THE INDIAN NAVY

                         Become a Short Service Commissioned Officer in the Logistics Cadre of Executive Branch, Course Commencing – July 2010

Applications are invited from unmarried male and female indian citizens for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Logisitcs Cadre of Executive Branch of theIndian Navy for Course commencing July 2010 at Naval Academy (NAVAC) Ezhimala, Kerala.

Eligibility Conditions:

Age : Between 19 and 1/2 to 25 years (candidates to be born between 02 July 1985 to 01 January 1991; both dates inclusive)

Educational Qualifications : A degree with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in any of the following discipline

1. B.Com./BA (Economics)
2. MBA/BBA/BBM
3. MCA/BCA/B.Sc.(IT)
4. B.Tech./BE (any discipline including civil engineering)/ B. Arch.
5. Graduate degree woth Post Graduate Diploma/Degree in Material Management/ICWA/ CA

Physical Standards : Hight and Wieght : Minimum height – 157 cms male and 152cms for female with correlated weight.

How to Apply: Application Forms, in accordance with the prescribed format, and complete in all respects with superscription on the envelope “SSC – LOGISTICS CADRE – JUL 2010 COURSE, Educational Qualificiaiton …………… Aggregate Percentage …….% ” are to be sent by 12/12/2009 to the address (only by ordinary post)

* Post Bag No. 05, GPO, New Delhi – 110001 Details and application forms are available at http://www.nausena-bharti.nic.in/DownLoads/officer/SSCLE.pdf

COMMITTEE OF MARITIME STATES PROPOSED ON TRAFFIC & SECURITY ISSUES

The Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) has decided to set up a Committee comprising the Indian Navy, concerned Maritime State, the Members of State Maritime Boards, Coast Guard, State Police, Customs and the Ministry of Shipping for sharing information on Traffic, Port and Ship security related issues. It has also decided to establish a protocol for periodic sharing of information by the Maritime States on existing as well as upcoming Non Major Ports with the Ministry of Shipping, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard to effectively address coastal security concerns. This was decided here in the 11th Meeting of the Maritime States Development Council presided over by the Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan.

In his opening remarks, the Union Shipping Minister said that the priority for the Indian Ports is to gear up to keep pace with challenges posed by the growing economy and India’s burgeoning International Trade. This would involve emphasis on increasing the operational efficiency of Indian Ports so that they are competitive and at par with the other Ports in the region and in the world. Modern cargo handling techniques would be introduced to improve port performance not just for containerized cargo but also for the dry bulk and conventional cargo. Proper policies and other steps would also be taken to deal with these vital issues of port efficiency, productivity, manpower planning, equipment and its performance, the Minister added.

Shri Vasan further recalled the potential of maritime trade in the country underlining the fact that the ports handle around 95 percent of India’s total trade in terms of volume and 70 percent in terms of value. Of this traffic by surface transport, major ports handled 70 percent of the total cargo traffic while the minor or non-major ports accounted for the remaining 30 percent during the year 2008-09. With the emergence of large private investments, the cargo handling capacity at minor ports has increased significantly. Minor ports in India have a capacity to handle about 230 million tonnes of cargo and the traffic handled was about 202 million tonnes during the year 2008-09. The minor ports are expected to add about 350 million tonnes of additional capacity by 2012, taking the total handling capacity of the minor ports to 580 million tonnes by 2012, the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan.

Shri Mukul Roy, Minister of State for Shipping also emphasized the important role played by ports in India in development of the country’s maritime trade and its economy, particularly in the age of liberalization and globalization. He said, the progressive liberalization/globalization of the Indian economy since the early ninetees has brought into focus the need for improving efficiency, productivity and quality of service as well as bringing in competitiveness in our port services. The role of ports is being redefined from mere trade gateways to integral components of the global logistics and transportation chain. The Maritime Sector will have to fulfil its role in realising this objective, the Minister mentioned.

Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Ms. Kiran Dhingra underlined the objectives of the Maritime State Development Council which has been playing a pivotal role in coordinating the issues of concern between Centre and the Maritime States for better handling of traffic by the Indian Ports, augmenting the traffic handling capacity and addressing the security concerns more effectively ever since its inception in 1997.

The 11th Meeting of MSDC held today was attended by the representatives of Maritime States, Major Ports, Indian Ports Association, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, DG (Shipping) among others. The following resolutions were adopted unanimously at the end of the meeting:

(i) All the members of Maritime States would provide data on monthly basis on regular traffic handled by the Ports and on quarterly and annual basis on capacity enhancement achieved, to the Ministry of Shipping as a first step to an integrated planning for exim traffic across the seaboard.

(ii) Maritime States that had not yet restructured their port administrations – namely, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Orissa and West Bengal would endeavour to form their State Maritime Boards by March, 2010.

(iii) Safety norms for passenger boats and barges running/plying in coastal area, backwater and rivers would be reviewed, revised and strictly implemented in consultation with DG(Shipping), Ministry of Shipping.

(iv) Priority would be given by all Maritime States to install VTMS in their Ports.

(v) A Committee comprising the Indian Navy, concerned Maritime State, the Members of State Maritime Boards, Coast Guard, State Police, Customs and the Ministry of Shipping be set up for sharing information on Traffic, Port and Ship security related issues. The Committee should hold meetings quarterly to review the security aspect of coastal States. Indian Navy would convene these meetings regularly.

(vi) All the Members of MSDC would notify the model rules on the basis of draft rule circulated by DG(Shipping) by 31.3.2010.

(vii) In the light of recommendation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee Report submitted to M/o Environment & Forest, the Maritime States urged that existing projects approved as part of the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) and 11th Five Year Plan to create the necessary capacities to handle the projected international trade should be allowed to continue with the requirement that additional measures, if necessary for containment of damage to the coast line if any would need to be implemented. 

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=54056

Malik defends peaceful agitation

 I WONDER :  IN KASHMIR PEACE IS A RELATIVE TERM !!!!!!!!


Was Gandhi a terrorist?’

Abu Tariq

Bandipora, Nov 13: Maintaining that the peaceful agitation is more powerful than an atomic bomb, JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik Friday said if army considers peaceful protests as “agitationl terrorism”, then was Gandhi also a terrorist?

Addressing a public rally at Gulshan Park here after Friday prayers, Malik said, “Last year’s peaceful agitation has changed the world opinion about the Kashmir dispute. India gets panicked by the peaceful agitations like that of 2008, which compelled the writers and intellectuals to call for resolution of Kashmir issue.”

Stating that peaceful agitation is more effective, he said, “It was due to 2008 agitation that White House issued a statement on Kashmir, Obama mentioned Kashmir dispute in his mandate, British Prime Minister stressed for Kashmir resolution and Libyan President recently raised the issue in UN office recently.”

He urged people to strengthen and widen the concept of peaceful agitation to achieve the ‘freedom’. “We can achieve the freedom if we follow the peaceful approach”.

He announced that he will start a ‘Foot March’ (paydal march) of the State to make people aware about the Kashmir with the slogan “Save 4th generation, solve Kashmir dispute”.

On agitational terrorism

On dubbing of peaceful protests and shutdown as “agitational terrorism” by Army’s Northern Command chief, JKLF chairman said “It is regrettable that an Indian army general calls peaceful agitation as terrorism. What about the Mahatma Gandhi- the father of Indian nation, who launched peaceful agitation and inspired leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Was Gandhi also a terrorist”.

Lauding sacrifices rendered by people, he said, “More than one lakh people have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. This has proved that Kashmiris are brave enough to achieve the freedom and it is the time now to safeguard these sacrifices”.

On Kashmir dispute

Maintaining that 62-year old Kashmir dispute should be solved peacefully as per wishes and aspirations of people of the State, Malik said, “We have sacrificed three generations for Kashmir solution and we don’t want to transfer this dispute to the 4th generation”.

He said solution of Kashmir dispute is imperative for peace in the world. “Kashmiris will welcome any initiative aimed at permanent solution of the Kashmir issue as per their wishes,” Malik said.

The JKLF chairman said Kashmir solution is directly related to peace and prosperity in subcontinent and the entire world. “It is important for India and Pakistan to solve this dispute with the active participation of Kashmiris,” he said adding, “Talks for the sake of talks will not be acceptable to us.”

Quoting survey reports released by various international news organizations like BBC, New York Times, AFP, India TODAY, Outlook, The Dawn and CNNIBN, Malik said, “It is evident from the survey reports conducted by these news channels and newspapers that 85% of population seeks freedom so India should leave the State”.

On mainstream politicians

Referring to the mainstream politicians Malik said they are puppets of India and are fighting for the power. “It was ex-chief minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayed, who eradicated the autonomous status of the State when he was minister in Sadiq Sahib’s cabinet. Now he is talking about the ‘Self Rule’ which is nothing but to grab the power. He gave power to troopers and now surprisingly is demanding troop reduction.”

“National Conference has never been beneficial for Kashmiris. Farooq Abdullah created Task Force and now presents himself as the well wisher of Kashmiris,” he added.

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18365&Itemid=1

Army man shoots self, commits suicide

Srinagar: An Indian army man on Friday committed suicide by shooting himself dead using his service rifle at Keran in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police sources told Press Bureau of India.

They said that army man identified as Sandeep belt No. 3200701H of 5 JAT and posted at a forward post near Kachal Kupwara in Keran sector, shot himself dead on Thursday evening.

The army man used his service rifle to shoot himself, sources added, saying that Sandeep fell down in a pool of blood and died instantly.

Police later took the possession of the dead body and recovered a case before starting investigations. (PBI)

[KW Note: Several operational factors such as fatigue, unpredictability of threat, extended tenures of stay, absence of recreational avenues, domestic worries, irregular mail, problems related to leave and railway travel increase the level of frustration among the Indian occupational troops deployed in U.N. recognised disputed state of Jammu & Kashmir. Unofficial sources put the number of troops deployed in the state to seven hundred thousand.

Since 1988, the U.N. recognised disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by confrontation between Kashmiri Freedom Fighters and the Indian Military, which has resulted in more than One hundred thousand of deaths.

In May 2009 this year the Kashmir dispute has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest militarized territorial dispute in the world.]

http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showheadlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1258135204&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&var0news=value0news

Talented Indian youth unwilling to serve as army officers

I WONDER : WHILE ANALYZING I DISCOVERED THAT THIS NEWS, YESTERDAY'S NEWS AND ALSO  NEWS IN FEB 2009 ARE ALL SAME AND ARE JUST REWORDED !!!!!!

Indian Army unable to attract more talent

New Delhi: The Indian Army is grappling with an acute shortage of officers. Despite the recession, it has been unable to attract more talent and contain their outflow. In 2008, the army was able to take in 1,500 officers — but over 1,800 left the force.

The army now faces a shortage of 11,238 officers.

"It is a very peculiar situation. Despite the recession and relaxation of our requirements the number of officers leaving the army is more than the number of officers we have managed to take in," a senior officer familiar with the situation told IANS.

"What adds to the worry is that the negative inflow has been witnessed despite an economic slump," he added.

The negative flow of the officers in the army has been witnessed since 2007 when nearly 1,780 officers resigned or retired, compared to the intake of about 1,750. While there has been a constant outflow of officers in the past, the army had managed to induct more before that year.

The army received 535 voluntary retirement applications in 2005, 810 in 2006, and 1,265 in 2007. The defence ministry's approval depends on the need of the armed forces.

The army approved voluntary retirement for 365 officers in 2005, 464 in 2006 and 608 in 2007.

"Concerned by the situation, we have made it mandatory that officers with less than 15 years service will be considered for premature retirement or resignation only on medical grounds," another officer said.

The army's sanctioned strength is 46,615 officers, but it has been facing a shortage of 11,238. The problem was aggravated when about 3,000 officers sought premature retirement in the last three years. Most of them moved to the lucrative corporate sector. The data for 2009 has not yet been compiled.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/talented-indian-youth-unwilling-to-serve-as-army-officers-1.526729

Indian Army begins recruitment drive in Karnataka

Udupi (Karnataka): The Indian Army yesterday opened its gates of recruitment of male candidates from nine districts to fill posts of soldier (general duty), soldier (technical and nursing assistance), soldier (clerk/storekeeper technical), and soldier (tradesmen) at the District Stadium.

The recruitment drive is expected to continue until November 16, 2009.

Aspirants from the nearby deistricts like, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Davangere, Shimoga, Hassan and Kodagu turned up at the venue.

The drive started with the pre-requisites for the admission. All the candidates underwent a pre-check for height and correctness of documents.

Director (Recruitment) of the Army Recruiting Office, Mangalore, C.R. Deshpande told the media that, "After getting away with the physical fitness test, the candidates are required to undergo a medical test after which they would be writing a common entrance examination at the Army Recruiting Office in Mangalore."

http://www.indiaedunews.net/Karnataka/Indian_Army_begins_recruitment_drive_in_Karnataka_9511/

India strengthens border, irks China

India continues to beef up its defence along its border with China in Arunachal Pradesh, despite protests and warnings from Chinese analysts and the Chinese media.

The Indian Air Force now plans to upgrade six air-strips near the border to make movement of troops and equipment to the region easier.

Hindustan Times had reported on Thursday that the Indian Army was planning to deploy a new 15,000-strong division in Arunachal within four weeks.

On Friday, Zhao Gancheng, director of the South Asia Research Division of the Shanghai International Affairs Research Institute was quoted in the state-run Global Times, as saying: “Indian officials have tried to convince us the border is
peaceful. But now the fact (of India’s reported border deployment) betrays the words.”

China has for long claimed almost all of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory.

The six airstrips are all within 40 km of the border. Following the renovation, much bigger and heavier aircraft than before will be able to land there, defence sources said.

“Reactivating these airstrips is an integral part of the modernisation of Air Force infrastructure,” said an IAF official. The measures were taken to counter similar efforts by China on the other side of the border, defence sources added.

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/India-strengthens-border-irks-China/Article1-476128.aspx

Indian forces were on high alert on Lanka's fear of army coup

The Indian armed forces were put on high alert in the middle of October after a worried Colombo fearing a coup by the Sri Lankan army contacted New Delhi and requested the Indian government to prevent a military takeover.

On the night of October 15, top Lankan politicians and bureaucrats got in touch with New Delhi through the Indian High Commission in Colombo and conveyed their apprehensions and request for help.

Till Thursday, these events were part of political gossip. Now, it’s been put on record by outgoing chief of defence staff, General Sarath Fonseka.

In his letter – 2100-odd words of hurt pride, anger and disgust and 15 reasons for premature retirement -- to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Fonseka wrote that the government’ action in contacting India on the rumours of a coup tarnished the image of the army.

``…it was noted that the same army which gained victory for the nation was suspected of staging a coup and thereby alerting the Government of India once again on the 15th of October 2009, unnecessarily placing the Indian troops on high alert. This action did tarnish the image and reputation gained by the SLA…This suspicion would have been due to the loyalty of the SLA towards me as its past Commander who led the Army to the historic victory,’’ Fonseka wrote.

He said various agencies mislead Rajapaksa about ``a possible coup immediately after the victory over the LTTE which obviously led to a change of command in spite of my request to be in command until the Army celebrated its 60th Anniversary. This fear psychosis of a coup is well known among the defence circle.’’

It was learnt that during a one-and-half hour meeting between the two on Wednesday, the issue of the coup was brought up by Fonseka. Rajapaksa did not deny it.

When contacted on Friday, Fonseka told HT: ``the information (about the Indian armed forces being put on alert) was accurate’’ and the government here ``had got in touch with somebody in New Delhi’’.

Fonseka made another reference to India while requesting the security cover of ``combat soldiers, bullet proof vehicle, escort vehicles’’ after leaving his post. "I would also wish to quote an example in the case of the former Indian Chief of Army Staff General A S Vaidya, instrumental in leading the Indian Army in Operation Blue Star against the Sikhs at the Golden Temple, Amristar in 1984, was assassinated whilst on retirement in 1986 purely in revenge of his victories achieved. I do not wish to experience a similar incident," he wrote in the letter.

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srilanka/Sri-Lanka-feared-army-coup-sought-India-s-help/Article1-476176.aspx