Defence policy laid threadbare

Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

The first annual lecture of The Tribune National Security Forum delivered at the Golden Jubilee Hall of Panjab University here today was indeed an evening to remember. With the who’s who of the region in attendance, the 19th Chief of Army Staff General VP Malik (retd) delivered an enlightening lecture on ‘Defence at 70 – National Security, Yesterday and Tomorrow’ to a houseful of retired Army generals and brigadiers, educationists and eminent journalists.

Prof Sardara Singh Johl, internationally acclaimed agriculture economist, policy adviser, Padma Bhushan awardee, and first Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), presided over the lecture. 

Also present on the occasion were Dr Harish Khare, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of Newspapers and Gurbachan Jagat, former Governor of Manipur, former Director General of Police and trustee of The Tribune Trust.

Addressing the gathering, Gen Malik emphasised that everyone in the country must work together. “In any conflict, it is essential to achieve synergy through integration and jointness,” he opined.

Reminiscing about his days when at the helm of affairs during the Kargil war and the role of media, Gen Malik said, “I was happy and satisfied during the Kargil war. I got immense support from the media. No matter what was written or said, I have no complaints to make whatsoever. There were mistakes made by the Army and media but I would not question that.” 

Gen Malik said, “Despite being the most dependable brand in the country, the military is no longer the prime choice of youngsters today.  The quality of soldiering, if we continue like this, is on its way out in India. It will affect the morale and fighting spirit of the forces. Our political leadership must introspect and correct this aspect sooner than later.” He exhorted the media to play a responsible and greater role in promoting thinking leadership. “Editors, please do not remain behind your desks. Open up. In our country, leaders are required at all levels. Only then we can progress. You can be the catalysts of that progress,” he insisted. 

Prof Johl, while addressing the gathering, recalled days from his early career. He spoke at length about his association with The Tribune since the early 1960s. He appreciated The Tribune’s efforts towards leading initiatives such as the lecture today and hoped that more would come along the way.

Quoting the founder of The Tribune Group of Newspapers, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, Dr Harish Khare said, “In matters of religion, we should maintain a strictly neutral position. On social topics, our sympathies will be with gentle and cautious course of reforms.”

He added that 135 years after this was said, “I don’t think anybody has been able to improve upon it but it is in this spirit that we thought we should begin some kind of a public interaction.”

Gurbachan Jagat walked down the memory lane, reminiscing about his days at J&K, where he met Gen Malik and got acquainted with the “human and professional in him.”

The speeches and lecture was followed by an equally stimulating question and answer round, wherein members of the audience raised a number of questions with the panelists.

EXPRESSIONS

The first annual lecture of The Tribune National Security Forum was delivered at the Golden Jubilee Hall of Panjab University in Chandigarh on Saturday with the who’s who of the region in attendance. Tribune reporter Charu Chhibber spoke to a cross-section of the audience that comprised highly decorated retired Army generals and brigadiers, educationists and eminent journalists.

It is a great initiative by The Tribune through which we came to know about the weaknesses of the defence and administrative structure. I would love to be a part of more such lectures and interactions.—Ishwar Singh Duhan, former dig, itbp

It was a good lecture. I need to thank Dr Harish Khare for taking the initiative of raising the security issue, which has always been a sore arm. A very good point was raised that farmers along the border areas, who always help the forces, if they are not satisfied, can greatly impact national security.—Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (retd), signals officer-in-chief at army headquarters

It was a very lucid talk delivered by Gen Malik. He covered most issues faced by India on the security front. He raised a very important point that there is lack of interface between the armed forced and the political class. Dr Johl said there is a clash of interests between the armed forces and economy, and I totally agree with him. We need to balance that out. —Lt Gen RS Sujlana (retd), former commandant, ima & chairman, punjab public service commission

It was an excellent interactive session today. It was a great pleasure listening to one of the most knowledgeable soldiers of the country, Gen Malik. I hope other media houses, especially newspapers, take up this sort of an initiative and create a dialogue between the forces and politicians.— Mandeep Bajwa, columnist

The discussion at The Tribune National Security Forum was about sensitising the general public about national security. Rather than delegating the concern just to the Army, we were encouraged to talk about the situation and ask for long-term solutions. Also, making policies around a long-term vision rather than piecemeal solutions was highlighted as the need of the hour. General Malik held fort like a true soldier and tackled the topic well. A great initiative by The Tribune and looking forward to many more.—Vandana Saxena, principal, tribune model school

It was fascinating to get an insight into the state of the country’s national security from one of the country’s most distinguished Army Chiefs who has successfully fought a war. It is a good initiative taken by The Tribune.—Atul Khanna, director, strawberry fields high school