Indian Army News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
31-October, 2017 18:38 IST
Army Chief Felicitates Army Player

In the recently concluded Asia Cup (Hockey) at Dhaka, Bangladesh, which the Indian Team has won after a gap of 10 Years, there were two outstanding players from the Indian Army namely Havildar Akash Chikte (Indian Goal Keeper No 1) and Recruit Suraj Karkera (Indian Goal Keeper No 2). Owing to the extra-ordinary performance, Havildar Akash Chikte was adjudged as the best Goal Keeper of the tournament. Both players were felicitated by General Bipin Rawat, COAS on 31 Oct 17. Havildar Akash Chikte was also promoted to the rank of Naib Subedar by the COAS as per the existing provision.

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[Hindustani78]

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat felicitated Havildar Akash Chikte & Recruit Suraj Karkera of Indian Hockey Team, which won Asia Cup 2017 recently, in New Delhi on October 31, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
01-November, 2017 18:28 IST
Army Aviation Corps Celebrates Thirty Second Raising Day

Army Aviation Corps celebrated its Thirty Second Raising Day on 01 Nov 2017. To mark the occasion, a Wreath Laying ceremony was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, New Delhi. Wreaths were laid by Lt Gen Kanwal Kumar, the Colonel Commandant and Director General of Army Aviation and other serving officers, soldiers and veterans.

Army Aviation Corps is the aerial maneuver arm of the Indian Army. Providing critical third dimensional capabilities to the Army, the Army Aviation Corps has played a stellar role by providing vital aviation support to our soldiers safeguarding the borders and providing relief to the common man during times of national calamity.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
02-November, 2017 17:42 IST
Indo – Kazakhstan Joint Exercise “PRABAL DOSTYK 2017” Begins

A fourteen day joint training exercise “PRABAL DOSTYK – 2017” between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army commenced today with the Opening Ceremony at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The joint exercise is aimed at enhancing the military ties between the two countries as also at achieving interoperability between the two armies. The training contingents comprise of platoon strength from the 11th Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and a similar strength of the Kazakhstan Army.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

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Ministry of Defence
02-November, 2017 17:37 IST
PAN Indian Army Release of Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP) Software Application

Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP) software application was formally released to the Indian Army by the Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand in an event organised at South Block on 02 Nov 2017. IQMP is web based software developed by Army Software Development Centre in association with M/s TCS Ltd. The application automates various logistics related functions of an Army Unit. The application will replace numerous legacy applications such as ‘Vastra’ and ‘Quarter Master Package’.



The package comprises thirteen modules to automate all the logistics functions at unit level. The application can be dynamically configured to meet the specific requirements of various types of Army units and is capable of sharing information and data with other software applications in the domain of logistics management.



The software has been developed with the aim of bringing speed, accuracy and transparency in handing logistics aspects in the unit. It will help in effective logistics management and decision making, thereby assisting Army units to be battle ready all the time. It will also play an important role in achieving automation of Indian Army and prove to be a significant milestone towards ‘Digital Army’ in consonance with the ‘Digital India initiative’ of the government.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...army-cancels-earlier-note/article19968324.ece

In a significant move that will benefit over 64,000 personnel, the Army has said junior commissioned officers (JCOs) are gazetted officers, cancelling its earlier note that described them as “non-gazetted” officers.

The decision by the Army two days back comes amid growing resentment from a large section of its personnel over issues relating to pay-parity and ranking.

In an official note, the Army headquarters has cancelled a communication issued in response to an RTI application in 2011 which had stated that the JCOs are non-gazetted officers, according to documents accessed by PTI.

Highly placed official sources said the Army committed a “major mistake” in 2011 on the status of the JCOs and now the Army headquarters has removed the ambiguity and made it clear that JCOs are gazetted officers.

The clarification will benefit over 64,000 JCOs who are ranked in three categories — Naib Subedar, Subedar and Subedar Major.

The 2011 note had triggered widespread outrage among the JCOs.

Asked how the Army headquarters made the “mistake” in 2011, classifying the JCOs as non-gazetted officers, a senior Army official said there are separate definitions of officers and the JCOs in the manual of military law and it could have been a case of misinterpretation of the rule book.

The issuance of the letter is also seen as a message by the Army to the government to address grievances of a section of the Army personnel over what they call “disparity” in the current pay band.

The issue of status equivalence between military officers and their civilian counterparts was discussed at the recently concluded Army Commanders’ conference.

Asked whether the Army headquarters will send a fresh communication to the RTI applicant who had filed the query about status of the JCOs in 2011, the Army refused to comment.

Defence Ministry sources last week had said that it was seriously examining the long-standing issue relating to status equivalence between military officers and their civilian counterparts.

There has been growing resentment among the military officers who have been insisting that the current status equivalence was flawed and that government must address their concerns.

As per the current pay structure, the subedar majors and subedars are part of the pay band for gazetted officers but there has been discrepancies there as well, said an official.

The Naib subedars whose number of around 55,000 get salary under non-gazetted category, he said.

The matter is among the main issues being examined as part of the pay and allowances anomaly.

Last year, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had set up a high-level committee to look into the issue.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
03-November, 2017 18:48 IST
Marathali Battalions Honoured with Colours by Army Chief

General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff presented the President’s Colours to two Battalions of the MARATHA Light Infantry - 23 MARATHA Light Infantry and 24 MARATHA Light Infantry at the MARATHA Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Belgaum on 03 Nov 17. The Ceremonial Parade was commanded by Brigadier Govind Kalwad, Commandant, MARATHA Light Infantry Regimental Centre. The President’s Colours were received by Maj Shourabh Modak and Maj Karan Joseph of the two Units, respectively.

Award of President’s Colours to a Battalion is an honour, bestowed upon in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the Nation both during war and peace and adorns a place of pride in the Battalion. MARATHA Light Infantry has a glorious history and has been conferred with eight Battle Honours, five Theatre Honours, five Maha Vir Chakras, five Ashok Chakras, 44 Vir Chakras and 15 Kirti Chakras along with various other decorations.

The ceremonial parade was attended by a spectrum of high ranking military and civil dignitaries to include Mr Prabhakar Kore, MP (Rajya Sabha), Mr Suresh Angadi, MP (Belgavi Constituency). General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff complimented the Regiment for its outstanding performance in all spheres of operational and peacetime commitments. He exhorted all ranks to continue striving for excellence and keep the nation’s flag flying high in times to come. After presentation of colours, the Chief interacted with soldiers and their families. During his interaction with troops Chief of Army Staff awarded Commendation Cards in recognition of distinguished services rendered by select officers and other ranks of the Regimental Centre. The General was also taken around the Regimental Archives and Historical Section of Maratha Centre showcasing the history of the Regiment.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat reviewing the colour presentation parade, at Belgaum, Karnataka on November 03, 2017.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat presenting the president's colour, at Belgaum, Karnataka on November 03, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Shopian has become a headache for security forces of late, though new army camps were built in the area to counter growing militant activities after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July last year.(PTI File Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...at-ratna-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat-4922088/

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Saturday said Field Marshal KM Cariappa deserves to be awarded Bharat Ratna. “Its time to recommend Field Marshal KM Cariappa for the Bharat Ratna,” he was quoted by ANI as saying.

“If others can get Bharat Ratna, I see no reason why he Field Marshal KM Cariappa shouldn’t be a deserving personality for same-Army Chief,” he added.

Field Marshal KM Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949. Born on January 28,1899, Cariappa is one of the only two Indian Army officers to hold the five-star rank of field marshal. In 1983, he was given the title of the Field Marshal (five stars), the highest honour in the Indian Army.

 

[RISING SUN]

India, Bangladesh to kick off combat exercise in Mizoram next week
The Indian and Bangladeshi armies are all set to hold an intensive combat exercise at the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte in Mizoram from next week as part of the overall policy to bolster bilateral military ties.

The aim behind "Exercise Sampriti", which will be conducted from November 6 to 18, is to enhance interoperability between the two armies while conducting counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in a semi-mountainous jungle terrain.

"Sampriti will include a field training exercise at Vairengte, which will include heli-borne operations and neutralization of IEDs, and a command post exercise called Milap at the Umroi cantonment in Meghalaya," said an officer.

Interestingly, the two armies will also hold a joint training capsule on anti-terror operations from November 13 to December 10 at the Danapur Cantonment in Bihar. "The capsule's main aim will to be train junior commanders of the Bangladesh Army in effectively handling such operations," he added.

The Indian armed forces, seeking closer cooperation on the counter-terrorism front, are working towards "building capacity'' of the Bangladesh military, which ranges from training and exercises to military supplies and defence technologies. Bangladesh, of course, is another country in India's neighbourhood where China has made some strategic inroads over the last several years.
India, for instance, provides 90 vacancies for different courses in its military establishments and academies for the Bangladeshi armed forces every year. There is also a tailor-made training programme for 100 Bangladeshi soldiers at the Mechanized Infantry Regimental Centre at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

Moreover, the Indian Army, Navy and IAF hold regular staff-level talks with their Bangladeshi counterparts. India, for instance, has been holding direct Army-to-Army staff talks with Bangladesh since 2009 to chalk out the cooperation between the two forces in the years ahead.
The importance of the talks can be gauged from the fact that India has similar staff talks with just a handful of countries, which include US, UK, Israel, France, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Similarly, the bilateral naval cooperation has been traditionally strong, encompassing a wide span to include operational interactions through training, port calls, passage exercises along with "capability building and capacity augmentation initiatives". The Bangladeshi Navy is also the present chair of the Indian Ocean Symposium (IONS), which is a multilateral maritime cooperation platform launched by the Indian Navy.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...in-mizoram-next-week/articleshow/61493105.cms

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
04-November, 2017 18:18 IST
Army Chief Honours Field Marshal KM Cariappa and General KS Thimayya

The Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, paid homage and unveiled statues of Field Marshal KM Cariappa and General KS Thimayya at Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, Kodagu District on 04 November 2017 in the presence of a large number of civil and military dignitaries. The initiative to erect the statues was taken by the Field Marshal KM Carriappa General KS Thimayya Forum with the dual aim of inspiring the youth of the region to follow the footsteps of their illustrious forefathers and keep the military heritage of the Kodava region alive.


Speaking on the occasion, General Bipin Rawat recalled the contributions of the two stalwarts and exhorted the youth of the region to follow the footsteps of their illustrious forefathers and choose Defence Forces as a career. Field Marshal KM Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on 28 April 1986. General KS Thimayya was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and took over as Chief of the Indian Army on 07 May 1957.


The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat paid homage and unveiled the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya, at Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, Kodagu District, Karnataka on 04 November 2017.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady visiting PBG Regimental Gurudwara, on the occasion of birthday celebration of Guru Nanak Devji, at President’s Estate, in New Delhi on November 04, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
05-November, 2017 19:05 IST
Raksha Mantri Visits Forward Army & Airforce Bases in Assam & Arunachal Pradesh

Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman visited the forward Army posts in Arunachal Pradesh and Air Force base in Eastern Assam today. The visit to the forward army and Air Force bases followed her visits to Bomdilla and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh yesterday, where she attended the inauguration ceremony of the Buddha Mahotsav 2017 and called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar. In today’s visit to the forward army post of Kibithu in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, which is in continuation with her visits to forward areas along the Line of Actual Control, she was accompanied by Lt Gen Abhay Krishna, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and other senior officers of the Indian Army.

The minister was briefed on the situation and defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control. She also interacted with the troops and appreciated their dedication to the service and efforts in such a remote and inhospitable terrain. As part of this visit the Raksha Mantri also visited the important Eastern air base of Chabua, where she was received by Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar VM, Senior Air Staff Officer HQ Eastern Air Command, and Air Commodore George Thomas VM, AOC, Air Force Station Chabua. During the visit she took stock of the operational preparedness and infrastructure development of the base. The strategic base presented a static display of the combat assets available at the station to the Defence minister, which included the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft and modern Missiles. She also interacted with Air Force personnel serving in this eastern most region of our nation and had lunch with the air warriors. She complimented the air warriors for their professional approach and commitment in the service of the nation. She appreciated the operational readiness, ongoing infrastructure development and the high morale of the Air Force personnel at the base.

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[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at the inauguration ceremony of the Buddha Mohotsava 2017, at Budha Stadium, Bomdila, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh on November 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing at the Buddha Mohotsava 2017, at Budha Stadium, Bomdila, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh on November 04, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju at the Buddha Mohotsava 2017, at Budha Stadium, Bomdila, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh on November 04, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman with the Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra & Army Officers, at Forward post of Kibithu, in Arunachal Pradesh on November 05, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman interacting with the officers & Jawans, at Kibithu, in Arunachal Pradesh on November 05, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

General Bipin Rawat being greeted by Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda (retd) during the unveiling of the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (right) and Gen. K.S. Thimayya at Gonikoppal on Saturday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...alour-of-people-of-kodagu/article19984779.ece

‘Sacrifice of the people will always be remembered by the Indian Army’
Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday paid tribute to the courage and valour of the people of Kodagu, speaking after unveiling the statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya at Gonikoppal.

“The sacrifice of the people of Coorg will always be remembered by the Indian Army. The land had provided great leaders who have been part of the Defence forces of the nation and that in the future also, there would be many distinguished leaders from this land,” said the Army chief.

Ex-servicemen’s welfare

Talking about the steps being taken by the Indian Army for the well-being of ex-servicemen, he said providing quality healthcare under the ECHS (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) was a priority and suitable amendments had been made to ensure timely access to medicines.

Gen. Rawat also announced ₹10 lakh for a museum at Sunny Side, the residence of Gen. Thimayya in Madikeri. The two bronze statues were unveiled in the presence of Lt. Gen. R.K. Anand, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area; Major General K.S. Nijjar, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area; and office-bearers of the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum.

A release stated the site for the statues was provided by the Cauvery Educational Society and is located close to the ancestral house of Kodandera family belonging to the Generals.

The two statues are placed side by side about 25’ above the road level. The bronze statues, 7’6” in height, have been made in Bidadi by sculptor Vijay at a cost of ₹17 lakh. This is the only location in India where statues of the Army chiefs are co-located, the release added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
07-November, 2017 14:34 IST
Two-Day Controllers Conference – 2017 Begins

Defence Accounts Department under Ministry of Defence (Finance) is organising a two-day ‘Controllers Conference – 2017’ beginning here today.

Inaugurating the conference, Chief of Army Staff lauded the initiatives of Defence Accounts Department like defence travel system, E-PPO’s, National compilation system and its benefits to the Indian Army. He stressed upon the timelines in procurements so that the Defence services can reap full benefit of budget placed at their disposal. He complimented the department for its efforts of automation which helped in transparency and effective functions, expertise in accounts, audit and finance matters. The need of uniformity in disbursement by various agencies was stressed upon. He also highlighted the importance of fraud detection and prevention as an integral internal control mechanism and thanked the department for all its efforts in strengthening the same.

The theme of the conference is ‘Strengthening Systems and Controls: the Way Forward’. The conference will have five business sessions such as transforming audit through implementation of online audit - CICP, IMMOLS, ILMS by leveraging Big Data, transformation of payment functions, challenges in the implementation of the Integrated Financial Advisor System in defence, strategy for effective human resource management and image building by achieving zero grievance in pension through CPDS and implementation of DTS.

Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Smt. Veena Prasad set the tone for the conference by urging all the participating officers to deliberate, debate and deliver solutions which have a mutual bearing on the Services and Defence Accounts department.

Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sunil Kohli highlighted independence, credibility and timeliness as the core values of the department. He emphasised the need for better data analytics for better service delivery and meeting client expectations. He advised the officers of Defence Accounts Department to work with passion and in a mission mode to reduce lead time.

The conference would focus on issues of using analytics for better decision making, challenges in implementation of the Integrated Financial Advisor system, change management in core functions of Defence Accounts Department and better stakeholder management in handling defence pension issues. The conference is expected to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience and initiate fresh ideas which could contribute towards aiding fiscal management of our Armed forces.

The conference is being attended by senior officials from Ministry of Defence, Defence Account Department and Services Headquarters.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat addressing the gathering on the occasion of two-day Controllers Conference - 2017, organised by the Defence Accounts Department under Ministry of Defence (Finance), in New Delhi on November 07, 2017. The Controller General of Defence Accounts, Smt. Veena Prasad and the Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Shri Sunil Kohli are also seen.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat in a group photograph with the senior officials from Defence Accounts Department and Services Headquarters, on the occasion of two-day Controllers Conference - 2017, organised by the Defence Accounts Department under Ministry of Defence (Finance), in New Delhi on November 07, 2017.