when your next of kin cannot access any of these simply
because they do not know your password? Put it down on a paper.

Investments

11. Every year, for tax purposes, we do investments. Do we maintain a excel sheet about it.
If so, is it on the same laptop of which the password is not shared? Where are those
physical investments hard copies? Put all documents in a file systematically.


Liabilities

12. When you take a loan say for your house or car, check out on all the what ifs.... .what if
I am not there tomorrow? what if I lose my job? Will the EMI still be within my range? If
not, get an insurance on the loan. The people left behind will not have to worry on
something as basic as their own house.

MASTER FOLDER FOR SPOUSE/ FAMILY MEMBERS

13. Open a sufficiently big and thick folder and title it as ‘ACTION TO BE TAKEN
IMMEDIATELY ON THE DEATH OF (YOUR NAME). This folder will contain all relevant
documents, letters and instructions to facilitate appropriate and timely action by the
spouse/family members when the time comes.

Will

14. It is always advisable to execute a will. No particular form is prescribed by law. It can be
handwritten or typed on thick paper with each page signed by the testator and the attesting
witnesses. Registration of the will is optional. The only legal requirements are: - the testator
should be of sound and disposing mind at the time of executing the will, the testator has
signed in the presence of two attesting witnesses each of whom will also sign in the
presence of the testator and an endorsement to this effect is necessarily made before the
signature of the testator after which the attesting witnesses should affix their signatures
along with their addresses. However legal advice may be taken to prepare the will to suit
individual circumstances. It is also necessary to ensure that the nomination as mentioned in
Para 4 and 5 above and the provisions of the will are consistent with each other.
You and your spouse may also consider her/his executing a separate will to cover all
contingencies such as her/his predeceasing you.

15. Place the following in separate envelopes with the details of the contents written on the
envelopes and place the envelopes in the master folder.
(a) Original and one copy of the Pension Pay Order (PPO) (the latest) issued by PCDA
(Pensions) Allahabad / PCDA (N) as applicable to you.
(b) Original and one copy of the bank nomination Performa (refer para 3) received from
the bank/Pension Disbursing Office if applicable.
(c) Original and a few signed copies of the will (refer para 11)


16. Make out the letter of intimation in required number of copies, including some spare
copies, to be completed by filling in the blanks, signed and sent by the spouse when the
time comes. Also prepare an envelope of appropriate size for each of these letters and type
out or write the corresponding address on the envelope. Serially number the envelopes in
the same order as in the distribution list of the letter. Place all these envelopes in the
master folder.

17. The letter of intimation mentioned in para 13 above mainly relates to service
requirements, formalities, pension and benefits. Several other agencies, (eg associations,
clubs, time share companies, credit card agencies etc), besides service ones, with whom
you have dealings, will have to be informed and have to take appropriate action when the
time comes. You may prepare letters and addressed envelopes as suggested in para 13
above to cover such cases also.

INSTRUCTIONS TO (SPOUSE/ RELATIVES) ON ACTION TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY ON THE DEATH

On the occurrence of Death
18. A doctor has to confirm and certify the death. If it takes place or is confirmed in a
hospital, clinic or nursing home, get the certificate from the doctor attending or in charge. If
at home, get a doctor to visit, confirm death and certify. The certificate is required to be
taken and presented at the funeral place as without it the body will not be allowed to be
cremated/ buried. If possible, get this certificate in duplicate so that one copy is available
for reference if required later.

19. Inform close relatives and friends on telephone.

20. Decide on the timing and venue of funeral.

Funeral

21. Present the original of the certificate mentioned in para 1 above at the funeral place.
After cremation/burial has been performed, obtain a receipt to that effect from the person in
charge at the funeral place. This is required to be produced when applying for the death
certificate from the municipal authorities.

22. Make a few (3 or4) copies of the receipt mentioned in para 4 above for reference if
required later.

“YEAR OF THE EX-SERV"
Death Certificate

23. As soon as possible after the initial formalities are over make out an application in the prescribed form if any (to be obtained from the concerned office). Enclose the application,
along with the original of the receipt from the funeral place, in an envelope addressed to the
Registrar of Births and Deaths, hand it over to the concerned office and obtain a receipt. In
case it is not possible to hand over the envelope to the office, send it by registered post,
acknowledgement due. Ask for at least ten original signed copies of the death certificate.
Please note that some recognized hospitals certifying the death as per para 1 above are also
authorized to receive the application and issue the death certificate.

24. Normally death certificate is issued in 3 to 4 days. As soon as you get it make several copies of the death
certificate, about a dozen or so, as they will be required to be submitted for several
purposes.

Action Relating to Service - for Record, Family Pension and other Benefits

25. As soon as possible after collecting the necessary documents such as the death
certificate, take out the master folder marked ‘Action to be Taken Immediately on the Death
of ______’. Take out from the folder the envelopes serially numbered 1 to--- with addresses
already typed / written on them. Date the letter of intimation in each envelope, fill in the
blanks as indicated below and sign the letter.
(a) Date and cause of death in para 1
(b) Death certificate number, date and issuing authority in para2.
(c) Para 4. Retiring pension- at the time of making these instructions, the retiring pension is
Rs (basic) pm. If there is no further change till date, enter this amount; if there has been a
subsequent revision, enter the latest figure. The PPO Corr mentioned is the latest available.
If a Corr has been subsequently issued, add the reference No of the same at the end of this
para and also enclose a copy of this Corr in the envelope for Dept of Sainik Welfare.

26. Prepare each envelope for dispatch by enclosing the documents as mentioned against
the addressee in the distribution list of the letter. If feasible, hand over the envelopes to the
bank and the Dept of Sainik Welfare and obtain an endorsement of receipt in the master
copy. Alternatively send them as well as the letters to AFGIS and CDA by registered post
acknowledgement due. The rest of the letters may be sent by ordinary post under certificate
of posting.

27. It may take about 30 to 45 days for the addressees to take necessary action. If after 45
days the required action is not taken by any of the addressees, you may send a reminder
with a copy to the Association Branch with a request for assistance to expedite action.

28. Keep a copy of any letter sent to these or any other addressees for future reference.

29. The action indicated in the specimen mainly relates to service related
requirements. You may like to make the instruction sheet more comprehensive by adding
details of your investments and their disposal, your specific wishes on religious rites,
disposal/donation of eyes etc, changes in the action list in the event of the spouse
predeceasing you and any other instruction that you consider appropriate. Place this
instruction sheet on top of all other contents of the master folder and keep the folder,
suitably covered, in a safe place. In case you wish to donate your eyes or other body parts,
this should be mentioned in bold letters right on top in the instruction sheet.

30. Explain to your spouse and other family members the purpose of the
whole exercise, the details contained in the instruction sheet and the place
where the master folder is kept. Make sure that they understand all the requirements and
will be able to take action as necessary when the time comes.They should also know whom
to approach if they are in trouble and need assistance.

Have you already done this or else do it now?

1. Check if your pension account is joint?
2. Ensure spouses and your date of birth is entered correctly in the account details.
3. Complete FORM B afresh and submit to the bank.
4. Keep details of your PPO number carefully and let your spouse know about it.Write it
on the passbook.
5. Become a member of ECHS it is to your advantage in a serious illness.
6. Check if you are getting correct Pension/Family pension.
7. The bank is bound to give you a pension slip every month please demand it and
ensure bank gives you.
8. JCO and below please check if you are getting increased pension from
01/07/2009.This increase is not for Widows.
9. If you are getting disability pension then ensure you have given the form to the bank
for increase in pension. Old disability upto 49% is now 50% old 50 to 75 % is now
75% and beyond that it is 100% .The pension is also applicable to those who served
with the disability and not invalidated.
10. Keep all your accounts and financial documents in joint name
11. Do not handover the original PPO and other documents to anyone .Please give only
xerox copies.
12. Make your will and keep it safe with someone you trust. Keep your spouse informed.
Amend it as and when required. A will does not need to be registered and should be
signed by any two individuals who have no interest in the will.
13. Demand Annexure IV from your bank. They are duty bound to give it to you.
14. Every year in Nov ensure Life Certificate is given to the bank.This need not be signed
by the branch manager of the Bank paying pension but any of the following :
1. A serving or pensioned person exercising the powers of a Magistrate under
the criminal procedure code (Act-V of 1898).
2. A registrar or sub-registrar appointed under the Indian Registration Act 1908
(XVI of 1908).
3. A Gazetted Officer.
4. A Munsif.
5. A police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector incharge of Police station.
6. Post Master, a Departmental Sub-Post Master or an Inspector of Post Office.
7. Officers of the Reserve Bank of India and other PSBs in respect of pensioners
drawing pension from Banks.
8. The head of the village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat or Head of an executive
committee of a village.
9. Retired Commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces in respect of pension bill
form IAFA-319 of Commissioned Officers, departmental Officers and Warrant
Officers.

EXECUTION OF WILL
General
1. All Wills should be clear-cut unambiguous and precise. Please refer to AO 4/91.
2. An Executor can be a beneficiary under the Will.
3. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries under the Will.
4. All Wills are revocable. However, in case of revoking any Will especially so a registered
Will – it should be clearly stated in the latest Will that, “All previous Wills, whether
registered or
un-registered, whatsoever and wherever, stand revoked and cancelled”. This will avoid any
controversies.
5. It should be noted that a registered Will takes precedence over an un-registered Will.
Hence
in case of any revocation or alteration of an earlier Will, the latest Will must be registered.
6. Probate is mandatory for immovable properties situated in West Bengal, Pondicherry,
Chennai and Mumbai. The Executor of the Will has to apply for the probate in the courts
concerned in these States.
7. Probate is not necessary in other States of India, especially so if the Will is a valid
registered document.
Choice of an Executor
8. Execution of any Will rests with the Executor of the Will. Hence it is imperative that the
executor be an honest, trustworthy and reliable person.
9. It is advisable to have a younger person in good health as an Executor, to try and ensure
that he/she does not pre-decease the Testator of the Will. To avoid such an eventuality, an
Alternative Executor may also be appointed in any Will.
10. It is advisable to appoint a reliable lawyer as an Executor, in case the property has to be
divided amongst different heirs, or if a Will gives only life interest to any one person and
thereafter
the ownership rights vest with someone else.
11. The Executor must know the contents of the Will and be will and be willing to execute
the
Will according to the wishes of the Testator.12. The Executor must be a resident of the
same town as the Testator, to enable him to execute
the concerned Will, legally and expeditiously.
Choice of Witnesses
13. Witnesses need not know the contents of the Will, but they must be present at the time
with
the Testator and all of them must sign the Will in the presence of each other.
14. Beneficiaries cannot be Witnesses to any Will.
15. Witnesses should preferably be younger to the Testator, of sound integrity and good
financial position, to ensure that they cannot be “bought over” by any disgruntled
beneficiary or
relations.
16. Witness should also be permanent residents of the same town as the Testator, so that
they
can easily give evidence in Court, if so required.
Contents of a Will
17. `It is advisable Not to disclose the contents of a Will to the beneficiaries. Such
disclosure
generally leads to un-necessary arguments, and harassment of the Testator.
A WORD OF CAUTION
18. It has been observed that the tendency to treat the elderly dependents with a degree of
callousness, is becoming rampant in our society today. It is therefore advisable that the
Testator of
WILL makes full provisions for financial independence for self and spouse while executing a
Will.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON DEMISE OF LIFE PARTNER

1. In case of death due to an accident lodge an FIR at the nearest Police Station, and
get their written clearance before last rites are performed.
2. Arrange last rites even in cases of natural demise only after getting Medical
Certificate of Death from a doctor. Intimate location, date and time for ‘Chautha’/Prayer
meeting to all concerned preferably through an insertion in the News Paper(s).
3. Publish Obituary in Local Paper(s).
4. Obtain Death Certificate-20 or more copies from the Municipal Authority for
Registration of Births and Deaths. These are required to be submitted with all claims.
5. Forward the information with certified photocopy of the Death Certificate and
relevant details of the deceased to the following: -
(a) PCDA (Pension), AG’s Branch MP 5 (b), PS-4 and Army Officer’s Benevolent Fund.
(b) AGI For life Insurance cover as applicable.
(c) Bankers For family pension, FDs, Loans (if any) and Locker.
(d) Station HQ Surrender Identity card of the deceased and issue of Canteen
Card.
(e) Clubs For transfer of membership or refund of security deposit as
applicable.
(f) Municipal Authority/AWHO/DDA (as applicable) For transfer of
House/Apartment to single name of the surviving spouse as per the WILL of the
deceased.
(g) MTNL For transfer of tele connection and future billing.
(h) DVB For future billing for power consumption.
(j) ITO For closing the IT file of the deceased and linking up with the Files of
beneficiaries. Also applicable for wealth Tax assessment.(k) Licensing Authority For Motor
Vehicles, and Personal Arms and farm Machinery
– Tractors etc.
(l) LIC/GIC For insurance policies covering Life, Medical, Property etc.
(m) Rajya Sainik Board For issue of Ex-servicemen Widow’s Identity
Card.
6. Obtain Probate of WILL if required by applying to the Distt Judge under Indian
Succession Act 1925.

Newton

Newton
Saw the movie on Amazon Prime; (I did not know Amazon Prime had a lot of Hindi movies, till a friend told me).
The movie was like plucked out of a scenario where an honest person wants to do his job well, and he does it well despite the system. It brings out a great feeling that one need not hit against the wall to do well in the system. It also brings out, nicely, the functioning of the police and paramilitary in the Naxalite region.

They are meaningful people with families, but do not want to go overboard to fight the menace like the movie hero, but sometimes take a shortcut when it is convenient.
The politicians, and the higher ups are all for making an impact on the Press, and showcase what a wonderful job they are doing, when they are actually just white-washing.
It also brings out the helplessness of the people there who are labeled as extremists, and are not trusted by the local government officials. The government officials do not mean to harm them, but they are helpless when someone out of them gets hurt in process of "chalta hai" functioning.
My point is that this is a kind of functioning in India today. There are honest men everywhere, trying to be honest despite being bumped around by the "Chalta Hai" atmosphere around.
The last scene is great; leaves a great feeling, when the local girl (adivasi) subtly compliments Newton for the way he is—hurt, battered but still going on as a part of the system, trying to make a difference wherever he can, without suffering.
The basic innocence of the movie—no villains, no super-heroic jingoism, and everyone moving on in life despite all drama going around them.
Not surprised that it was picked up for nomination for Oscars; even though it was not selected. It prompts one to identify oneself with the character Newton.

Military and governing class at war

By B.S.RAGHAVAN

May 17, 2012:  

Much of what I am going to write in this column about the alarming alienation between the Defence Forces and the civilian hierarchy is based on what I have heard from reliable sources and the contents of various Web sites during the last one year or more.

At the basic level, the alienation has its origin in the supposedly shabby treatment received by the officers of the Defence Forces who risk their lives for the country at the hands of the bureaucrats in the Defence Ministry, and the political and governing classes, in general, who lead a cushy and pampered existence.

Still rankling in the minds of both retired and serving military personnel, and frequently mentioned as an example of callousness and insult to the honour of armed forces, is what they construe to be the virtual boycott of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw's funeral by the entire top civilian political and bureaucratic echelons without any explanation or excuse.

In a published article, a retired Air Marshal and former Director-General, Defence Planning Staff, writes caustically on “the widening chasm and lack of harmony” between the Defence Forces and civilian establishment, the marginalisation of the armed forces resulting from their exclusion from “the decision-making loop”, and the “tremendous harm” to national interest being done by “the cavalier attitude of the political hierarchy… allowing the bureaucratic hold on them to tighten.”

WIDESPREAD RESENTMENT

The phenomenon is not confined to Delhi. The messes of Defence forces in which different grades of officers and ranks mingle and discuss freely and which, therefore, are usually the barometers of prevalent opinion down the line, are abuzz with highly vitriolic commentaries about the depths to which the civilian governing class, comprising bureaucrats and politicians, and existing institutions in general, has sunk, while the Defence Forces alone are required to adhere, on pain of harshest retribution, to the most stringent standards of sacrifice, rectitude, discipline and loyalty.

There is widespread resentment that while the Defence Forces deal ruthlessly with misconduct and dereliction of duty, there is no accountability and regard for scruples on the civilian side. Those accused of grave crimes and misdemeanours in the governing class not only go scot-free but even come to occupy highest pedestals of power and authority.

The case against Bangaru Laxman, former President of the BJP, caught red-handed taking a bribe of a lakh of rupees in the Tehelka sting, dragged on for ten years, whereas the military brass implicated in the same sting were court-martialled and punished within a few short months. Many implicated in various heinous crimes and multi-crore scams are on bail and comporting themselves and being hailed as heroes.

DOUBLE STANDARDS

The increasing discontent in the Defence Forces on these counts has come to such a pass that even serving officers are circulating the view that it is not worth fighting for a country which is in the grip of such shady characters.

One such write-up says that, in the Indian context, the soldiers are called upon to die “for the corrupt, ungrateful and unconcerned” made up of bureaucrats and politicians, followed by the bulk of unscrupulous businessmen. It goes on to make the point-blank statement: “Soldiers, today, must learn that they no more fight a nation's wars but the conflicts started by inept, inefficient and incompetent bureaucracy of India, in league with self-centred, greedy and corrupt politicians.”

These are more than straws in the wind signifying the rising anger within the Defence Forces at the double standards to which they are subjected. Constant buffeting by malignant influences also takes a heavy toll of morale within the Forces themselves, as witnessed in the recent shocking incident of a clash between the officers and jawans in Leh.

The sum and substance of it all is that relations between the Defence forces and their civilian colleagues, especially in the Ministry of Defence, are marked by a pervasive sense of bitterness and animosity.

A prominent and highly respected observer who visits Delhi frequently and has a wide circle of fiends there told me a couple of days ago that the situation has worsened in recent months to an unprecedented degree. Indeed, if allowed to continue with the same intensity, national security itself is bound to be imperilled.

Indians Abroad and in India

I feel rather frustrated reading such articles; it is too Utopian in present conditions. One reason is that this relies on individuals to improve the lot of a country, without any state machinery to enforce it. 
In Army, we have rules and we adhere to them. If someone does not adhere, there is a machinery to send an OSL case to 42 days RI in 1 hour of his arrival. THAT is the reason why there is no OSL later on If we keep pleading our troops in our Sainik Sammelans for good attitude, without strictly enforcing the rules, we will have the same lethargy and mayhem in the Army also.
  We talk about Singapore, the same Indians follow the rules because if they do not, there is a severe penalty. In Wash DC, we dare not try to bribe a cop, who has hauled us for over-speeding, because if we do, our license will be canceled for 2 years, or if we have a green card, we shall be deported in 7 days. THIS is what is lacking in our country. I am sure if we could bribe a cop here, everyone would, including Americans. In our country, if we can hang the person guilty of Parliament attacks without any remorse (after having been convicted by Supreme Courts), there shall be reduction in terrorist activities. We can not hang him fearing that there will be a backlash in J&K. 
The terrorists know if they are caught, they will kidnap the home minister's daughter and bargain for the terrorists in jail to be released in exchange. The problem is that we do not think about the long term effects of this attitude. We are scared of our own pet dog, and try to appease him so that he will not bite us. There is an example of Israel in the talk. Let us not forget that Israel is feared and respected because it DOES NOT buckle before any terrorist setup. Can we as a nation tell the world that we are not scared to deal with the terrorists with an iron hand? They are bringing such a bad name to Muslims in the country, and are driving a wedge between the society. Imagine a CEO getting killed because he dismissed 300 employees who would not work. In USA, they would be caught by the police and put behind the bars for 20 years. All green card holder would have been deported in a month. Can we do all this? If we can then the industry and businesses in India will shine the way they do in Singapore and USA, and bring glory and wealth to the nation.
  Indians individually are good, may be better than an average individual in the world. That is the reason why Indians outshine the local population in other countries. But they do this because the state helps them to excel and do their best in a free environment. If gravity would have been compassionate when we fell while learning to walk, we would not be walking in adulthood. The soft state the Indian Govt projects when it comes to dealing with laws, is crippling us, as a nation and as a society. We are seeing the promise when America recognizes the growth of India, and compliments it as one of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) that are going to be economic leaders of the future, but we can do much better, if we tighten up the law and order situation in the country, and make it easier for law abiding citizens to express themselves freely, Indians can do wonders and bring the past glory back to India. There is potential there.
  A Letter to Every Indian - APJ Published by uttishthata July 6th, 2007 in APJ Abdul Kalam The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam ’s Speech in Hyderabad . Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production. We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat. We are the second largest producer of rice. Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news. In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. Got 5 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours. YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage. YOU say that the phones don’t work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination. YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits. YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it? Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - ‘YOURS’. Give him a face - ‘YOURS’. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don’t throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don’t say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn’t dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, ’see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.’YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, ‘Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so’s son. Take your two bucks and get lost.’ YOU wouldn’t chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand . Why don’t YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don’t YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India? Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. ‘Rich people’s dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,’ he said. ‘And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?’ He’s right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? ‘It’s the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons’ rights to a dowry.’ So who’s going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money. Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one’s conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy’s words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians….. ‘ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY’ Lets do what India needs from us. Thank you, Dr. Abdul Kalam

Raj Thakerey's Mumbai

Some interesting views on the matter .................

Now that Raj Thackeray has been arrested the country is waiting with tension as to what havoc will his " enraged" supporters wreak on Mumbai.I must admit,I am no good in these situations.My heart flutters and palpitations attack. I bite my nails down to the cuticle and my breath comes in shallow gasps.I am sure there are others who react the same way. Not for us fiery words and morchas..........we prefer Gandhi ji's methods as they are as good for our health as they are for the nation's health and image.

Keeping this in mind, I along with some of my friends have decided that the following charter of action should be followed to get Raj to see sense (if such an eventuality is possible at all).

The North Indians are beginning to leave Mumbai anyway so why not just follow through en masse with a Mumbai Chodo movement. For those not familiar with the national language that would be a Quit Mumbai movement. Lets do it voluntarily. Sounds good?? It does to my coterie here but our caveat (we have only one) is that Raj does not get to choose who leaves (poor migrant workers) and who stays( Mukesh Ambani). Raj and his estranged uncle and cousin have been wanting to restore Marath pride and what could be more damaging to that pride than these rich non Marathi tycoons flaunting there success and wealth. So here goes.......The list is more or less in the order in which these non marathis should leave:

1) Mukesh Ambani must leave first simply because he is the richest Indian and is stationed in Mumbai even when he is a plain and simple Gujarati. On top of his many millions that he manly invests in Gujarat (remember the Jamnagar behemoth) he has also dared to cause grievous harm to the Marathi pride by building a 40 storey steel and glass tower to use as his private residence.His sins are many so out he goes. I need not tell you that when he leaves he will be taking all his offices/investments and millions with him. I agree a few thousand direct employees and a few lakh indirect beneficiaries will be affected by his departure but so what? Raj and his Marathi manoos will have their pride restored.

Oh yes,another thing. All Reliance family stocks will have to be de- listed from the Bombay stock exchange and the brokers who make millions via these stocks will just have to move their base to Gujarat or wherever Mukesh chooses to setttle down.

2) Whatever I said about Mukesh applies to Anil Ambani also (except the 40 storey house. Anil has not yet started any such self congratulatory monument). Anil you will have to go too and preferably to a state where you do not need to see and squabble with your bade bhaiyya on a daily basis.

3) Shahrukh Khan needs to be next on the list as he is the most prominent personality of Bollywood. The Ambanis still are from a proximate state but look at Shahrukh's cheek..........he is from far away Delhi and he has the audacity to capture the entire Bollywood and even the hearts of Marathi babes. ( Shh... don''t even mention that he happens to be a Muslim.If Raj's uncle hears that ,there will be trouble for him on that count too.) Shahrukh's crimes are many but mainly he has taken over the film world and makes Hindi movies in Maharashtra.He has bought a heritage building as his home.What arrogance??

Ok, Shahrukh out you go,back to Delhi with Gauri and kids in tow. From now make your Hindi movies in the Hindi speaking parts of the country and make sure no non Hindi speaker ever sees or participates in your movies. For those of you worried that the film industry will be lost without its biggest money spinner please remember this is not about trivial things like money but the pride of the Marathi manoos.

4) Whatever applies to Shahrukh (except his success quotient) applies to Hrithik, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Amir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Akshay Khanna, Shiney Ahuja, the Deol family and any other non marathi actor. Please leave now And I have not even come to the babes as yet.

Rani off to Bengal please.And take that Bipasha the bomb with you.Bengal's film industry will welcome you I am sure. They might not want Tanushree and Celina back but take them with you any way. I have a feeling Raj might have had them in mind when saying North Indians corrupt the culture of Maharashtra!

Aishwarya, you need to choose between Mangalore and U.P. ( and remember its your father in law who has caused all this trouble by leaving the banks of Ganga to come and live in the land of the shrinking/stinking Mithi river).
Kajol, your case is complicated but by virtue of your Marathi mom you will be allowed to stay back but minus that Punjabi husband of yours.What did you ask? Who will you make movies with?? Kajol where is your marathi pride? You are worried about making movies?? You should not have made movies with these actors who are not the sons of the soil,in the first place.

Hema Malini, you can pack your bags and take off for Chennai with Esha and Ahana. Ai ai yo. It will be hard for you, I know as your husband will be moving to the opposite corner of India.

5) Adi Godrej and Nusli Wadia, thank your stars that the rest of India is not like Maharashtra otherwise it would have been off to Iran for you guys( and the mullahs wouldn't have welcomed you there either). You can choose any other state except Kashmir ofcourse.And be careful about choosing Arunachal Pradesh. China is already claiming it and our comrades in CPM are strangely quiet on the subject.

6)Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Shabana Azmi you too will have to go, I am afraid. I know Mumbai without films and poetry will be a poorer place but never mind. Maybe Thackeray senior will have marathi poetry ready to be dished out via the party paper, Saamna

7) All Sikhs will have to go back to Punjab. The auto parts business will collapse, I know, but what to do.Some sacrifices are required in order to restore pride of the marathi manoos.

8) All taxi drivers who are not from Maharashtra please hand in the keys to your smoke spewing fiats and get out now. How will the city travel??? Who knows. Maybe the all- maharashtrian dabba walas association will figure out a system to transport those who are still left in Mumbai after the north Indians have left. The mumbai trains are like dabbas anyway.

9) Dhobiwallas,dudhwallas,sabziwallas please exit now if you are not a Maharashtrian.

10) All Muslim craftsmen from U.P who do all that dextrous zardozi work and stitch so exquisitely for the fashion designers can start looking for work in Delhi maybe. Anyway if all the non marathi designers leave then there will be no takers for your skills anyway.

I could go on and on but I think this is good for a start.
I think Mumbai should be ok with this clean up. What say you??

Raj Thakerey's comments on Maharashtrians

Major media channels broadcast the dangerous comment of Raj and Bal Thakerey against North Indians. This is very sad in this new era of Indian politics, when the country is surging forward economically. They should now interview major personalities outside Maharashtra (North Indians and Maharashtrians) to see their reactions, eg, President of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and other senior leaders of BJP. This will show the world how these leaders use regionalism and religion to further their interest. They can not interview other north Indians in Maharashtra, as this would leave them threatened by the goons of Raj Thakerey and police protections is what we know, they will be putting their heads in the noose.