MY latest offering to Editor The Hitavada.
Sir,
Couple of news items in recent past have caused great concern in those in the Defence Forces, out of it and who think well about the Defence Forces,National security and sovereignty.
To state the obvious,Defence Forces are meant to guard against enemy aggression to defend National borders and protect the sovereignty.
To successfully attains its goals Defence Forces,hroughout their service life, have to undergo rigorous training in all types of terrain, weather,over Land,Sea or in the Air,t.This is 24 into 7 job 12 months a year,whether there is war or no war.
After 1971 and limited action in 1999 Kargil war Indian Defence Forces have fought no war after those momentous events. Even in 1999 Kargil War only very limited personnel and units of the Army and the IAF took part.Navy was and remaining forces were only standing by.
It has now been 18 years that most of those serving in the Defence Forces today have NEFER fought in any war Those who did not take part in 19999 have even retired without fighting in any war.The very "reason de arte" for which the Defence Forces are created .
Rigorous Training in all types of terrain, weather,over land,sea or in the air,throughout their service life.This is 24 into 7 job 12 months a year,through out their life in df.Never ever stopped. Should never stop. All well meaning people know in the interest of the Nation and Defence Forces it should NEVEVR stop. Ill trained troops are invitation to disaster.
Prior to 1962 DF Minister Krishna Maenon ordered the Army personnel to build military residential quarters.The training of the troops suffered, as instead of training for war, they were building houses.National tragedy of 1962 war is now history. It is sain one must learn from History.Unfortunately those in power do not seem to have iearned.
Defence Forces are now being asked to :
clean the garbage,recent orders to follow "swatch Bharet Programme ; and
Build railway over bridges.
Please PONDER .
PM Velankar.
