Yet another year begins and once again hope floats despite doomsday projections by cynics and pessimists alike. FORCE lives in the constituency of the optimists. Hence, despite the cover story on the Indian Army presenting the sobering thought that we seem to be preparing for the last war, FORCE believes that it is never too late to make course correction and who knows, change the tide. Our belief is that the Indian Army is capable of doing this because of the valour of its young officers and commitment of its men. This belief was reinforced when FORCE team returned from Officer Training Academy, Gaya after a spending a few days with the Gentlemen Cadets. And with this hope we present our first offering of 2012, the Indian Army special issue.
Since the thrust of our lead article is that in any future conflict, whether in the west or the east, jointness would hold the key to success, we have got the interviews with all the three Service Chiefs. While they talk of their respective services, the idea is that each service gets a sense of how the other perceives itself. After all, unless there is jointness is thinking, there can be little in the field. Also part of the cover story is an article on Operation Sadbhavana, especially in context of the Jammu and Kashmir theatre. FORCE has watched various army projects under Sadbhavana from close quarters and written about them extensively over the years. It’s a widespread programme with substantial reach, but it can only support army’s primary job to a certain extent. Beyond that it becomes a waste of time, resources and even goodwill, which is contrary to its primary purpose. In the new year, perhaps there is a need to look at it afresh. This is not to say the Sadbhavana has no role. In fact, to emphasise what it ought to be, we have an article on disaster relief and rehabilitation work carried out by the Indian Army in such diverse theatres as Leh and Sikkim.
The Indian Army apart, we have a section on the Paramilitary, including articles on CRPF and NSG. Internal security is becoming as important as external defence. At FORCE we will always try to keep this balance. Then of course, there is the industry section with a series of interviews and a column on the importance of innovation in the defence sector.
The dates for DefExpo 2012 have finally been announced, March 29-April 1. And it is not an April Fool’s joke. FORCE will be participating in DefExpo and will be bringing out three Show Specials on March 29, 30 and 31. Instead of February, the March issue will be the DefExpo special issue.
Finally, one of the issues that trouble me is waning interest in reading among our young officers. Here are my two wishes for the New Year: One, there were more and better books on military matters and two, more young officers across the services read those books. Here’s my suggested reading list for 2012: The Utility of Force by General Rupert Smith, Winning Modern War by General Wesley K. Clark and Future of Power by Joseph S. Nye Jr. On this note, Happy New Year!
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