OROP - Modi's gift to Veterans

It was like any other afternoon in most part of the world but not in India.  Hope was meeting realization, dreams were fulfilling in North Block, Delhi. A large number of people from age 32 to 96 years were rejoicing in streets for one single reason. People who gave blood and sweat in order to ensure sovereignty of nation. Many of them are in their last phase of life and many are uncertain of their future but they all have one thing in common; they were guards of peace and safety they are VETERANS. Soldiers who believed to be patient and disciplined ran out of patience since last two months but they were still soldiers with a code of discipline. They loose their patience due to long time waiting for their right. A period in which nation saw ten different person as Prime Minister; single ruling party to coalition governments but none of them give heed to their demands but finally hope and dreams realised on 5 Sep 2015. Dream of One Rank One Pension was fulfilled.

Year 1973 when civilians and defence pensions were clubbed under one pay commission by Indira Gandhi led government since then protest continue within the system by military in sporadic manner and veterans were also supporting it but to no avail.

In 2008 after sixth pay commission veterans taken to street for the street for the first time and current crisis was born. In 2012 UPA government made it’s stand clear by stating OROP as impossible. In September 2013 then BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi promised OROP in Rewari Rally after 1 year of formation of government . During June 2015, veterans start their relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in an organized manner and in Aug it converted to fast untill death.

Now as OROP has been announced veterans are not fully satisfied as they allege many of issues and demands were not fulfilled but a large portion of it in compromise mode and decided to celebrate what they achieved after so long wait and negotiation.

Detail order on OROP is yet to arrive by everyone in service and veterans. Hope it doesn’t have hidden surprise or shock for anyone.

Various Organization like UFSEM, IESM, are behind the implementation of OROP and also still waiting for the right calculation of OROP even after declaration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Navy : Foreign Ships: Indigenous Conflicts

Indian navy which relied upon by countryman as protector of coastal regions & maritime interests is turning to be a buyer of conflicts due to low moral acts, corruption charges, repeated accidents by its officers & men in recent past. Various cases were registered against naval personnel at Mumbai, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam & Karwar.

Last quarter of year 2014 has brought bad name for the organisation when corruption charges against naval officers leveled by none other than their men. Situation turned murkier when a sailor Sunil kumar Sahoo, SWA 3 posted at INS Kattaboman a shore establishment under Eastern naval Command near Chennai alleged corruption charges against his commanding officer and other senior naval officer and subsequently followed charges himself of being mental instability and insanity. These charges were lead to internal rift inside organisation when his wife filed a case in Honorable High Court of Kerla and first in history sailors started a supportive campaign for him on social platform, a Facebook page “ Save The Crusader Sailor“ was created to support the cause with the initiative taken by veteran sailors of force. This raise a question what leads veteran to take part in such a cause? Does navy has a black pages in history ? Many questions needs answer.

At a later stage Sunil Sahoo wife won the case against navy and navy was forced to change it’s policy on psychiatric cases as per court directives. In the month of June, Indian Navy again jolted with fresh allegation and this time sword arm of Indian navy Western Fleet & Western Naval Command are in troubled waters ,when a sailor Shivam Tiwari SEA I, a professional in navigation & direction and radar plotting raised allegation of mistreatment and harassment by the hand of senior naval officer of INS Shikra; prime air support & operational unit of Western Fleet situated right before sasoon dock  after crossing busy colaba market. Nobody can ever dream of such atrocities can take place in the middle of the city but this time voice found their way to come out of Iron curtain with the Help of ‘Veteran sailor welfare association” a regd.  Organisation which came in realisation after Sunil Sahoo.

Moreover, one more case of Gaurav Sirohi is in news. He has raised his voice against corruption like Sahu did in Kattabooman. 

More Story on Gaurav Sirohi will be on my next post...

Indian navy which relied upon by countryman as protector of coastal regions & maritime interests is turning to be a buyer of conflicts due to low moral acts, corruption charges, repeated accidents by its officers & men in recent past. Various cases were registered against naval personnel at Mumbai, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam & Karwar.

Last quarter of year 2014 has brought bad name for the organisation when corruption charges against naval officers leveled by none other than their men. Situation turned murkier when a sailor Sunil kumar Sahoo, SWA 3 posted at INS Kattaboman a shore establishment under Eastern naval Command near Chennai alleged corruption charges against his commanding officer and other senior naval officer and subsequently followed charges himself of being mental instability and insanity. These charges were lead to internal rift inside organisation when his wife filed a case in Honorable High Court of Kerla and first in history sailors started a supportive campaign for him on social platform, a Facebook page “ Save The Crusader Sailor“ was created to support the cause with the initiative taken by veteran sailors of force. This raise a question what leads veteran to take part in such a cause? Does navy has a black pages in history ? Many questions needs answer.

At a later stage Sunil Sahoo wife won the case against navy and navy was forced to change it’s policy on psychiatric cases as per court directives. In the month of June, Indian Navy again jolted with fresh allegation and this time sword arm of Indian navy Western Fleet & Western Naval Command are in troubled waters ,when a sailor Shivam Tiwari SEA I, a professional in navigation & direction and radar plotting raised allegation of mistreatment and harassment by the hand of senior naval officer of INS Shikra; prime air support & operational unit of Western Fleet situated right before sasoon dock  after crossing busy colaba market. Nobody can ever dream of such atrocities can take place in the middle of the city but this time voice found their way to come out of Iron curtain with the Help of ‘Veteran sailor welfare association” a regd.  Organisation which came in realisation after Sunil Sahoo.

Moreover, one more case of Gaurav Sirohi is in news. He has raised his voice against corruption like Sahu did in Kattabooman. 

More Story on Gaurav Sirohi will be on my next post...

Indian Navy rescues crew from listing vessel off Vasai

Navy helicopters rescued 20 persons on board a listing merchant ship off Vasai coast in neighbouring Palghar district today.“While 19 were airlifted and brought to INS Shikra in Mumbai, one more on board the vessel was airlifted by a second Navy chopper,” a Defence spokesperson told PTI.

The Navy got a request at 7 AM for immediate evacuation of those on board the ship which was listing precariously, he said.According to the Defence spokesperson, the information was received around midnight by the Indian Navy that a vessel in distress ‘Jindal Kamakshi’ which was 40 nautical miles from Mumbai harbour and 25 nautical miles off Vasai coast has listed heavily.The distress message said the vessel listed heavily, with 20 persons on board and requested assistance, the official said, adding the cause of the listing was not confirmed.

The Indian Navy had launched one Seaking helicopter to provide immediate assistance and a ship was also deployed for rendering assistance, he said.He further said the vessel had counter ballasted (flood opposite tank) to improve stability.

14 YOUNG NURSING OFFICERS COMMISSIONED INTO THE MNS

In a glittering ceremony held at Ayurvigyan Auditorium of Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantonment, 14 young nursing students of the 56^th batch of probationary nurses of College of Nursing, Army Hospital were formally commissioned as Lieutenant into the Military Nursing Service (MNS), today.  Lt Gen MK Unni, Commandant Army Hospital (R&R) graced the function as Chief Guest and addressed the newly commissioned nursing officers. In his address, Lt Gen Unni congratulated the lady officers and their proud parents. He emphasized to face the challenges ahead, work hard with dedication and try to be an asset to the organisation. He urged the newly commissioned nursing officers to nurture the ethics of MNS and work sincerely to maintain the glorious tradition of the service as well as to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field of medicine and nursing.  

            Major General Sunita Kapoor, Addl Director General, MNS in her speech exhorted the new commissioned officers to perform their duties with utmost dedication by keeping the ethos of the Service in mind. At the outset, Major General Sushila Shahi, Principal Matron, Army Hospital (R&R) welcome the dignitaries.

           

Indian Armed Forces Gears Up for YOGA too.

 Be it at the base camp at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen to the southernmost part of the country at Kanyakumari or on sea. And its not just the Army, the Air Force and Indian navy has already started its Yog Lessons by experts onboard INS Kamotra and it is planned onboard INS Viraat on 18 Jun 15. It aims to do “Yoga across the oceans”. 

The Indian defence forces are putting up a consolidated effort to ensure that the International Yoga Day is a complete success. To achieve that, they have been putting up regular practice sessions no matter where they be. India will lead 191 nations to mark the IYD on June 21, highlighted by a mega event here on Rajpath where armed forces, NCC cadets and government officials are scheduled to perform ‘asanas’.

 Around 35,000 persons are expected to take part in the event.Even the NCC cadets can be seen practicing yoga at various places in the country.

French Naval Ship Dixmude arrives in Estern Naval Command at Vishakhapatnam

French Naval Ships Dixmude (Landing Platform Dock) and Aconit (Frigate) are on a visit to Visakhapatnam from 16 to 22 Jun 15. Rear Admiral Antoine Beaussant, ALINDIEN (Admiral-in-charge of the Maritime Zone of the Indian Ocean), Captain Pierre de Briancon Commanding Officer FNS Dixmude and Captain Jean-Pierre Helluy, Commanding Officer FNS Aconit called on Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command on 16 Jun 15.

During the visit, various operational and social interactions with Eastern Naval Command have been planned. These include amphibious demonstration, sharing of expertise on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), exchange of Non-Combatant Evacuation procedures, mutual ship visits, industry exhibition and sports fixtures.