Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2010

Why did the "Khukri" have to sink??

INS Khukri in 1971 INS Khukri, was a Type IV ASW Frigate belonging to the 14 Squadron of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy during the 1971 War with Pakistan. She was the only Indian sea vessel that was destroyed by the enemy, and sank off the coast of Diu, on the night of December 9, 1971, taking down with her about 178 sailors and 18 officers including Khukri's Captain - Mahendra Nath Mullah. The sinking of INS Khukri continues to haunt the minds of military strategists and planners even today. Because, this was the only instance where the otherwise highly effective planning and tactics of the Indian Navy like those used to sink the Ghazi and for the Karachi attacks, did not come into play.     I have tried to put together, a few critical factors that led to this incident which was a huge irreparable loss: 1. Pakistan Navy's strength lay in her new "Daphne Class" submarines, three in number, acquired recently from France (and funded by the United States). The s

Courage Under Fire - II

Captain Mullah was commanding a sea vessel of the Indian Navy - a frigate "INS Khukri" during the war. His ship was part of a squadron that was tasked to seek and destroy Pakistani ships and submarines. On the night of December 9, 1971, INS Khukri was hit by torpedoes fired from a Pakistani submarine, and started sinking. Realizing this, Captain Mullah ordered to crew - some 300 officers and sailors - to abandon ship. He also realized that many men were trapped in the sinking vessel below the deck. Unmindful of this personal safety, and choosing to stay with the ship when he could have opted to save himself, he took it upon himself to personally supervise the rescue of the trapped men. As Genl Cardozo related the story - "being the man that he was, he knew that it was not right for him to save himself while his sailors went to a watery grave". In those final moments when the ship sank, Captain Mullah helped as many as he could, staying on the bridge of th

Courage Under Fire - I

It was the 14th of December 1971, a little over 39 years ago. Many of my generation cannot forget that year however. A war was on. At 8 am on that fateful day, the outlying OPs (observation posts) just outside the Srinagar airfield flashed a warning about an incoming air raid by Pakistani F-85 Sabre jets. A young Sikh Officer Nirmaljit, and his fellow fighter pilot Ghumman -both Gnat pilots,  were scrambled to intercept the incoming strike. Ten precious seconds were lost in getting ATC clearance which never came. Both pilots took off - four minutes after the first OP warning, and just when the first of the incoming Sabres was commencing its dive over the airfield. Ghumman was the first to become airborne followed by Nirmaljit, who almost immediately was out of visual contact of the ATC, obscured by the dust and smoke thrown up by the exploding Pakistani bombs. By now, Nirmaljit was overcome totally with raw courage. There were six sabres and he decided to take them on, while still

Diwali

Tomorrow is Deepwali - the Indian festival of lights. There is an atmosphere of festivities everywhere. The festival symbolises brightness and light, and so millions of homes across the Country, are brightly lit up for the past so many days to pay obeisance to God Almighty for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. Diwali also symbolises removing darkness - in the form of ignorance and all negative forces -  wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering,  by spreading light in the form of knowledge. Deepawali also symbolises a 'new beginning' The festivities reach a peak. People shop for new clothes and jewellery, and sweets and gifts to exchange with near and dear ones. Households are refurbished and cleaned, and then lit up brightly. Relatives and friends reunite this time of the year -if not at anytime else. There is happiness all around. On Deepawali this year - as in all the previous years - I

A General remembers (Excerpts from General Sundarji's book -"Of Some Consequence - A Soldier Remembers..."

Here's an interesting anecdote that I came across in General Sundarji's book, which is an autobiography, and could only be published after his death: ‘It was the winter of 1951. There was a function on a Sunday, at Headquarters Eastern Command which was then at Lucknow. General Sriganesh was to attend and an air force plane (a Devon) has been lain on. Apart form the Army Commander Major Generals Thimayya, Thorat and Chopra had requested for a lift and were promised a seat. I was to be the fifth passenger. We were all at Palam airport in Delhi on that Sunday, morning and just before take-off a brigadier from the Army Service Corps approached the boss and requested for a seat, and so I was unceremoniously taken off the plane. As a sop I was told that I need not come to receive the boss that evening, and could enjoy my Sunday! After we saw the plane off, Group Captain Rajaram, DFC who was the stations commander of Palam said to me In Tamil – “Sundar don’t be disappointed. Now th

A lesson in Kashmir history for Ms. Arundhati Roy...

Ok - I see that we cannot simply ignore Arundhati Roy. She has that knack of gaining publicity because that's what she thrives on. Her 'raison d'etre'.... According to her, Kashmir was never an integral part of India. This comment convinced me ever more, that there is really no substance behind this person and the cause she stands for, side by side with Mr. Geelani. I also think that Ms. Arundhati Roy is fairly ignorant. Most probably, when she sat in Class in school, she didn't pay attention to the History lessons. For her benefit - let me summarise the facts and break the myth that the likes of Ms Roy would make believe. On the eve of India's independence there were as many as 568 'princely states' in India - the  'Princely States' . Some of these were Hyderabad, Gwalior, Baroda and Kashmir. None of them were part of India. When the British decided to leave, in 1947, the left two choices with the States - to affiliate with Pakistan or with

Do you know the CISF?

These are the guys in uniform, who you see at secuirity check points at the airport - everytime you take a domestic or an international flight. They are the ones, who frisk you, check your baggage on the x-ray machine, and politely ask you to remove your lighter or batteries from your cabin baggage. They are also the soldiers in uniform who guard the Delhi Metro. You will see them manning all security check points at the Metro stations. You encounter them for maybe five seconds - occasionally they may have frisked you, and you are on your way. What you probably might not know is that the Central Industrial Security Force, established in 1969 with the primary objective to provide security to Public Sector Undertakings in India has, over the years become a premier multi-skilled security agency of the country, mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas. CISF is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations,

DELHI: Doubters should just get out there and enjoy the Games.

We heard of the huge amount of criticism of the Commonwealth Games in the foreign media. Here's something different that Peter Lalor of 'The Australian' wrote... This has been contributed by an old School mate David Conquest who lives in Australia. "The Commonwealth Games are apparently under way. Not without glitches and no doubt there will be a few more to come, but for pity's sake what do people want? India is a Country with more than a billion people. It is chaotic, eccentric, colourful and unlike anywhere else in the world. You reckon Australia would run smoothly with that many people? It can be dirty and is often frustrating, but it is also endlessly fascinating. Every moment something new and enthralling happens. If you can't find interest here, you should check your pulse. You get the feeling from all the hoo-ha of recent weeks that people expect life to be lived inside a shopping mall. Bland, secured and air-conditioned. That goes for ath
The Commonwealth Games - more popularly referred to as CWG - 2010, are finally over. And India managed to put up a rather good show, despite all bungling, disasters and controversies. But just because the Games were finally a success, does not mean that those guilty of all the corruption, mismanagement of the entire project, delays and disasters, should be allowed to go scot free. The guests - mainly the athletes from about 70 Countries had a nice time - and even they are now admitting it. The foreign media, so critical at two weeks ago, is not shying from stating that the CWG 2010 were the best ever. To a 'peripheral observer' like me, and to one indirectly impacted, as I am a citizen of Delhi two aspects related to the Games will remain 'top of mind' First - 'Bravo' to the Delhi Police force, for having successfully managed a huge, huge challenge - that of  ensuring security and an incident free Games for a fortnight, and for having organise

These women did India proud !!

Finally, a jinx more than five decades old was broken yesterday at the CWG games, with three Indian women - Krishna Poonia, Harwant Kaur and Seema Antia, bagging the Gold, Sliver and Bronze medals and thus making a clean sweep of the medals tally in the Discuss Throw event. It was a very proud moment indeed - for India, when these athletes won their medals for their Country in the Athletics category after a gap of more than 50 years ! The last medal was won by Milkha Singh in 1958. What is even more a matter of pride -is that it was womens' athletics that shone bright, and achieved what the men are yet to come near to... Well done Ladies - you did India proud !

Play it Safe...!!

You know what's the latest at the Games Village? The days of the dirty rooms, water logging, and dogs' footprints (and other prints too) are over. The king cobras and their babies have also thankfully decided to leave the athletes in peace. After all they too are Indians and believe in the philosophy of "Atithi Devao Bhava" or "Our guest is like God to us"  So, no more harassment to the guests. This time - the problem has been created by the guests themselves. As each day passed, complaints started ringing in, of clogged toilets. And when the maintenance men came and investigated the root cause, guess what they found. The toilets were clogged with -hold your breath - CONDOMS !! All eyes then turned to the very 'large' condom machine installed at the village (We do know how to take care of our guests - don't we?). And a quick stock taking revealed that of the 4000 condoms stocked in there, about half of them have been taken ! Wow ! Today is onl

Let the Games begin...!

I have to confess - that there is a 180 degree turnaround in the state of affairs since - let's say a month ago. Well- maybe not a full 180 degrees but we're getting there.... We had corruption, missed deadlines, shoddy workmanship, a complete absence of leadership etc. etc. And all of this was highlighted by the Arnab Goswamis and the Barkha Dutts of the World. Today while they are being lambasted for having focused on only the negatives, the media sure has my appreciation. Had not the media cried hoarse over the massive bungling in every department, we the people wouldn't ever have realised the seriousness of the situation. Neither would have things started changing for the better. So now, most of that is behind us. And going by what one has seen of the 'bandobast' in our own 'Dilli' the planning and organizing has been worth appreciating. Particularly the 'two lane traffic' The cops are more than visible - policemen and policewomen, in new clea

Pakistan and Plebiscite in Kashmir

Mr Qureshi is at it again. Beating the same old "Kashmir' drum. This time he did it in his address at the UN General Assembly, much to India's chagrin.  Typical ploy to divert attention of Pakistanis when there is trouble within the Country. Little realizing that this 'game' played by the politicians and the Army in that Country, cannot go on forever. For instance the Americans are already calling General Kayani, a liar.But that is another story. As regards 'plebiscite' in Kashmir is concerned - Mr. Qureshi should be categorically informed, that plebiscite is not the sole privilege of the Muslims of the State. The right to franchise in the plebiscite lies as much with Hindus and Sikhs, and the Buddhists in the State of J&K, as much with the Muslims. That's fair, isn't it? (That said I am personally not even convinced that it is a Hindu - Muslim issue. Peaceful co-existence between these two communities has been legendary, and generations old).

The Great Indian (CWG) Tamasha...!

Less than two weeks to go. Teams from some Countries are already here. Is Indian ready - for what is easily one of the biggest events she has ever hosted in her history? An show that every Country would pride itself in putting up. A show that every guest attending would remember for a long, long time... Less than two weeks to go. Construction in stadia and the games village is still incomplete. And whatever is supposedly complete - some towers in the games village which houses the living apartments for the participating teams - have been clearly and unambiguously been certified as 'un livable'. Because animals are roaming around inside apartments and 'shitting' on top of the beds. Electrical systems are faulty and therefore there is danger to life. Yesterday, a foot bridge meant to be used by the team members and officials collapsed, injuring 23 people. A foreign journalist manages to purchase explosives - enough to organise 200 different explosions, stuff all of

Lt. General Hanut Singh PVSM MVC

In an earlier note, I wrote about moral courage and the ability to stand upright for what one believes is right. I am reminded of one Army officer - a General known for his moral courage. That officer was Lt. General Hanut Singh - PVSM MVC. Many many know of Lt. Genl. Hanut Singh, as the elder cousin of Jaswant Singh -the famed leader of the BJP. Genl Hanut Singh is described by many - as a 'complete soldier'. He epitomized courage - moral as well as physical, fair mindedness a very high standard of morality, discipline and professionalism. Born into a proud clan of 'Rathor' Rajputs from 'Jasol' in Rajasthan, Hanut Singh joined the Joint Services Wing (JSW in Dehra Dun in 1949, and was commissioned into the '17 Horse' popularly known as the 'Poona Horse' in 1952. Poona Horse - a coveted cavalry regiment, had the unique distinction of having won 4 Victoria Crosses and two Param Vir Chakras -one in the 1965 war a
The Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police (Traffic)-Mr. Satyendra Garg , has threatened, that if a driver driving on a Delhi road does not give way to an emergency vehicle-like and ambulance, fire engine etc. wanting to overtake, all such vehicles will be hauled up, and the drivers will have to pay a fine of Rs 100. Their vehicles could also be impounded. Finally, someone has decided to think about this problem ! I have in course of my daily commuting, been witness to this almost heart breaking spectacle on the roads of Delhi, when an ambulance with its siren shrieking, is desperately wanting to cut through the traffic and rush the patient to the hospital. I have wondered as to what must be going on in the minds of the occupants of the ambulance -specially the patients' attendants and near and dear ones, in this chaotic situation, where they must be totally helpless and frustrated. But then I also wonder at Mr. Satyendra Garg

Leave the Army out of this...

This is my second post on this subject, which is the involvement of the Armed forces in civilian matters. Lately, there has been a lot of debate about he dilution of the 'Armed Forces Special Powers Act' of the AFSPA as its popularly (or infamously, now) known. The people of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the State Government are strongly lobbying for dilution, repealing or at least diluting this Act. Others - champions of human rights, NGOs and so on, have also found opportunity to 'drift with the flow'. The Army, on the other hand feels, that rather than diluting the Act, it should be made even more stringent, thus enabling the Army to be more effective in dealing with the task that it has been entrusted with - that of fighting insurgency. There is however, one dimension to this issue that sadly gets ignored always. In recent times, it is the Army that gets pulled in, at the drop of the hat, in almost any kind of civil emergency situation. The kind if situations that