Honest to God Gen V.K. Singh (Sting in the Tail, April 23), an honest officer, proved to be a bull in the defence china shop.

Jeff Stewart, on e-mail

One never expected Outlook to have a cover showing two of our finest men—Gen V.K. Singh and defence minister A.K. Antony—with such an outrageous caption.

V. Janardanan, Chennai

Why not appoint Group CaptainJi SachinJi TendulkarJi, M.P. as Chief of Army Staff? He is as competent in military matters as AntonyJi or RahulJi and should help the Govt over these troubled waters. Unless, this Congress Masterstroke possibly positions SachinJi as a Blank PresidentJi in due course?

 This is the state of affair where once holier than thou army now symbolizes whats wrong with country. Corruption, bribery, nepotism, fake encounters, PIL, parleys and what not. 

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

Arun,

I find it surprising (as commented by Bonita) that a Christian CNS and another Christian RM should try to change Naval Ensingn just because it looked too Christian.

True, but not surprising.

Apparently the person (Bonita) has a Naval background and did not like the CNS.

You have nothing on which to base this statement, but for the record, I have nothing against Sushil Kumar personally. A gentleman, but a lousy CNS.

even Dilip Kumar, Ajit, Meena Kumari, Jayant all have changed their names.

Care to explain why?

And if indeed he was such an ordinary officer then how did he reach the post of Vice Admiral before he was elevated to the post of CNS.

Excellent question?

Or did he unfairly supercede someone known or related to Bonita.

Not that I know of. My only relative in the Navy was my father who retired 30 years before SK became CNS. Again an aspersion without any basis.

Sushil Kumar married the Widow of a Christian officer from the IAF.

SK's personal life is irrelevant to this discussion. However, I knew both Sushil Kumar's first wife and his second wife's first husband personally.

Why must we needlessly malign some one

I have no interest in maligning Sushil Kumar. But if he has the audacity to name Adm Vishnu Bhagwat in his article (given the circumstances under which he became CNS) he and his supporters should be prepared to hear some home truths. Vishnu for all his faults was miles ahead of Sushil in intellect, professionalism and integrity. He couldn't play polo though.

spread such canard.

Since you say I am spreading a canard, please tell me which statement is incorrect. The only subjective statement was that he was the worst CNS ever. If we differ, that is fine. There may have been someone even worse.

It is you, who have ascribed motives without any basis. You are welcome to believe what you like, but if you publish it, then back it up with some proof.

PS. I was recently given another tidbit about Sushil Kumar's flexibility in choosing his state of domicile. Since you seem to know him, you probably know about this too.

Ghai,

>> Fai,various Lashkars have similar views.

False! They, just like you, don't give a damn about fake encounter murders. My view is the same as that of the Supreme Court.

1. There is nothing in the Army/Navy/Air Force Rules that delineates the requirement to fix a line of succession. If there is such a rule, then  armed forces officers have been NOT been made aware of.

2. A case was published in the media where then CAS wrote to the Govt asking whether Air Marshal Fali Major can be appointed CAS as he had not served a tenure as VCAS or be appointed AOC-in-C Western Air Command or South Western Air Command (both posts being reserved for fighter pilots as per the MoD approval accorded in 1986). Major was a helicopter pilot. It is a fact that many were not aware of.

3. So if JJ Singh "manipulated" as is being insinuated, the "system" then Deepak Kapoor could and should have made the correction - provided he had the inclination and integrity to do so. I will not comment on that but let the Adarsh speak for itself.

4. As for Adm Sushil Kumar, there was some problem.The CBI lodged an First Information Report (FIR) on October 9, 2006 and claims that George Fernandes the Indian defence minister at that time, and the Former Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Sushil Kumar were involved.

5. I hope that the PM and RM sit down - without the benefit of advice of the IAS in their respective offices - and come to a firm and FAIR decision regarding this Year of Birth controversy. My fear is that not only will the IAS use it for their own "one upmanship" but it might provide the unpleasant precedent (that the bureaucracy swears and live by) to manipulate ages in future

" Before Bikram Singh assumes command, a full account of his alleged involvement in the fake encounter resulting in the death of one Abdullah Bhat must be made public."

Faruki

Fai,various Lashkars have  similar views on many Kashmir issues and encounters .

GOI must enquire to satisfy the Foreign friends .
 

 I find it surprising (as commented by Bonita) that a Christian CNS and another Christian RM should try to change Naval Ensingn just because it looked too Christian.  Apparently the person (Bonita) has a Naval background and did not like the CNS. Further even Dilip Kumar, Ajit, Meena Kumari, Jayant all have changed their names.  So what difference did it make if Sushil Isaac became Sushil Kumar. It is legally permitted is it not? And if indeed he was such an ordinary officer then how did he reach the post of Vice Admiral before he was elevated to the post of CNS. Or did he unfairly supercede someone known or related to Bonita. It is also known that Sushil Kumar married the Widow of a Christian officer from the IAF. Why must we needlessly malign some one and spread such canard.  

Before Bikram Singh assumes command, a full account of his alleged involvement in the fake encounter resulting in the death of one Abdullah Bhat must be made public.

Not only an honest officer , General V.K. Singh is proving to be very astute .  He now seem to have cornered them where he wanted. When he retires do no longer  matter. In the battle of wits with a bevy of predecessors & MOD bureaucrats , he is coming out the winner having played his cards with extreme finesse.

Bonita ji

Only present issue I referred. Even he has not spared General VK Singh too in his Article.

But still what Sushil Kumar wrote has many important points .
But thanks for the other information.

AK Ghai,

Consider the following regarding Sushil Kumar. Draw your own inferences.

1. He has changed his name from Sushil Isaacs to Sushil Kumar.
2. He was the prime beneficiary in Adm Bhagwat's dismissal as he succeeded him as CNS.
3. As a FOCinC (and second seniormost officer in the Navy) he complained to the RM, George Fernandes, that he was being "harassed" by Adm Bhagwat.
4. He changed the Navy's White Ensign (again with the help of George) on the grounds that it was too "Christian" (because of the St. George's Cross) and replaced it with a rag which everyone hated. Never mind that the Navy had fought three wars including the raid on Karachi under that "Christian" flag. As soon as Sushil Kumar and his BJP cronies left office, the Navy reverted to its old flag.
5. Sushil Kumar would probably win hands down in a contest for the worst CNS ever. He did nothing for the Navy and spent his time in office pandering to his BJP Masters. (Incidentally the best CNS ever would probably be Adm Ronnie Pereira).

Do you think such a man who made a career out of sucking upto his superiors would advocate anyone standing up to his boss on a matter of principle.

PS. Sushil Kumar was also the only naval person (officer or sailor) ever to go around with a goatee beard. Of course, as he was the CNS there was no one to tell him that this was against naval regulations. You either have a full beard or be clean shaven. Not sure if it is done today, but in the past, an officer or sailor wishing to grow a beard had to take his Commanding Officer's permission to "discontinue shaving".

Crossing the Rubicon :
Sushil Kumar Sushil Kumar-former naval chief
The lesson that comes through is noteworthy yet paradoxical: strong military chiefs can be a great asset for national security but somehow they seem to make the government nervous.

It is apparent that somewhere deep within the system lurks an irrational phobia about the Indian military establishment posing a challenge to civilian authority. The situation has perhaps been compounded by the happenings in our neighbourhood. That in essence is the nature of the problem that is central to civil-military relations in our country.'

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Crossing-the-Rubicon/articleshow/12653756.cms

A balanced Article which gives the veiws of both the sides .

 As per the norms retirement orders for General VK Singh should have been issued before one year of his retirement which is a statutory requirement. Since the Government has with drawn their order of 30 Dec 2011 rejecting vital portion of his complaint, it is the pertenaint point of his date of birth. 99 % Govt has to accept 10 May 1951 as his date of birth as per the records of documents maintained in AG Branch such as: MH Kirkee birth cetificate, Birth Certificat issued by the authority under Births and Deaths Act 1880 (Central Act), Rajput Bn DO Pt II Order where his father was when the then VK Sing was born & the SSC. The birth has been verified as 10 May 1951 under the provisions of Army Order 773 of 1973

        As per Supreme Court Judgement in Feb 2010 the permissible docuent in DOB is birth certificate.

       Principle estoppel comes in when acceptance is given on Principle. Neither there is any Principle in Govt/Army that against the existing legal documents on birth one can take a certificate and finish him off. It is not Principal estoppel it is primary estoppel. It is illegal and goes down on the legal maxim of sine co non. When foundation is wrong every thing founded on that is wrong.

      Govt acan face the Court if its hands are clean.

       If the democratic Govt does not recognise the conclusive existing legal doculent DOB as 10 May 1951, it is de mock ratic

Mr Joginder Jaswant Singh is the original sinner. It is common these days that all ministers and bureaucrats take bribes to clear files. Naturally, senior military officers too are involved in defence deals. In fact it is a done "deal" to select your successors so that skeletons do not tumble out. Therefore, to have a corrupt Army Chief makes sense. Therefore, after JJ Singh came Mr Deepak Kapoor. However, to get Bikram Singh to the top, Gen VK Singh was needed to occupy the top slot for two years. Hence, the DOB issue.As everyone knows now, Gen VKS, being an honest man, was like a bull in a china shop. Der Aaye, Durust Aaye

When bureaucrats and military officers get some post retirement sinecures, its usually to keep their trap shut on some murky deal. The cases are obvious and we need to scrutinize all deals when they were at the helm.

>>>>His complaint to the defence ministry not answered<<<<

Knowing the decision making capabilities of PM - MMS and Defence Minister - ANTONY, the ANSWER will be given on 30 May 2012 directing the Chief to retitre on 31 May 2012.

>>>>His complaint to the defence ministry not answered<<<<

Knowing the decision making capabilities of PM - MMS and Defence Minister - ANTONY, the ANSWER will be given on 30 May 2012 directing the Chief to retitre on 31 May 2012.

Mr Joginder Jaswant Singh is the original sinner. It is common these days that all ministers and bureaucrats take bribes to clear files. Naturally, senior military officers too are involved in defence deals. In fact it is a done "deal" to select your successors so that skeletons do not tumble out. Therefore, to have a corrupt Army Chief makes sense. Therefore, after JJ Singh came Mr Deepak Kapoor. However, to get Bikram Singh to the top, Gen VK Singh was needed to occupy the top slot for two years. Hence, the DOB issue.As everyone knows now, Gen VKS, being an honest man, was like a bull in a china shop. Der Aaye, Durust Aaye

When bureaucrats and military officers get some post retirement sinecures, its usually to keep their trap shut on some murky deal. The cases are obvious and we need to scrutinize all deals when they were at the helm.

 As per the norms retirement orders for General VK Singh should have been issued before one year of his retirement which is a statutory requirement. Since the Government has with drawn their order of 30 Dec 2011 rejecting vital portion of his complaint, it is the pertenaint point of his date of birth. 99 % Govt has to accept 10 May 1951 as his date of birth as per the records of documents maintained in AG Branch such as: MH Kirkee birth cetificate, Birth Certificat issued by the authority under Births and Deaths Act 1880 (Central Act), Rajput Bn DO Pt II Order where his father was when the then VK Sing was born & the SSC. The birth has been verified as 10 May 1951 under the provisions of Army Order 773 of 1973

        As per Supreme Court Judgement in Feb 2010 the permissible docuent in DOB is birth certificate.

       Principle estoppel comes in when acceptance is given on Principle. Neither there is any Principle in Govt/Army that against the existing legal documents on birth one can take a certificate and finish him off. It is not Principal estoppel it is primary estoppel. It is illegal and goes down on the legal maxim of sine co non. When foundation is wrong every thing founded on that is wrong.

      Govt acan face the Court if its hands are clean.

       If the democratic Govt does not recognise the conclusive existing legal doculent DOB as 10 May 1951, it is de mock ratic

Crossing the Rubicon :
Sushil Kumar Sushil Kumar-former naval chief
The lesson that comes through is noteworthy yet paradoxical: strong military chiefs can be a great asset for national security but somehow they seem to make the government nervous.

It is apparent that somewhere deep within the system lurks an irrational phobia about the Indian military establishment posing a challenge to civilian authority. The situation has perhaps been compounded by the happenings in our neighbourhood. That in essence is the nature of the problem that is central to civil-military relations in our country.'

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Crossing-the-Rubicon/articleshow/12653756.cms

A balanced Article which gives the veiws of both the sides .

AK Ghai,

Consider the following regarding Sushil Kumar. Draw your own inferences.

1. He has changed his name from Sushil Isaacs to Sushil Kumar.
2. He was the prime beneficiary in Adm Bhagwat's dismissal as he succeeded him as CNS.
3. As a FOCinC (and second seniormost officer in the Navy) he complained to the RM, George Fernandes, that he was being "harassed" by Adm Bhagwat.
4. He changed the Navy's White Ensign (again with the help of George) on the grounds that it was too "Christian" (because of the St. George's Cross) and replaced it with a rag which everyone hated. Never mind that the Navy had fought three wars including the raid on Karachi under that "Christian" flag. As soon as Sushil Kumar and his BJP cronies left office, the Navy reverted to its old flag.
5. Sushil Kumar would probably win hands down in a contest for the worst CNS ever. He did nothing for the Navy and spent his time in office pandering to his BJP Masters. (Incidentally the best CNS ever would probably be Adm Ronnie Pereira).

Do you think such a man who made a career out of sucking upto his superiors would advocate anyone standing up to his boss on a matter of principle.

PS. Sushil Kumar was also the only naval person (officer or sailor) ever to go around with a goatee beard. Of course, as he was the CNS there was no one to tell him that this was against naval regulations. You either have a full beard or be clean shaven. Not sure if it is done today, but in the past, an officer or sailor wishing to grow a beard had to take his Commanding Officer's permission to "discontinue shaving".

Bonita ji

Only present issue I referred. Even he has not spared General VK Singh too in his Article.

But still what Sushil Kumar wrote has many important points .
But thanks for the other information.

Not only an honest officer , General V.K. Singh is proving to be very astute .  He now seem to have cornered them where he wanted. When he retires do no longer  matter. In the battle of wits with a bevy of predecessors & MOD bureaucrats , he is coming out the winner having played his cards with extreme finesse.

Before Bikram Singh assumes command, a full account of his alleged involvement in the fake encounter resulting in the death of one Abdullah Bhat must be made public.

 I find it surprising (as commented by Bonita) that a Christian CNS and another Christian RM should try to change Naval Ensingn just because it looked too Christian.  Apparently the person (Bonita) has a Naval background and did not like the CNS. Further even Dilip Kumar, Ajit, Meena Kumari, Jayant all have changed their names.  So what difference did it make if Sushil Isaac became Sushil Kumar. It is legally permitted is it not? And if indeed he was such an ordinary officer then how did he reach the post of Vice Admiral before he was elevated to the post of CNS. Or did he unfairly supercede someone known or related to Bonita. It is also known that Sushil Kumar married the Widow of a Christian officer from the IAF. Why must we needlessly malign some one and spread such canard.  

" Before Bikram Singh assumes command, a full account of his alleged involvement in the fake encounter resulting in the death of one Abdullah Bhat must be made public."

Faruki

Fai,various Lashkars have  similar views on many Kashmir issues and encounters .

GOI must enquire to satisfy the Foreign friends .
 

1. There is nothing in the Army/Navy/Air Force Rules that delineates the requirement to fix a line of succession. If there is such a rule, then  armed forces officers have been NOT been made aware of.

2. A case was published in the media where then CAS wrote to the Govt asking whether Air Marshal Fali Major can be appointed CAS as he had not served a tenure as VCAS or be appointed AOC-in-C Western Air Command or South Western Air Command (both posts being reserved for fighter pilots as per the MoD approval accorded in 1986). Major was a helicopter pilot. It is a fact that many were not aware of.

3. So if JJ Singh "manipulated" as is being insinuated, the "system" then Deepak Kapoor could and should have made the correction - provided he had the inclination and integrity to do so. I will not comment on that but let the Adarsh speak for itself.

4. As for Adm Sushil Kumar, there was some problem.The CBI lodged an First Information Report (FIR) on October 9, 2006 and claims that George Fernandes the Indian defence minister at that time, and the Former Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Sushil Kumar were involved.

5. I hope that the PM and RM sit down - without the benefit of advice of the IAS in their respective offices - and come to a firm and FAIR decision regarding this Year of Birth controversy. My fear is that not only will the IAS use it for their own "one upmanship" but it might provide the unpleasant precedent (that the bureaucracy swears and live by) to manipulate ages in future

Ghai,

>> Fai,various Lashkars have similar views.

False! They, just like you, don't give a damn about fake encounter murders. My view is the same as that of the Supreme Court.

Arun,

I find it surprising (as commented by Bonita) that a Christian CNS and another Christian RM should try to change Naval Ensingn just because it looked too Christian.

True, but not surprising.

Apparently the person (Bonita) has a Naval background and did not like the CNS.

You have nothing on which to base this statement, but for the record, I have nothing against Sushil Kumar personally. A gentleman, but a lousy CNS.

even Dilip Kumar, Ajit, Meena Kumari, Jayant all have changed their names.

Care to explain why?

And if indeed he was such an ordinary officer then how did he reach the post of Vice Admiral before he was elevated to the post of CNS.

Excellent question?

Or did he unfairly supercede someone known or related to Bonita.

Not that I know of. My only relative in the Navy was my father who retired 30 years before SK became CNS. Again an aspersion without any basis.

Sushil Kumar married the Widow of a Christian officer from the IAF.

SK's personal life is irrelevant to this discussion. However, I knew both Sushil Kumar's first wife and his second wife's first husband personally.

Why must we needlessly malign some one

I have no interest in maligning Sushil Kumar. But if he has the audacity to name Adm Vishnu Bhagwat in his article (given the circumstances under which he became CNS) he and his supporters should be prepared to hear some home truths. Vishnu for all his faults was miles ahead of Sushil in intellect, professionalism and integrity. He couldn't play polo though.

spread such canard.

Since you say I am spreading a canard, please tell me which statement is incorrect. The only subjective statement was that he was the worst CNS ever. If we differ, that is fine. There may have been someone even worse.

It is you, who have ascribed motives without any basis. You are welcome to believe what you like, but if you publish it, then back it up with some proof.

PS. I was recently given another tidbit about Sushil Kumar's flexibility in choosing his state of domicile. Since you seem to know him, you probably know about this too.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

In case the Congress wants to improve its IMAGE and WIN the 2014 General
Elections, the best option available to it is to make Gen. V.K.Singh the
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff). This gives the Party many advantages -
(a) They will be able to claim implementation of the most important
recommendation of the Kargil Committee Report.
(b) They will have a known Honest General Heading the Defence Forces.
(c) They can promote their favorite Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the Chief of
Army Staff without any problem.
(d) The honest TEAM of Mr A.K.Anthony & Gen V.K.Singh will not only project
an unblemished IMAGE of the PARTY but can also bring about dynamic changes
in the MOD & the Defence Forces.

 This is the state of affair where once holier than thou army now symbolizes whats wrong with country. Corruption, bribery, nepotism, fake encounters, PIL, parleys and what not. 

Why not appoint Group CaptainJi SachinJi TendulkarJi, M.P. as Chief of Army Staff? He is as competent in military matters as AntonyJi or RahulJi and should help the Govt over these troubled waters. Unless, this Congress Masterstroke possibly positions SachinJi as a Blank PresidentJi in due course?