Book Launch: "Birth of A Nation” by M. K. Gupta Ray

L-R  Lt Gen B T Pandit, (PVSM, Vr C (Retd)), Air Marshal B N Gokhale, (PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), Director, CASS) & Lt Col M K Gupta Ray at the book launch of the Book “ Birth of a Nation”

Pune: Stepping into Pakistan soil after breaking through the barriers on December 5, 1971 during the Indo-Pak Bangladesh liberation war, was the most thrilling moment of life, gallantry medal winner and senior Army veteran Lt Gen (retd) B T Pandit said here.

He was speaking during the launch of the book, 'Birth of a Nation', written by Lt Col (retd) M K Gupta Ray on the 1971 Indo-Pak war published by 

Also present on the occasion were Air Marshal (retd) B N Gokhale, director, Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies, Pune and former Vice Chief of Air Staff and and Maj Gen H S Bedi VSM from Headquarters Southern Command among others.

Sharing his experience of the 1971 Indo-Pak war Lt Gen Pandit said, "The 1971 war was the last full fledged war that India had although there have been many war like actions later but they were limited."

He added that during this war around 93,000 enemy soldiers surrendered which was a big record. Never before in the world military history post World War II, 93,000 enemy soldiers surrendered before another Army, in any war front. But this extraordinary feat was recorded by the Indian Army in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

"Pakistan started the war on December 3 and in 10 days we strangulated the enemy in Dhaka and Bangladesh was born on December 14. Also Pakistan accepted ceasefire and surrendered with most of its forces intact. At that time we felt extremely confident of our leader, Indira Gandhi," said Pandit.

Speaking about the book, Lt Gen Pandit said that the book has been written in great detail in two parts with the first part more as an autobiography and the second part giving a detailed account of the war.

Air Marshal Gokhale too complimented the book for its research and detailed description. "It is very lucidly written book. Having migrated at the age of 4, leaving behind the rich Zamindaari estate, the author's family had to reestablish themselves in Calcutta," Air Marshal Gokhale said.

The initial half of the book though biographical reflects on this struggle, author's own ambition and efforts Lt Col Gupta Ray had put in to join the Army.

"The book later describes in detail with maps and photoraphs his own operational experience in the West and Sector wise action in then East Pakistan," the former IAF vice - chief said. 

On the occasion Lt Col (retd) M K Gupta Ray said that the main reason for writing the book was that very few people from current generation are aware of the country’s glorious military history.

He added that the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war was perhaps one of the few battles fought in the annals of human history where a neighbouring country sent its troops to save a country from their demoniac leaders and give them freedom.

“On 3 Dec 1971 India had sent her forces inside East Pakistan, part of a neighbouring state, to save the citizens (Bengali Muslims) from one of the most dreadful genocides, that was being perpetrated upon them by their by their own so called ruling class from West Pakistan (Non-Bengali Muslims),” Lt Col Gupta Ray said.

 “The young government and the Army accomplished this task with unprecedented efficiency. While the government under leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with full political support and support of the millions of Indian stood like a rock against all world pressure and odds, India Army had accomplished its task with surgical precision,” the 1971 war veteran said.

“The book, in quest of the genesis of this war, has dug into the history of the subcontinent ad narrated development of the events as it unfolded. The warring countries were once part of the same country before cruel hands of politics dissected it into two,” said the retired officer, who fought in the Baramulla sector of Kashmir in 1971.

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Kashmir Issue: Indo-Pak NSA Level Talks called off

By Neel Achary 

Much awaited Indo-Pak NSA level talks derailed over the issue of Kashmir,that was not raised when the proposed talks were taken a form at Ufa meeting, and both the nations stick to their grounds. The issue of Kashmir was the main bone of contention that shadows the talks between two countries. The core issue has been terrorism and Pakistan has been on back foot to discuss about for two reasons. First the cross border terrorism - a terrorist Usman was apprehended by Indian police recently. And the second reason that the revelation of under world don Dawood Ibrahim residing in Pakistan.

Cross border terrorism is open truth that - it is being sponsored by Pakistan and Pak Army. Heavy firing along the border by the troops of Pakistan, as expected they do cover militants crossing border bid. This was evident from the Kargil War. A terrorist from Pakistan, has been captured and being interrogated by Indian officials. And, case of Kasab was the brightest example to

The country has been sponsoring terrorism for many decades and India is one of the soft target among other Asian countries. India witnessed biggest attacks like - Attack of Parliament and Mumbai Attack. Hardly do the people of this country would forget those coward attacks.

It is the greatness of Prime Minister of Modi, who during the Ufa meet, held talks with his counter part and gave ascent to visit Pakistan in 20165, but his commitments for peace back fired as Pakistan diplomatically avoided the NSA level talks with India.

The second reason, the revelation of Dawood Ibrahim, is said to be the biggest drawback for the country that has been denying his presence. According to media reports, the Don owned nine house in Pakistan, has phone connection, visits to various countries with Pakistan issued passport.

The two reasons are enough to understand Pakistan's policy on terrorism and stand of its leaders. They just used Separatist leader as trump card at a proper time, so that they can bailout self from international humiliation.

The failure of talks would work as eye opener for the countries those supporting Pakistan..

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What is the Need for Peace Talks?

The recent terror attack on army camp in Jammu followed by attack on police station by militants, raises the question that what is the need for the peace talks between India and Pakistan.

There have been many rounds of peace talks, but the result is same and the brutal face of terrors has been teasing Indians for long.

The talks failure is not just a failure between the two nations but that weigh high on human life. Army and policemen are not commodities, they are human beings. They should not become target because of there is failure in peace process.

The important thing is that diplomatic management over the cross border terrorism, putting pressure on the neighbour is not only the solution to stop the terrorism.

Time has come to act on further to save the life of people including our army and police force. How long India would wait to thing to get fixed automatically?

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Will Indo-Pak Relationship to Shine?

Photo Credit:economist.com

The people of Pakistan have given mandate to Nawaz Sharif, making him as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the third time. The democratically elected government in Pakistan have greater role in shaping the relationship between India and Pakistan.

The recent incidents like, attack in JK – beheading Indian military, hanging of Kasab in Pune, death of Sarabjit Singh in Lahore and death of Pakistani in JK jail, were some of the recent developments that adverse to the Aman Ki Asha.

No doubt in that the relationship between India and Pakistan were good. And the both governments should try to restore peace. And the fact can’t de denied that the Army in Pakistan still have much influence on the government, and it may topple the government as happened in past.

If everything goes fine with the Pakistan newly elected government and Indian government, the peace restoration could begin with anytime between the two countries. The issues including cross border terrorism, JK, PoK and bi-lateral trade would at the major to focus for the government to discuss.

In past many talks between India and Pakistan failed resulting unrest along the border. However, the governments will aim to combat terrorism as duo nations have been facing the terrorism for long time.

Pakistan would try to combat the Taliban rule in the north, while India would try to combat the cross border terrorism. 

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Sarabjit: A death of Indian in Pakistan Jail

Once again the ugly face of Pakistan jail mets witnessed in terms of the death Indian prisoner  - Sarabjit Singh, who was in Pakistan jail for last 23 years. Recently, he was attacked by inmates in the jail, and on Thursday he breathed his last.

After the hanging the terrorist, Kasab, it was the duty of the Pakistan jail authority to provide adequate security to the Indian prisoners in Pakistan. But seems hardly do that was implemented.

After the death of Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan, Indian government has re-issued advisory to all state governments to ensure proper security to 220 Pakistan prisoners in Indian jails.

The death of Indian prisoners could not be taken lightly, as it was not the failure of the security system in the Pakistan, but raised may questions over the moral.

This could be a biggest political game inside Pakistan for the election victory. And may be a trump card to play the game of politics in Pakistan.

What to expect from 'Aman Ki Asha', if Indian are subject to perish like animals in Pakistan. This was the case of the a civilian, and who know what has been happening with prison-of-war or Indian military in Pakistan jails. 

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Heroin and Fake Currency Seized at Indo-Pak Border

In a significant development, the Border Security Forces of India (BSF) has seized 18 kilogram of heroin and fake Indian currency worth around Rs 5 lakhs rupees near Indo-Pak border on Tuesday.

The BSF personnel were on patrol and caught the movement across the border fence, and when the intruders were challenged they escaped towards Pakistan.

During the combing operation after the suspicious movement at along the border, the BSF personnel found, 18 packets of heroin and one packet containing fake Indian currency notes worth Rs 4, 87,000 in the denomination of Rs 1000.

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Hafiz Mohammed Saeed Welcomes Shahrukh to Pakistan

The master mind behind the Mumbai attacks and Jamat-ud-Da’wah chief has expressed his support for Shahrukh Khan and welcomed him to Pakistan.

Talking to Express News, a private news channel in Pakistan, Hafiz said that if Khan feels unsafe in India, I would not only welcome him, but support him for his settlement in Pakistan.

Interior Minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik, Said that "Shahrukh Khan is born Indian and he would like to remain Indian, but I will request the government of India (to) please provide him security. I would like to request all Indian brothers and sisters and all those who are talking in a negative way about Shahrukh, they should know he is a movie star, I am sure all those who are talking against him or are trying to threaten him, they will withdraw their threat with this hope that the stars are loved, the stars provide love and they are like a symbol of unity" Malik said.

Shahrukh Khan recently said “I sometimes become the inadvertent object of the political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India. There have been occasions when I have been accused of bearing allegiance to our neighboring nation rather than my own country this is even though I am an Indian, whose father fought for the freedom of India. Rallies have been held where leaders have exhorted me to leave and return what they refer to my original homeland.”

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