NCC WILL RESPOND TO NATION'S MANDATE: DG NCC

Director General of the National Cadet Corps, Lt. Gen. Vinod Vashisht on Tuesday said, cadets from the NCC “would rise to the call of the Nation” if their services are required.

Interacting with the media, during his visit here at Shillong in India's northeast, Lt. Gen.  Vashisht said, the objective of the NCC is to mould the youngsters, so that they can be better citizens of the country, however, if need be they can be called in to assist the Nation.

“NCC cadets can rise for any mandate of the Nation. Not just in a war-like situation, but for any situation. The cadets are disciplined and they can take orders,” the NCC Director General said.

He was reacting to queries about the NCC cadets’ role in the event of any full-fledged conflict with China. One of the aims of the NCC is to create a human resource of organized, trained and motivated youth... and be always available for the service of the Nation.

The NCC was raised through an Act of the Parliament, 1948. After the 1962 war with China, NCC training was made compulsory in schools and colleges in 1963, but in 1968 it was again made voluntary. NCC is for students of schools and colleges and there are over 13 lakh active NCC cadets in the country.

Lt. Gen. Vashisht also informed that Youth Exchange Programmes of the NCC with foreign Nations have now been confined to 11 countries. All these exchange programmes are with regional countries and other countries where “India’s National interests lie.”

For example, he said, there is an exchange programme with Russia and one with Kazakhstan. Other exchange programmes are with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and others.

“The exchange programme with Canada is no longer available. We don’t have a youth exchange programme with China. Perhaps in the future we would have one,” he stated.

Lt. Gen. Vashisht said that efforts are on to broaden the reach of the NCC in the remote corners of the northeastern region. Out of the 108 districts of the region, six still do not have any NCC activity.

In this regard, a unit of the NCC has been opened recently at a remote area bordering Tibet. “We are trying to open more such NCC units in the northeast so that the youths of the region can take benefit,” he informed.

He further informed that the air wing of the NCC in the region would be getting micro-light aircrafts and other new aircrafts for their training. Moreover, the naval units in Sibsagar, Assam would also be getting the necessary assistance for their trainings.

Farrago(ed) narrative of a Rocket Scientist

One of the most abused words in the English language is...? You don’t need to be a Rocket Scientist to know that. Personally, I am exasperated with this abuse. A college punk with flared nostrils admonishes the nerd with a randomly hurled “Rocket Scientist” into the sentence in the college canteen debate.

Then there is the NGO leader with his impeccable trimmed beard to a length where time and space ceases, closing his eyes into a trance, takes a deep breath and drops the Rocket Science bomb to demolish his opponent’s arguments into ruins. Utopia!

Anyone who wants to project himself as intellectual uses it. Anyone who wants to identify himself as smart, cool or chic uses it. Anyone who doesn’t want to be anyone of these afore-mentioned categories uses it.

Even our Aunties use it with a blush and an elbow nudge to the coy adjacent aunty: “You don’t have to be a Rocket Scientist to know how to please him with just Sarsoo de Saaag.”

Or “it’s not Rocket Science Betaaaa...” She rubs in the humiliation-masala with scrunched eyes and nodding her head sideways: “Areehh....NoRocketScience.” In moments like these you almost see a halo, which also sways with the head. 

But, of late another word that has given me cold sweats during unending nights – and you don’t need to be a Rocket Scientist to know that - is “NARRATIVE.” Uhhhh...eeeee...

You switch on the Indian News channels and you will find some TV anchor, a panellist, a WhatsApp Warrior, a Facebook fighter, a columnist all milking the word. Most with a smirk and garlanded with certificates from self-certified intellectuals!

Narrative is yours...Narrative is theirs...Narrative is ours... Narrative is different... “What is the narrative?”...  

I am upset that this narrative would soon enter into the bedrooms and kitchen where one of the aunties, with hands on her hips, ask a trembling Uncle: “SO WHAT IS THE NARRATIVE IN THE KITCHEN TONIGHT, HA!?

Later in the night, the Uncle begging to the aunty in the bedroom: “will the narrative change tonight Pumpkin....eh... pie?”

There is a herd mentality into these usages where my waterhole is being muddied. These are “exasperating farrago of bleats.” Oops! I said it; hope farrago is not the proverbial sacrificial lamb next in line. We have to pray for now.

But no matter what, I will never tire in this life of a narrative of a person who comes close to my understanding of a rocket scientist when he said: “ARE YOU SERIOUS? If you know what I mean you must have also noted the modulation. 

It goes from a high pitched modulation to a soft echoing whisper that caresses your cheek with a Zarda Pan-induced warm breath of a chronic-seducer: Are you S e r i o u s? Are you S e r i o u s? Are you S e r i o u s..........?

Damn it of course I am not stay away... neither are a 100 million Mango-men! 

MAMATA'S LAST LESSON

This is a quiz question for Mamata Banerjee. When is the International Mother Language Day observed and why?

Now if Banerjee’s ill-tempered mind doesn’t have the answer, she can consult her quiz master, Derek O Brian. In the meantime, some basic historical background related to these questions.

World over freedom struggles were mostly fought against imperialism, racism, militarism, cultural chauvinism etc. 

But, the only freedom struggle of a country in the world that triggered from the forceful imposition of a foreign language on the natives was in Bangladesh - then East Pakistan.

The brutal West Pakistan dictators forcefully tried to impose Urdu on the Bengali-speaking population through legislation in 1947. There was widespread protest and the West Pakistan regime outlawed public meetings and rallies.

Students from Dhaka University defying the order held protest rallies and on February 21, 1952 several students were killed in police firing. The rest is history.

Bengalee was not only given official status but the movement germinated into Bangladesh’s freedom struggle from West Pakistan’s – now Pakistan- and Bangladesh was born with of course India's assistance.

So Banerjee-Brian, the International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21 to honour this struggle because you surely don’t have the answers or why the Darjeeling imbroglio.

It is now clear that Mamata has anger-frustration management issues. However, it is ironic that ultra-left and so-called intellectual-Bhadrolok in West Bengal are silent with the “compulsory” imposition of Bengalee on a Nepali-speaking population. 

Although both the struggles (Bangladesh and Darjeeling) have their own contrasts in several ways, but Bengal’s ruling class trying to impose a language – even though remotely - on the majority population is deplorably sick.

Banerjee may argue that Bengalee is not being made the sole official language in Darjeeling, as was the case of West Pakistan which imposed Urdu as the sole official language.

But, even making Bengalee “compulsory” as one of the subjects in schools for the native Gorkhas is the last thing you would expect from a person whose mother tongue is Bengalee - after we have been through the language movement ourselves.

It should be a matter of choice left to individuals if they wish to dive into the vast ocean of Bangla literature.

The present imposition of the language in Darjeeling came through a diktat from the education department in Kolkata, just like in the case of West Pakistan in which an education summit held miles away in Karachi proposed that Urdu be made the sole official language in East Pakistan.

The demand for Gorkhaland is nothing new. Will the State be carved out of West Bengal is a different subject matter altogether, but Mamata-Brian and all the conveniently silent Bhadraloks, here is your last lesson:

Little Fanz wondered aloud in Aphonse Daudet’s classic The Last Lesson when the Germans banned French from schools: “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” The simple answer is: NO!

The pigeons have again flown happily over France and Germany and would do so over Darjeeling and the walls  would be painted: “Viva la Gorkhaland.” Class dismissed. 

MODI DRUMS UP SUPPORT IN MEGHALAYA

IIt might not be music to the ears of his political opponents, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi did manage to get some rhythm on the drums and cymbals at Mawphlang on Saturday.

Taking time off from his busy schedule, Modi played traditional musical instruments from Meghalaya. He tried his hands on the Khasi drum known as Ksiang and Nakra Bom at the Mawphlang heritage village, about 25 kms from here.

Not satisfied with just the drum, he tried his hands at the hand-held cymbals much to the amusement of the traditional dancers, while local musicians played the drums.

Visibly impressed with his  effort and also  the colourful dance and attire of the troupe, Modi then clicked pictures of them. He later happily chatted with locals sipping a hot cup of tea to beat the chilly weather in the area, which is home to the famous sacred grooves.

The Prime Minister was also shown around the village where the artists showcased some of the local artifacts and the traditional methods of tool making. The Prime Minister also took a keen interest at the locks made by the local locksmiths.

Modi was accompanied by Governor, V Shanmuganathan, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma and Union Minister DoNER, Jitendra Singh.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister went to Mattilang Amusement Park in Upper Shillong and visited the Elephant falls.

He took some pictures of himself with the falls at the backdrop. The falls is one important tourist spots of the State where the cascading water is said to give the impression of the head and trunk of an Elephant’s, hence the name.

Modi who stayed overnight here at the Raj Bhavan witnessed a cultural show at the State Convention Centre last evening. The Shillong Chamber Choir performed before the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.

The North East Zone Cultural Centre presented “Colours of the North East,” a cultural dance show of the eight north-eastern states.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre at Quinton road here and the Catholic Cathedral Church at Dhankheti, but these itineraries were cancelled.

Later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister took an Air Force chopper from the Eastern Air Command’s helipad and left for Guwahati.

Badlu Ram and Assam Regiment

What does Badlu Ram, who is dead and buried cold from World War II, got to do with 295 recruits of 315 batch of the Assam Regiment (AR)?

Nothing much, only that Badlu Ram’s body draws ration for the recruits of AR. So every year new recruits march and dance into the Indian Army, singing: “Badlu Ram ka Badan zameen ka neche hai, to humko uska ration milta hai…Shabash Hallelujah…!” (Badluram is buried, so we get his quota of ration, well done…)

The story is interesting behind the regiment’s song. It is said that one soldier, Badluram died in action during World War II from one of the AR’s platoons. 

However, the quarter master erred in striking out his name from the list and therefore ration was drawn in the name of the dead soldier and therefore there was surplus ration.

https://youtu.be/LQrS50Q6MLA

So when the supply route of this platoon was cut off by the Japanese, the extra ration of Badluram proved to be a lifesaver during this crucial period. The song therefore praises that legacy.

The song was composed by Late Major Proctor in 1946 and is a take on John Brown’s body which was popular marching song during the American Civil War.

Apart from the Badlu Ram song, the recruits also sang and danced other songs of the regiment, in this unique attestation parade, of one of the best fighting regiments of the Indian Army.

Each year this induction parade, held at the Parson Parade Ground of Assam Regimental Centre Happy Valley, is a treat to watch for the people of the State Capital. This year, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Subrata Saha reviewed the parade.

Lt. Gen. Saha during his address to the new recruits recounted the contributions of the North East and Assam Regiment towards nation building.

Raised on 15 June 1941, AR has earned several laurels including seven Battle Honours, three Theatre Honours, Nine Chief of Army Staff citations, 23 Army Commanders citations and two United Nations citations.

The regiment would be celebrating the platinum Jubilee year of the regiment from 16 to 19 November 2016 here in the State Capital.

“The Army Chief would be present during the platinum jubilee celebrations.   Colours will be presented to 16 and 17 Assam and 1 and 2 Arunachal scouts at the Assam Regimental Centre during the occasion,” Lt. Gen Saha informed.

NINE FOOT CHINAMAN AND NEHRU

After the humiliating defeat at the hands of Chinese in 1962, the image of the "nine foot Chinaman overrunning the country,” was created by then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru to hide his follies.

Military historian and documentary filmmaker, Shiv Kunal Verma who penned the book “1962 -The War that Wasn't,” says the image of the “invincible Chinaman” was created by Nehru to exonerate himself and others from the humiliating defeat and his book exposes that.

 

This phobia about the “mighty Chinese” still persist to this day in some measures, despite India having one of the best armed forces in the world now and are no push-overs, Verma said.

“The nine foot Chinaman did not overrun parts of northeast India during the 1962 war. It was Nehru and other bureaucrats who lost the war for India,” the author emphasized.

Verma who has filmed the Kargil War and has authored several other books like the Northeast Trilogy recently handed a copy of the book to Eastern Air Command chief, Air Marshal, C Hari Kumar here in Shillong, Capital of Meghalaya, India.

According to Verma, Nehru committed one of the biggest blunders before the war by putting up political appointees in the armed forces, who lacked battle experience.

Nehru in fact “handpicked” Lt. Gen. B M Kaul – know to be close to Nehru- to lead the war who had no experience, the author pointed out in his book.

“Right up to the rank of the Brigadier, before the 1962 war, there were mostly political appointees, who lacked experience of war,” Kunal said, who detailed these findings in his book.

 

Nehru, moreover, overlooked warnings from different eminent personalities and committees of a Chinese build-up along the borders and of an imminent attack.

Then Home Minister, Sardar Patel and also the Himmat Singh and Kulwant Singh committees gave adequate warnings to Nehru about China’s intent. “Sardar Patel had in fact written a letter predicting about this fallout (China attacking,) but unfortunately 38 days later he died,” Verma said.

The reason for overlooking the advice of the experts was because Nehru considered himself a historian and viewed China favorably from history’s perspective. He further had defense Minister, VK Krishna Menon, with Communist leanings, to guide him.

Despite these, much could have been salvaged had the Assam Rifles postioned at the forward posts to slow down the Chinese advances.

“It is still a puzzle why the Assam Rifles were not put up at the borders. The Assam Riflesw had the experience fighting the Japanese during World War II and also fighting with the allied troops in the First World War,” Verma said.

Another blunder was not deploying the Air Force to stop the Chinese. “The Air Force was not deployed because of fear the Chinese Air Force would bomb our towns and cities. But at that time China did not have ATF (jet fuel.) They couldn’t even fly within China,” the author said.

Meanwhile, Verma believes there is little possibility of a war between India and China in the near future. But border skirmishes would continue.

“They don’t want the border settled. They want the borders to be alive based on Mao Tse-Tung’s theory. The Chinese have an expansionist mindset,” he said.

"CHINESE MOBILE PHONES EMITS MORE RADIATION:" AIIMS DOCTOR

Chinese brand mobile handset emits more radiation, a leading Cancer Specialist of the country, Dr. Abhishek Shangar said here in Shillong.

Dr. Shankar, a well-known Cancer specialist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, mobile phones emit radiations, but “China-made mobile phones emanate more radiation.”

The specialist doctor is here for a week-long conclave in Meghalaya on Cancer being organised by the North Eastern Council and Pink Chain campaign, an NGO.

Several Chinese companies have flooded the Indian cell phone sector in the recent years with its cheap prices and competitive specs. Some of the most popular Chinese brands are Xiaomi, with its Redimi series phones, Ginonee, Oppo and several others.

Dr. Shankar further stated that cell phones which are on silent and vibration mode emanate more radiation and therefore the best option is to switch it off or put it in aeroplane mode, whenever necessary.

Importantly, Dr. Shankar didn’t give a direct answer when asked if radiations from cell phones and mobile towers are directly linked to Cancer.

He, however, informed that the World Health Organisation is conducting a study on the effects of radiation from cell phones and towers. The report of the findings would be published soon.

“There is big pressure from corporate houses (for obvious reasons,)” Dr. Shankar said, but didn’t elaborate on whom the pressure was being exerted.

Several corporate houses have claimed radiations emitted from cell phones and towers where within permissible limits and doesn’t endanger human health.

Stating “radiation surely causes cancer,” Dr. said that but if these are within permissible limits no harm is caused to human health.

Urging people to go for mandatory screening like Mammography and Pap test, Dr. Shankar said, 80 percent of the Cancer cases in India are detected in the third or fourth stage and the chances of survival in such cases are just 20 percent.

“In the Western countries 80 percent of the cases are detected in the first or second stage and so the survival chances are 80 percent,” he informed.

There are at present 25 million Cancer cases globally and this figure is estimated to increase by 50 percent by 2020. India alone has 2.5 million Cancer patients.

Terming Cancer as a “socio-cultural disease,” Dr. Shankar said a lot of cases are directly linked to the social habits of the people like taking “Pan, Tobacco smoked fish and meat and such other practises.”

He, however added, “Cancer is curable” if people take preventive steps, live a healthy lifestyle and go for regular medical checkups.

NEIGHBOURS MUST HELP PERSECUTED MINORITIES : HOME MINSTER

Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju  said here today if a minority community of a particular country are persecuted on religious grounds, “it is the responsibility of neighboring countries to provide shelter to such people in their Territory.”

Therefore, the Union Minister said, India has provided shelter to Bangladeshi Hindus in India as they were persecuted on religious grounds. He said Bangladeshi Hindus have been residing in India for several decades in this country.

He said the Government is treating these cases of Bangladeshi Hindus on humanitarian ground and there are proposals to grant them citizenship rights. He further spoke on the opposition to grant citizenship rights to such people and said these people would not be accommodated in Northeast alone, but throughout the country.

“The Northeast alone would not share the burden of providing shelter to such people, but these people would be accommodated throughout India,” Rijiju said.

  

On continuation of peace talks with the NSCN (K), he said the Government of India wanted to continue with the peace talks with NSCN (K.) “It is the NSCN (K) which has abrogated the peace talks. The Government was in favour of continuing talks with the outfit,” he said.

Informing about the abduction and reported death of an Intelligence Bureau official, B Singh from Rongra, South Garo Hills, Rijiju said, there is no confirmation about the death.

“It is an unfortunate case (abduction), but there is no confirmation about his death as there is no physical evidence in this regard,” Rijiju added.

Terming the Garo Hills situation as “disturbing” the Home Minister said that the Centre is willing to provide more assistance if the State Government wants. 

PERFORM YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO DEMAND RIGHTS: KIREN RIJIJU

Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju said today people from Northeast would forfeit their right to speak about discrimination outside the region, if they discriminate people of other communities here in the northeast.

“Within the Northeast there shouldn’t be discrimination, or what right do we have to say people from the northeast shouldn’t be discriminated outside the northeast,” the Union Minister said while speaking at the Mega Arunachal Tribal Festival at the U So So Tham auditorium here.

He advised the students: “if you want your right you should know about your responsibilities. Nothing is one way traffic.” Terming racial discrimination as a “mental illness and the worst form of crime” he said, there would be now provisions in the Indian penal code to take “strong punitive action” against those who discriminates racially.

Touching on the large number of organizations and associations, he said, any State having a large number of such organizations indicates the State Government has failed in discharging its responsibilities and duties. “NGOs and associations are formed when people feel their grievances are not addressed by the Government. Such organizations indicate that the Government has failed,” he maintained.

 He urged the students not to form too many organizations, as they are “not to do business here,” and said they should rather concentrate on their careers.  

On the other hand, Rijiju said people from the northeast “need not feel frustrated and angry” when people outside the region remains ignorant about the people of the region as India is a huge Nation of 1.25 billion people.

“We may know about Mumbai, Delhi, UP and Bihar, but how much do we know about the people of Lakshadweep or say Daman and Diu. Sometimes it is not possible to know everything about the people of this huge Nation,” he stated.

Nonetheless he said the Central Government is taking steps to create awareness of the region and from next year all the text books of CBSE would have chapter on the northeast. “Right from nursery to the Ph.D level the CBSE and the UGC syllabus would have chapters on the Northeast,” he added.

Moreover, speaking about the often-repeated term “mainstream India,” Rijiju said: “people speak about the northeast merging with mainstream India, why can’t Delhi-Mumbai merge with the northeast?"

He stated Delhi is not the beginning of the Country; it is in the Centre of the Country and the Capital. “My State and the northeast is the beginning of the country as it borders several foreign Nations and the vanguard of the country. The region is also mainstream India,” he stated.

With the “definition of a toilet changing every 20 odd kms in rural India,” 1.30 crore Government-built toilets doesn’t fit any definition in India and remains unused, with beneficiaries preferring the outdoors for defecation.

Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS), Choudhary Birender Singh said here today: “the definition of a toilet changes every 20 odd kms in the villages and this has been there for years. So to think of bringing about a change of mindset in a fortnight is not possible.”

What the  Minister meant by stating definition of a toilet changes as most of the people in the rural areas defecate outdoors and it depends on the time of topography where they relieve themselves, be it a agricultural field, canal, River etc.

Expressing “deep concern” over the 1.30 crore toilets built by the Government remaining non-functional, he wondered how to bring about a change in the mindset of the people, as merely building toilets won’t address the problem of open defecation.

“The Government has so far built 6 crore toilets in the country. Last year alone we built 80 lakh toilets, but just by building toilets we cannot achieve success in our open defecation free programme,” the Minster said about the old habits of people dying hard. The DWS Ministry has targeted 2019 for every household - which otherwise now goes outdoors for defecation – to have a toilet.

 

“The mindset has to change, if we are to succeed in our Swachh Bharat campaign. The Government alone cannot do everything, the people must come forward and be part of the change,” Singh, who was here for the National Consultation on Sanitation Partnership, said.

Asked about the way forward, Singh said a lot of awareness programme is being organized at the grassroots level. “The campaign is also being taken forward through social media, NGOs and community leaders,” the Union Minster said.

Exuding confidence about the northeastern region achieving 100 per cent success in the open defecation free programme, Singh said, in the next two to three years, every household would have a toilet.

He, meanwhile, said that the Centre is providing Rs. 10800 for the construction of toilets in the northeast, while the amount is Rs. 9000 for the rest of the country. 

WOOD OF THE GODS: MEGHALAYA'S AGAR PLANTATION DRIVE

With a global market share of US $8 billion, it is not called the “Wood of the Gods” for nothing and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma is sniffing a rural economy turnaround through Agar plantation in the State.

 “The global market share of Agar (Aquilaria Khasiana) by-products is US$ 8 billion and the market is growing,” Sangma said during the launch of Megha LAMP here today, an initiative to link the rural economy with the markets.

Agarwood is used for many religious purposes in India and abroad, such as manufacture of Agarbatti (Incense sticks) to Agar oil. It is also in high demand in the Arab world where the oil is used to manufacture high-end perfumes. Agar is also highly prized for its medicinal properties.

In fact, All India United Democratic Front chief, Badruddin Ajmal built a successful business empire from Agar plantation and now manufactures perfumes which are sold in the Gulf region.

Recalling the 70s, Sangma said, Agar plantation formed a major chunk of the rural economy in Garo Hills and some of the most affluent businessmen in South Garo Hills region were Agar planters.

But, over the years the planters lost interest and there are just a few remaining in the region, which Sangma wishes to change through his Green Economy initiative. In fact, Agar is a “potential endangered species” and listed in Appendix II by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Although, Agarwood is a prized raw material and more expensive than sandalwood, there are challenges to extract Agar oil from the wood. It is sometimes a complicated process as it requires a fungus to infect the tree.  The infection could be natural or artificially inoculated.

After the fungal infection, the Agar tree develops a natural resistant against the fungus by developing a resin and the wood turns dark and heavy at the trunk and roots, which is the ultimate prize for the planters who distill out the resin.

“The Ministry of External Affairs recently asked from the horticulture department for one litre of Agar oil to be gifted to some foreign dignitaries,” Sangma said. He informed the gathering that a Tola (about 11 grams) of Agar oil cost about Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 in the current global market.

Sangma seems excited about the prospect of Agar plantation and this could be gauged by the number of Agar plantation programmes he is inagurating. In August alone, Sangma has launched the plantation of this tree in Umling, Ri-Bhoi district and in Betasing in South West Garo Hills. The District Horticulture Officer launched Agar plantation programme in Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills.

“Tomorrow I would launch the Agar plantation programme in Chokpot, South Garo Hills in which 4000 farmers have already registered,” Sangma informed the gathering. 

Indian Air Force plugging gaps to thwart Chinese threat

With China lurking in the backyard, the Indian Air Force is desperately trying to fill the “voids and gaps” in the eastern theatre, while Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha today saying attention was not paid to this vital sector.

This is the first time an Air Chief has candidly admitted about India’s fixation on the western sector, vis-a-vis Pakistan and the years of attention-deficit on the eastern sector.

He said the country was “concentrating on the western sector” and as such the “eastern sector didn’t get the attention,” so vital for the country’s security.

“We have voids and gaps in the our capabilities in the eastern sector,” Air Chief Marshal Raha said at the end of the two-day Commanders’ Conference at the Eastern Air Command (EAC) headquarters here.

What is worrying is the rapid infrastructure build-up of China for years now along India’s border, especially along Arunachal Pradesh. Civil airports have been integrated with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force for swifter combat capabilities. New airfields built and other modern infrastructure and equipment are already in place to give support to the Chinese men at the frontline.

But the good news is that after 60 odd years, India is finally going full steam to develop the eastern sector. The Air Chief said the EAC’s area of responsibility is one of the largest amongst other commands of the Air Force. So now a number of initiatives have been undertaken to develop it.

One of the gaps of this sector is the connectivity and also the ageing fleet of the IAF. Air Chief Marshal Raha said several Advance Landing Grounds are being built in the northeast and eastern India. Some of the other initiatives include building of hangars and “assets” that would enhance the maneuvering capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

“We are upgrading our infrastructure and equipments in the eastern sector,” the Air Chief said. Moreover, there are induction plans for new fleet.

He said the country "urgently" requires new generation fighter aircrafts and the induction of 36 Rafale fighter jets, once the deal is finalized with France, would “fill some void” in the Air Force.

Commenting on the Tejas, which is being built indigenously, the Air Chief, said, the Tejas "may not be the best in the world" in its category, but their induction would also help the Air Force.

He said, in the next 15 years the Air Force’s ageing fleet comprising the MIGs, Jaguars and Mirage have to be replaced and therefore the “Make in India” initiative would go a long way in bridging this gap.