Modi Government announces OROP

The announcement of OROP by the Union Defence Minister is a event of importance. He was flanked by the 3 service chiefs; those black sheep who only know  to say words like " yes sir, yes sir three bags full".

The first point at issue   concerns VRS  or premature retirement. All credit to Narendra Modi in his address at Faridabad announcing that premature retirees who draw pension will be eligible. This was a needless red herring introduced and needed the PM to clear it. We can say thank you for this. But I have a question how could the 3 service chiefs be sitting like pussycats when the earlier negative announcement was made.

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The second point is the period of revision which is proposed as after  years. Once the principle of OROP was accepted, where was the difficulty in revising pensions every 2 years as demanded ? This is the age of computers, and with an appropriate software in fact pensions can be revised almost instantaneously, with a touch of a button. Why does it require 5 years ?.

We still come to the last point. OROP was about equalisation of pension for all. But the Modi government has thrown in a rider and that is that fixation of pension will not be the maximum of thr scale, but a average of minimum and maximum pension drawn. This will mean that pension will go down for a soldier  by a few hundred to a few thousand rupees.

 Lastly what will a one man judicial commission do ? It will be an exercise in futility.But despite these failings the action by the Modi government is historic and needs cooperation.

General Satbir did a great job in fighting for soldiers, but I am afraid he was fighting with one arm tied behind his back, as the 3 chiefs of staff just sat on their roosts. One is pained with all these happenings. Why do we have so supine chiefs? May I say gutless fossils who just sit in their chairs.

What next? The agitation must go on till the review period is reduced to say 2 years , but the confrontation must stop

OROP: Time for a Rethink *

When a battle is on the opposing generals always think of alternate plans and a rethink of position on the battlefield. There is thus a case for a pause in rethinking of OROP agitation. One thing that has emerged is that despite 79 days of fasting and speeches, the government of Modi has not conceded the points on OROP. This sadly after a seal of approval from the highest governing body in India- the Indian parliament. Modi and his ilk have simply ignored the approval for OROP given by parliament.

Why has this happened? The reason is not far to seek and the basic issue is complete abdication of responsibility by the Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces. Looks like the government does not listen to them and when you couple with the fact that these men have very little guts or thought that they represent the soldier the reason becomes clear.

Since the only language the Modi government understands is the language of force, obviously a peaceful nonviolent agitation devoid of political overtones has been ignored. Thus the ESM agitation is on a weak wicket. What are the options now? One has only to compare with the Patel agitation that shook the roots of Modi government.

The fact is the Modi government is aware that COAS and his ilk will not rock the boat. They are thus acting with their tails up. No wonder the finance minister Arun Jaitley is singing songs that OROP in its present form cannot be accepted. This man perhaps like the proverbial frog who wanted to behave like lion is acting similarly. His crushing defeat in Amritsar is galling for him.However now we know that Jaitley is the thorn or road block in sanctioning OROP.

 This is the the time the ESM leadership must rethink a different strategy now. There are only 2 options. Either up the ante or agree to what is given.

Accepting any of the options is not easy, but the ESM leadership will have to bell the cat. I support upping the ante and roping in the biggest black sheep of all General Dalbir Singh. 

What Next in the OROP ? *

The Modi government is under siege and one  cant help feeling that its it own creation. The agitation of teh ex servicemen for a legitimates demand has been stalled by Modi, but now the birds have come home to roost with the agitation of the Patels in Gujarat  for reservation. This demand in contrast to the Es servicemen's demand is unholy as the Patels   are the dominant community in Gujarat and among all Gujaratis. Yet the Modi government is held to  ransom by lumpen elements of the Patel community. Till last reports the army is called out and about 7 or 8 Patels and their ilk have died.

The Modi government by sanctioning a legitimate demand for OROP, could have faced the Patel agitation squarely. But a short sighted approach and failure to recognise  the reality has brought the Modi government face to face with a monster. The ex servicemen and the army were his best bet , but he scorned them and now his own vote bank has rebelled against him. Mind you this is just  the beginning  but a precursor to many more agitations of a similar nature. It should not appear to onlookers that Modi government only talks and acts at the point a gun. The Patels have unleashed the gun and now Modi is reacting.

What a contrast to the agitation of the ex servicemen, so dignified and sans violence, yet Modi sat tight on the demand. This shows that in reality the Indian PM is a hollow man, more adept at rhetoric than substance. If modi has some sense he will sanction OROP and build his credibility. He must not show that he acts only when a bayonet is thrust into him, This calls for statesmanship. Is Modi up to it ? In another a day or two we will see where Modi stands.

How the Modi Government has Reduced India to a 5th Rate Power. Unpardonable historical sin

The Unpardonable historical sin

 Recently at the Singapore Club an interesting discussion emanated in the bar. A veteran RAF officer settled in Singapore mentioned to me that he was surprised at the approach of successive Indian government who never realised that a nation’s prestige and ability to throw its weight around the world depended on the army. He wanted to know, whether the Indian political leadership whether Congress or BJP were aware of this fact.

I was non- plussed for an answer, but the venerable soldier continued. He said the British ruled India on their military might through the Indian army and when they realised that the army was no longer loyal to them as earlier, they left in a hurry. The important point is that control of India pivoted around the army. Bose had realized this. It’s another matter that he sided with the Axis powers and lost.

A look at history will bear this out. The downfall of the Mauryan Empire started with the pacifist policies of Asoka. Many historians do not consider him “great” as he laid the foundation of military neglect which had disastrous consequences leading to the breakup of his empire and subsequent subjugation of India by the Muslims for 900 years.

After 1947 one hoped things would change but a man was foisted on the Indian people -  Jawaharlal Nehru who had no concept of military power and its role and allowed the finest fighting machine in India go to seed. The army had its perks and privileges withdrawn and a poorly equipped army lost a border war with China.  Nehru later realised his mistake, but the deed was done as India surrendered the leadership of Asia to China.

Over the next 50 years nothing much has changed. We have a man called Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. Let’s us accept the fact that this man has no vision of history or greatness of a nation. Otherwise he would not have allowed veterans to fast for 68 days for a legitimate demand.  The man is callous and naïve. When you add these two qualities together, a frightful image emerges of a man who has no vision except his personal grandeur. But so sad, this man does not realize that his personal grandeur in the world polity of nations rests on India military. Look at the USA. It is respected all over the world for its ability to strike surgical operations’ and not on chanting Ram Rajya( which the BJP is to intent on doing).

The veterans and the serving soldiers have an umbilical cord and what happens to the ex-servicemen is a matter of concern to the rank and file of the army. By treating the veterans with disdain and trying to back track on the approved definition of OROP, Modi has lit the fire of discontent in the army itself. Does Modi still think that he will get away by talking glibly? Dies this man realize the immense danger he has unleashed to damage the army morale for all time to come.

 China and Pakistan are happy and this was articulated by a Chinese origin army officer  in the club. He said what India needs is a Cromwell, who can line up and dissolve parliament. Unfortunately we have men like general Dalbir Singh Suhag who wear a hat and look tough, but failed to act for the benefit of the soldiers who helped him become the Chief. Why did not this bloody man not resign? I have no answer as the agitation goes on.

The damage is done by Modi and the present Chief and I wonder how if at all the old morale, dignity  and loyalty of the soldier can be restored. I am reminded of the Humpty Dumpty poem and it is applicable to Modi . " Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great Fall and all the Kings horses and all the Kings men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again"

Non Approval of OROP : The Enemy is within, the General Staff

Most ex-servicemen were having fond hopes that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will announce sanction of OROP in his Independence Day address, except me. Even the doyen of the movement General Satbir Singh expressed the hope that he was "hopeful", that OROP would be sanctioned.

I was however sure that nothing like this was going to happen and months back I had stated the same. At that time I had recieved a email from a respected member of the Ex Servicemen's Office  bearers that he was sure that the OROP letter duly sanctioning the demand would be out soon.   I was sceptical and I have been proved right.

The non approval of OROP for close to 4 decades cannot just be pinned to the Political leadership or that favorite bashing boy the "Babus" or the IAS lobby.  Let us look inwards and we will find that the fault to a great degree lies within  us and the politicians  make hay of it. In other words they have exploited the weakness of presentation of the demand and  played on the divide of the services. To use a uncharitable word "lack of guts" among the general staff to forcefully present  the soldiers case.

The demand emanated from about 1973 when the COAS was general Bewoor. Under his stewardship the pensions of servicemen were REDUCED and this general accepted  it without a murmur. Probably he was eying an appointment after he left office and did not want to upset his chances. In any case this general shamed himself for posterity and when the history of this movement is written , he will be the man marked out as the person responsible  for  the downslide going.

After he left so many army Chiefs came and went and the the demand for OROP went no where as none of the Chiefs forcefully pressed the point. There is news now, that 4 ex Chiefs have sent a letter to the President of India pointing out the pitfalls of non approval of OROP. That is fine, but these worthies owe an explanation to the rank and file of soldiers and airmen as what did they do when they were in service and sitting in the Chair to further the soldiers cause on OROP. Obviously nothing, as the Chiefs were interested in taking some small steps to please the government like reducing the liquor entitlement by 2 bottles or something like that. These chiefs also allowed a concession of FORM D for travel to be restricted. It was always a down slide and nothing upward came as the Chiefs to use an uncharitable word "feathered their own nests". The soldier be  dammed.

The scenario has not changed. We have the sorry spectacle of the former COAS General VK Singh not showing his face  at the venue of the OROP agitation and there are other officers who are  just small fry and not worth naming here, who  are thinking they have a great political future with the BJP. But they must remember that man proposes and god disposes and the last word on the political aspirations of these turncoats has not been written as yet.

The present army chief  General Dalbir Singh is a case in point. He is sitting in his chair and he is silent like the Spinx. His words to ex servicemen that OROP will be approved and  sanctioned by 30 April are blown away like the small breeze, yet he sits wearing his hat and creating an aura that he is a tough man.  The general should have come to the venue of the site where the ex servicemen are fasting and shown his solidarity, but such great and benevolent things can't be  expected from men who have risen up the ladder by any means and having reached the apex are hoping for another lease of life after retirement.

I will add that undergoing fasts and signing petitions  in blood is not the hallmark of a military soldier, a warrior. These will lead no where and the only way OROP will come is if the 3 service chiefs and some PSO's resign.  Otherwise mark my words , all can live in the fond hope that OROP in the classical sense will ever come.  The enemy is thus within and the COAS is the main culprit down 40 years of the Indian army history.

Lastly people may wonder why I always mention the COAS and not the chiefs of the other 2 services? The fact is that it is only the army that is an organised force all over the country and  other 2 services are just appendages. Look around and you will see in all nations only the army calls the shots: Burma, Pakistan, China, Russia etc.

The present ongoing agitation is another example of the COAS playing a double game. I recently read that General DS Suhag was a mediator between the  government and the reps of the ex-servicemen. I was stumped, how can this man be a mediator , when he as the first soldier and is supposed to represent the soldiers in their  representations to the government. Thus one can see that with like General Suhag, OROP will not come.

Narendra Modi : Tough Against Own Veterans but no Show Against Enemy

Usman Khan is a terrorist nabbed by local Kashmiri villagers . He was in India to foment terror and was able to neutralise 15 Indian BSF soldiers. He had some success. But the worrying fact is that we now know that this captured terrorist was motivated to enter India with a group to foment terror for victory of Islam over infidels( Hindus). This is the harsh truth. Whatever one may say the fact is that the Indian leadership lacks the guts to face or confront Pakistan. The mantle for this must fall on Narendra Modi, who talked big when on the election trail. Yet , this same man showing his hard attitude by allowing the agitation for OROP by his own soldiers to go on without batting an eyelid. Modi is tough against his own soldiers, asking for a genuine demand and yet he has nothing to show of action against a formidable enemy.

What can one make of this approach of Narendra Modi? Why Modi, the previous government led by the yes man of the Nehru Gandhi family Man Mohan Singh was simply worse. In other words the political leadership has failed India. Can there be anything sadder than this?

For nationalists these events can have a traumatic effect. The Indian army has an umbilical cord with ex soldiers. I fail to understand how Modi has not realised that non sanction of OROP will have no effect on serving personnel?

No amount of publicity and request to the world community to take action will serve the purpose. India will have to fight its own battles itself. How can it fight when the leadership led by Modi and BJP fights battles with its own soldiers asking for a genuine demand of parity in pension?

The only way to solve this problem is by belling the cat , Pakistan. Its not easy, but what is the way? Certainly not by fighting a war with its own ex soldiers. Remember no country whether USA or anybody is going to fight India's battle

One Rank One Pension at the Cross Roads: What Next ? Will the Agitation Peter Out ?

The One Rank One Pension ( OROP)  agitation by ex-servicemen is now many weeks old and nothing much is achieved. A Petition signed in blood has been presented to the  President , who has done nothing , In any case months back I had said nothing will happen as the Government  i.e. the political leadership know that the general Staff led by General Dalbir Singh Suhag is their biggest passive supporter. The General is eyeing a career after he retires and as such supporting OROP is not his cup of tea. He would like the agitation to be called off and then "await" the benevolence of the Modi government for a crumb or two, that will be thrown.

There are also a lot of senior officers  and perhaps I can include myself in that category who are relatively well off. These worthies talk of " honor Code" , "conduct of an officer",  " Decorum" and what not and want the agitation to just go on like this or just peter out. I really am not sure whether these gentlemen are interested in OROP. They would be happy to sit in an armchair and mouth the cliches that I have mentioned. Maybe some of the Generals and other officers with the BJP are also of this opinion. In effect it means to have an agitation sans any teeth and we all know that ultimately such an agitation will peter out as the Modi government is not going to sanction OROP as I have said again at the risk of repeating that the enemy lies within and the government knows that the General Staff and a fine line of senior officers both retired and serving will  sabotage this movement.

The worthies who write long letters on propriety, must first answer as to what is in their hearts. What do these worthies want. Are they aware of the rule of the military in Burma? Do they need some education that a pacifist country has created a special constitutional mechanism for perpetual rule by Army? Are they aware that a form of martial law  in in force in Thailand and I am not talking of Pakistan. Such worthies will dismiss Pakistan that " its a failed state " and other blah blah.

The agitation must be intensified and the senior fraternity must be  told in no uncertain terms that black sheep cannot be tolerated.  The COAS must be made aware that he is not a warrior, for two reasons. one a warrior always stands by his words and two he leads from the front. On both issues general DS Suhag has failed and that also includes the tribe writing inane and innuendos  on the way to conduct a agitation.

Guru Gobind Singh has shown a clear way. and there should be no fear in asking for a legitimate right. But the think tank must take the support of whosoever is given and even convince the RSS and the Jamat to support. The Supreme court though can only give limited relief as the GOI will not listen. For men like Modi the honor and sanctity of the nation is no matter at all.

Lastly I will add that Modi has Saturn in his 12the house. This is called the Napoleonic house and we know what happened to Napoleon. Modi will be defeated at the next polls, but he still will not exert and over rule his lieutenants  and sanction OROP. That India is shamed in the world is a matter of no consequence to him and worse to the COAS. I will not hesitate to call a spade a  spade

One rank One Pension : Where do we go from Here ?

One Rank one pension is the toast of the news as far as ex-servicemen are concerned. The news channels are giving news and after a lull, Arnab of Times did put in a forceful plea on his channel " Time Now". The ex -servicemen's fast has now entered the 30th day and there is nothing to show that the government is moving closer to an approval. In that respect this government is similar to the one led by Manmohan Singh. Despite all the noise one can recollect that in a question answer session in 2009, the then Defence Minister Anthony clearly said that the GOI has no plans for approval of OROP. So the Congress party cannot now point a finger at the BJP.

The BJP has however tied itself in a knot. I fail to understand that if OROP was not to be approved , what was the compulsion of Narendra Modi to make such a promise? he also while addressing troops at  Siachen had said that it was his good fortune to approve OROP. I am sorry to ask as to where that " good fortune" has evaporated ? Was any body holding a gun at the temple of Mr Modi when he was making these promises? perhaps he may like to enlighten all of us as to what pearls of wisdom he has  learn't since the day he  made the statement of approval of OROP which has changed his tune. Words like the "OROP will be approved" " trust us" are hollow and meaningless and leave a bitter taste . Modi has let himself down in his esteem before god. A honorable man keeps his promise. This is what chivalry is all about. I hope Modi has heard this word?

The ex servicemen are I feel a forlorn and neglected lot. Even the head of the army the COAS  who had promised to look after the soldier has let all down. Here is a man who in the month of March  made a solemn promise to ex-servicemen at a rally that OROP will be approved , yet the same has not happened and now this man is silent. It is no news that he is internally putting pressure on the GOI for we know that "internal pressure" is just a word and meaningless. If this man (General Dilbagh Singh) who is a 4 star general and heading the largest organised force in the country is unable to put his foot down than he has no face left. I wonder what stopped him to put in his resignation and announce that he was going because of the callous attitude of the government. Is it something to big to ask ?

What do the ex-servicemen do now? There are volunteers willing for a fast unto death. Will it help. What is the guarantee that that this fast will  yield the desired result? The ex-servicemen must remember that the Modi government has little shame that the world is laughing at us. In which country in the world do servicemen fast for legitimate dues approved by parliament? I haven't heard of any and its so sad that BJP spokesmen who come on national TV are a shameless lot.

Recently I read somewhere a paen in praise of Manohar Parrikar. The writer was all ga ga that the DM had given him an interview and he was " such a fine man". I wonder if this officer realised that this  was just a PR exercise indulged in by politicians.The fact is Parrikar is part of the same brood and we do not know what he has agreed quietly with Modi.

I can only hope that the GOI sees what is something essential and approves OROP, otherwise God save India.

Modi and the BJP have Shamed India: Insulting the Soldier has Made India a Laughing Stock in World

One of the great conquerors who who I am reminded off is Mohammed of Ghor. In 1193 he invaded India and defeated the Rajputs and that was the end of Hindu rule over North India for 900 years. i write this now to remind my fellow citizens that an example from History is before us and a defeat of the military can well lead to a dire  result. One reason for this defeat was the neglect of the principles of war by the Rajputs and that included unity of command and respect for the soldier. I draw the parallel with the situation prevailing in India under BJP and Modi rule. At that time the soldier was put below the Brahmin in hierarchy and despite being the defender he was a always a number 2.

Now Modi and his government has reduced the finest Indian war machine to a stage where the ex-servicemen are begging for their legitimate dues and this man in an impervious manner is not bothered as he sets course to foreign visit after visit and doles out billions of dollars as 'aid" while the poor soldier and teh farmer is unpaid. Just imagine 3 billion dollars in lines of credit to Mongolia and Bangladesh and another billion to others. Not satisfied, this government is also going to increase the wages of the members of parliament by 100%. As far as the poor soldier is concerned he can be dammed.

The matter however is not so simple and Modi and his ilk must not be left off the hook. They have demeaned the soldier and made India a laughing stock in the world. In all history right up to the 21st century, we have never read or heard of ex servicemen going in for an agitation to demand their legitimate dues, which incidentally has been approved by 2 parliaments and the government. Can we think of such a situation happening in the USA or even in the less developed countries like Thailand, Burma or Pakistan ?. But it is happening in India and yet Modi and the BJP who should be ashamed of this are strutting about like proud peacocks as Modi talks inane things in his "man ki baat".

The modi government has let the soldier down and that after making a solemn oath to honor it. I had earlier written he is a past master at manipulation and perhaps he thinks that he will make history. Yes, he certainly will make history as he, by demoralising the army has created a situation that not only had made  India a  laughing stock in the world but lowed morale which can can have serious repercussions .I wonder if he knows what morale is. He better read what it means from the history books and the repeated defeats of the Hindu armies. Does he want such a phenomena to happen again? History will damm this BJP government and the only salvation for them is to promptly announce OROP. There can be no delay.

Modi, the Government and OROP: Probably a Devious Plan is Afoot

I remember reading exciting tales of the detective Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson. Sherlock Holmes as we know is a great detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The stock phrase of Sherlock Holmes, when he  latched on to an important lead, he would whisper quietly  "Watson, the game is afoot".

In a similar vein I have a hunch and a nose as well and the fact that Modi has shown his callous nature by ignoring servicemen in the ages of 70-90. sitting in the hot sun and fasting for OROP can lead to only one conclusion that something sinister is being hatched. The game is again afoot. Now more than ever I am clear that Modi is not going to sanction OROP , even if a 100 ex servicemen die fasting,  as he is now swayed by the men around him like Jaitley and Rajnath Singh, not forgetting the civil service. These men have fed something Modi wants to believe that OROP is " complicated' and its effect on the budget will be catastrophic. So the sanction has not come and never will.

What is likely to happen? Modi is a past master at distracting from the core issue and maybe we can have another dose of his " Man ki Baat". The government is likely to procrastinate for another year or so and then hand over this demand to the pay commission. Now the pay commission staffed only by the civil services without a single representative from the military will tow the Modi and government line and come down with a watered down scheme. This is very likely and the question arises that once the government has decided on this course, is there anything that can be done.?

I am afraid the options are limited and as in old days the services will lump it and the Chiefs of staff will stand with the government and not the soldier. I think the time has come for an agitation against the Army Chief,whose dubious role needs to be highlighted.  I use the  word "dubious",for a man sitting  at the helm of a power structure like the army, what does he fear?. He can resign and put pressure on the government. I see no other way, but  in case he wants to just feather his nest and mumble some jargon on nationalism, then god save the country and the army.

I hope ex-servicemen read this post as the intention is to give them mettle and  resolve. I am clear that till the COAS puts his foot down OROP will never come as we all want it and as approved earlier. In addition to an agitation against the COAS, the turncoats sitting in the Government like General VK Singh must be gheraoed.This is  sad, really sad.

One Rank One pension is Stuck; What next?

The man who betrayed his promise to the  common soldier

The COAS who must call the Shots

The ex-serviceman's agitation is stuck as the Government does not seem to be blinking. Despite retired soldiers of the age of 70-80-90 sitting and fasting in the hot sun  as well as signing memorandum with their blood  to the prime minister, the GOI is not bending one bit and there is no announcement on anything concerning OROP. What then next? This would be in the mind of the men agitating as they come up against a wall.

Obviously Modi and the government are playing dirty and have a devious plan up their sleeve. I had long written that OROP will not come and expecting the Modi government to sanction it, looked to me a pipe dream.  unfortunately many servicemen used to a orderly life and not aware of the intricacies of politics,thought otherwise. It was thought that OROP will come by ingratiating themselves with the government and Modi and hence no attempt made to cultivate the opposition and men who matter like the RSS chief  Mohan Bhagwat and also other political leaders. On the contrary to ingratiate and show the government that they had faith in Modi, they even spurned the offer of support of the Congress party. The thinking was that Modi and the BJP will be annoyed and will stop OROP. This was a fallacious thought and doomed from the word go and the leadership of the  servicemen is now left holding the Modi baby and not knowing what to do. The damage done to the movement by this short sighted approach is immense and now OROP will not come, fasting, blood petition or anything.don't matter to Modi and the BJP

What then is the way ahead ? Obviously instead of appealing to the BJP government something else is required. The Indian army is in fact on a very strong wicket and as the best and biggest organised force in the country, something has to be done by the army. in this the COAS , at the moment general Dilbagh Singh is a key player. This man must show some spunk and not say " yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full" as has been the refrain of the army chiefs from the time of Cariappa.

The ex servicemen's association must approach the COAS and demand action from him. It needs to be impressed on him that he must put pressure on the government and if need be he should be ready to resign. OROP will come immediately.

There should be a two pronged strategy to  simultaneously approach the opposition parties led by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Not approaching him and murmuring like a sheep that our movement is apolitical is neither here nor there. The fear that Modi and the BJP will be antagonised  is meaningless. Not forgetting getting the RSS on their side. The RSS controls the BJP and in case Mohan Bhagwat is convinced OROP will come like greased lightening.

Other things being OK, the EX Servicemen's association must have large banners in Newspapers to announce how Modi and BJP betrayed the poor soldier. Funds is a problem and donations from the men and NRI's can be tapped. Once a concerted bid is made, I am sure donations will come. To rely on small contributions from ex-servicemen themselves is not going to lead anywhere.

This calls for a concerted action and publicly men who are turncoats like General VK Singh and Rajyavardhan must be exposed. Let the public know they and their ilk  are the Black Sheep , men who have like Faustus sold their souls to the BJP.

The road ahead is hard and there can be no laxity and calls for concerted action, otherwise OROP will remain a pipe dream as millions of soldiers go to the next world. Remember Modi and the BJP are not bothered, so give them a taste of a medicine they understand.

One Rank One Pension: Where do we Go from Here ?

The ex servicemen have all united and started an agitation for the sanction of a legitimate demand like One Rank One Pension. The demand which is festering for last 40 years took off with vigor only about a decade back. Some cosmetic changes were made by the Congress government under that stooge of the Gandhi family, Manmohan Singh, but the core demand of parity in pensions was left untouched.
The BJP under Narendra Modi  had made sanction of OROP an important poll plank of their election campaign, but it was an insincere promise and perhaps made just to garner votes. Right after the BJP came to power, the portends for sanction of OROP were ominous. The Finance , then the defence Minster Arun Jaitley a man with little horizon, set the ball rolling by asking the Ex servicemen's association to " Tone down their demand". He further said that politicians make promises, but all are not honored.
This was followed by the defence minister stating that nobody gets 100% satisfaction in life   and is never the norm and 80% satisfaction could be achieved. This was his thinking though he changed it a little later, but the fact is that 2 important functionaries were not happy with OROP. To queer the pitch Raj Nath Singh the Home Minister also voiced his opposition to OROP and Modi who was looking for a way out began to lean on these men to back track on OROP. The civil services led by the IAS lobby were in any case opposed to the very concept of OROP and they fed the GOI and Modi with data against OROP. Modi knowing all this was false,  yet acquiesced, because he was looking for a way out.
The ex-servicemens agitation is not having the desired effect as the leaders have decided to keep the movement apolitical. Thus opposition parties who supported the OROP  were turned away. I am aghast at this approach. You cannot win a battle without political support and just appealing and fasting for a demand leads nowhere. I wonder how the ESIS leaders could spurn political support ?
 The Government and Modi are really not concerned . They are a callous lot and  men who are 70-80-90 fasting and sitting in the hot sun is not a matter of concern for them. What then is the next step?
I have a gut feeling that OROP will never come and the reason is simple, the Army general staff have over a period of 6 decades starting with general Cariappa  frittered away their bargaining power by agreeing with the government at every stage. I do not wish to delineate all the privileges which were taken away with the agreement of the general staff, but suffice that the COAS is primarily responsible for this mess.
The general staff have created this mess and approval for OROP may never come ( or a watered down scheme come)  till the general staff cleans up the mess of 6 decades. Its not difficult and requires conviction and courage. But the men sitting and wearing hats and looking stern are really pussycats. Will these pussycats become tigers ? If they do OROP will come , otherwise its " By bye birdie"

Modi Condones Impropriety and Corruption: Where Sir, is Chest thumping Gone against Nepotism, Impropriety and Corruption ?

Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje have burst the Bubble of the BJP

Two ladies  from different backgrounds and holding positions of power in the BJP have made Narendra Modi the prime minister and the BJP shamefaced. Much as the BJP spokesperson like Dr Patra put on an act of bravado in defending  these 2 ladies the fact is that the BJP is shamed. Day  in and day out we learn that these  two ladies have done the unthinkable. They have hobnobbed with an escaped wheeler dealer who is a wanted man and has to face the indian law for  money laundering and swindling. it is sad that these two women have helped this man get a residential permit in the UK and despite being leaders have no compunction in helping  this man.

The ladies one of who is the foreign minister and the other the chief minister of Rajasthan have been courting a wheeler dealer who is a escaped fugitive and money laundered. The man is Lalit Modi against who the enforcement directorate has issued a look out notice. Yet the Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj  has recommended that the British issue   travel documents to this fugitive from law. This man Lalit Modi is hiding in London.
The second lady Vasundhara Raje , the chief minister of rajasthan has allowed her son to accept  crores for his company  from lalit Modi and she also recommended his case to the British government  to give sanctuary to him.

Its a shame that 2 important leaders of the BJP are hobnobbing with a man who has swindled millions and is an escaped criminal to London. Lalit Modi is wanted in India to reply to the many charges against him.

The BJP has come out in defence of the 2 ladies, but the entire  defence and orchestra in their favor is so sad. It shows that the BJP is a party no different from the Congress and maybe worse. It preaches and does not practice.  I wonder what Modi has to say about all this.  Will he talk about this in his " Man ki Baat" or send some tweets.? probably not as he is not a man who can aspire for greatness, but his behaviour is like a small time politician. Where sir, is your bravado and salvos against corruption and nepotism.? I  and the Indian public cant see it.

I must caution you Sir, that your horoscope has Saturn which is the napoleonic house and we all know what happened to Napoleon, a steep rise and then a precipitous fall.  I pray to god that you see reason and distance yourself from both these ladies. As the prime minister you must ACT. Will you sir, on this issue and also OROP which again you had shouted from rooftops as approved and sanctioned act and show that you mean business.

Why Narendra Modi must lose in Bihar: it is the need of the Hour

Narendra Modi came to power on an anti Congress vote and also on the basis of certain promises. He promised " Ache Din" meaning Good Days ahead and thus created an illusion for the hungry people of India, fed up with corruption and a directionless policy as exemplified by Man Mohan Singh. Modi promised everything and his manifesto makes wonderful to read.  His victory was also due to his glossy make up as a magician who  promised everything and lead India from the dark night to the rising sun.

The people believed in Modi, but as  Bacon wrote " Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". The Modi who had won the election now wanted to cling to it like a child not leaving the bottle. His manifesto was buried under tonnes of stones, which have now become difficult to lift. I wonder if he remembers his promises and manifesto. Does he remember all the promises he made? Nobody was  holding a gun at his temple when he made all those promises from the roof top.  Modi in fact in many ways proved himself a small man by not honoring his words.

lets see a  few of his promises
> Abrogation of Article 370 and integration of kashmir  with India He has ended up by supporting a CM who is openly pro Pakistan. Modi's game is simple" let me have power, India be dammed"
> Uniform civil code
> War on corruption. Unfortunately his own foreign minister is involved with a man who is a declared economic offences offender and a money launderer.
> One Rank One pension. The poor soldiers are now signing in blood a petition to him for their due and Modi is sitting back and talking inane  things like " complex problem" "stake holders" and what not
>  Compete negation of his promise to bring back black money. Not a rupee has come back and yet this man talks of " Coal scam  " "2G scam" and what not. What did he do about them any way.

Modi has seriously compromised himself. He also has a cabinet minister who is accused of rape and another has a forged degree.  Another minister is hobnobbing with a criminal scamster and a chief Minister ( Rajasthan) is involved in helping a man who has swindled billions and is hiding in the UK courtesy Modi.

What Is the solution?  We look to Nitesh Kumar to give a  resounding slap to this man who shouted his manifesto from rooftops and now has conveniently forgotten it. He MUST BE DEFEATED IN BIHAR. At least he will learn that making pointless promises always makes the bell toll and that includes him

One Rank One Pension requires a Concerted Push' The Road Ahead is Hard and Thorny

On 14 June 2015 close to 8000 retired servicemen descended on New Delhi at Jantar Mantar in a bid to highlight their grievances on non implementation of the BJP and Modi government to sanction  OROP. This is very sad that men who faced the bullets for the nation are today begging for their dues. This just about shows the callous attitude of the powers that be in the name of Narendra Modi and the BJP. What is surprising is that the RSS, self styled champions of Hindutva and India are absolutely silent on this aspect of the soldiers demand.

The ex soldiers have highlighted their  grievances and signed a petition with their blood to the Prime Minister that OROP be approved, but the BJP government has not reacted at all and that is a fact. It is silent as the Sphinx and that shows the leadership led by Narendra Modi has some devious and cunning plans up its sleeve. Isn't this sad friends and readers ?

Th agitation has reached its highest point after 40 years and  now a relay hunger strike is to start against the government. This government led by Narendra Modi has no shame as it watches veterans as old as 70-80- 90  agitating and sitting in Dharna and fasting for a legitimate due. This after this man Narendra Modi had shouted from roof tops that OROP will be approved. Nobody was after him with a gun to say such things, but he said it and repeatedly promised that once in power he will approve OROP.

There are wheels between wheels in this BJP government and I think 2 men who are not happy with Modi and want to undermine him are namely  Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh. Both are small men and have little vision of history and greatness and are involved in petty politics. The pity is that Modi who talks of " ache din" is tacitly following these men , not realizing the damage they are doing to his reputation.

The question arises as to what next.? I had repeatedly written that OROP will not come months and years back . Some  ex servicemen leaders thought I was talking out of my hat. I however know the mindset of the BJP , after all Atal Bihari Vajpayee also ruled for 6 years and did nothing. Modi is no different and he also will go in the waste bin of history.

To get OROP, hunger strikes are not enough. The 3 service chiefs must face an agitation. It's about time the  Ex servicemen realized  the weak link in the chain are the 3 service chiefs led by the COAS. Also culpable are the legion of army generals and officers like VK Singh and Rajyavardhan  who are are in fact black sheep. Their double speak and fear of the position they hold slipping from their grasp is resulting in their sitting on the fence. These men must be gheraoed and asked why are they silent?

The COAS must be asked as to what he is doing? His words have no  sanctity at all as his promise of OROP to ex-servicemen at a rally has come a cropper. The servicemen  must sit outside his house and  make this man realize that he is a man of straw. I am sure the only way OROP will come is when the top brass of the military serve an ultimatum to Modi and the small men like Jaitley that surround him. There is no choice but now to press on with the agitation as suspending it now will give Modi great satisfaction.

 The army Chief if he has any guts must resign. Can he do it ? Not likely as this man has put himself in a bind and perhaps he is looking for a governors appointment after he dons the civvies..

For us we have no choice but agitate even harder . There is no other option. I have a suggestion meeting the RSS chief and Rahul Gandhi may put some pressure on Modi. What a turncoat this man is. In fables we read about  a charlatan in disguise, perhaps Modi is one. I only hope that Modi pulls himself and makes his place in history. He acts with guts and approves OROP and also throws out ministers like Sushma Swaraj who hobnob with wheeler dealers. Not forgetting small men like Jaitley who are undermining him. Is he up to it?

OROP: the Road Ahead, it may Never Come in the Classical Concept.

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has recently tweeted that he was concerned about sanction of OROP and and he was clear that OROP will be approved. He also is reportedly to have said that he was in "discussion" with all the stake holders and trying to reach a general consensus " acceptable to all" .  Some where the Narendra Modi also said the government was in power for 5 years and OROP was sure to come.

The statement of Modi  is just an eye wash. Let me tell my fiends of a real time episode. One Captain Bhagat Singh who had joined the British Indian army in 1944 and saw action in Burma  had retired long back. He was getting a meagre pension and he looked forward to sanction of OROP, as it would be a boon to him. He waited and waited for 20 years and passed away last year at the age of 92, OROP never reached him. The man is my  uncle and I am constrained to say that this inexplicable delay is nothing short of a criminal act by the government and I just do not only include Modi alone in this band. All the previous governments from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh have their hands soiled in this entire episode of sanction of OROP.

Now coming to Modi, one can realize he is a past master of twisting words and assurances. His culpability is much greater as he was the first man to comment and  assure repeatedly that One Rank One Pension is on the anvil of sanction. Frankly nobody told him to make these grandiose announcements, yet he made them as he was desperate to come to power and he assumed that a committed vote bank of ex -serviceman will help him get a majority in parliament. His game was simple, he wanted power and so did the BJP the party that he is a member off. So in no holds barred campaign one of the issues taken up was OROP. Frankly when Modi was making these announcements, he was not aware of the cost to the exchequer   and later when the cost was worked out he looked for a way to avoid sanction.

The Indian budget is gigantic. It is the 8th largest economy in the world and reports are clear that politicians have swindled 40,000 to 50,000 crores in the various scams. i am yet to see a single man or woman yet jailed for this gigantic theft.  Yet Modi talks of ( aided by that man with very little horizon,Arun Jaitley)of  extraneous things like " complex question." " stake holders " and what not. He has swallowed the line of the Bureaucracy and the finance minister Arun Jaitley  hook line and sinker. But mind you, he is not a gullible man and knows his onions. He has willingly accepted the arguments of the Bureaucracy and Arun Jaitley  as he feels that somewhere he must extricate himself from sanction of OROP. hence all he  has are words and words of which he is very adept.

I make it clear to friends he is buying time  and that is the reason he has mentioned that this government will be in power for 5 years. It shows he has a 5 year plan and in the meantime many thousands of old pensioners will pass away. Modi is not concerned with that at all and his game is to stretch this sanction as far as possible and once the next pay commission is around the corner he will just wash his hands away. His words and assurances should never be taken at face value.

The question arises what next? We have men like the CNS  Robin Dhawan announcing that ex servicemen should have patience. Heck what more patience does he want. Is 20 years not enough ?.I maintain that the top brass of the military have done precious little and left a hard working man like General Satbir Singh to bear the cross of fighting for OROP. In my view this is criminal neglect.

I would also caution the ex servicemen about returning medals and signing petitions. They are not worth the effort. The big stumbling block are the 3 chiefs led by the COAS. These men are known to the government as men of clay. In fact right from the time of General Cariappa when the demotion from Cin C to COAS was carried out the service chiefs have no say and they have put themselves in a bind. One fails to understand how an army chief heading the most organized force in the country has no say.

Water finds its own level and I am sure that the present lot of  serving soldiers wont be happy with this development. Most of them have strong and long ties for decades with the services. many of the parents/ relations  are ex servicemen. Modi has not realised that this non sanction  can adversely affect the morale of the army. Mouthing words and cliches is not the best thing to do.

The ex servicemen should look for political support and Rahul Gandhi looks a sincere man now. In fact Chidambaram the then finance minister included OROP at his behest.  Give him credit and Modi ? less said the better.
There is a need to bring media and others into the picture and educate the masses on the perils of a demoralized fighting force. Put pressure on the Armh Chief General Dibagh Singh to act. Why can't this man resign and show his displeasure? OROP will come immediately.

It appears OROP or One Rank One Pension will not be Saunctioned as Yet

OROP is a demand that is hanging fire for over 3 decades. The ex servicemen have been waging a relentless campaign for it, but as it goes it is like the elusive holy grail, the cup from which Jesus had his last meal. Many have searched for it, but it was never found.
Finally after 3 decades it appeared that OROP would see the light of the day especially after a public address by the army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag to ex - servicemen at Rewari in Haryana on 14 March 15. The COAS announced its approval and imminent sanction by end April.
April has come and gone,and the elusive government letter not issued. In this connection one is reminded of the announcents of the RM Mr.Pannikar, who also announced that OROP will be a reality. The hope for final approval of this demand was kindled by the campaign of Narendra Modi, who repeatedly announced that OROP would be a reality.
I have earlier written that most ex servicemen are naive and take things at face value, while in reality wheels turn within wheels. The demand is nowhere near fulfilment and the stumbling block appears to be the Finance Minister Adun Jaitley.
I don't think Jaitley single hand is stalling this demand and maybe he has the tacit approval of Modi himself. The PM has withdrawn from the debate and is busy in foreign tours. Could he not find time to instruct Jaitley to press on with sanction of OROP as promised? I am afraid there are no clear answers and one thing is clear the BJP government is not keen at the present juncture to approve OROP. What I fail to understand is, how Modi and BJP made it part of their manifesto. Why did Modi start his election campaign with this promise to a rally in Haryana?
The BJP is no different from the Congress and I have a gut feeling that the FM is keen to put the demand on the back burner and put it as part of the reference to the 7th pay commission. Again if this happens, Modi is the man who would have approved it. So let's have no rosy ideas of this man. He is a hard boiled politician and can backtrack anytime.
What next? The soldier is a neglected man in India and the COAS a cipher. What do the ex soldiers do now? All I can hope is that Modi will realise the law of Dharma and act accordingly. Dharma is an amorphous concept but means truth, promise and equality. Is Modi up to it?

One Rank One Pension is at Last a Reality: But its a Phyrric Sanction and Meat is Missing

Finally the contentious One Rank One Pension(OROP) demand will see the light of the day.  This is however like a dream turned sour as the saunction belies what is approved by 2 houses of parliaament.The army chief General Dilbagh Singh last year in an address to ex-servicemen at Rewari in Haryana  had  announced that OROP is approved and if all goes well the same will be put into effect before 30 April 2015.  As per reports about 17000 ex-servicemen attended the rally and  the father of general Dilbagh Singh a retired ex serviceman himself attended the rally. Unfortunately the general as usual was talking like  a wind bag and as yet the sanction is not accorded.

This demand  has been simmering for 4 decades, but it is yet not borne fruit. Though the light at the end of the tunnelm is visible.credit for this must go to General Satbir Singh Chairman of the ESI, who relentlessly represented the case of the soldiers to the BJP government. We all know that after coming to power the two power centres in the BJP, the Finance Minister Jaitley and the Raksha Mantri  Pannikar spoke in discordant voices against the OROP.

OROP is still not approved and I am afraid this will be a sour note for the soldiers fighting with their lives to save India. Its a shame and Modi and his FM Jaitley need to hang their head in shame, but then shameless people do not feel any shame.

Further Comments on the One Rank One Pension for Soldiers

There have been reports of a meeting between the IIESM and the Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. From the account available of the meeting held on 9 December 14 ,the delegation felt the RM R( Raksha Mantri) approach was ‘heartening’ and they have opined that the sanction of OROP is around the corner. The meeting went of ‘very well’ and lasted 30 minutes. Fine, but this really does not hold water as the RM was not expected to be anything but civil. However a crucial point was made that at no stage the RM made any commitment of issuing letter for OROP. This is surprising as the OROP was sanctioned by 2 parliaments and all the RM had to do was push the Finance Minister Jaitley and Modi to issue the letter. This unfortunately is not done and at no stage the RM made any commitment to get the letter issued.

It appears the Ex Servicemen’s delegation led by the able Major General Satbir Singh explained the nuances of OROP to the RM. This beats my imagination as the RM is supposed to keep himself abreast of a demand that has been approved by parliament. I wonder what information he needed now, when his only task is to get the letter issued.

There are wheels between wheels and the aim of the government is to lull the ex -servicemen into a sense of complacency. Modi and party are again confusing the ex-servicemen and by corollary the nation. In this light one can see that in the speeches by the Prime Minister during the election campaign has a hollow ring. He is supposed to have expressed regret for the killing of 2 youths who failed to obey the order to stop. Why? Does the Russian President or US President express regret? I am sure Mr. Modi is aware of something called ‘collateral damage’ in a war.

I call it shameful that the senior officers in the ladder also expressed regret for the killing. With such men in charge, who are Corp and Army commanders as well as the Chief himself, is there any wonder that OROP will ever come? I am afraid I am still pessimist that OROP in the ‘Classical ‘mode will be accepted by the BJP government.

 A watered down sanction may come, but then the services are known to accept most things like the COAS General Thapar accepting a letter from a Joint Secretary to evict the Chinese in 1962. I have earlier also written that Modi and the Congress are on the same footing. God save a nation that neglect’s its military might, the army. Has Modi read Mao’s dictum” Political power comes out of the barrel of a gun”?

The ESI ( Ex-Servicemens Association) Decision to Call of Agitation will not Help

The cat is now out of the bag. The Modi government is not very keen to sanction OROP in its original classical form. I had stated this earlier also. What they would like is to sanction a watered down scheme, despite having announced that One rank One Pension is approved. The Ex-servicemen’s association was to commence an agitation from 3 Dec 2014. This is now postponed on the intercession of a Member of Parliament Mr. Chandrasheker. This MP has promised an audience with the finance and defense Ministers as well as Narendra Modi. How these meetings will help beats my imagination. Again some old fogies who have retired and lost the urge for a battle are going around saying that an agitation will hurt the ex-servicemen’s interest as the government will get annoyed.

Most of the above two lines of thought are so ludicrous that I could die laughing on a bed of nails. Firstly mark my words and that goes for the respected Chairman of the IES. The meetings being arranged by Mr. Chandrasheker with the RM and FM will lead no-where. Even the meeting with Modi will not bring about the desired result as I fail to understand the logic of a meeting with the very authority who approved OROP and then by a sleight of hand decided to sit on it. Secondly, I also do not see how the GOI will be annoyed in case the Ex-servicemen ask for a legitimate demand that has been approved by 2 parliaments. In case the GOI does get annoyed then it should be crystal clear that OROP in its classical form will NEVER be sanctioned. This is the sad truth. With RM and FM making statements that there is 'lack of clarity’ in the concept of OROP, I am afraid it shows that the Modi government has no honest intention to sanction OROP as understood by the rank and file. I do recollect that the FM (Mr. Jaitley) when he was the DM in a meeting asking the stake holders to "tone down" the demand of OROP.

Nothing was won without a fight and the ESI will be doing a grave injustice to thousands of retired personnel by playing into the hands of government representatives and postponing the agitation. I have stated earlier also that the until action is taken by the COAS, nothing will happen. If the only and strongest organized force in the country can't get a simple demand passed, then I wonder what is there in the future except to accept some watered down scheme by Modi. I am afraid his statement like OROP is "dear to his heart" etc. are just hollow statements.