The Indian army had launched their flagship civilian outreach program, Operation Sadbhavna in the valley in 1998. The objective of the military’s civic action initiative was to give Kashmir a healing touch, eradicating insurgency by winning the hearts and minds of the local population. Sadbhavna, since the inception of Sdbhavna over two decades ago, The Indian army has launched several successful civilian aid programs. Thes military outreach initiatives have done their best to counter venomous insurgent propaganda. To change public perception about the military being an occupying force. Lastly and perhaps most importantly make the lives of civilians simpler in a militancy prone environment.
A soldier from the Rashtriya Rifles distributing books to children as part of the army’s Operation School Chalo in 2016
Here is a glimpse of some of the army’s aid programs in the valley in the past two years
Army’s Super 30 gets Kashmiri youth into IIT’s
Inauguration of the Super 30 initiative
Indian Army started their second batch of Super-30, an initiative to provide free coaching to youths.”It is an Indian Army, NEIDO and HPCL initiative, an initiative to provide them with the chance to hone their skills,” says Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon. Students appearing for medical entrance exams like MBBS, AIIMS and NEET will get an opportunity to study in this educational centre. Under this initiative, the students will get coaching and guidance for a period of twelve months for entrance examinations of various Medical Colleges spread across India.
Kashmiri students studying under the Super 30 program
Mission Reachout
Indian army doctor checking an elderly lady’s blood pressure
The Indian army spearheaded several relief activities following the historic repeal of article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Indian soldiers were hard at work to establish communication centres in J&K amidst a massive communication blockade by the centre. The communication centres set up by the army eased communication gaps between the local Kashmiri’s and their friends and families in the mainland during such one of contemporary India’s most challenging decisions. Indian soldiers further assisted the locals by providing essential medical services and other necessities.
Army officer promoting a culture of education in the valley
The Army launched a medical camp in the memory of a martyr
Earlier this year, the army held a multi-speciality medical camp in memory of Naib Subedar Chinni Lal, an army soldier who laid down his life in the line of duty in J&K. Twenty doctors and six multi specialists for the Army Medical Corps (MC) and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, provided medical aid to 3,000 Kashmiri locals from the Doda district.
A doctor from the Army Medical Corps providing aid to an elderly Kashmiri man
“We are grateful to the Indian army for organising such a camp for us here, and we hope the force will continue the noble deed of helping the poor and needy is such far-flung districts such as Doda, where there is gross shortage of medical facilities,” says Mohammed Akbar Gujjar, a resident of the Dooru-Sartingal village.
Army distributed books and sports equipment to militancy affected orphans
Army fostering an environment of sports
The Indian army distributed books and sports equipment to the Amphalla orphanage. The children were orphaned as a result of militant violence in the valley.
Locals receiving cash prize for performance in army organised cross country race
Civic infrastructure and sanitation
Indian army’s commitment to women empowerment
Under operation Sadbhavna the army had recently conducted bricklaying around a local pond in the Rajpura Kaular village, they even constructed a community hall adjacent to the lake. The military has also built several bathrooms for women in remote areas keeping in mind female hygiene. In an effort to promote sports to channelise energy amongst the youth in the valley, the civic action projects have also aimed at creating world-class sporting facilities. Most recently the Indian army inaugurated a basketball court and the Government Highschool in Madana, located at the border area of the Poonch district.
The army organised the North Kashmir Kickboxing championship to help the youth channelise aggression constructively.Indian soldiers rescuing a young Kashmiri girl during the 2017 Kashmir floods
A helping hand
The Indian army, apart from its regular counter-insurgency functions, has strived to do their part in making a positive change in the lives of the people who are caught in between the crossfire. Today countless youngsters from the valley are eminent jurists, engineers, doctors, civil servants in part due to the educational and skill development programs organised by the fighting force. The army has always been there for the people of Kashmir, be it in a natural disaster and routine life.
As of 2018, over 1,200 cadets of the premier tri-services college, the National defence academy have quit, in the middle of their three-year training curriculum in the past ten years. The average washout rate of cadets is at an alarming 16 to 20 per cent of the overall course intake. Both former cadets and several alumni of the elite military institution have cited ragda (a concept which some of those interviewed for this article have constituted to ragging), corporal punishment and unsanctioned training practices. Other key reasons for such a staggering drop out rate have been a lack of physical fitness on the part of cadets, being boarded out on medical grounds, indiscipline, homesickness and, on certain instances realising that the reality of serving in the forces is not the same as they had envisioned.
Ragda, being a key factor for the staggeringly high dropout rate, has been hotly debated amongst Ex-NDA’s
NDA cadets after a ragda session in the middle of the night
The verdict on whether such use of punishment is justified has been hotly debated within military circles and among ex-NDA’s themselves. In a report by outlook magazine, retired Colonel PK Royal Mehrishi, an NDA alumnus, told the Asia Times that the fifth and sixth term cadets ordered the first and second term cadets to roll down the staircase of three-story buildings, vault over wooden horses, do backflips, handsprings among a host of other activities without the supervision of a qualified instructor. The report quoted the retired Colonel saying that “Senior cadets believe they’re toughening them for war or better performance in the hard-fought inter squadron competitions.”
This belief has been echoed by several service personnel who have reached great heights in their military careers. Distinguished officers with exceptional operational records have sworn by these methods, despite being on the receiving end of ragda themselves. Defence services officers have over the years have provided compelling arguments justifying the military necessity of such informal punishments. According to a retired army officer who does not wish to be identified, “The Army wants to make you tough, more mentally than physically. Ragda is there to make you know your physical and mental limits and then cross the same.” The operative phrase in training is “Jitna ragda utna tagda!” meaning “the harder the punishment the tougher you get!”
“Jitna ragda utna tagda” But what is ragda?
‘Ragda’ the according to a Quora post by Kiran Raul, who is a battle-hardened infantry officer, has described ragda with a pinch of crude humour, writing, “Ragda in a physical sense or practical sense means you are going to spend the next few hours, depending on the severity of your misdemeanour, or outrage felt by the executor of the ragda, is doing a lot of funny but painful or tiring actions, including but not limited to rolling with or without a shirt on your back, on surfaces ranging from a cement floor, gravel to hot tarmac.”
Pushups till fatigue
He goes on further describing ragda as “A lot of push-ups, carrying around your heaviest coursemate on your shoulders, running a lot under the hot sun, drinking a lot of water until you puke, if you don’t puke easily, a front roll and a back roll will help speed that up.”
front rolling is also known as Gulati in the academy
The retired infantry officer goes on to split the anatomy of the vaguely defined military training terminology, writing “crawling on gravel roads and any other hard surface that hurt, standing for a long time carrying weights, pouring buckets of water on your head on a cold winter night.” The aforementioned he explains is only the “tip of the iceberg,” Raul writes rather humorously.
Cadet channelising his aggression on the training dummy
“The procedures are only limited by the imagination.” From green chillies being fed to cadets found sleeping in class to backbreaking exercise after which you will be unable to sleep, everything that is not a part of the formal training curriculum is included in ragda. Raul further writes in his post that “Some innovative, enterprising and sincere candidates have honed ragda into an art form!”
creative punishments are designed by the senior term cadets
Many Ex-Servicemen have stood by the effectiveness of ragda, in forging a cadet into a warrior
The officer in question and a dozen other officers who were interviewed for the background of this article have staunchly advocated the effectiveness of ragda, and now fondly recollect their own experiences. These officers maintain that soldiering is not an ordinary job and there is no civilian equivalent. Soldiers are required to operate in some of the most barbaric, amoral and geographically austere environments in the country. These deployments often involve serving in sub-zero temperatures or in the scorching hot deserts of Rajasthan.
Soldiers serving in the freezing landscape of Siachen
Indian army sniper taking part in a desert exercise
The punishing geography coupled with the thought of ones own mortality is enough to break the will of even the most resilient men and women. Ragda ensures that only the toughest make through the ranks. If they cannot hack it, they certainly will not survive combat. Even many cadets share the same belief, with one cadet who does not wish to be identified saying “Ragda gives you spontaneous pain, but the ustaads are preparing you for a bright future, where you can face the enemy!”
However not all advocate it, the practice has faced stiff opposition
A still from general Panag’s interview with Newslaundry
Lieutenant General Harcharanjit Panag (PVSM, AVSM) who has served as the General officer commanding-in-Chief of both the Indian Army’s Northern Command and Central Command, has strongly opposed the practice in an opinion piece published for The Print. In the article, he wrote, “The defence academy is in desperate need for reforms. The issue is relative as in matters of leadership, good is not good enough!” The general in an explosive comment declared that “The executive, administration and instructional staff in the NDA are selected from the armed forces on the basis of a flawed and inflated approval system, instead of their aptitude. The first available and not the best.” General Panag highlights that “there is a tendency among the young officer instructors, themselves groomed by the flawed leadership development at the NDA, to replicate their own experience with respect to their cadets.” The flag officer elaborates that “This not only condones and encourages the unethical ragging and illegal punishments but also scuttles reforms attempted by the system.”
Maharaja position is used as a disciplinary measure during training
The general is of the opinion that there is a colonial mindset, not fit for 21st-century warfare. “The leadership development programme is inspired by the outdated traditional military culture of breaking the will through subjugation to ensure discipline, uniformity and adherence,” says General Panag The general further explains that “A large part of this is done in barracks by senior cadets who are products of the same flawed system.” The methods employed according to General Panag are unjust and illegal “Bullying and illegal ways of punishment and other forms of punishments amounting to physical abuse are rampant, junior officer instructors become complicit in upholding the flawed tradition.” He goes on to explain his understanding of the NDA culture saying the “ends justify the means” further stating “survival of the fittest” beg, borrow steal” “never volunteer” and “never snitch” is a deeply entrenched part of barrack culture. “Individual Creativity and initiative are considered taboo!”
BSF trainees holding the Maharaja position in the mud (Representational image)
The former Army Commander recommends that “The NDA should be producing creative leaders, driven by military ideals, but ends up producing ‘adherent under supervision leaders’ whose NDA traits remain latent and come to the fore when they get higher independent commands.”
Special Forces men post-operation
General Panag’s published remarks on the premier military institution were met with both support and harsh criticism from ex-NDAs, with retired Special Forces Major and Sena Medal awardee Siddarth Chatterjee supporting the general’s views saying, “My father is an ex-National Defence Academy, I am a proud alumnus of NDA and I entirely agree with General Panag’s views.” The special forces officer further states “outdated courses to rampant ragging, the NDA does need urgent help.” he adds to what General Panag said in great detail saying “I have experienced first hand the soul-destroying, humiliating and mental torture in the NDA.” he strongly maintains that “Nothing can justify this form of ragging and many carry life long mental trauma.” Like General Panag, the special forces major too highlights the institutionalised nature of the problem saying “Many squadron commanders and divisional officers encouraged this practice.” “The pass it on syndrome!” he calls it.
Cadets practising routine drills
Speaking on the foundation of faulty leadership the ex-commando says “The NDA robs an individual of initiatives and creativity. It epitomises the Armed Forces as it persists in the prevalence of authoritative type, fawning to superiors and often harsh and uncaring to juniors.” he concludes with the statement that “The NDA is no exception and out of touch with modern-day trends.”
Cadets starting with firearms training
However not all agree with the above viewpoints, and many servicemen have condemned General Panag’s remarks about the institution. Karamjeet (Name changed for an undisclosed reason) an ex-serviceman, countered the general’s remark about barrack culture saying, “If someone has been found to be doing something wrong, the system takes action. People are punished or counselled.” he adds that “The NDA teaches courage, some gems from my course and many other courses have been martyred doing their duty, the way various academy’s taught.” He asked the general to compare the members of the services taking part in such nefarious practices to the ratio of those doing an honest day’s work. Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Gupta says, “Only the brave, determined and war-hardened survive, as per the law of survival of the fittest.” The retired Lt.Col goes on to defend the academy saying, “The NDA is meant to produce such fauladi leaders and not sissies! People who will brave it out in any circumstance and yet lead men into the extremest dangers knowing fully about the consequences.”
Ex-NDA’s have fought gallantly in every major conflict fought by India
A lot of service members were critical of the General for not pushing reforms, during his 40 years in uniform and, have questioned why he is writing such articles once he is out of uniform.
A Cradle Of Military Leadership!
Future military leaders
Despite the increasing drop out rate of NDA cadets and long-standing debates of large-scale reforms in the tri-services institution, its training curriculum, civilian staff and unofficial practices. One thing beyond debate is the fact that the National Defence Academy has given the country some of its finest military leaders, living up to its reputation as a cradle of military leadership.
In image a uniformed guy in front whose face wasn’t
shown was carrying an AK-47 in his hand, there were 3 women in background who
were working in a field.
Wrote a story about young Lt carrying out ci/ct ops in
valley after getting inputs from local villagers. Total time was 5 min (1min to
write details+ 4min story)
Note-
Observe image clearly (head count,
sex, mood)
Listen to small details while briefing.
Make reasonable assumptions if
picture is too hazy.
Avoid using direct adjectives (brave, smart)
action part of story will cover that.
Practice writing at home for better
speed and accuracy.
Don’t force a positive story on a
obvious serious image.
No wishful thinking (became engineer,
got posted in his village and made bridge overnight.
Discussion-
Stared with individual narration, finished within
40sec. It was one of the worst fish markets I have seen and that too in April’s
Allahabad heat, everyone was drenched. Group of 22 were made. The group was
divided into half, while one discussed other was quite. Spoke 3-4 times in
discussion was able to help group decide theme and no. of characters after a
minute discussion was called off and we were told to wait for results.
28 got screened in.
Note-
Stay calm during discussion.
Be precise in your argument and
avoid cliché statements.
We were given 11 set of images, made story within time
limit (4min/each), each image was shown for 30sec. 12 was blank wrote that.
Rules for writing were same as that of ppdt except mentioning no. of
characters, sex etc.
60 set of situations were given and time given was
30min. Did 36/60
Note-
Don’t write mugged up responses.
Write exact response which u would
have done in that situation.
Practice is required for attempting
more.
Don’t write anything for sake of
achieving 60/60.
Self Description-
There were 5 sections to be written what parents,
teachers/employer (for working candidate), friends think about u and what kind of person u wanna be. Total time
was 15 min.
Note-
Take honest opinion of parents,
teacher, friends etc.
Be specific and don’t write in
points and listing all adjectives.
Prepare in advance, practice if
writing speed is slow.
After that our documents were verified. We were told
about interviews schedules, I was allotted day 3(next day).
Interview
People who didn’t had interviews went out, I was
sleeping in barracks at 5pm duty NCO came and told me to get ready for
interview as there was still time for one more candidate( I thought I should
have gone out too 😉 ). President Sir was going to take my interview(
nervousness shot up) with still half slept mind. After 15min I was called in.
Entered the room, to my surprise sir were really cool.
I/o- “So Ashish, guess u r not so lucky today.”
Me- “Why sir ?”
I/o- “I woke u up from sweet dream”.
Me- “Not a problem sir, I’ll sleep early today”.
*both smiling*
After 15 min of informal chit chat interview
‘started’.
I/o- “So u do cycling good, what is angle of attack?”
I was taken back for a moment, as I was in Air Ncc
this was expected I gave all the answer regarding aircraft and fathers unit.
Then interview was shifted to personal life questions
took a lot of time there were multiple rapid fires with 8-9 question that too
numeral times. Then came time when we shifted to high gear for last 15min.
I/o- “why monkey doesn’t gets shock while walking on
wire?”
Me- told
I/o- what is earthing? (my branch is electronics so
expected).
Me- told
Then a series of questions I couldn’t answer- Asian
games and other sports related questions. Then I gave my reason for same. Then
he asked me to give topics.
I/o- ok what all u have prepared.
Me- international affairs
i/o asked about following Iran nuclear deal, Israel
issue, Russia Ukraine crisis, Kashmir problem solutions, Venezuela.
Me- Answered all in details, i/o was little satisfied.
I/o-Explain Bernoulli’s theorem.
Me- Told
I/o- are u sure?
Me- yes sir
i/o- You are wrong.
Then our conversation went for 5min and got heated up so was I, at 6:30pm in a ac room I was sweating. I never had such interview in past I was sure I’m not gonna make it this time too and I tried to respond in calm manner (which actually helped). After it was over I came out disappointed and actually checked for ticket back home 😉
Notes-
Prepare current affairs and other
topic mentioned in PIQ.
Stay calm even if it is not going
well(remember they don’t hate u 😉
Be honest about your details such
as exams and attempts.
Never lie, it’s never smooth down
that road.
Don’t mug up just before interview
just relax in waiting area.
I tried to forget about interview and carried out gto
without any hesitation or nervousness. After briefing we started.
Group Discussion
Group of 9 were made, my group was really calm as
compared to others and we heard more noise from other groups. Both topic were
general and everyone spoke well I was surprised with level of coordination that
to in a group of repeaters. My confidence shot up thinking I can cover up with
gto. Topic was reason for poor education system in India and 3 sub points. We
voted for topic in 1st gd and everyone agreed. I spoke abt 4-5 times
each and gave reasonable points and examples with statistics and group agreed.
Notes-
Read current affairs issue, editorials to
widen horizon.
Stay calm all the time let other
speak too.
Don’t start unnecessary arguments.
Avoid repeating what somebody else
told.
We get limited chances so don’t
waste with “gto sir has given very good topic”.
A sheet was given with details of various tasks to be
executed simultaneously. We wrote the plan individually in 10min and then
discussed the solution. There were multiple ideas and corrections in plan then
I was nominated to give group solution.
Notes-
Stay calm during discussion and
listen to others point.
Give logical and doable plan.
Don’t give personal story in conclusion.
Group Obstacle Race (GOR)-
All 3 groups were briefed about various obstacles,
each team was told to decide a war cry. After successfully doing all obstacles
we were able to solve all the obstacles with few penalties, but our team won
and made sure other teams know that.
Progressive Group Task (PGT)-
Our team was briefed about the entire obstacle we have
to solve and told about various rules while going through obstacles like rules
of color, rigidity and physical force. We were stuck at few places but with
help of others we got through. We completed 3/4 set of obstacles. There was
confusion at last obstacle as people ran out of ideas and got impatient.
Notes-
Stay calm all the time don’t argue.
First think then give ideas and
help others.
Avoid breaking rules and keep
others in check too, do
Whatever penalties are instructed
if rule is broken.
Each candidate was to speak on any 1 of 4 given topics
of varying difficulties. Time for preparation was 3 min and we have to speak
for 3 min. There was a warning bell at 2:30 and again 3:00. Everyone spoke
well. My topic was Middle East Crisis.
Notes-
Organize your thoughts properly before starting intro, body and conclusion.
Maintain a good body posture, be loud and clear.
Try to finish within time limit.
Topics are general in nature and list is available at ssbcrack.com prepare in advance.
Practice public speaking at school/college if u feel the need.
Half group Task (HGT)-
We were divided in two teams and were told to solve
similar set of obstacle as that in PGT. Group did well and we were able to
solve it quickly.
Day 3 ended and we went out to explore the city.
Day 4 (GTO-2)
Individual Obstacle-
A set of 10 obstacles were there which to be done
within 3 min and you can repeat if all are covered. We were given about 30 sec
to observe obstacles. I did 12, as it was NCC batch so everyone managed to do 9
or more.
Notes-
Make a clear plan on how u will
execute it.
If u get stuck for long time move
to other and come back later.
Avoid red color on obstacle and
running on commando walk.
Command Task-
We all were briefed, GTO would call us one by one and
we will call 2 subordinates of our choice. I was called 6 times as subordinate.
During my time I was given task of moderate difficulty and was able solve all,
the GTO increased difficulty by reducing helping material.
Notes-
Don’t give hints as subordinate
until asked.
Make full use of resources, avoid
manual force.
Stay calm during entire process.
Final Group Task-
Instructions were same as that of PGT but only few
obstacles were there. We were able to solve all of them quickly, after the task
we were debriefed.
// End of day 4, went out that day //
DAY 5 (D-Day)
The atmosphere was tense but we were happy and made a lot of new friends. We were lined up for conference; I waited a bit longer about 5 min. As soon as I entered I greeted the President.
President – “ So, ashish u are smiling u think u did
good this time ?”
Me- “Yes Sir” //nervous tone due to flashbacks of PI//
President- “Tell me 4 diff things u learned from here
?”
Me- Did // was told to leave//
After waiting Pysc came for results with no folder of
paper //suspected washout//. He gave valuable advise then gave results my CH no
was called and then another we both shook hands and then everyone came to
congratulate then I felt light headed as I realized I finally got recommended.
I cleared my medicals and got AIR-40 in NCC (army) and
AIR-1 in SSCT53.
I’m joining OTA in October.
Keep going, u never know when will
be your lucky day, even if u didn’t u wont regret that u missed your chance.
Go prepared every time learn from
previous mistakes; try learning something new every day. Don’t increase your
attempts unnecessarily.
For first timers this is your best
shot, don’t go casually.
For all hardcore repeaters just
remember why you started.
Speaking about the friendly fire incident which resulted in the accidental downing of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter, resulting in the loss of lives of six IAF personnel and one civilian. The newly appointed Air force Chief Air Marshall RKS Bhadauria has said it was a “Big mistake on our part. We accept it.” The airforce’s top officer has stated that a court of inquiry had completed its sitting last week. “Our missile had hit the helicopter, this has been established. Administrative action and disciplinary action is being taken.”
IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria speaking to ANI about the Mi-17 helicopter crash
The friendly fire incident took place at around the same time Indian and Pakistani fighter jets were engaged in aerial combat along the Line of Control, following the events of Operation Bandar ie The Balakot Airstrikes.
The Government of India has made a landmark proposal, to allow civilians to visit the Highly strategic Siachen Glacier. The Glacier at 22,000 feet is the worlds highest battlefield and is manned by highly motivated soldiers and officers of the Indian Army. These soldiers serve in some of the most austere conditions known to man, at a great personal cost. With citizens likely to be allowed to visit the icy frontiers, here are five things about the Inhospitable Siachen Glacier you probably did not know about.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/BycSRQVAJ1o/
1.) Only Thing Preventing A Joint Pakistani-Chinese Military Offensive
Pakistani flag patch on a soldiers arm.
The barren icy landscape of the Siachen Glacier serves as one of the countries most geostrategic locations. The 22,000 feet high geographical monstrosity is the only thing keeping the Pakistani Army from linking up with the Chinese military to launch a combined offensive.
2.) Siachen is Guarded Daily On An Astronomical Cost!
Logistics is a risky and very costly affair at Siachen
The cost to secure the Siachen Glacier is monumental! An estimated five to seven crore rupees goes to sustain the daily operations and logistics at Siachen. The significance of maintaining the supremacy over Siachen justifies the significant financial toll it takes.
3.) Hellish Serving Conditions
Every day is a personal war (Picture Courtesy Praveen Khanna)
Soldiers deployed at the Glacier serve on a three-month rotation, meaning after the completion of 90 days a new unit takes over. Before a solider or young officer is deployed the icy frontier, they are made to undergo rigorous training at the famed High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Jammu and Kashmir. However, no amount of training can prepare a soldier for the brutal condition in which the men and officers have to serve. Soldiers are often required to march a distance of 128 kilometres in around 28 days to reach some of the most remote military outposts of the Indian Army. Covering such punishing distances in an environment where oxygen is scarce and risk to the cardiovascular and respiratory system is high makes the job a nightmare.
4.) Mother Nature Is The Most Ruthless Killer
The mortal remains of soldiers who lost their lives at the Siachen Glacier
For the soldiers manning the countries icy frontiers, survival is a daily battle. More than 1,000 Indian soldiers have breathed their last on the remote glacier, out of whom only 200 soldiers lost their lives in a military engagement. A bulk of the casualties on both the Indian and Pakistani side were the result of harsh weather conditions, sometimes the circumstances of the deaths, mean that the mortal remains of the soldiers are not found or are not recoverable. Such a situation takes a massive psychological toll on the soldiers deployed there. Pulmonary oedema, acute mountain sickness, suicide in rare cases is also a result of loneliness and the barren landscape. Death, however, is not the only challenge the environment poses; soldiers are known to suffer from frostbite, which often turns into gangrene and requires immediate amputation. According to a retired army major who served in Siachen, soldiers at times have torn layers of their own skin while taking off their boots, at times stripping flesh to the point of exposing bone!
Cheetah Helicopter pilot making an emergency landing for casualty evacuation
5.) India Currently Maintains The Military Initiative
Practising Rappeling at HAWS for operations in Siachen
India maintains the strategic initiative, with Indian Army having entrenched itself in superior positions. The Pakistani Army positions in the Siachen Glacier remains around 2,000 feet below the Indian army’s posts.
Soldiers patrolling the barren glacier
Siachen is an unforgiving glacier, that is manned tirelessly by soldiers of the Indian Army, at great personal cost. The weight of the geostrategic location is also felt by the honest taxpayer whose hard-earned money goes into the smooth operation of life at those heights. The natural boundary serves as a testament to a soldiers commitment to duty and superhuman resolve.
It has been widely reported that the Indian Airforce is facing a massive shortage of squadrons. With the IAF operating a squadron strength of only 32 over its sanctioned size of 44 squadrons. Many have raised concerns over such criminal neglect. However, for most of those who are not attuned to military issues and terminology, the question has been, what is a squadron? This article will answer just that! A squadron is a military unit, which in the case of a flying squadron, comprises of a fixed number of aircraft, pilots, ground staff, maintenance specialists. A squadron has often been designated a type of aircraft. So, for instance, a MiG-21 squadron will comprise only of MiG’s and pilots along with support staff who have been specially trained on that particular platform. Squadrons are not limited to flying units, but also includes air defence and engineering units.
Jets flying in formation
The IAF fighter squadrons typically have 18 operationally deployed aircraft, with three crafts kept as a reserve.
IAF transport aircraft Golden Arrows Squadron Who Will Fly The Rafales Fighters
Facts: No. 1 Squadron (The Tigers), the oldest squadron of the Indian Air Force operates as a multirole (air superiority and electronic warfare) unit. Part of 40 Wing of the Indian Air Force under Central Air Command, it is based at Maharajpur in Gwalior.
Captain Akhilesh Saxena is not one to be chained to his desk. Now, Vice President of Tata Communications and founder of the motivational speaking platform ‘Inspiring Mantra’s’ had two decades ago, led a team of Rajputana Rifles to capture the ‘Three Pimple’ peak, in one of the Indian Army’s most pivotal missions during the Kargil operations. The capture of Tololing, led by Captain Saxena and other military legends, such as Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Vijayant Thapar. (Both of whom he has served with) The actions of these young officers, who are now household names, changed the face of the Kargil war. Severely wounded in Kargil, Captain Saxena started his second inning corporate, after being awarded a Gold medal from FMA.
Captain Saxena and Mrs Shikha Saxena paying their respects to the martyrs of Operation VijayBeing awarded at the Aegis Graham Bell AwardsCaptain Saxena being awarded for excellence in Corporate
Despite being a senior corporate professional, Captain Saxena has always gone out his way, to motivate the youth. Imparting some of the most critical leadership lessons he learned from the battlefield. To do so, he along with his wife Mrs Sikha Saxena started a popular Motivational Talks forum for youngsters named ‘Inspiring Mantras’. The Saxena’s have been invited as chief guests at the Kargil celebrations, National Cadet Corps programs and have been called in as keynote speakers, during many educational, management and media events. It is through these events that they have strived to inspire the youth to keep national interests in mind.
Two decades after Kargil the Army officer has still ready to lock and loadMrs Saxena firing an INSAS rifle during Kargil celebrationsThe military couple inspiring young NCC cadets to be patriotic citizensThe hardcore military man still kills the miles!
Two Decades Since Kargil, The Adventure is Still On!
Before the dangerous extreme sporting event
Recently the inspiring ‘Fauji’ couple embarked on a risky adventure! They successfully attempted the dangerous ‘couple jump’ at Victoria Falls. This extreme sporting activity, notorious for its grave risk, takes place at the scenic Victoria Falls, located between the Zimbabwe and Zambia border. These falls are home to several adrenaline-pumping adventure activities, most notably, the couples bungee jump. The Couples Jump attempted by Captain Saxena and his wife, is said to be one of the most challenging bungee events in the world.
Glimpses From The Jump Of A Lifetime!
Four seconds of high risk and adrenaline!The jump requires pinpoint coordination between the two jumpersTrust is crucial!
Captain Saxena has once again gone on to show that you can’t take the soldier out of an ex-serviceman, no matter their occupational profile.
Revisiting the battlegrounds in which he fiercely fought two decades ago
Hello friends, I’m Yogendra Singh Rathore and Will be joining Indian army through SSC tech September course. It’s been a long journey to reach here as I appeared in my first attempt at 14 SSB Allahabad for NDA 134 in Feb 2015 and got conference out. As being a Sainik School cadet this was most disheartening because a Sainik School cadet dreams of it from the sixth standard when most kids don’t even know the full form of SSB. But this was not ending, my this failure was the most crucial part of my success. I again appeared in my next and last NDA attempt as I got 3 attempts and wasn’t able to clear my written in the first one. This time again I cleared my written and continued my SSB preparations. One thing I learned from my previous SSB attempt is that it’s all about self-introspection as how well one knows about oneself. So I wrote about all my achievements, failures, about friends, family and my environment in a diary as both interview and psych must be related to one’s environment and that’s why 2 PIQ forms are given to us after getting screened in. And for GTO as GD and lecturette, I regularly followed SSBCrack for all updates on current affairs and other information, moreover, I also took guidance from col. Dagar’s KC academy before appearing in SSB.
Again I reported at 19SSB Allahabad but this time with best of my preparations. There around 85 reported and 34 got screen in and finally, 6 were recommended and I was chest no. 11 and this time I had made it. Then it came medicals and unfortunately I got medically unfit in my last attempt of NDA. It was again very disheartening because for a Sainik School cadet NDA is everything, though it was a successful failure for me. Then I continued my engineering degree, meanwhile also focused on my SSB preps and waited for my next attempts through graduation entries and first appeared in the direct entries through TGC and SSC tech but got S/O both times. This phase of life was really testing my patience and determination as after getting recommended once, it was very sad to get screened out as I had not expected it. But being a dedicated aspirant I prepared more as the level of graduation entry SSB is difficult than NDA. So after getting s/o twice, I appeared for my AFCAT entry for January 2019 course with 184 others at 4AFSB.
There 66 were screen in and finally, 3 were recommended and hopefully I had been recommended again after 15 minutes of a wait before the conference and several questions inside the conference hall by IO about my academic and sports achievements. This recommendation was a confidence booster for me, although I got merit out in this attempt, as in AFCAT entry getting merit in is always uncertain. Again I appeared for Jan 2020 course at 4AFSB and out 172 reported 2 were recommended and I was recommended for the third time. Then in June this year, I appeared for my SSC tech entry for which I was not even willing to fill up the form as in the direct entries it’s very difficult to get screen in. But listening to my friend’s advice I filled the form and appeared at 17 SSB Bangalore. There it was a crowd of 324 candidates and out of these 18 were such who had been previously recommended. So it was a very tough competition for clearing stage one, somewhat similar to getting recommended ?, this time, fortunately, got screened in as total 40 candidates were taken for stage 2, this time again everything was similar and I performed well with the experience of my 3 previous recommendations. Now all post recommendation formalities are done and I will be joining OTA Chennai on 28th September through SSC tech 53 and my afcat merit awaited.
For me, this success credit goes to my parents who have sacrificed their comforts for making my life, my friends and most importantly my Alma mater i.e. Sainik School Chittorgarh for providing me such a conducive environment for the overall development of my personality, which is very must for becoming a defence forces officer.
So finally I would say SSB is all about confidence and it is proportional to the preparations One has made. Moreover, it’s not a one day or one-month thing, it’s result of our cumulative efforts as what one has been doing in his life? How well one has made decisions in one’s life keeping in mind his abilities and future goals?
Unless you have been living under a rock, it is safe to assume that you have heard about at least some of the western three-letter spy agencies, such as the CIA, NSA, MI6 or even the Israeli Mossad. However, have you ever heard anything about any of Beijing’s intelligence outfits? Probably not!
A little Chinese Spook History!
“Spies are the most important in war because on them depends an army’s ability to move” Sun Tzu
Intelligence is said to be the second oldest profession, with the Chinese having perfected it into an art form. Espionage has been a crucial part of China’s overall Statecraft, as is evident by 6th-century general Sun Tzu’s quote. Every single Chinese empire extensively employed the services of spies.
Modern Day Chinese Spycraft!
The Chinese are believed to have one of the most sophisticated cyber-spying operations
The origin of the 21st Century Chinese intelligence apparatus has been around for only three decades. Their espionage outfits like any superpower are broadly divided into three segments.
Internal Intelligence
External Intelligence
Military Intelligence
Some Of Beijing’s Three-letter Agencies, That We Know Of…
Military Intelligence Department
General Staff Department (2PLA)
Third Department of the Peoples Liberation Army (3PLA)
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Joint Staff Department
Strategic Support Force
According to an article on Chinese Human Intelligence, written by retired Indian Air Force officer, Squadron Leader Vidula Abhyanakar,
The First Bureau of the Military Intelligence Department is responsible for gathering HUMINT overseas and focuses the activities of countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. The MID has also been known to sponsor domestic insurgencies in Afghanistan and Thailand”
The Who and How of Recruitment
China has recruited students to carry out espionage premier academic institutions
The Chinese have adopted some uniquely original HUMINT tactics, and trust only ethnic Hans Chinese. Their reasoning for the utilisation of ethnic Chinese as human agents is they are patriotic and proud of their national identity. Some of the most prevalent methods of intelligence gathering as analysed by Squadron Leader Abhynkar are:
1.) The Honey Pot
One of the more well-known tactics, courtesy of Hollywood’s romanticised portrayal of spies. This method of information gathering is as old as espionage! According to a thorough investigative report by Foreign Policy Magazine, published in 2011, it was revealed that the British Secret Service (MI5) was increasingly concerned about Chinese espionage. The reportage highlighted that in 2009 the British intelligence had issued a 14-page document highlighting Chinese ‘spook’ attempts to blackmail western businessmen over ‘sexual relationships.’ the document explicitly mentioned that Chinese Intelligence organisations are “Trying to develop long term relationships” and “exploit vulnerabilities such as sexual relationships”
2.) Thousand Grains of Sand
The Chinese have sponsored corporate espionage
This is an ingenious intel collection method for gathering mid-level. intelligence. The Chinese gather large chunks of seemingly irrelevant data, which when combined together forms a piece of critical intel. Beijing’s Ministry of State Security (A bureaucratic body and spy organ clubbed into one) leverage Information Technology Companies, News organisations, Finacial Institutions and other private firms as fronts or cover for their spying operations in foreign countries. The information garnered through these front companies are then analysed as a collective, to determine enemy developments.
3.) Mosaic
Similar to a thousand grains of sand, this method utilises Chinese academic scholars conducting sanctioned research at reputed educational institutions. The use of academics is used to garner small bits of intel during college exchanges, scientific cooperation programs etc. Large-scale deployment of human agents at relevant academic gatherings over time helps Bejing piece together a picture of a country’s upcoming developments.
4.) Seeding
Chinese ‘plants’ have established deep roots into major powers
Seeding is a standard practice used by ‘spook’ agencies around the world. The method as the name suggests means to plant a seed (human asset) into an organization to garner intelligence and develop a spy network. The deep-cover operative works patiently in the target organization as any other employee, all the while obtaining long term strategic intelligence.
5.) Recruiting Chinese Citizens to Collect Specific Intelligence
The Chinese are everywhere!
While this not much of technique, but rather a strategy taking advantage of the country’s globetrotting population, it has proved quite useful in obtaining specific intelligence. Chinese intelligence approaches working professional who travels abroad for business trips, asking them to spy for their country. Their handlers then debrief these Chinese citizens, giving specific instructions about what they are required to do. Their case officers (handler) recruit them to collect a ‘particularly specific’ piece of information which their job or proximity may give them access to. Often the concerned spy does not know themselves about the relevance of the information they are gathering. The data, when sent over to Chinese analysts, is then analysed along with several other intel sources to paint a clear picture.
Quiet Professionals
Man posing in the dark with a fedora hat and a trench coat, 1950s noir film style character
Chinese intelligence is shrouded in mystery with even experts often in the dark about their activities. Though spies from India’s eastern neighbour are not romanticised by the media or exaggerated movie portrayals, it is essential to acknowledge their professional expertise as true ‘quiet professionals. In the world of international espionage, they are truly a force to be reckoned with!
The Indian Army’s famed Infantry School in Mhow is organising ‘The Infantry Marathon’ on 3 November 2019. The flagship long-distance endurance event is organised as a soldierly tribute to the indescribable courage, grit and superhuman resolve of the Indian Infantryman! The one of a kind event is in the words of the event organiser, “A tribute of sweat for the blood our Martyrs have shed!”
Promotional Poster
The marathon is intended to promote a spirit of fitness and pique interest in military service amongst the youth. The flagship event powered by the Academy of Indore Marathoners and host of local businesses will be divided into three independent endurance events.
5 kilometres (Patriots March)
10 kilometres (Josh run)
21 Kilometre (Half marathon)
Contact details can be found on the poster
The entry fee for the 5k patriot’s march is rupees 400, while the registration for the Josh run and half marathon are rupees 500 respectively. Bib’s and timing chips will be handed out to participants going for the Josh run and half marathon. All participants will receive medals along with a free army-style camouflage T-shirt. Refreshments will be provided ahead of the finish line.
There will be a weapons display organised by the armyThe Indian Army band will perform a live rock concert
The sporting event will showcase a live rock concert performed by the Indian Army’s Bagpipers. The army will also be organising a weapons display and, an exhibition of vintage cars and bikes. The Indian Army’s upcoming distance running event is bound to ignite the patriotic fervour of defence aspirants across the country.
