E-Paper
Brain v/s Brawn
BRIG M M Bhanot, the author and creative director of ?Mission Fateh?, a TV serial based on the Army, said a story published in the Hindustan Times pointing out that those who won citations during the Kargil war were denied promotions, has raised a public debate whether one needs brains or brawn to be the top brass in the Army.
BRIG M M Bhanot, the author and creative director of ‘Mission Fateh’, a TV serial based on the Army, said a story published in the Hindustan Times pointing out that those who won citations during the Kargil war were denied promotions, has raised a public debate whether one needs brains or brawn to be the top brass in the Army.
Brig Bhanot said a common reader is rightly intrigued at this dichotomy in soldiering – those who win battles are often not promoted. He suggests that there should be detailed analysis of such cases from the Indo-Pak war of 1948 to Kargil War in 1999. These case studies would adequately answer the question raised above but he feels that public debate in this regard is also important.
He cited the example of Lt Col Maharaja Bhawani Singh (the erstwhile ruler of Jaipur state) who was a leading battle-proven soldier but was denied promotion further. Lt Col Singh had an impeccable record as a young Captain. He served as the President’s bodyguard and was an outstanding polo player who had won many honours for the country.
He was adjutant at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and commanded the first Para Commando unit of the Army. As the Southern Army commander during the 1971 war, he launched this special task force to boost operation in the desert.
Riding the specially modified Jonga jeep (he modified the whole unit including vehicles and equipment with his own money).
Covering more than 60-km across the desert, the unit executed a commando operation with drill squint precision and captured Chhachro for Lt Gen G G Bewoor, GOC-in-C of Southern Command.
At that time, the national media gave adulatory coverage to the event and Lt Col Singh was hailed as a hero. However, he who won the battle of Chhachro lost the battle of promotions.
Surely, he had the brawn to lead a major commando operation in the desert, but he was not promoted because he did not fulfill the criteria for promotion while his counterparts who didn’t have his battle experience made the grade. Why? Did Lt Col Maharaja Bhawani Singh lack brains? Asks Brig Bhanot.
Battle of Arrah, 1857
A BEAUTIFUL trophy kept at Arrah House in distant Arra, Bihar has inspired a retired Army official to trace its history. Lt Col Rawel Singh, who retired from the Sikh Regiment after more than 30 years of service and has settled in Mhow, has written a book — Battle of Arrah 1857 – A Saga of Bravery and Physical & Mental Endurance’ last month after conducting some research.
Lt Col Singh said he was greatly impressed by the beautiful trophy and wanted to know more about this battle. His book reveals that the battle was fought on behalf of the British and against ‘our own brothers’ (Indians).
The brave Sikhs had forced Babu Kunwar Singh and his 8,500-strong force to run for their lives. They attacked the Arrah Garrison where Babu Kunwar Singh along with the troops who deserted from Danapur cantonment, were ensconced.
There were only 52 soldiers of Sikh Regiment at that time under the command of Jemadar Hukam Singh and their families along with 15 European officers. Maj Gen Lloyd has written in his citation that Jemadar Hukam Singh converted certain defeat into a glorious victory thereby changing the course of history.
Lt Col Singh has sent a copy of this book to the Sikh Regimental Centre, so that the officers and jawans there could be inspired by the legacy of those who passed before them.
Honouring AWWA members
IT WAS a glittering function organised by the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) of the Army War College, Mhow at Sunderjee Hall on Tuesday, to present commendation certificates to some members for distinguished service.
AWWA president Niharika Naidu, who was the chief guest, said that AWWA is the solution to all problems of the wives of Army men.
About 2,000 officers are trained in various courses every year at the college and the Combat AWWA (as the Army War College AWWA is known) must stand as a shining example for all stations as without doubt, the landmark progress and achievements have been the result of joint team effort by many ladies.
The commendation certificates were presented by Army Training Command (ARTRAC) AWWA president Mala Jamwal. The recipients of the certificate included Renu Bharadwaj, Manju Rai, Anuradha Matta, Pushpa Budhwar, Vanisha Yadav, Nayanjot Aujla, Priyanka Bangarwa, Hemlata Sharma, Ruchi Gupta, Hemlata Kumar and Anjana Sujan.
AWC commandant Lt Gen M L Naidu, Maj Gen Dalip Bharadwaj, Maj Gen B S Grewal, Brig J Matta and a large number of senior officers and their wives were also present on the occasion. Anita Pathak conducted the programme.
