Hey there folks..!!
Hope you all are doing great. Check out this awesome video about the Phoenix Bird.
Phoenix are mythical birds known to have evolved from the ashes that it burns to. However, there aren't any solid proof to state it's existence in reality.
Hope you'l like it.
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Welcome to Blogskypass..!! It's nice meeting you all after a long time.
There is nothing new about Corona (aka) COVID-19. But there are many about these vaccines on social media. Without knowing the truth, many believe in rumors and refrain themselves from obtaining their vaccine shots.
As a result, 5 Lakh vaccine doses were wasted by Maharashtra due to poor planning, as told by Union Minister Javadekar. However Maharashtra Government rejected it. In Tamilnadu, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has made it official - workers above the age of 45 years, either take up the vaccine or go on leave. Similarly, all shop owners and traders are being stressed upon to take up vaccines.
Let us break this chain of ignorance. Let's know about the vaccines and get your jab soon.
First of all, what is a vaccine. A vaccine is a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies and provides immunity to a disease. Antibodies are the cells of body that fights disease causing virus/bacteria/fungi or any other pathogen. A vaccine usually contains dead form of the virus or it's synthetic form. Therefore, there is no way that you get affected by Corona upon taking a vaccine.
Secondly, after getting a vaccine it's very common to get a fever or body pain. There is a scientific reason behind it. Take this case. You fall down and hurt your knees. You bleed heavily. Somehow, you stop the bleeding. But, soon you'll feel feverish. The reason is, some pathogen or foreign particles would've entered your body and your immune system have started fighting against it. Fever is an indication for the same. After getting a Tetanus injection, you'll feel better. Similarly, getting a vaccine means we introduce a few foreign particles into the body. Hence you get a mild fever and sometimes body ache too. However, many vaccination centers provide you with tablets for fever and body pain immediately after vaccination.
When I spoke to a few about this, they said that Government is hiding about vaccine deaths and vaccine trials. That's pretty false. Those who say this must be WhatsApp Doctors. Remember, whatever government it is in the Centre, they aren't going to play with the whole of population. Beside this government, we have a plenty of officers and NGOs, whick haven't raised their voice against vaccines.
To those who complaint about the Government - Fine. You won't believe this government. It's okay. For your kind information, Covishield and Covaxin are being exported to various other countries including Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Do you think even those governments would buy our vaccines without testing?
However vaccination in India is not easy. Mind set of people is so complex here. Still, we have a solution. Let's first get vaccinated. Then say it to your friends and family. Cause, we have a greater population of people who say "my friend took the vaccine, he is safe, so let's get vaccinated" than "Modiji took the vaccine, so it must be safe".
Let's end this pandemic together.
Jai Hind.
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Warm Welcome to Blogskypass..!!
In the last blog we discussed about a few reforms needed in the Indian Armed forces and this blog will be a continuation of the same. If you haven't read it yet, please read that first at The Indian Army - Reforms (PART 1) and then continue with this.
Body Bags for Fallen Soldiers
Armed Forces need reform, excellence and change for dynamic security challenges and new technologies. On 6th of October 2017, a video was circulated in social media by Army/Air Force personnel, reportedly shooted at the Guwahati Air Base.
The video showed the dead soldiers being carried in sacks or wrapped with cloth. Initially, the soldiers killed in action were either buried or cremated in the field area itself and only the ashes were sent back home. In fact, the Armed Forces had a Grave Registration Unit that was responsible for maintaining a record. Ever since Kargil War, the bodies of fallen soldiers were delivered to their relations in caskets wrapped with tricolours. But caskets were made available only at Head Quarters. So the corpses of soldiers were carried in such a way, before being kept in casket. Defense Ministry rejected the request of body bags for fallen soldiers transportation. These heroes, though given high respect at ceremonial cremations, their bodies were ill-treated.
Women in Combat
In 2019, General Bipin Rawat said that women in combat roles would have to be cocooned from the prying eyes of subordinate soldiers; commanding officers of fighting units might require long maternity leave which the army can ill-afford; our soldiers are not ready to accept women leading them; and the society is not ready for women coming back in body bags. Though he was very rude in saying so, a part of society accepted to it as biologically women could be at disadvantage for battle.
Women were first inducted into service in 1992 as officers. Over the years, they were commissioned as fighter pilots in Air Force and as sailors in Navy. Women are in almost all the branches, except infantry, armored corps and artillery, that handle close combats and counter-insurgency strikes. Some women are obviously more powerful than men, in physical terms but not all. Post marriage and Post pregnancy women seek transfer, that affects Army's organisational strength. However there are a few changes that could be done in the Armed Forces, in favor of women, without affecting the organisation.
Reform on Gallantry Award System
The need for reform in awarding medals to brave soldiers arised when Ashok Chakra was awarded to Anti-Terrorist Squad chief and former Joint Commissioner Hemant Karkare, who was killed in a chance encounter with terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. First let me tell you the procedure of giving Gallantry Awards.
A case for Gallantry Award is initiated by the unit and forwarded to army headquarters with recommendations of all commanders in the chain of command. This is considered by Awards Committee at service HQ before forwarding to Ministry of Defense with the approval of respective chief.
Evidence for citation of awards to soldiers and officers are not needed. They hear upon only the narration of other fellow soldiers. They try to exaggerate their personal work to receive awards. However commanders, Chiefs and service HQ always makes an attempt to stop exaggeration. Mission accomplished or sacrifice -getting killed or wounded in action - must not be confused with acts of gallantry. Best way to avoid exaggerations are helmet-mounted video cameras. These cameras have gone a long way in refining the system in US Armed Forces. False claims must be strictly dealt with under military law.
Reforms of CDS
Chief of Defense Staffs. General Bipin Rawat, planned for a virtual transformation with ambitious military reforms. Reforms need reviews necessitated by emerging threats, changing patterns of conflict and new technology. CDS wants to make reforms not only on Army ranks and files, but also to media, defense analyst and veterans.
He has tasked his top brass with discussing, analyzing, formalizing and, where necessary, testing envistigated reforms. This agenda includes restructuring of the Army Headquarters and maintain a youthful profile for the officer cadre. Among lots of reforms proposed by the CDS, inorder to reduce man power they need to be replaced by high end technology which is costlier.
CDS General Bipin Rawat also inaugurated Young Leaders Training Wing at Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. It's target is to make jawans/soldiers crack tough Service Selection Board (SSB) and become officers. This is because shortage of officers cause difficulty of operation efficiency at counter insurgency areas. This would also result in empowerment of soldiers and junior leaders, and management of officer's corps. Increasing capability of military academy decreased officer shortage to 15%.Chennai based OTA has a capable intake of 700 Officers, but functions only with 500 cadets. Indian Militiary Academy at Dehradun also functions 11% below it's capacity.
It is not the gun that matters, but the man behind gun does. There are yet more reforms needed in the Armed Forces. We hope that the present Government and CDS would do the needful to develop and improve our forces.
Meet you all soon at my next blog.
Until then, it's KK signing off. Ba Byeeeee.
(P.S. All the idea here are a part of the book The Indian Army - Reminiscences, Reforms and Romance by H.S.Panag. Those idea are just briefed up here for normal understanding.)
Hello my dear Readers. Welcome to Blogskypass..!!
As already said, in today's blog we are going to look about the reforms that Indian Armed Forces are in need of. These need for reforms doesn't mean that they are working below their capacity. But we have ways to increase their productivity. It's an Universal truth that anything good, can be made even better.
Again due to excess amount of information to be covered this blog is being published as 2 parts.
Indian Soldiers don't fight in the name of Nationalism
At first, let's understand the basic difference between Patriotism and Nationalism, which sound same but differ in meaning. Loyalty of a person to his/her country is Patriotism, whereas Nationalism is a political, social and economical system characterized by promotion of interest of a particular nation. Is PATRIOTISM or NATIONALISM the primary motivation for Soldiers and Officers fighting in a battle? Technically NO. Research suggest that soldiers don't fight for patriotism or nationalism. They fight because they don't want to see their soldier brothers die or feel coward Soldiers fight as they couldn't see their brothers die. This emotional bond/cohesion strengthens the unit. That way is the Army designed.
Then you may ask. What's the role of patriotism. Patriotism is an integral part of training in Army. It acts as an umbrella concept of motivation. They fight for their comrades, units and regiments, but the main objective is to ensure that tricolour flies high.
Politicization of the Military
Politicization implies that armed forces find a political motive or though process. Politicized army would lead to situation like Pakistan, where military has most powers. But it haven't happened in India. At the same time we must ensure it's not happening in future too. This can be ensured by the questioning of Armed Forces and Government with regard to their preparedness for any mission assigned to them and their performance while executing it. But the journalists stopped questioning them on National Security and have gone along with the mood of the nation. At the same time, constitutionally it's ensured that Armed Forces don't have a political move. It is ludicrous for the government to advance the logic that the 'Armed Forces have been given complete freedom' and one cannot question them. It is given political direction with certain limitations and the freedom of action is restricted to execution.
Yelling panelists on TV shows
Here are a series of different events, which gained a lot of attention from the general public.
First Case: It happened at Jammu and Kashmir. As we all know it's a state of violence. Armed Forces have guns and grenades to fight terrorists. But nothing to fight a 15 year old boy or a pregnant lady. Stone pelting are most common here. As the pettlers are civilians, Army couldn't fire. Simply wait for them to disperse. This event happened when Election Commission vehicle carrying EVMs were stone pelted by civilians. As the army must escort them safely, Major Gogoi tied up a man to bumper. Hence the stone pelting stopped and the Election Commission vehicle was safely escorted. In fact Major Gogoi was awarded a medal as a recognition of this work, when the case was open with Court of Inquiry.
Second Case: The ration for soldiers are poor, especially at the remote areas. It may be due to the high altitude or remote areas, that food supplies couldn't reach. However, the soldier mustn't have taken it to social media. There is a system of addressing grievances of Army serving members with in the institution. They are solved at the Army Head Quarters, via the Ministry of Defense.
In both the cases, instead of finding a solution, there were lot of TV shows and debates in all the regions trying to find the guilty person. The incident is done. Instead of finding a way to avoid the same incident in another circumstance, TV panelists were doing something else.
That's all for this blog. There are yet more reforms we need to sucuss about, which will be done soon. Meet you all soon at my next blog.
Until then, it's KK signing off. Good Byeeee.
(P.S. All the idea here are a part of the book The Indian Army - Reminiscences, Reforms and Romance by H.S.Panag. Those idea are just briefed up here for normal understanding.)
Warm Greetings.
This blog is a brief introduction to the working of country's National Security and handling of internal issues and threats. And also a tribute to those Guardians..
NATIONAL SECURITY
National Security of a country is the primary concern. It is what we all call the Defense Department. As we all know, the first citizen of India, President, is the the supreme commander of all the three armed defense forces, namely - Army, Navy and Air Force. He has the highest authority of declaring war, peace and signing International Agreements. However, all of these activities are done by the Prime Minister, in the name of President. Followed by this is the Defense Minister, who monitors the overall functioning of tri-service. Then comes the National Security Advisor and Defense Secretary. Followed by them is the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and Chief of Army, Chief of Navy and Chief of Air Force. This is the hierarchy of the Defense Department. Followed by them would be other higher officials within department.
National Security Advisor (NSA) is an officer from Indian Police Service (IPS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS), who works as an advisor to the Prime Minister about the security and defense of the nation and also heads the National Security Council. He is directly answerable to the Prime Minister. Defense Secretary is an IAS Officer who monitors only the tri-service and reports to the Defense Minister.
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS)
The Chief of Defense Staff is a five star general and the senior most Armed Force Officer. His status is more or less equal to that of Cabinet Secretary. He is the principal military advisor to the Prime Minister and National Security Council. He is responsible capability development and modernization of the Armed Forces. The current and first incumbent is General Bipin Rawat.
Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard
The Indian Army is lead by the Cheif of Army Stffs (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The primary task of Army is to secure the boundaries of India and prevent infiltration from any part. Among them they are divided into various regiments, like Gorkha Regiment, Parachute Regiment, Madras Regiment and Punjab Regiment. These regiments are divided into Battalions, which serve at different parts of the country. The special forces of Army are Para Commandos, who are given training with par to International Standards, and are considered to be one of the lethal forces of world. National Defense Academy in Pune, Officers Training Academy in Chennai and Gaya and Indian Military Academy in Dehradun are the training centers for army officers and soldiers.
The Indian Navy is lead by Admiral Karambir Singh. Their main task is to maintain maritime peace and secure the international oceanic boundaries of India. They are divided on the basis of the ships they work. At present, with more than 70000 active personals (which includes sailors, Naval officers and engineers) there are 8 landing ship tanks, 1 aircrafts carrier, 1 ambitious transport dock, 8 landing ships, 11 destroyers, 13 frigates, 10 large off-shore patrol vehicles, 4 fleet tankers, 7 survey ships and 1 research vehicle. The ships include INS Vikramadhithya, INS Shakthi and INS Kolkatta. The special forces of navy are MARCOS, who are trained in par with the American Navy SEALS. Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala trains Naval Sailors, Officers and Engineers.
The Indian Air Force is being lead by it's Chief, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Badhuria. With more that 1800++ air crafts, the don the Indian Air space. There are in different categories, flying officers, air traffic control and technical and non-technical engineers. Their major task is to assist Navy and Army in supplying arms and ammunition supplies. Also, the fighter jets carry some important operations of attacking enemies territory. The special forces of Air Force Garud Commandos. They have the longest training period of 3 years. Indian Air Force Academy at Dundigal in Telangana is the training centre.
The Indian Coast Guard is commanded by Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan. They work within the International Borders and in inland water bodies. They majorly assist Navy in monitoring inland water bodies and also contribute to the internal security.
Adding to there are various Intelligence Departments, include External Intelligence Agency - Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
All these 4 forces come directly under the Defense Ministry of India.
INTERNAL SECURITY
Internal Security of India is controlled and monitored by the Home Ministry Department of Indian Government. They have Central Armed Police Force, while include CRPFs to control internal events like riots, communal clashes and bundh.
Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF) are deployed in the regions having heavy clashes, to maintain peace and law and order. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are deployed at airports and other public places to screen passengers and protect government property. Indo-Tibetian Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF), Sashtra Seema Bal (SSB), along with CRPFs monitors law and order in Line of Control and Line of Actual Control acting as morale support and security to Indian villages in the border, from the enemy troops.
There is also an Internal Intelligent Agency - Intelligence Bureau (IB) which collects intelligence inuts from various parts of the country and maintains harmony. IB has various other divisions with in it - Directorate Enforcement, Indian Political Intelligence Office and Signals Intelligence Directorate.
Apart from them, there is National investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which investigates cases of National importance. Narcotic Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Railway Police Force are other armed and intelligence forces attatched to various other departments of the Government of India.
SECURITY TO VIPs
To the President
The Presidential Body Guards provides protection to the President. The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite house hold cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is senior-most in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and protect the President of India which is why the regiment is based in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi, India. It is equipped as a mounted unit, with horses for ceremonies at the presidential palace and BTR-80 vehicles for use in combat. The personnel of the regiment are also trained as paratroopers and nominally are expected to lead in airborne assaults in the role of pathfinders. These PBGs are serving Army/Air Force/navy Officers.
To the Prime Minister
The Special Protection Group (SPG) is a special operations force whose objective is providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and members of their immediate families anywhere in the world. It was formed in 1988 by an Act of the Parliment of India. It provides security only to the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members residing with them at the official residence. Earlier, it used to provide security to former prime ministers as well, but they are now given the Z+ Security Cover. These SPGs are recruited from various other armed forces, except the defence tri-service.
To other VIPs
All other dignitaries including Union Ministers, Chief Minsiters of the States and member of Parliments are given Z+ Security Cover by the National Security Guards. These SPGs are recruited individually and also from other forces including IPS and CAPF.
These are all the major forces in our country serving hard to maintain peace and make the tri-colour fly high always. All the armed forces are maintained at the best.
Hope this was informative.
As a continuation of this blog, next I will be discussing about the various reforms that the aremed forces are in dire need of. Remember, our forces are doing good. But there is always a way to make it better.
Meet you all soon at my next blog.
Jain hind..!!
Hey folks..!! Hope you all are doing good.
This is my first try towards a vlog. Hope you guys would like it.
The video is in 3 part, in order. Watch it and get benefitted.
Follow on Instagram @blogskypass
A warm welcome to all my readers..!!
If you are keen on watching TV news a lot you must've noticed that first 2 or 3 headlines are having a standard template like "xxx Army at Jammu and Kashmir", for a past few weeks. Why is it? It's a valley lying in between the Great Himalayan range and the Pir Panjal mountain range, with a variety of terrains ranging from lakes, snow-capped mountains, coniferous kissed hills to glacier fed rivers. It's merely a white sheet of paper spread over 2,22,236 km², with it's population occupying less than one-fifth of the total area. The reason for such a sparse population is majorly contributed by it's weather and terrain. It was for this area. India totally fought 4 war; 3 with Pakistan and 1 with China.Still, what draw the attention of Pakistan and China into it? How did it all start?
The Foundation
Soon after the independence, a painful partition followed. In June of 1947, people were given a chance to select between India and Pakistan. Similarly, 600 Princely States were given a chance to for their territory either with India or Pakistan or to remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir's crowned king chose to remain independent as he wanted his people to decide over it. At the same time, an appeal was made to the Governments of India and Pakistan not to force, but to wait until his people take a decision.
"Who and How" of the issue
Though an agreement was signed by Pakistan and India with J&K, Pakistan Government felt that majority of Kashmiris were Muslims and would like to be with Pakistan. Considering this unsupported thought, they did a barbaric act. Pathan Tribesman, Ex-Soldiers and Deserters from State Force were grouped together under the name of RAIDERS by Pakistani Army. They were well supplied and supported with force, ammunition and medicine. They were assigned to raid the villages for loot, women and land. In the October of 1947, the raiders began to enter Jammu and Kashmir. These raiders were uncontrollable. They looted every single place and raped every women.
Since then, till now
Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-48
When things went beyond hands, Maharaja Hari Singh appealed to Indian Government's Mr Jawaharlal Nehru (the then Prime Minister) to intervene and help them. But Nehru refused as he couldn't deploy Indian Army troops outside it's territory. He made a diplomatic, more politic, move by offering help subject to signing the instrument of accession to the Union of India, over Jammu and Kashmir. An agreement was signed. Immediately troops were sent into the state, a war torn out. However most of the forward post were re-captured by Indian Army. Raiders were chased out by the brave acts of our soldiers. However, Nehru asked United nations (UN) to intervene, which resulted in declaration of formal ceasefire in January of 1949.
Indo-Chinese War of 1962
Aksai Chinna area of Jammu and Kashmir originally believed to be a part of Kashmir belonging to India, but the Chinese assumed it the wrong way. But the Chinese took it to be with-in their own territory. It was at this time, they were facing up-risings in Tibet. When India provided asylum to Dalai Lama, tension arised. India started sending patrols at the disputed border regions to set up forward post. The war broke. However due to lack of Intelligence Inputs, expired WW-II rifles, backwardness of the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru and deficiency of good command at senior level, we lost the war. It's the only war, were India lost. However, the war ended when China declared a ceasefire on November 1962.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Ind-Pakistan War of 1971 was a militiary confrontation between India's Mitro bahini forces and Pakistan that occured during the liberation war in East Pakistan from 3rd December 1971 to the fall of Dacca on 16th December 1971. The war began with Operation Chengiz Khan's preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian Air Stations, which led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and into war, for Independence in Eastern Pakistan on the side of Bengali Nationalist Forces. Being one of the smallest war, it ended when Pakistani troops of 9000 headed by Pakistan General A A K Niazi surrendered to Eastern Command Lt. Gen. Aurora, which is the largest surrender in the history of wars.
Siachen 1987
Initially during the partition, neither India nor Pakistan was interested in Siachen. Siachen is home to some of the world's tallest mountains, their snow capped tops giving way to rivers of white that gleam in the sun as they fall over-colored rocks. However, it is considered to be a conflict and not a war. Also known as Battlefield on the Roof of the World, it was as usual, Pakistan started the problem. At a point were India, Pakistan and China's border meet, Pakistan was allowing International Mountaineers without prior permission from India. As expected by the Intelligence Bureaus of India, Pakistan was trying to occupy a part of it, disobeying the Karachi Agreement of 1949.
The Kargil War of 1999
One of the world famous war, fought in the winter of 1989-99. The flames started when Pakistan soldiers infiltered in the Name Operation BADR whose main aim was to chase the Indian troops out of Siachen Glaciers. The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared war when a troop of Indian soldiers patrolling the border were beheaded (whose bodies weren't returned) by the infiltrated Pakistanis.
As a result of these conflicts, troops of Pakistan and China moved inwards into the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Two lines, namely LoC (Line of Control) and LoAC (Line of Actual Control), define the boundaries for India, though International Boundary includes the full state of J&K. Beyond LoC is Pakistani occupied Kashmir and LoAC separates areas occupied by Chinese Army troops from Indian troops
When will it end?
Still now the end hasn't occurred and there isn't an end obviously, until Pakistan really bans all the terror outfits and stops funding them. In the case of China, there are no conceivable solutions. Till now there has been lots of firings in the border, while Central Reserve Armed Forces and Army are giving befitting replies now and then. If you ask me, "Will any of them capture J&K?". I have a clear NO. We are one of the Nuclear Powers, with 5th Largest Army. We may lack anything in infantry or artillery, but not our raw courage. Few of the supporting examples for our dauntlessness are The Surgical Strike of URI and Balkot Air Strikes.
However with the scrapping of Article 370, Government aims in having a direct control over the state to monitor it's activity and stop terror funding with the state. Now the Central Government can have a direct access over state's activities and literally pose any rule/law to stop terrorism. With the Amendment in Citizenship Amendment Bill, there is an ever more tighter chain crushing the terror outfits. Amendments of CAB simply implies that Government of India would no longer support Muslims from Pakistan or any country with Islamism as it's National Religion, thereby cutting down the entry of terrorists as civilians seeking refugee.
Pleasant Day to all my readers..!!
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| This picture has nothing to do here. Still present for an attraction 😄😉. |
First of all, this topic is an unusual one, but not the idea behind it. Why did it decide to present on this? It's all because of a news article I read a few days back.
A former IITian of Kanpur, a Mechanical engineer was found begging on streets.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/iit-kanpur-alumnus-found-begging-in-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/79619079.cms
Simply one question. Why?
With no doubt, IIT is a world class institute. Then, what went wrong with that gentleman? May be he wasn't meant for Engineering or he was with the wrong people.
Everyone is born for a reason. Finding that reason, takes your lifetime. Principal thought is that, one who finds the reason, reaches his place. the place he was born for. It's my duty to remind you Ladies and Gentleman, everyone are not born with the talent. But get equal opportunities to develop it.
Now, a question for you. Are you at the right place?
By the end, I'll help you find an answer for this question.
By the term "right place", what I try to mean is simple. It's the place where you wanted to be always. It must give you a sense of satisfaction and happiness. For a boy who grew up in poverty, his dream will be to give a good education. When he could do that, I can assure you, he is at the right place.
There is a person who wants to learn everyday. But he is being placed at a MNC with high-paid salary. Many dream for such a well-paid life. But he isn't satisfied, because it's not his place.
Everyone have dreams in our life. When you make that as your ambition, and work for it, with full of your heart and muscle in it, that is where you belong to.
For choosing our place, we need to have a right understanding of ourselves. Improve your skills. Work on your pros and cons. Try to put up an answer in few words to the question, "What you are?". This is all you do at the age of 18.
If you can swim well, being a champion in that may be the place where you belong to. Remember, Gentlemen and Ladies, you can never judge a monkey by it's ability to swim or a fish by it's ability to climb a tree. Fish belongs to water and Monkeys belong to tree.
When you at the right place, you'll love everything you do, you'll have a stress free life, you'll never get tired of it and you'll live every moment of your life.
Now answer. ARE YOU AT THE RIGHT PLACE?
It's never too late. Chase your dreams, before they retire.
It was a pleasure, writing for you all. To stay connected with us, you can subscribe here and follow us on Instagram @blogskypass. See you all soon at my next blog.
Until then, CHEEEEEERS.
Greeting to all my readers..
I know ladies and gentlemen. Going to beach, that to in your city, isn't really an expedition. Well, then you'll agree to my topic, if I say the 'Mode of Transport'. BICYCLE.
Yeah, you are right I was out of my mind when I decided on this. Good News is that I found two of my friends with the same 'thought' disorder. However, the plan was made. I was so much determined. 2-stage clearance was done (mera mataji aur pitaji). Cycle was done and dusted. Yeah, GET SET GO.
It was on Sunday. I don't remember the exact time, probably when time were all paranormal entities would've completed their walk and sit for dinner. My alarm set off. With sleep in eyes and power in thoughts, I dragged myself out the heavenly bed and went to brush. Style ah, getha ah I wore my jerkin and donned my watch. Oh yeah, I forgot The Mask. It was around 5.15 am and I was all active. Took my bicycle, and begin to stamp the foot lever. Now goes the music in my earphones. Parakkum Rasaaliye Rasaaliye Nillu. Thank You Wynk Music, at least you saw my ragged cycle worthy. 10 or 15 mins I reached my friend, Mr Dharaneesh. Along with him, another gentleman, Mr Sham. After a cup of coffee, we began our expedition. With the dreams of seeing sun-warmed and sweet waves, we began at 06.00 pm.
It was all good until we reached Old Mahabalipuram Road. I was expecting problems in this ride. It was a 50 km ride. I have tried till 30, but first time for 50. And my boys, they were fit. I know they could. So I was looking forward only for fatigues and headache. There came a surprise. BOOM..!! "Kishore, cycle chain cut uh da", announced Mr Sham. Wow. Really, wow. Where are we? OMR. Could you see any open shops? NO. Do you expect to see a cycle shop? Well, NO. But gratitude to the Almighty. We found a shop, 3 kms behind us. Something is better than Nothing. I had the best standing example for it. We patched it up. Then went on. We were lucky enough, to not face any other problems en-route. I checked my mobile for the distance to reach destination. Fine it showed 10 kms. After 20 mins of avid pedalling, you'll never believe it viewers. I was still at 09 kms.
Now it's time to appreciate my idea. Thinking OMR lies close to the Beach, and ECR parallel to OMR, away from beach (which is vice-versa), we began. To be precise, I made them believe it and begun. But that didn't create much chaos. We had a connecting road at Sholinganallur that showed up at right time. At last, we reached. Yes gentlemen, we reached the destination. Our goal. Our wish.
The moment breeze hit my visage and when my nose could sense the smell of dry fish, that satisfaction is a bliss. Being with friends at the beach, is a pleasure. After feeling the wind and couple of photos, we packed up to reach back. The ride was quiet easier while going. Expecting the same while riding back, was my mistake. Damn! The road was as steep as anything. Only then I understood how it was that easier while raiding towards. Fine, I came. Now I must go back. No other go. We crawled back cycles slowly. Now comes the play of my gentleman. Mr Dharaneesh. Poor guy, out of exhaustion and tiredness, instead of going straight, took a right. With the conviction of stopping them, I chased them. He once again took a right. Again a right. And I caught them, after half-way. After these many 'rights' they were at the point were they started. After an ordeal, somehow, we reached our houses, totaling our travel distance to 57.51 kms in the duration of 4:28:04..
We never knew if we could do that. But we decided to do. We were determined to accomplish it. We were not planning to drop the plan and turn, or call for a pick up back home. That's what gave us this new experience. Thought my knees pained and headache broke out, I have a story now, to tell you all. And inspire. Every chance in life may not be repeated. Grab once you get it. You'll never regret for that.
After all this agony, with high thoughts of eating my mom's yummy food, as I entered my house, most bitter thing happened. "Sorry kid, today we are on fasting. We'll eat at 6.00 pm" !?!?!
Thank You folks. Hope you would've liked it.
Meet you all at my next blog.
Until then, it's KK signing off.
(P.S. Kudos to Mr Dharaneesh and Mr Sham for giving me such wonderful moment.)
A warm wishes to all my folks..!!
As you could've sensed by now, yeah it's about a book. So you may ask me "then it's a Book Review?". No not exactly. Though you are partly right, it's an insight into the book that is packed with emotions.
It's a pleasure to write about this book. Wish you all would like it.
Name of the Book - India's Bravhearts : Untold Stories from the Indian Army
Author - Lieutenant General Satish Dua (Retired)
Let me start this with a question. How do you define Army? When you Google it, this is what it shows up : "An organised military force equipped for fighting on land". But an Indian Army fan knows that it isn't sufficient. Personally, I couldn't define or constrict Army within a few words. I would like to remind you readers, a poem of Mahakavi Bharathi on the Goddess Kaali. Without words to describe her beauty he simply states "adada adada adada". And that was a perfect description.
"India's Bravhearts : Untold Stories from the Indian Army" is a book full of anecdotes and experiences of the author Lt.Gen. Satish Dua. Every page on the book marked the brotherhood, discipline, vigilance, trustworthiness and elegance. He brings it to the notice of the readers, the hardship of every soldier and their pride to work for the country.
Lt. Gen. Satish Dua belonging to the 8 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, a specialist in counter-terrorism, a Commando Instructor and also Defence Attache to Vietnam, Colombia and Laos.As Corps Commander he executed the Surgical Strike in Kashmir in response to the Terrorism Attack at Uri.
All the anecdotes relate to the time when he was the Commanding Officer of 8 J&K LI. As a CO of his battalion, he taught his Juniors the courage and exceptional bravery. He recalls he never wore a helmet nor a bulletproof jacket during encounter with terrorists. He marks his exceptional attitude, when he crossed the LoC, and walked across, even after being warned by the Pakistani Troops. As he shares his experience, it gets us into the field and witness the incidents.
The Author never failed to give us surprises. Nearly, three times he was about to be killed. Thanks to his QRT (Quick Reaction Team) that saved him many a times. This one surprised me the most:
There's another unbelievable twist. Naib Subedar Karnil Singh brought rifleman Kamal Deep from one of the assault teams. He said "Sir you won't believe this!". He showed me a bullet hole in front of Kamal's helmet right in the centre., just a little above forehead. Then he showed me an exit hole at the back of helmet.A bullet had penetrated his helmet a little above the forehead and exited from behind, travelling through the couple of inches of space between the helmet and head. Really, I am stunned. How luck was he!
If you get there alive, you'll live. What a good propaganda for an Army Hospital! The hospital were Heart Attacks and Diabetes are rare; what's common are hypothermia, frostbite and chilblains. The Author makes a strong mark, to pay tribute to all the Doctors and Medical Professionals of the Army. He never missed out to bring out their dedication.
Being a Commando Trainer he also gives us an insight of the happenings that time. From, catching the snake till a tribute to Captain Pawan Kumar, it got me on nerves. "The most painful event in Army is the death of a soldier" is what I thought till yesterday. That's not the actual part, where difficulty lies. In Army, an officer or a soldier, they are trained for hand-to-hand combat, jungle survival skills and many more, except this: Breaking Bad news to family. This is something that one is not - and can never be - trained for.
There is no substitute for leading from the front. Leading by setting an example is the key to leadership. Soldiers defend the lines drawn by someone else on the map. In soldier's world the line between life and death is always a thin one. When Lt.Gen. Satish Dua was asked about the biggest achievement to him at the Army, his answer was remarkable : "The greatest satisfaction for me was the re-marriage of the widows of two of my brave hearts who died during operation".
The book is simply a tribute to all those who laid their lives soldiering and a treat to all the ardent fans of "Indian Army and it's brave soldiers".
Jai Hind..!!
See you all at my next blog.
Until then, Ba Bye.
