The Arm that wields the sword
09 Dec 2023
Blogitorial
Growing malaise of the misuse of articles of uniform by veterans while appearing on television and public functions needs to be curbed – by peer pressure, or else by enforcing regulations on the issue.
Read More about Uniformly CrazyPolitics
Congress scion Rahul Gandhi is about to complete yet another attempt to revive his flagging political fortunes in the form a a countrywide march. As per its official website – “The aim of this Yatra is to unite India; to come together and strengthen our nation…. to raise their voice against the economic, social and…
Read More about Jodo, not TodoBlogitorial
Why I decided to quit WhatsApp rather than agree to its new privacy policy.
Read More about WhatsApp, Privacy and MeBlogitorial
In Aug 1959, Gen Thimayya submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister. There was a furore in the papers and in parliament, with questions being raised about the reasons behind it. Nehru gave a statement in parliament about the resignation. Here is the full text of his statement and the limited debate that followed.
Read More about Gen Thimayya’s Resignation – Statement by Pt Nehru in Parliament and debate – 02 Sep 1959Blogitorial
Faulty decision by CDS and DMA raises questions about ability to provide sound advice to government
Read More about CDS and DMA – Penny Wise Pound Foolish?Uncategorized
An explainer on the Indo-Nepal border dispute, based on articles /open source inputs. Received from a friend on social media Historical Background · Anglo-Nepal Treaty of Sugauli of 1816. The treaty determines the Kali river as the western boundary between British India and Nepal. Nepal has produced an East India Company map from the archives to…
Read More about Indo-Nepal Border Dispute – An ExplainerMilitary
A lesser known mutiny during the early stages of the Raj was one by British officers in 1776
Read More about The “White Mutiny” of Monghyr 1776COAS
The crisis of command between the COAS and the environment is alarming, and needs to be resolved at the earliest.
Read More about Crisis of ConfidenceMilitary
As teachers go, he was unusual. A short, bulky Khalsa with the customary bushy beard, with eyebrows to match, Naib Risaldar Gulzar Singh was my D&M (Driving and Maintenance) instructor when I joined the Regiment back in 1990. He was universally known as Nanda Sahib, although that wasn’t his actual name. Apparently when…
Read More about Nanda SahibMilitary
In October 1831, the small town of Rupnagar (Ropar) on the banks of Sutlej witnessed a historic meeting between Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and Lord William Bentnick, the Governor General of Indian territory under the East India Company. Over eight days of festivities, military reviews, entertainment and feasting, each side tried to outdo the other in show…
Read More about Rupnagar “Treaty” of 1831 – The Meeting Between Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and Lord BentinckMilitary History
Fort Canning Hill or Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill), as it was originally know, dominated the landscape of the island for centuries before being dwarfed by the tall structures of the concrete jungle that Singapore is today. Soldiers and rulers have always had a fixation with heights – for purposes of tactical and psychological domination. Hence, this…
Read More about Battle Box – story of a bunkerMilitary
As the COAS visits the village of CQMH Abdul Hamid, PVC, on the 52nd anniversary of his epic anti-tank battle, here is an extract from my book “Brave Men of War” about the hero of Asal Uttar.
Read More about CQMH Abdul Hamid – the Hero of Asal UttarBlogitorial
Latest in the series of embarrassing revelations about the ostentatious lifestyle that Aam Aadmi Party leaders, and in particular their supremo Arvind Kejriwal seem to leading, is a set of bills for catering at his official residence. Raised by The Delhi Tourism and Tpt Development Corporation, they are for meals provided by Taj Mahal Hotel…
Read More about Aam Aadmi Khaas BaatPolitics
I gaped at the screen in horror. The prime minister was addressing the nation – an unscheduled talk announced just 30 miutes back. It was ten minutes into the speech and my despair grew with every word he uttered. On the screen, he adjusted the mics and hiked his sleeves for the nth time, shuffled…
Read More about The PM’s SpeechAam Aadmi
An interesting, and for most of us, encouraging, phenomenon is visible in India today. It is the brick by brick dismantling of the neo-caste system in our society. Of course, the caste system per se was abolished by our constitution shortly after independence, yet the same independence slowly engendered this other, equally insidious neo-caste system…
Read More about Breaking the Neo-Caste BarrierCOAS
Overlooking the principle of seniority in appointing the army chief could open door for future political interference in the armed forces.
Read More about Appointment of Army Chief – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it