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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
STATE OF PARAMILITARY FORCES
Paramilitary forces living on edge: IIM study
A study by the IIM, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) on the working conditions of the central paramilitary forces has highlighted their stressful and dismal living conditions round the year as they don’t have a concept of peace posting like the armed forces.
IIM-A submitted this study on “performance related incentives in government” to the Sixth Central Pay Commission.According to the study, the forces are required to put in long working hours (invariably 12-14 hours a day) and perform additional duties of guarding the camp without sufficient rest and respite in difficult terrains, hostile environments and face regular threat to life.
The report said: “They always remain on call and have round-the-clock commitments throughout the year, without any consideration for leave, gazetted holidays, weekends, festivals, personal commitments and social obligations. This leads to very high levels of stress and imbalances.
Repeated physical ailments in far-flung areas of deployment and absence of medical facilities for diseases like cerebral malaria, Hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, chikungunya etc render working conditions hazardous. Stress compiled with unhygienic living conditions leads to high instances of chronic diseases and (premature) death among force personnel.”
The study has further noted their social isolation after living in camps for a lifetime. Their unavailability for social and family commitments like marriages, functions, death etc of near and dear ones almost leads to their social boycott in the family and their society.
The report further added: “The problem of social isolation is compounded by the fact that their entire career is spent in hard areas and they don’t have a concept of peace posting (as in the armed forces).”
The report also mentions about their increased personal expenditure as they are forced to maintain two or more establishments due to separation from family and the need for education of their children. The report said: “He is forced to undertake journeys to home to sort out domestic exigencies, which cost him additional money.
Regular need for communication with their families adds to their costs and it’s made worse by the fact that at many places of their deployment, they only have satellite phones which cost a fortune.”The IIM-A team further mentioned: “Separation from family is a serious problem.
We met somebody who has not lived with his family for the past 37 years and said that ‘my children don’t recognise me’.”
The report makes another important observation on the food provisions for the forces. It said: “Food is the most basic human need and the related provisions are widely perceived to be unfair and highly discriminatory which adversely affects their morale. Ration money paid out to force personnel is perceived to be inadequate, especially for their places of deployment where ration is always more expensive. Levy of income tax on this effectively reduces the amount of calories that money can buy.
BLOG'S VIEW
There is a urgent requirement for the government to sanction various allowances like Paramilitary Service Pay (PMSP)in line with Military Service Pay (MSP), technical pay, higher ration money, school transport, communication facility and host of other allowances to make life comfortable for these men in Khaki.
In the officer cadre there is a urgent requirement to shift Second-in-Command and its equivalent in various paramilitary forces to the pay scale of PB-4, as the existing workload of these officers is much more than carried out by Lt. Colonels in the Battalion. It is pertinent to mention that promotion to this rank of Second-in-Command is by selection unlike defence forces where it is time bound promotion. Going by the general principle a selection post is always treated senior to time bound promotion posts.
A study by the IIM, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) on the working conditions of the central paramilitary forces has highlighted their stressful and dismal living conditions round the year as they don’t have a concept of peace posting like the armed forces.
IIM-A submitted this study on “performance related incentives in government” to the Sixth Central Pay Commission.According to the study, the forces are required to put in long working hours (invariably 12-14 hours a day) and perform additional duties of guarding the camp without sufficient rest and respite in difficult terrains, hostile environments and face regular threat to life.
The report said: “They always remain on call and have round-the-clock commitments throughout the year, without any consideration for leave, gazetted holidays, weekends, festivals, personal commitments and social obligations. This leads to very high levels of stress and imbalances.
Repeated physical ailments in far-flung areas of deployment and absence of medical facilities for diseases like cerebral malaria, Hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, chikungunya etc render working conditions hazardous. Stress compiled with unhygienic living conditions leads to high instances of chronic diseases and (premature) death among force personnel.”
The study has further noted their social isolation after living in camps for a lifetime. Their unavailability for social and family commitments like marriages, functions, death etc of near and dear ones almost leads to their social boycott in the family and their society.
The report further added: “The problem of social isolation is compounded by the fact that their entire career is spent in hard areas and they don’t have a concept of peace posting (as in the armed forces).”
The report also mentions about their increased personal expenditure as they are forced to maintain two or more establishments due to separation from family and the need for education of their children. The report said: “He is forced to undertake journeys to home to sort out domestic exigencies, which cost him additional money.
Regular need for communication with their families adds to their costs and it’s made worse by the fact that at many places of their deployment, they only have satellite phones which cost a fortune.”The IIM-A team further mentioned: “Separation from family is a serious problem.
We met somebody who has not lived with his family for the past 37 years and said that ‘my children don’t recognise me’.”
The report makes another important observation on the food provisions for the forces. It said: “Food is the most basic human need and the related provisions are widely perceived to be unfair and highly discriminatory which adversely affects their morale. Ration money paid out to force personnel is perceived to be inadequate, especially for their places of deployment where ration is always more expensive. Levy of income tax on this effectively reduces the amount of calories that money can buy.
BLOG'S VIEW
There is a urgent requirement for the government to sanction various allowances like Paramilitary Service Pay (PMSP)in line with Military Service Pay (MSP), technical pay, higher ration money, school transport, communication facility and host of other allowances to make life comfortable for these men in Khaki.
In the officer cadre there is a urgent requirement to shift Second-in-Command and its equivalent in various paramilitary forces to the pay scale of PB-4, as the existing workload of these officers is much more than carried out by Lt. Colonels in the Battalion. It is pertinent to mention that promotion to this rank of Second-in-Command is by selection unlike defence forces where it is time bound promotion. Going by the general principle a selection post is always treated senior to time bound promotion posts.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
MARTYRDOM OF MAJOR UNNIKRISHNAN
IS MARTYRDOM GONE WASTE ?
Unnikrishnan was a Major in the Indian Army serving in the elite National Security Guards (NSG). He sacrificed his life while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks “Do not come up, I will handle them.” These were probably the last words which Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan told his men as he was hit by bullets while engaging well armed gunmen inside the Taj Hotel, Mumbai during the Black Tornado operation
During the operation, when a commando got injured Major Unnikrishnan arranged for his evacuation and started chasing the terrorists himself. The terrorists escaped to another floor of the hotel and during the chase Major Unnikrishnan was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries
Family
He hails from a family settled in Bangalore that had migrated from Cheruvannur, Kozhikode,Kerala. He was the only son of retired ISRO officer Mr. K. Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi.
Childhood
Major Unnikrishnan spent 14 years at the Frank Anthony Public School. A popular figure among his contemporaries, he wanted to join the Army, even attending school in a crew cut. He is remembered as an outstanding student by his teacher. In 1995 he finished ISC Science from here. He was the house captain and he participated in sports and described by his school principal as "fantastic athlete". Most of his athletic records remained unbroken for many years. He described himself as a movie maniac in his orkut profile
Besides his display of courage from young age he had a soft side to him and was a member of the school choir.
Army Career
Sandeep joined the National Defence Academy (India) in 1995. He was a Cadet, part of the Oscar Squadron (No 4 Battalion) and a pass out of the 94th Course of NDA. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts (Social science stream).
His NDA buddies remember him as "selfless "generous" and "calm and composed"
Our Politicians
The anger against the political class in wake of the Mumbai terror attack boiled over with slain NSG commando Major Sandeep
DG, NSG, Jyoti Krishan Dutt, along with colleagues pay their respects to NSG men Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Gajendra Singh who laid their lives fighting terrorists in Mumbai.
Opposition parties in Kerala have accused the state government of having shown disrespect to the Kerala-born soldier, who lost his life while combating terrorists in Mumbai, by not sending any minister to his funeral, attended by a large number of people, including Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa.
As Sandeep's father remained firm that no politician should enter his house and refused to meet the leaders from his own state, police persuaded Dhanalakshmi, the slain commando's mother, to talk to the guests.
He had told his friends that his son, whose valour was witnessed by the entire country, did not belong to Kerala alone but to the entire nation.
Unnikrishnan's father literally shooed away Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan on Sunday
Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan's reaction
It is understood that Kerala Chief Minister Mr. VS Achuthanandan stated that he had gone to meet Mr. Unnikrishnan only because he was the father of Marytr Major Unnikrishnan otherwise even the dog would not have entered his house.
This blog consider that this type of treatment to the family of the Martyr is totally uncalled for, the political class needs to be more aware of sacrifice of our military men. The reaction of the people of our country forced the Chief Minister to apologise on the issue otherwise the individual was very reluctant to even express apology.
Unnikrishnan was a Major in the Indian Army serving in the elite National Security Guards (NSG). He sacrificed his life while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks “Do not come up, I will handle them.” These were probably the last words which Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan told his men as he was hit by bullets while engaging well armed gunmen inside the Taj Hotel, Mumbai during the Black Tornado operation
During the operation, when a commando got injured Major Unnikrishnan arranged for his evacuation and started chasing the terrorists himself. The terrorists escaped to another floor of the hotel and during the chase Major Unnikrishnan was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries
Family
He hails from a family settled in Bangalore that had migrated from Cheruvannur, Kozhikode,Kerala. He was the only son of retired ISRO officer Mr. K. Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi.
Childhood
Major Unnikrishnan spent 14 years at the Frank Anthony Public School. A popular figure among his contemporaries, he wanted to join the Army, even attending school in a crew cut. He is remembered as an outstanding student by his teacher. In 1995 he finished ISC Science from here. He was the house captain and he participated in sports and described by his school principal as "fantastic athlete". Most of his athletic records remained unbroken for many years. He described himself as a movie maniac in his orkut profile
Besides his display of courage from young age he had a soft side to him and was a member of the school choir.
Army Career
Sandeep joined the National Defence Academy (India) in 1995. He was a Cadet, part of the Oscar Squadron (No 4 Battalion) and a pass out of the 94th Course of NDA. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts (Social science stream).
His NDA buddies remember him as "selfless "generous" and "calm and composed"
Our Politicians
The anger against the political class in wake of the Mumbai terror attack boiled over with slain NSG commando Major Sandeep
DG, NSG, Jyoti Krishan Dutt, along with colleagues pay their respects to NSG men Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Gajendra Singh who laid their lives fighting terrorists in Mumbai.
Opposition parties in Kerala have accused the state government of having shown disrespect to the Kerala-born soldier, who lost his life while combating terrorists in Mumbai, by not sending any minister to his funeral, attended by a large number of people, including Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa.
As Sandeep's father remained firm that no politician should enter his house and refused to meet the leaders from his own state, police persuaded Dhanalakshmi, the slain commando's mother, to talk to the guests.
He had told his friends that his son, whose valour was witnessed by the entire country, did not belong to Kerala alone but to the entire nation.
Unnikrishnan's father literally shooed away Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan on Sunday
Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan's reaction
It is understood that Kerala Chief Minister Mr. VS Achuthanandan stated that he had gone to meet Mr. Unnikrishnan only because he was the father of Marytr Major Unnikrishnan otherwise even the dog would not have entered his house.
This blog consider that this type of treatment to the family of the Martyr is totally uncalled for, the political class needs to be more aware of sacrifice of our military men. The reaction of the people of our country forced the Chief Minister to apologise on the issue otherwise the individual was very reluctant to even express apology.
Monday, December 1, 2008
SALUTE TO BRAVE HEARTS
PAYING OF RESPECT TO ONE AND ALL
This blog pays respect to all soldiers, police personnel, fire men, staff of Hotel Taj & Oberoi Trident who laid their lives in saving the honour of this country during attack by terrorists at Mumbai. Every Indian’s heart goes out to the families who lost their close ones in the terror attacks in Mumbai. It is an hour of gloom as near two hundred innocent Indians have died and the nation is battling the most ugly form of terrorism.
This catastrophe of extraordinary dimensions has left everybody shocked. But for most of us who watched the war-like-situation on TV sets in our homes, the harsh reality is that so many of the brave police officers and army men (NSG) lost their lives.
We salute all these men including top officers like Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar Major.Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ashok Kamte and Sadanand Date & the junior personnel like Inspector Shinde, and Havildar Gajender Singh who sacrificed their lives to rescue the innocents trapped in the Mumbai hotels.
Shri.Hemant Karkare
ATS Chief and Police Officer
No one is indispensable, but some rare people come quite close to it. Hemant Karkare, the chief of Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), who laid down his life fighting one of the worst terror attacks on the Indian soil, definitely falls in that category.
Born in Nagpur, Karkare studied mechanical engineering in Nagpur and worked at the National Productivity Council and Hindustan Lever before making it to the prestigious IPS in 1982.
While posted in Nagpur he fought the Naxalite forces and earned a reputation of being an officer who is courageous as well as having a sound head on his shoulder. In several missions undertook by him, he used not only his brawn, but his superlative brain to achieve success.
Shri.Vijay Salaskar
Police Officer and Enounter Specialist
Vijay Salaskar was an IPS officer with the Mumbai police. He was considered as an encounter specialist. He is believed to have killed around 75 criminals in encounters. He was killed while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Before his death he was heading the Anti-Extortion Cell, Mumbai. Salaskar was a post-graduate in Commerce from Mumbai University. He joined Mumbai police as a sub inspector. He is believed to have killed around 75 criminals in police encounters.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
NSG Commando
Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a 31-year-old National Security Guard (NSG) commando, laid down his life fighting the terrorists in Mumbai on Friday. To prevent his colleagues from getting caught in the crossfire, Sandeep told them to keep away. unfortunately, he was grievously injured in the gun battle with the terrorists.
The braveheart hailed from Bangalore where his father works for the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Havildar Gajendar Singh
Specialist in heli-borne operations
The other brave heart, Havildar Gajender Singh, was a specialist in heli-borne operations.
“Gajender Singh was chosen for the Nariman House operation as he qualified for the job extremely well. He was leading the slithering act and its follow up action,” the NSG official said while paying homage to the slain commandos at the NSG headquarters in the national capital.
Other martyrs
Ashok Kamte
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer - additional police commissioner Ashok Kamte - was killed in separate gun battle with terrorists
Other Police / Fire personnel
This blog also pays homage to remaining 10 police personnel and 01 Fire guard for laying down their life to save the honour of the country.
Staff of Hotel Taj & Oberoi Trident
All the staff of these two hotels who also laid down their lives deserves equal respect and homage.
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