JAI JAWAN

From Sampath’s Desk:

JAI JAWAN

(HAIL THE SOLDIERS)

THE ARMY DAY- January 15

 

How happily we live in the mainland with comforts of sorts across the country? Have we ever thought of our brethren toiling and defending our borders staying in inhospitable, hostile and hassle-laden territories around and abound with myriad ups and downs with extreme climatic conditions, far away from their sweet homes? Our great defence personnel live in the most unhomelike environments to defend our motherland at all times, at any cost, and by all means. For us to peacefully sleep at our homes, they keep vigil, work round the clock, and spend sleepless nights on the borders. In the thickets, dense forest ranges, mountainous valleys and unfriendly vicinities around the line of control (LoC), they are ever agile, alert, watchful and vigilant to thwart any possible intrusion, attack or invasion by aliens, especially with two hostile neighbouring countries sharing our long borders. They carry on their duty braving rain, shine, fog, spine-chilling cold, etc. - some on watch-towers, some in bunkers, and others in the open, in make-shift camp-houses, and/or kiosks like structures - all the time defending our frontiers, mostly in the precincts of awesome and breathtaking snow-clad Himalayas. Confronting with and enduring the vagaries of natural setbacks like glaciers, landslides and/or avalanches is part of their life. Even with possible dangers around, their spirits would always be exuberant in defence of our motherland. They are always desiderative for undertaking, wherever and whenever demand arises, adventurous tasks and missions to accomplish them with marked success. Many times they may not even know their next destination of deployment.  

 

Endearing themselves with the security of the motherland, they are always ready to sacrifice everything of themselves. In fact, after the initial rigorous training for a considerably long period, they join the Indian military establishment ready to be part of the drudgery, exertive and exhausting Defence service. They adapt, adopt and attune themselves to live in any conditions and defend our country’s territories from alien invasion, besides defeating possible infiltration or intrusion of hard-core terrorists from across the border, a new challenge that has come to stay for some decades now. Our defence personnel are liable to be shifted anywhere along the long perilous borderline and/or to far-flung areas, anytime, and at short notice, or no notice at all, at times. A disciplined, loyal and diligent flock completely dedicated to the defence of our nation, they mostly remain away from the kith and kin, leaving all homely comforts - physical and psychological. At times of skirmishes from across the border, they undergo untold trials and tribulations even imperilling their lives.

 

The Indian Army is a sui generis blend of battalions of warriors drawn from all over the nation cutting across barriers of language, region, culture, lifestyles, etc., representing the composite Indian manpower. Indian Defence family has a unique genre of commitment, involvement, belongingness, never-say-no-attitude, and never-give-up mindset, the avowed motto being ‘defence of motherland’, at any cost and by all means. The haut et bon Indian army is synonymous with devotion to duty and sacrificial mindset with a pristine, glorious and creditable past and the present, ‘fight to the finish’ being their cardinal principle and principal motto.

 

World War II and the two wars inflicted on us by Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, which India won, trumpeted to the whole world our military's gallantry and daredevilry. Operating against all odds in the icy heights of Kargil, a remote region in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian soldiers valiantly and dauntlessly fought and pushed the intruders back. The victory laid bare to the world India's military might, nerve, prowess, tenacity and perseverance albeit initial hiccups and setback suffered. This was a milestone achievement to be etched in golden letters in the history of the Indian military for handing out a stunning blow to cunning Pakistan.

 

Think of Siachen Glacier in eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, east of the Line of Control (LoC), the longest glacier in Karakoram and the second-longest in the world’s non-polar areas. It lies immediately south of the great watershed that separates China from India in an extensively glaciated portion of Karakoram called ‘Third Pole’. In such high altitudes lie major snowfall-prone passes and peaks like Indira Col (pass), Saltoro Ridge, Sia Kangri peak, Sia La, Bilafond La, Gyong La, etc., with temperature sometimes plummeting to as low as -50⁰C. Aksaichin, Ladakh, Tawang, etc. are other tough territories for our jawans to grapple and put up with.

 

Government of India has been making liberal provisions of funds for the country’s defence expenditure and constantly increasing it besides conferring accolades like Chakra awards on the meritorious defence personnel. Many concessions are also extended to the serving personnel and ex-servicemen. But the army’s selfless services and sacrifices are invaluable.

           

At peace times, during natural calamity/disaster like floods, earthquakes, and massive accidents, the army personnel go to the succour of marooned/affected people and even re-create damaged utilities/facilities, 'Bailey bridge' being a unique example. Our army has the distinction of having been part of the UN peace-keeping force in trouble-prone countries on many occasions earning laurels for itself and the country.

 

In view of its bravery and valour with success streaks, no wonder, the Indian army is acclaimed as one of the largest and greatest in the world. I join the entire nation in applauding, eulogizing, saluting and venerating the Indian army and its brave warriors. For the selfless services to the nation rendered by the military personnel, nothing is too much to pay them and the ex-servicemen. Keeping this in mind, the Government of India granted ‘One Rank, One Pension’.

 

Yes, the Government of India took the historic decision to implement ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) by issuing an order on 7.11.2015 with benefits effective from 01.07.2014, entailing a heavy expenditure for the welfare of the military personnel. The Armed Forces Personnel retired up to 30.06.2014 were covered under this order. Keeping in view the magnitude and complexities of the Defence pension, extensive consultations were held with experts and ex-Servicemen before issuing the Government order on implementation of 'OROP'. Under this scheme, initially, a whopping ₹42740 crore was paid to 20,60,220 Defence Forces Pensioners/Family Pensioners.

 

Jai Jawan!  Jai Hind!

 

                                                                                        (R.SAMPATH)

2/2/2021