8.China - Japan Trip : DAY EIGHT : BEIJING SIGHT SEEING .Day 8.Part I - Govt Jade Factory.

DAY EIGHT- 15 May 2015. BEJING - SIGHT SEEING.

Part I - Govt Jade Factory.

MAP OF SIGHTS SEEN ON DAY EIGHT : 15 MAY 2105 .

This is the screen shot of the map . To see interactive map , go to https://goo.gl/T5TNCr
OR
https://goo.gl/T5TNCr
copy the link Below and paste it in URL bar.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zhhZ6ZYYuJgw.kF3O15TjpoKY

This will open interactive map.Any clarifications about how to use this map , just send me a mail.

This was our second day in Beijing .  
This day Government Jade Factory , Balding section if the Great wall Of China , Summer Palace in Beijing City and the Olympic Village were the main sights to be seen on the day's itenerary 

Personally we go on these trips to see the historical sites,world heritage sites monuments,beautiful natural scenery, etc and experience the Cultural atmosphere of that country , cities etc . However in our every group trip the local guide makes it a point to take you to at least one Mall , Shopping lane , Tea shop etc for shopping . Priti and I are not much interested in shopping and we had said so many times . However it is quite surprising , at least it was for us , that some people come on these trips only for shopping and they are very serious about it.If shopping is missing from day's itinerary,they raise a hue & cry and ensure that the shopping trip for the day is not missed.
But to carry on with the travelog,
First place to be visited was the Governmant Jade Factory . My knowledge about Jade was that it was considered a gemstone , was green in colour and used by Emperors of China . The factory was about 50 odd kms from our hotel and took us about an hour in the light morning traffic . First look of The Government Jade Factory was quite all right .

Government Jade Factory. 

        
Another view .Government Jade Factory. 

Main entrance . Flanked by impressive 

looking Lion Statues . No , they were not in jade but in white marble :-)

 Immediately after entry , one could see the craftmen creating Jade jwellery , statuttes and other art objects for sale . It was facinating to watch them work with electrical drills , cutters , shaping and polishing tools . One marvelled at their expertise and delicate touch with the tools in creating such beautiful and some really delicate looking jewellery and small statuettes.

Mastercraftman at work.  very intrciate & tricky work.It was very facinating to watch them work . Converting a lump of Jade in a thing of beauty!!!

Mastercraftman at work. Balls within Balls ,

Inside the hall , and display area was even more impressive . It was huge .The floor area was full of display cabinets loaded with Jewelly , statuettes , display and decorative items etc. There were statues of various sizes . Some so big they they had to be displayed on the ground.I saw articles of colours other than green and had doubt whether these different coloured items were also made of jade . My doubt was answered by one of the salesman . I was informed that "Jade is found in various colours .Though , Green Jade retains its popularity .Lavender jade continues to be admired and adored. The value and desire for red jade, yellow jade, black jade, and especially ice jade continues to increase . Not only this , there are about 49 shades in various colours of Jade with different translucence and texture . To know more details go to this link .

THESE PHOTOS GIVE SOME IDEA OF THE HUGENESS OF THE STORE 

WITH THESE PHOTOS GET SOME IDEA OF THE VARIETY OF ITEMS.

Pure white Jade.






SOME DISPLAY ITEMS TOO BIG TO BE KEPT ON / IN CABINETS.

Look at that size. Cost Y 6880000 ₹ 7 crorer.(to be excat 70421622)
Title of this work : Aquarium of Five Dragons playing with a ball.
It took three three Masters 15 months to sculpture.

BELOW : THE AQUARIUM BY ITSELF 

Another BIG Fellow. ALSO AN AQUARIUM

Huge engraved wall mounting panel.

Some sculptures were in fact so huge that they must have weighed more than couple of tons and were displayed out side the main shop in a shade. Have a look :

The Horses .

Pride Of Lion.They look three seperate Statues,but are made from a single Jade rock .

Still bigger Aquarium !!!!

As we are not interested in shopping , normally we do not like to visit shopping malls . Though lot of people from the group bought jewllery items , small decorative items etc . For a moment we were also tempted.However what jewellery or statuettes we could afford we did not like . What we liked was so , so costly that they were just beyound our purchasing power.

So even though it was a shopping center, Here it was a different story.The quality and colours of Jade were facinating and an eye opener.The variety,the types,the sizes,numbers,of the Jade goods on display and sale were simply mind boggling .We could have easily spent more than half a day looking around and admiring the displays . I therefore decidec to call this as a visit
to a "place of attraction" rather than to a "shopping center". As we had a full days programme still to go through,we left the place to go to The Great Wall of China after about an hour or so .    

DAY EIGHT TO BE CONTINUED WITH : part ii 

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. 

Letter to Editor : Why blame the Veterans for returning the Medals.

Sir ,

kindly consider publishing the following article in Guest Coloumn of your esteemed news paper.

INSULT TO NATION

This refers to articles "Insult to Nation" published in the Htivada on 14th and 20th November 2015.

I would like to advice all the scribes who feel that the Veterans of the Armed Forces are doing wrong by returning the medals ,  to see the biographical movie based on the life and works of Dr Prakash Baba Amte , Nana Patekar has given a steling performance as Dr Prakash Baba Amte in this movie. 

May be after watching this movie , all those critical of Veterans , may understand one of the underlying reasons why Dr Prakesh Baba Amte , more than 40 years back wanted to return the award and medal of Padmshree , and now the Armed Forces Veterans are returning their medals for the same reason.

For those who have not seen the movie or know the reason why Dr Prakesh Baba Amte , wanted to return the award and medal of Padmshree , here is little background info .

The Advasis , for their survival had to hunt wild animals. Any time their victim had very young ones they were given to Dr Amte. He loved these gifts and raised them with love and care . The animals in his care included leopards, sloth bears, snakes, birds, deer, owls, crocodiles, hyenas and monkeys.Movie shows a Forest Official coming to check the numbers, types and condition of these animals . As this official has been named , what is shown must be true. As per what is shown in the movie, level of the knowledge of this Government Forest Official was so pathatic that he did not know the difference between a Leopard and a Tiger . Did not know how to spell "deer ", which he is shown writing as " dear ".  Even after a gap of more that 40 years the state of knowledge level of Govt Officials has not improved mainly because merit has been sacrificed at the altar of vote bank politics , BUT I digress . Back to the Govt Official . The fellow feels slighted when these mistakes are pointed out and some remark made by Dr Amte. He vows to take revenge . In due course government order is issued stating that keeping of wild animals by private citizens is against the law and all the Animals in Dr Amte's care must be transferred to various zoos in the state . Dr Amte is greatly hurt and disturbed as he felt that the animals raised by him with so much love and care will not get the same love and care  in the zoos and may ill treated , All efforts to prevent this failed . He points out the irony that one of the paras in his citation for the award of Padmshree was in praise and appriciation of his animal love and his care of these animals. He feels that the praise heaped on him and the award were false and did not mean what was written in citation .In desperation and to show his protest he calls for a press conference to announce his decision to return Padmshree. The media and poulation  must have stood firmly behind Dr Amte ,  ( not able to get the news coverage of that time) ,  the Government had to bow to the media and the public openion . The Govet Officials worked overtime to find a rule that a private citizen could operate an animal orphnage and animal care center .  It was under this rule  Dr Amte allowed to keep all his animals .

The treatment which has been mated out to Defence Forces in general and Veterans in paruiculr , since 1947 when the OROP was stopped , The Pension reduceed from 70% -75%  to 30% , in implementing various Central Pay Commissions , not implementing recommendetions of Parliamentry Committee recommendations , not implementing The Supreme Court directive to restore OROP , not implementing decision of the Parliament , not by one but by two governments , to implement OROP and twice afte making provisionin two budgets for implementing OROP when it was not done , sent very loud and clear signals to the Defence Forces and the Veterans that all the "Vijay Divas" , 1965 Operations falicitations , all the functions to facilitate the Armed Forces personnel by the Government and the politicians , all the tears spilled at Amar Jawan Jyoti are crocodile tears . All the honours and the Medals bestowed are with totally false sentiments and in reality not meant seriously . So the Veterans decided to return honour Medals given under false pretences

Government had to bow to intentions of Dr Prakash Baba Amte not only due to his international fame and stature but also more so because the Media and the citizens were solidly behind him . UNFORTUNATELY due to some sinister design or reasons known to the powers that be , the media instead of supporting the Armed Forces and The Veterans is totally ignoring them and their cause . Due to general ignorence about matters Militery due to nil coverage in media ,  there is hardly any support from the citizens as well.

The Forces and the Veterans are greately saddened by This attitude of the Government , The Media and the Citizens . Even returning of the medals does not seem to work.
One day all will rue what is happening today when the liberty and freedom of the people and the sovereignty  of the Nation will be in grave danger .

God save the Nation .

PM Velankar .

Letter to Editor : Published : Hurrah !!!

I had written to Editor , The Hitavada about OROP agitation , comments on Ministry Of Defence Official's statement about Rafel deal and my reply to their articles "Insult to Nation I" and "Insult to Nation II" on 30 Sept 15 , 06 Oct 15, 08 Oct 15 , 10,Oct Oct15, 14 Nov 15,and 13Dec 15 .

The letters were on subjects very close to heart and dicteted by heart , more than by mind , were very highly critical of the Government in general and the Babus in particular . NOT ONE OF them was published .

On 08 Dec 15 I had written yet another letter about Modi's Foreign trips . I had written :

"My Letter to Editor. Narendra Modi .

Sir ,

Recently there is spurt in articles , cartoons and writeups , long and short , criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
However the writers of these critical writings are either without logical thought and so myopic that they can not see beyond their noses OR their tirades are purely politically motivated .

In Military we have two types of planning . Strategic and Tectical .

Strategic planning is done  looking at world scenerio 10 - 15 years in future , considering all aspects , forecast and plans are made  for the shape size and readiness of Armed Forces, so as to be able to meet all threats as foreseen . The results are to take effect at a future date. Implimentation is done by the higsest level of command .

Tactical Planning is for short term and yealds results in comparatively  short time scale .Executation by lower rungs of command.

All  know it that the mess in which India finds it self after more than 68 yeras of freedom , without proper infrastructure, road / rail /air connectivity . Industries , Power and what not . There is derth and shortages of the vital inputs to launch the country on the path of progress and development . These things can not be remedied  overnight .

Mr Modi like a good leader and commander recognised this hard reality . He embarked on putting his Strategic and Tactical plans in motion to realise his vision of India at the top of the World Nations .

He announced more than 29 schemes under Tactical plans for improving quality of life and inclusive development . Few main being , Toilets for every house , swatch bharat , Bank account for all , Suraksha Bima Yojana, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Padho Pardesh Scheme ,Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Portal,Awas Yojana Suraksha Bima Yojana, Digital India , Smart Cities, and many such . He has announced these schemes but here he is being let down by the the lower rungs of command. The Ministers , Ministers of state etc and mainly the burocrates are not working as they should for implementation of these schemes . These are moving at snails speed and there is no noticeable improvement on the ground. If the Burocrates and Ministers  do not work  all the best laid plans/ schemes  will be of no use .

As for Strategic plans , these foreign trips are the corner stones of that plan . The number of Agreements and MOU's He has signed and got the commitment from visitied countries to invest funds in infrastructure is simply mind boggling. Once their implimentation starts over the invisaged time scale, The results will be visible and felt after 30 - 40 years and there after .

History will not mock Modi for his foreign visits but put him on a pedastal to make India one of the most advanced nation on the face of the earth .  

PM Velankar "

May be the lengh was too much . However highly edited version of this was published . This is what was published . 

Hurrah !!!!

   

My Letter to Editor. Narendra Modi .

Sir ,
Recently there is spurt in articles , cartoons and writeups , long and short , criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi . 
However the writers of these critical writings are either without logical thought and so myopic that they can not see beyond their noses OR their tirades are purely politically motivated .

In Military we have two types of planning . Strategic and Tectical .

Strategic planning is done  looking at world scenerio 10 - 15 years in future , considering all aspects , forecast and plans are made  for the shape size and readiness of Armed Forces, so as to be able to meet all threats as foreseen . The results are to take effect at a future date. Implimentation is done by the higsest level of command .

Tactical Planning is for short term and yealds results in comparatively  short time scale .Executation by lower rungs of command.

All  know it that the mess in which India finds it self after more than 68 yeras of freedom , without proper infrastructure, road / rail /air connectivity . Industries , Power and what not . There is derth and shortages of the vital inputs to launch the country on the path of progress and development . These things can not be remided not overnight .

Mr Modi like a good leader and commander recognised the hard reality . He embarked on putting his Strategic and Tactical plans in motion to realise his vision of India at the top of the World Nations .

He announced more than 29 schemes under Tactical plans for improving quality of life and inclusive development . Few main being , Toilets for every house , swatch bharat , Bank account for all , Suraksha Bima Yojana, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Padho Pardesh Scheme ,Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Portal,Awas Yojana Suraksha Bima Yojana, Digital India , Smart Cities, and many such . He has announced these schemes but here he is being let down by the the lower rungs of command. The Ministers , Ministers of state etc and mainly the buricrates are not working as they should for implementation of these schemes . These are moving at snails speed and there is no noticeable improvement on the ground. If the Burocrates and Ministers  do not work  all the best laid plans/ schemes  will be of no use .

As for Strategic plans , these foreign trips are the corner stones of that plan . The number of Agreements and MOU's He has signed and got the commitment from visitied countries to invest funds in infrastructure is simply mind boggling. Once their implimentation starts over the invisaged time scale, The results will be visible and felt after 30 - 40 years and there after . 

History will not mock Modi for his foreign visits but put him on a pedastal to make India one of the most advanced nation on the face of the earth .   

PM Velankar

Letter to Editor on his article : Insult to Nation .

SORRY  CAN NOT GET ARTICLE SCAN BIGGER THAN THIS 

(NOT ENOUGH EXPRTISE)

Sir ,
Please refer articles "Insult to Nation"  in Hitvada dated 14 Nov 15 and 20th Nov 15.

I feel you have done a great diservice to the Vetrans who have entered 180th day of their peaceful agitation for demending what is their RIGHT . You have presented only your view point to the vast number of your readers about how the vertans have insulted the Nation by returning the medals . By presenting only one side , your paper has been totally unfair . You have failed to inform the same readers the other side of the coin . You have failed to inform the readres the genesis and the raesons why the vetrans have resorted to the agitation and when all their hopes were dashed by 7th September announcement of totally diluted OROP by the DM Mr Parrikar ,  as a last desperate measure , resorted to returning the medals . Some misguided Veterans did try to burn the medals , in my personal openion I also I feel that it was a wrong thing to do . Here it must be pointed out that they were prevented by doing so by none other than the fellow Veterans themselves.

 If you really want to follow the moral and ethical values of highest traditions of journalism of unbiased reporting , please publish the case , the reasons and the genesis of this agitation  from the point of view of the Veterans as well. Once you have published unbiased view of both sides of the coin , give unbiased openion and let the readres decide for themselves whether the agitatiaional methods followed by the veterans are wrong and are an insult to the Nation . If you really want to do that please publish my articles submitted to you on 30 September 2015 , 06 October 2015 and 14 November 2015 . 
In your article you seem to agree that the service conditions of serving personnel are very very difficult , hazardous and quite often life threating where mere survival becomes difficult. You also concede that ,

quote "  the Medals have gone to such men who are as tall as Himalayas . Medals have gone to Sea and Air warriors at all levels of ot the chain of Command who have defied all rules of logic and logistics to defend the Nation " un quote .

 In this article you have put forward the view that the madals were presented by the nation and not by the Government . You have not mentiones a single word about the widows and the children of these brave warriors whose only means of sustainance and survival is the pension of their dead husbands. 

At this moment I will concede your statement but will take up the matter about THE NATION towards the end .

Kartik Lokhande is all praise for 13 Kumaon in  the battle of Rozaga Law . He has rightly brought out moving story of great valour and courage displayed by jawans of the 13 Kumaon Company and Maj Shaitan Singh . They fought till the last man and last round and sacrificed their lives for the country. I do not know his source but He mentions the strength of 13 Kumaon as 114 and also mentions awards of one PVC , six VrCs and SM to brave jawans of 13 Kumaon Company . Here I would like to correct his information and put the record straight and give correct information . My source is Bharat Rakshak , the most authentic web site on mattrs of Defence Foeces . Here is the link to the referred info . 13 Kumaon Company constited of 7th , 8th and 9th Platoons manned by Ahirs belonging to southern Harayana . Their strength was 124 including Jawans , JCOs , Officers and not 114 as mentioned . 114 of these were killed remaining 10 were so severely wounded that they were unable to do any thing at all .They were taken prisoners . It was a miracle that they not only survived but some escaped and returned to their parent Regiment . The correct figur of awards For this supreme sacrifice and displaying exterme courage , is given here : the company was awarded one PVC . 8 VrCs , 4 SMs and one M-I-D ( Mention - In - Dispatches),total of 14 awards . In this article Kartik Lokhande has also put forward the view that the medals were presented by the nation . Mr Lokhande forgets that only 14 medals were presented . 100 other who also sacrificed their lives were not given any awards , did the Nation thinks that they were less brave than the others who got medals. Why were they not also given awards by the same Nation which now feels insulted . Mr Lokhande has praised Maj Shaitan Singh to high heavens . Did he ever trieded to find out whatever happened  the wife of Indian Army's iconic war hero of Rezang La Major Shaitan Singh . Did the Nation which now feels insulted ever knew whatever happened to Shagun Kanwar,the widow who lived with her son Mr Narpat Singh in the village named after his father , "Shaitan Singh Village" in Tehsil Falodi in Judhpur Diatrict . On 17 April 2015 She died at the age of 86. There was hardly any coverage in the media . The funeral was not attended by a single politician, and alsost nil maedia persons . HERE is the link about her death & Funeral . 
Did the Nation which now , as per the scribes ,  feels insulted and did Mr Phansikar , Editor of The Hitavada and Mr Lokhande who now accuse the Veterans of insulting the Nation know that " the widow of one of India’s greatest war heroes makes do with a measly pension of about Rs 5,000, far less than what the spouse of a war hero decorated with PVC is entitled to. For the last 15 years, she has remained stuck in the fourth pay commission scales of 1986, drawing less than what a junior commissioned officer of the Indian Army draws today. " HERE is a link to this item .
Did the Nation and these scribes spare and ever gave a thought as to how a widow , who was just 33 years old ( Maj Shaitan Sing was just 37 years old at the battle in 1962 ) with a child in survived and susteined herself and her child . How she raised and educated her child . Has this Nation any right to be offended and these scribe have any right to say that the Nation is insulted because of the actions of Veterans in demanding OROP which is their RIGHT.
If the condition of the widow of one of India’s greatest war heroes suffered this fate just imagine what must be happening to the widows of the 100 brave souls of the same battle who also sacrificed their lives. Does the Nation which now as , Mr Phansikar & Mr Lokhande claim has been insulted shed a tear or feel sorry for the plight of all those widows and their children of wars of 1962 , 1965 , 1971 and 1999 Kargil Operations who were decorated and all those who also sacrificed their but not even remembered by the Nation the so called scribes who now feel that the veterans have insulted the Nation . 

The Hitavada Editorial Staff has put forward their views . I would like your and the readers indulgence and to put forward Veterans point of view . 

1. From 1947 till 1973 for 26 years after Independence , Defence personnel were getting One Rank One Oension . In 1973  without assigning reasons the Government took a arbitrary decision and stopped the OROP . There were no agitations or protests from Veterans.We would like to know why the " NATION " did not question the Government as to why this injustice was done to the Defence personnel . I do not recollect the media also reising this issue and questioning the Government.

2. Considering the early retiring of majority of fighting troops , Defence Personnel were grated pension which was 70% to 75% of their basic pay , counter parts in civil were given pension which was 30 % of their basic Pay . 3rd Central Pay Commission ( CPC ) constitued in 1973 arbitraily reduced the pension of Defence Personnel to 50 % and in increased the pension of Civil counterparts also to 50% . There were no agitations or protests from Veterans .We would like to know why the " NATION " did not question the Government as to why this injustice was done to the Defence personnel . I do not recollect the media also reising this issue and questioning the Government .

3. In 4th CPC Defence Personnel were granted Rank Pay . Some burocrate in the chain of issuing orders inserted a new coloumn in the pay slip in credit coloumn for rank Pay  but at the same time same amount was deducted from the basic pay . effectively reducing the basic pay by the amount of Rank Pay . There were no agitations or protests from Veterans or the serving personnel .We would like to know why the " NATION " did not question the Government as to why this injustice was done to the Defence personnel . I do not recollect the media also reising this issue . One Major Dhanapalan after his retirement filed a case against this skulduggery . Burocrates in Ministry of Defence dragged the case for years and up to the SC of India . Finally Major Dhanapalan won the case and SC ordered the Govt to rework all the entilements and pay the aggrived Officer arrears of pay . When other personnel demanded pay arrears . they were flately refused saying SC orders were for one individual . Once again the defence personnel had to fight prolonged leagle battle . Again SC ruled that ALL entitled persons should be paid the arrears . To the best of public knowledge no action was ever taken against the concerned burocrate who had deprived the defence personnel of their rightful entitlement . There were no agitations or protests from Veterans.We would like to know why the " NATION " did not question the Government as to why this injustice was done to the Defence personnel . I do not recollect the media also reising this issue .

To cut a long story short I will jump to the year 1981 and give a tabulated history of the OROP problem . (Reproduced with thanks from forwarded mail from my friend  .)

1981 :  Estimates Committee reised the isue of dispatity in pension and made                an appeal to the Government impliment back the OROP .

1986 :   4th CPC . Government rejected the OROP.

1996 :    5th CPC .  Government once again rejected the OROP.

2006 :    6th CPC . Government once again , for the third time  rejectes the                     OROP. On the grounds that OROP Implimentation will prompt similar                 demends from Civil Pensioners.

2008 :     For the first time in the history of free India , Veterans went on                        indefinite hunger strike and and surrendered their medals                                  and awards. The Government did not take any action.

2008  :    The Supreme Court Orders the Government to implement OROP in 

                the Armed Forces.

2008 :      Veterans withdraw their hunger strike .

2009 :      Delegation of Veterans went to meet President Prathibha Patil , the                   Supreme Commander of Armed Forces , who bluntly refused to                         address the issue or to my knowledge , even meet the delegation.

2010 :      The OROP issue was referred to Rajya Sabha Committee by K                            Sanjay Prabhu , of Bangaluru.

2011 :      Koshyari Committee a ten members of sitting MPs fo Parliament was                 formed the express  mendate to the committe was to review the                       OROP issue and make recommendations . The Koshyari Parliamentry                 Committee recommended to the Government to implement OROP to                 Defence Forces for the greater good of the Nation. The report was 
                accepted in toto by the Parliament first when the UPA Gonernment                     was in power and later when BJP Government was in power.

2012 :      UPA Government allocated ₹2300 crores for OROP but never                            implimented OROP .

2013 :      At the zenith of hs popularity along the masses , Narendra Modi                         promised OROP to Ex Servicemen at a massive election rally at                         Rewari in Haryana.

2014 :      Intimidated by the rising popularity of Modi , UPA Govertment                           announces implimentation of OROP from April 2014 . Allocates ₹ 500                 crores in the budget .

2014 :      BJP wins massive victory .Modi becomes PM of India.

2014 :      The DM, Mr. Parrikar reassured the Ex Servicemen that OROP will                      be implemented after the budget announcement.

2015 :       February .  The FM , Mr. Jetaly announced the budget . No provison                  for OROP was made in the budget so again OROP was not                                  implemented .

From 1948 till June 2015 despite of repeated assurances by two Parliaments , assurances of the PM and the DM OROP was never implemented . 

There is a limit to the patience of any human being . So finally ,

2015  :    June . Start of indifinate " Hunger Strike by Ex Servicemen at                             Jantarmantar.

2015 :      September . The DM , Mr Parrikar announced much awaited OROP for implimentation wef 1.1 2014. But there were few cavets which were bone of contention .      

In desperation and as a last resort the Vetrans decide to return the madals , hoping that the Government and the Madia will respond positively to this last desperate measure.There hopes were dashed .

When all this time , for 42 long years , the promises were repeatedly broken and the rightful demand of the veterans was not accepted , the Nation which now feels insulted and the scribes who claim that the nation was insulted stood by and mutely observed the bad deal being given and injustice being done to Defence forces.Why did they not take the Government to task , why did they not take the Politicians and the Burocrates to the task on behalf of the Defence Forces . 
Why did not they raise their voice against the Government the Politicians and the Burocrates for this raw deal being mated to the Services .

Mr phanshikar says "each mdal is the honour of the Nation , not the Government , bestowed uopn them ."   We veterans would like to represent to the NATION the injustice being done to the Services and the veterans . Will the scribes of the Media tell us , the veterans , where and how we can approach and meet this NATION . We the vererans would surely like to meet the Nation and apologise and explain our side to the Nation if it feels insulted , we can do that only if the scribes of the media will let us know where and how we can meet this "insulted" Nation . 

In fact it is the veterans who feel insulted by the so calld Nation and the Media . In the final analysis the Defence Forces will fullfil all their obligations no matter what ,  but it is the integrety and the soveraignity of the Nation and the People of India which will be the final losers with such treatment of the Services . 

Yurs Sincerely ,
Group Captain PM Velankar VM , Veteran.

Letter to Editor on his article : Insult to Nation .

SORRY  CAN NOT GET IT BIGGER

NOT ENOUGH EXPRTISE

 

Sir,
I had written earlier explaining the OROP problem in detail, That letter was not published . My  two letters were not published as well . I hope you log on to wikipedia web site https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Rank,_One_Pension, to know how shabbly the DefenceForces have been treated by Burocrates and the Government . Alternately AT LEAST publish the wikipedia link so that common people who are ignorant of the matter can judge the matter for themselves . 

Group Captein PM Velankar VM , retd   

I hope you will consider publishing the following letter in Letters to Editor space .

Sir ,
Please refer you article Issues and Non issues in Hitvada dated 14 Nov 15 .

I feel you have done a great diservice to the Vetrans who have entered 150 th day of their peaceful agitation for demending what is their RIGHT .

You are right in saying that " common people see their stance as rather
 obstinate ". The reason for this is IGNORANCE of common people who do not know the details of what is OROP , What was the genesis of the problem? They do not know how , from 1973 onwards for the last 42 years the Burocrates have played dirty , cheated and deprived the Defence Forces of what is rightfully theirs , at the same time getting all the benifits finincial as well as in the precedence from the Government . For all these 42 years all the Governments , which means the Politicians in power , for selfish reasons , have  given in to the Burocrates and signed on the dotted line of the drafts put up to them .

For the abysmal ignorance of people I do not hold the peole responsible . I wholly and fully hold the powers thet be of the Media , electronic as well as the Print Media . The guilt of print media is the greater as they have far far wider reach and penetration than the  electronic media.

They have failed in their duty to inform the People about the OROP and
 the injuctice mated out to Defence Forces for the last 42 years . 

Please print this letter and advise the People to log on to the wikipedia web site " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Rank,_One_Pension " to know the horrible way the Defence Forces have been treated by the Burocrates and the Government . 

I agree that burning the medals was in extreme bad taste but the provocation was also extreme . Even then do not forget that those few misguided Vetrans were prevented from doing so by Vetrans themselves . 

Yours Sincerely 

Group Captain P M Velankar, VM , Air Force Vetran . 

Some thoughts / My Philosophy on Birthday Parties.

 Just a few days back we were invited by one of our friend to attended birthday party of their granddaughter being organised by their son . Their granddaughter was going to be one year old .
 A marriage hall was booked and decorations including pink balloons in plenty  were all done by event managers . Guest list was considerable . Not only friends who were parents of one year olds and whose equally lavish parties they themselves had attended were invited , but many more people who were " owed " a return party were also invited . The one year old who was the reason for all this was decked in  branded brand new kids wear . Large crowd , loud music and generally higher noise levels , all were making the baby uncomfortable ,  very fretful  and prone to crying.Thanks to Modern nappies parents were at least not worried about minor irritants like nature's call.
It was grand birthday party for one year old enjoyed by young parents and retired grand parents and friend of baby's parents.I wondered if it was also enjoyed by the kingpin of the party -the baby itself !!!
I wonder if the party was really held to make their one year old daughter happy or ........

I have my own thoughts  about birthday celebrations and this party set me thinking .
Such parties  seem to have become the emerging trend nowadays . It could be birthday parties, "barsa" ( naming ceremony for baby), sacred thread ceremony etc . Grand parties and functions seem to have become the norm .But I wanted to talk about Birthday Parties . 
 So far as I am concerned you are growing older everyday and after 365 days you become older by one year and you become one year old . That is the FIRST BIRTHDAY ! Year after year you have successive birthdays which are celebrated as per one's own philosophy and thinking.
Personally I feel there is no need to celeberate birth days .
However ,weather any one likes it or not we have to celeberate them including myself . In my philisophy we can celeberate the birthdays in a style depending on the the stage at which that person has reached in his life . For this I devide our life existance in three stages .
Pre Teens , teens / formative years .
Adult hood .
The Veterans , After retirement from Profession.

For the time being ,this much is ok . My philosophy on how to celeberate the birthday for a person in each stage will follow in later posts . 

  

Letter to Editor . MOD comment on Rafale Deal .

Sir here is another article for your consideration for publication in Guest Coloumn of your esteemed news paper .

Sir .
Read the news item "Government pushes for "Tejas" , "NO" to more Rafale "  in the Hitavada dated
 8 October 2015 .

Chief of the Air Force in his annual press conference last week had laid strong pitch to expand the Rafale fleet to six squadron from currently ordered 36 aircraft . Chief of Air Staff , who has spent his life in the IAF , knows the strengths & weaknesses of the IAF and fully knows the requirments of the country as well as what the Ar Focre needs to carry out its functions . He knows the comperative performances of Tejas and aircraft of Rafale class .

An Official in MOD , who prefer to hide behind anonymity , gives the example of Quater & Egypt .
 The argumet being if the Airforces of the world  and that of Quatar Quater can operate with 2- 3 Squadrons of Rafale class of airaraft,Why should India need more than 36 ? And seem to be justyfy the decision to limit the purchese to 36 Rafale . Adding insult to injury by recommending to make up the short fall with Tejas  which is cheaper .

Okay .

 Let us give no considerations to the Area of Economic Zones , The Number of Island  , Total land area of the Country , etc , all of which are also to be be defended by the defence forces.
Let us give no consideration to the neighbour countries and their interstate relstionship .

Quatar has only Saudi Arebia and their relations are cordial .
Egypt has These countries as neighbours:Gaza Strip (11 km) ,  Israel (266 km), Libya (1,115 km) and Sudan (1,273 km) . Except for Yom Kippur Wra with Isreal in which Isreal won decisive victory and almost entirely destryoed Egyptian Air Foce , It has faught no Wars . Isreal , its known enemy, has since that war , taken no overt or covert offencive action agsinst it . 
India has these countries as neighbours: Bangladesh (4,142km) ,  Bhutan (659 km), Burma (1,468) km, China (2,659 km), Nepal (1,770 km) and Pakistan (3,190 km). 
It has faught a bitter war with China in 1962.Even today the relations are not what they should be . It has faught 4 major wars with Pakista, in which it won  decisive victorien in 1971 Bangladesh war and 1999 Kargil War . Pakistan is bent on promoting insurgency in J & K and sends terrorist groups to create chaos in our country . Nepal , Bhutan , Bangladesh  and Maynmar do not have evil intentions but are being used as training grounds by insurgency groups to train their cadre .This forces us to have constant vigil on all fronts.Drains our resources and lives .

 Let us Only compare the lengths of Land borders and the length of the coast line of  Quater , Egypt and India.

Quatar : 
Land Border = 60 Kms.
Coast Line = 560 Kms
 Total Length to be defended : 620 .
No of Rafale orderd : 24 .
Other Combat aircraft , Mirage 2000 : 9 , Alpha Jet : 6 . Total Combat ac : 39 .
Availability of Rafale ac per Km of border = 24 / 620 = 0.0387096, say 0.04 Rafale ac per km of border .
Availability of front line combat ac / KM = 36/620 =0.0580645 , Say 0.06 ac per Km of border .
Egypt 
Land Border = total: 2,612 km 
Coast Line = 2900  Kms  
Total Length to be defended : 5512 KMs. 
No of Rafale orderd :  Delivered : 3 , on order : 24 +.Option of additional  12 . Eventul total 36.
Other Combat aircraft ,  F-16 : 220 , Mirage 2000 : 18 ,Mig 21 & Chengdu : 113., Mirage V: 82 , Alpha Jet : 14
Total Combat ac : 436
Availability of Rafale ac per Kms of border = 36 / 5512 = 0.0065312046444122 say 0.0070 Rafale ac per Km of border .
Availability of front line combat ac /Km = 436/5512=0.079100145137881 , Say 0.08 ac per Km of border .

India . 
Land Border = total:15,200 km 
Coast Line = 7500 Kms  
Total Length to be defended :22,700Kms. 
No of Rafal orderd :  36 . Presently NIL .
Other Combat aircraft ,  606 . Air Superiority 408 ( 36 Trainers) + 291(33 Trainers)
Total Combat ac after : 606.
Availability of Rafale ac per Km of border = 36 / 22700 = 0.0015859030837004 say 0.0016 Rafale ac per km of border .
Availability of front line combat ac / Km = 606/22700 = 0.0266960352422907 , Say 0.03 ac per Km of border .

This would mean that if  India is to maintain availability of Rafale acircraft per Km of our border
as that of Quatar and / or  , Egypt India needs to place orders for Rafale ac as given below
Same as of Quatar : 908 Rafale ac .
Same as of Egypt  : 158.9 Say 159 Rafale ac .

Any one who says if Quater and Egypt can be satisfied with 36 Rafale ac why Indian AF needs more Rafale then them , must be stupidest man alive . No wonder the MOD Official wanted to maintain his anonymity . I am not giving the number of combat squadrons on the inventory of China , US of A , Russia and even pakistan , that would make MOD officials look even more stupider then they are .

It is the sadest and most tragic state of affairs , when the well thought out , considered essential operational requiments are projected by the heighest professional of the country , Viz , Chief Of Air , Staff , A babu from MOD , who can not defferentiate between aircraft air intake and aircraft engine exhaust , not only questios but more often than not overrules the needs projected by the Air Force & Defence Forces .

It is an open secret that generally products of Public Sector Undertakings are not only of poor quality. Often do not meet the requirements of their customers in numbers and time frame . Neither do thay meet the specifications of the Defence . Just because thay are Public Sector Undertakings their products are shoved down the throats of the Defence Forces. As has happend with Tejas in case of Airforce and Vaijayanta & MBT in case of Army .
Historically to use aircraft as a weapon started in first world when the observers in their bi-planes shot at enemy from revolvers and later with rifles . They inovated further by carying couple of 25 lbs bombe in their lap and dropped them on enemy . They should prove the cheapest option . If cheapness is the only criterian for aircraft purchase I am sure Babus from MOD will recommend WW I biplanes instead of Rafale or even Tejas ,

Things have come to such a pass that I am reminded of pre 1962 era when Krishna Menon as DM asked Ordinance Factories to start production of pressure cookers and other kitchen utensils . Desastrous consiquences of 1962 are well known to all .
It is said that wisemen learn from history. However the way Babus from MOD have systemetically undermined the Defence forces and continue doing it . It is very clear that neither the Babus nor the Political leadership has learned their lessons from history ,

The forces will never let the country down . They will fight the enemy with all the valour & courage and no hesitation to lay down their lives with whatever equipment the Government chooses to equip them with . It must be clearly understood that consequences of such a situation will spell disaster for the Country .