‘Public can pressurise govt, let’s pledge to awaken people’

Is it time we shift attention from Pakistan to China?

No doubt about that. We have to look at both our adversaries equally. We have to strategically try as much as possible, not to allow both of them to fight us together. Whether or not this is achievable, depends on diplomacy. There is no point in creating manpower without raising the infrastructure and equipment. 

Every government has the responsibility towards safety and security of public. But in India, the people are not aware, they are not demanding and the system, in its own right, is unresponsive. How do we awaken the nation in such a situation?

By making others aware, but we have been unable to do so. It is only the public largely and media, to a great extent, that can pressurise the government. Let us pledge to awaken our people.

The Indian Army is deficient of officers. How will it fight, how will the country get more officers?

Officers’ strength in the armed forces has been an area of major concern for 25 years now. But there are many youngsters, who though unwilling to spend their entire life in uniform, are ready to serve the nation in short term. We must focus on them. That way, we can have a mix of both types of people. Every time we can’t have rules that benefit the government alone and not the ones who are ready to join the forces. Now, the question is, who will do that? The politicians will have to give orders. 

Cyber warfare is considered the 5th domain of warfare and media is the unintentional ally.

I was happy and satisfied during Kargil. 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.

In India, it is said, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. How much weight does the saying hold when it comes to the farmers in the border states, who are the backbone of the military?

Prof Johl: Not only in the border areas, the agriculture sector as a whole is in distress. The problem is that two-third of the farmers in the country are not capable of earning enough to sustain their families, ensure their education and health care. That needs to be tackled. It is a big problem. That question cannot be answered in two lines. It needs introspection from all quarters.