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While everything from potatoes to postage stamps became dearer, Nehru, it was said, was a broken man who had to sack the then defence minister V. Krishna Menon. This book endeavours to accomplish two goals. First, it brings out the changing nature of civil-military relations in India since the country’s independence.In analysing civilian control, while the author correctly maintains that it is the cornerstone of a democracy and in most democracies, the military works as an agent of the government remaining under civilian supremacy. In authoritarian regimes, the military performs a dual role of fighting wars and making policy., The Evolution of India’s Higher Defence Organization, Nuclear Weapons Development in a Strategic Vacuum, The Effects of Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons on Civil-Military Relations in India and The Indian Military’s Role in Unconventional Operations. However, democracies pride themselves in a clear demarcation of roles between civilian and military functions.These two instances are classic examples of negative/disastrous versus positive/pro-active approaches to national security.

The perception of Major T. Francis, one of the official interpreters during Zhou En Lai’s visit to India in 1962, did not match with the interpretation that the others gave. And post-1971, a process of downgrading the military’s status is amply reflected in orders of precedence and the Central Pay Commissions (CPCs), particularly the 6th CPC for its anomaly in the grant of Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) to defence forces. And the other is of misusing it by often not using it or not optimally using it, when it should have been used in sheer national interest against external aggression.In the 1950s, when Indian Army’s top brass apprised the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru about the Chinese build-up and incursions, concerted with release of maps, he trashed their reports, naively complacent with his belief in the Panchsheel agreement and the Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai mantra. Giving her approval without any delay, that too when she was in a cabinet meeting, Indian Army’s retaliation resulted in about 400 of its Chinese troops being killed. Along with the above shortcomings, daft and rigid political directions of “forward posture”, “not to lose an inch of ground” and not using the Air Force in offensive manner so as “ to not raise the level of confrontation” made the defeat hurt the Armed Forces all the more.

Again, thanks to Gandhi’s decisive and assertive nature, the planning, preparation and implementation in the third war waged by Pakistan against India in December 1971 was fought in a Chanakyan or Kautilyan mode.M. While Gandhi’s approach, dealings and decisions related to 1967 and 1971 were indeed effective and did have some influence on her son, Rajiv Gandhi who later succeeded her (responding to Chinese army at Sumdorong Chu, Arunachal Pradesh in 1986). Further, a convoy of vehicles was destroyed and many Chinese bunkers were levelled. While subsequent governments failed to follow the assertive approach, what we are seeing in 2013, in dealing with both China and Pakistan are the nadir. Bakshi, requested for the permission to respond with artillery fire. In a democracy, for effective governance, civilian control of the military is considered a critical necessity. Second, in discussing the changes, the book addresses some vital factors.The book is a must read for all categories of professionals dealing with national security, particularly decision makers in the government. In 1967, when Chinese Army upped the ante at Nathu La, Sikkim, by mortar bombardment in addition to killing a number of Indian Army officers and soldiers, the then Brigade Commander, Brig M. Indian Army, inadequately armed with over half-a-century-old bolt action . Gandhi’s decision to take the recommendation of the Army Chief Gen (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw seriously, resulted in 93,000 Pakistan armed forces surrendering to Indian Army at Dhaka within two weeks of the war in erstwhile East Pakistan.

The fact that the author is the daughter of an army officer may well have been motivating for her to take on the complex issue of civil-military relations in India. The message that 1962 cannot be repeated went across to the Chinese very effectively, resulting in not a single bullet being fired by them till date. In most democracies, the executive, whether the President or the Prime Minister, is responsible for formulating policy while the military is designed to be a war fighting force entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the country’s territorial sovereignty from external and wholesale nylon easy drive anchors internal attacks. Of particular importance are her book’s four chapters, viz. This could only be sanctioned by the defence minister, whose portfolio was then held by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. These issues have significant implications for understanding the conduct of war and the strategic choices facing India’s leadership.P. The Nehru-Krishna Menon duo’s response to China was a combination of absolute absence of strategic perception along with a contemptuous manner of dealing with an obedient and apolitical military leadership.

India since Independence stands out as a country which being the world’s most populous democracy is one in which the military, despite being apolitical and a bulwark of nation building, has been not only given a raw deal by the politico-bureaucratic establishment but also been majorly misused on two counts. He predicted that China would attack India in six months.303 Lee Enfield rifles, insufficient ammunition and lack of warm clothes, suffered a humiliating defeat with around 1,860 casualties. One is of misusing it to deal with certain internal situations, which the police has failed to deal with effectively. Moreover, the issues addressed contain critical implications for the nature of Indian democracy since the performance and legitimacy of the military as an instrument of the state is a major factor in determining the viability of the state.S.

But this year my Holi celebrations will be restricted to just some rituals to pay respect to the untimely passing away of Sridevi ma’am who was one of my idols,” she nylon easy drive anchors says. “Well, honestly, I’m not much of a Holi person and have never enjoyed playing Holi, but in my childhood, I remember we used to collect the flowers which fell from trees and using the red and orange ones we would make a bucket of coloured water to play with,” says actress Saumya Tandon.BalrajHoli is all about fun and frolic but one must be responsible in the way one celebrates it, feels Balraj, actor, anchor and stand-up comedian. That is not the kind of Holi I like because I feel it disturbs a lot of people who may not want to indulge in playing Holi and that’s like intruding into their spaces.

It was more about the rain dances and the DJ playing music. My request to all is to refrain from using chemically-treated colours, and opt for organic colours so that it doesn’t harm anyone. Sometimes, we combine the green and red colours used in cooking with cornflour and water to make colour for my sister’s kids and friends’ kids to play with. Celebs add their voice to this growing awareness and urge people to opt for organic colours, use water judiciously, curb use of loudspeakers. Saumya Tandon The festival of colourful revelry is all about responsible fun now.”Holi has always been actress Raveena Tandon’s favourite festival. One must also look at the amount of water wasted on Holi and that is increasingly becoming a concern. Personally, I would never go to people’s houses unless I am very sure they want to play Holi,” she adds. “When I came to the bigger cities, I realised the celebrations had become dirtier and violent. In recent times, people have become more environmentally responsible and celebrate Holi in a completely different way.

So I never enjoyed the loudspeakers in the colony as I feel it is a personal choice whether one wants to take part in it or not. “I too prefer organic colours to play Holi with my friends and relatives, and make everyone aware that Holi can be safer and enjoyed responsibly without creating a nuisance of oneself. We use coconut oil on our hair and body so that the colours come off easily. In ancient times, it was celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. Payal GhoshActress Payal Ghosh feels it’s a good trend that people are now steering clear of Holi colours that have harmful chemicals and instead opting for dry and organic herbal colours. I have fantastic memories of Holi as a child with my parents and family, now I look forward to it with my kids. Less number of buckets of water are used and organic colours are preferred. I urge people to enjoy responsibly and stick to organic colours and preserve water.

She recalls that Holi primarily meant visiting each other’s homes and eating the lovely food the mothers would make.Raveena TandonWhile many love the Holi revelry, some prefer a more restrained celebration. As far as the food and drinks go, it’s one time in the year when I opt for a glass of bhang and some sweets. “I love the music and dancing that go with it. Nowadays it’s celebrated as a festive day to meet others, play, laugh, forgive and forget, and repair strained relationships by applying coloured powder and water on each other.”Happy Holi!.While many love the Holi revelry, some prefer a more restrained celebration. That’s how we make colours.Holi is a festival of colours. When people come to my house on Holi, I use haldi and roli to put tika, so these are the two colours I use. He adds, “I always celebrate with family and friends and stick to organic colours, preferably just gulal