NDTV OROP Program on 12 Sep 2010: Feedback and Responses from

Readers
Vivek,
Thanks for your balanced comments.
I did clarify that OROP is not for honour but for justice but they might have scissored it.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
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From: Ravindran Major

Sent: 15 September 2010 11:43
Subject: RANK INJUSTICE: ONE RANK, ONE PENSION
Dear General
No, your comments were telecast. But unless one was watching intently one might have missed
it. I heard only this and another comment by you- about ORs returning their medals calling the
bluff on the govt's claim that near parity has been given to them. Little said but well said! Overall
the pro-armed forces team called the shots and the disconfiture on the faces of the bureaucrats,
scholars (?) and advocates (for the imposters!) was obvious.
Hope you have received the copy of the mail I had sent to barkha and ndtv.
regards n bw
ravi (Maj PM Ravindran)
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From: lt gen sher amir singh [mailto:shergogi@yahoo.co.in]

Sent: 14 September 2010 23:56
To: rajkadyan@yahoo.com
Cc: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: ESM SITREP 14 SEP 10 - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" - EMAIL 443/2010 - (H to Z-2) -
14 SEP 2010 (USA CT)

Dear Raj
Great. YOU HAVE STEERED THE IESM TOWARDS ITS GOALS SO WELL & WITH WISDOM &
DEDICATION.I AM SURE YOU WILL ACHIEVE ALL THAT YOU HAVE SET FOR. MY
PRAYERS & GOOD WISHES. REGARDS.
SHER AMIR (Lt Gen Sher Amir Singh, Former QMG, Mhow, MP)
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Sent: 14 September 2010 09:27

From: Satish Kumar Bahri
Subject: NDTV OROP SHOW - THE BACKSTAGE STORY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
I watched the programme with great expectations and they were not belied.
Kameshwar Sahib has given a very good account of what happened before the show and the
long term benefits of preparation of an audience which is not exposed to the Services.
I have also had interaction with civilians who had watched the show and found that they were
aghast at the injustice meted out to soldiers.
I must say that we were lucky that we had MPs Rajeev Chandershekhar and Manvendra Singh to
support us. They will be a great help when the Parliament discusses the matter.
Now as regards our servicemen's contribution, I felt there was a deficiency. Had it not been for
Capt Sidhu's and Hony Lt Kameshwar Pandey's forceful contributions the impact would have
been minimal. Sidhu's assertion brought tears to my wife's and my eyes. While Pandey Sahib's
threat and warning that if the govt thinks that it can divide officers, JCOs and men the result
could be drastic, was potent. Also that the soldiers will not brook delay any longer.
I regret the senior officers present acted as gentlemen to a fault. This has been the bane of the
Services and the bureaucrats have ridden roughshod over us for all these years. Its time we put
our gloves on and vehemently expose lies and subterfuges of the govt/bureaucarcy.
Why didnt we expose the way every civil service has upgraded its appointments and ours have
been downgraded? How a Chief Secretary who was junior to a Brig is now senior to an Army Cdr
in his own state. The senior most police officer in a state, who used to get less pay than a brig
now gets a salary equivalent to an Army Cdr.
Have the IAS and IPS done something special to deserve this special treatment? This is how
honour is affected! In fact the IAS & IPS are responsible for keeping the Army and all the
paramilitary forces busy during peacetime, due to bad governance on their part.
I presume a TV programme has time limitations but we should have brain stormed and identified
our bullet points for emphasis. Such opportunities do not come our way very often. Anyway, there
hopefully will be an another occasion soon as other TV cahnnels will be wanting to have a similar
programme.
I hope I have not trod on too many toes and my opinion is taken in the correct spirit.
Bahri (Lt Gen SK Bahri)
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From: LALIT KUMAR ANAND

Sent: 15 September 2010 10:16
Subject: Views on NDTV Show - We the People
Dear Brig Kamboj,
... edited ...
I had the opportunity to see the video footage of “We The People”, covering OROP only today,
as the link forwarded along with the comments didn’t seem to be working. It finally did work but
then it was continuous only intermittently. All the same it gave a reasonably good coverage of all
that was planned to be projected. There was sufficient material provided by our representatives to
derive some sympathy as well as hardships being faced by the defence personnel due to apathy
at various levels of the civilian and judicial hierarchy. The overall content of the programme could
certainly have been better and inclined more towards the OROP which every now and then
appeared to be sidelined by the arguments being put forward both by the pros and cons.
It seemed that with the exception of a few pros, to our cause, Barkha Datt was more inclined and
hankering towards the cons especially Mrs Indu Liberhan (attitude towards OROP +++-ve), Pinky
Anand ie the pink Lady, the Supreme Court Advocate, who didn’t seem to have even the
slightest idea of the main issue and any sympathy towards our cause. She appeared only single
tracked, except that in the end she said that all the legal cases filed by the defence persons
should be looked into earlier (attitude towards OROP ++-ve), Mr Ajay Shah, who seemed totally
single tracked and biased against the defence forces and was unable to open his third eye which
could see something more judicious and logical for grant of OROP (attitude towards OROP +++-
ve) and the last but not the least that unsoldierly Capt Praveen Dawar who seemed to be giving
illogical and totally anti defence arguments throughout should have been cut down to size much
earlier during his utterances by someone if Barkha Datt did not do it. I made an effort to give a
strong reply to his illogical letter written to a large number of veterans a few days back.

Unfortunately, very few rebuttals came out against all the rubbish uttered by these. I think we
should have been better prepared and quick at countering their negative and illogical stand and
utterances against the OROP. So, it seemed at the end that they were able to score a symbolic
victory against the defence forces’ demand for OROP. I hold Barkha Datt, responsible for this, as
she gave them maximum time to complete their arguments or I’ll say utterances and try to
convince the public watching the show rather than those in the studio, inspite of all her efforts to
highlight or get justification for the OROP.

Our stalwarts to have got some positive support towards the services cause were Capt Sidhu (he
could be a part of future discussions (++++ +ve), Rajeev Chandrashekhar MP (+++ +ve), both Mr
Manvendra Singh & Cdre Uday Bhaskar ( ++ +ve). Lt Gens Kadiyan and Oberoi were
conspicuous by the quite dignity they provided to the show, and whatever they spoke was
convincing.
My general impression is that inspite of scoring just about passable marks in the very first
attempt, we should have been much more better prepared at least statistically. One major
argument favouring the OROP which seemed to have been totally ignored was the fact of early
retirement of defence personnel, starting from the ages ranging from 38 to 50 years. We could
have highlighted as to what was the financial loss suffered by them in pay alone, vis a vis the
rest of the government staff till their retirement age of 60-62 years. Some economic/financial
experts need to be consulted and co-opted in the matter. Similarly, Maj Gen Satbir Singh, who I
feel is an expert in such matters was really missed a lot as he could have projected some strong
arguments in favour and some strong rebuttals for arguments against.

I however feel that the IESM made a very respectable start with the media to attract a section of
Indian population viewing NDTV. We must now ensure that this momentum is not surrendered
now under any circumstances. We must now carry on regardless as the saying goes by
thoroughly covering whatever shortcomings were observed in our first attempt. I would like to
suggest the following:-
( a ) We should draft a detailed letter covering all our arguments in support of the OROP and
address them to all the sitting MPs both Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha to garner their support. The
letters could also be sent to all party heads to enlighten them suitably about our cause. I am sure
a large number of them would come forward to support our cause and would make a difference in
the respective houses of parliament.
( b ) It is observed that a large number of our readers have extended excellent suggestions in
their letters to Brig Chander Kamboj. Let us not just ignore them, but make a bank of all these
suggestions and try and get the best out of them at opportune moment. I would personally like to
compliment Maj Gen Krishan Khorana (13 Sep 2010) for his excellent comments and
suggestions. We must consider them.
( c ) Now that NDTV has given a start, we might approach some more popular channels through
some influential lights, to have similar programmes for their viewers. We could certainly take
advantage of valuable views received from our readers and make preparations covering all the
convincing arguments to make our case convincing and stronger. This would also help us to get
much better public support
( d ) We should consult and have meetings with experts who could strengthen the cause of
OROP to make our case more convincing, and to undo the disadvantages which we often suffer
at the hands of the Government, bureaucrats and others .
( e ) We must earmark some more people of the category and calibre of Capt Sidhu to forcefully
convince the public of the apathy shown by the people who matter ie government, bureaucracy
and judiciary as applicable.
With best regards to all who have been instrumental in organising the show including those
behind the stage.
Col LK Anand Retd
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From: raj mehta
Sent: 14 September 2010 23:52
To: REPORT MY SIGNAL (CS Kamboj)
Subject: OROP NDTV Coverage on RMS
Dear Sir,
You have been generous and persevering as always to allow printable mails on the RMS blog,
on the subject of the NDTV show. Your clarifications in blue have made the mails more readable.
I do feel an effort for more focused coverage can now be made to get a similar slot with Lok
Sabha TV, which tends to give balanced coverage and could accept a No Govt Bashing
affirmation by IESM.
Maybe, Times Now may also agree to cover the issue. I suggest that Maj Navdeep Singh be
requested formally to work on the issue of who else have OROP benifits, including other Armies.
He writes well and , being a lawyer, can be assumed to be a Harish Salve type of clear headed
speaker. Being a current TA officer, he is also affected. To my mind, he could join Gen Kadyan in
putting across our viewpoint and politely but firmly asking for change in the Govt stand, using
cold, irrefutable statistics.
... edited ...
We will finally succeed because there are brave hearts like you that live Chetwode in their daily
lives.
Warm regards and a sincere salute to you, sir.
Raj Mehta (Maj Gen RS Mehta, Mohali, Punjab)
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From: natarajan vasanta

Sent: 14 September 2010 22:04
Subject: ESM SITREP 14 SEP 10
Dear respected General,
The wonderful results that you are systematicaliy and progressively achieveing towards bringing
veterans together deserves salutation.
It is for consideration whether the devoted active representatives from each district can bring the
local MPs to appreciate the role of the services and veterans; this is a time consuming pains
taking task that need individualised and innovative handling. Certain guidance/feedback/review
by central leadership is essential to project the picture.
with very warm and affectionate regards
natarajan
Brig. G. Natarajan, Signals
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From: Prataap Tiwari

Sent: 15 September 2010 04:49
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: NDTV PROGRAMME - MORE FEED BACKS -
Dear All,
At last the case of OROP or OTHER cases of Veterans have started finding some Airspace on
some media channels NDTV taking the lead.
Though the debate had its shortcomings it was satisfying that all participants did their best to be
better than others .
Hope it creates the desired effect.
With warm regards,
Yours sincerely,
Prataapshanker
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From: Brijesh
Sent: 15 September 2010 10:59
To: kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Subject: RE: NDTV PROGRAMME - MORE FEED BACKS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL"
Dear Brig Kamboj,
I have read the trailing comments in the mail and also watched the video of the programme on
the link provided earlier since I could not watch the programme when it was aired.
I find that most of the commentators as well as the participants in the programme from Services
are missing out an important fact, which if brought out in the programme, would have, to use a
less than parliamentary term, ‘shut up’ the lady and the professor. The riposte to her, regarding
Secretaries being in fixed pay thereby getting OROP equivalent should have been-Who put them
there, whenever that happened? The answer obviously is they themselves, being members/
secretaries of all Pay Commissions to date.
Or the successors of Clive carrying vendetta of Kitchener/ Clive spat of 1905 till date? It is an
interesting thought.
With regards and best wishes,
Brijesh
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From: Dinesh Chandra
Sent: 15 September 2010 08:04
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: NDTV PROGRAMME - MORE FEED BACKS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" -
Dear Kamboj,
The points raised by Maj Gen Vinod K Khanna (excerpted below) are indeed very relevent. I have
met many civilian friends who watched the programme and they felt that while there is need to
consider the needs of defense services as a special service, and for improving their emoluments
etc, without trying to have any comparison with other services, the very first argument that a Hav
who retired in say 1990 must get the same pension as one who retires in 2010 does not cut ice
with them.
As Gen Vinod Khanna says, we must not claim OROP on the basis of emotional arguments but
as the need to attract the right material into the defense services and to maintain and upgrade
their dignity as a necessary tool to motive the service personnel to willingly give the ultimate
sacrifice in the course of their duty.
Down gradation of the officers in the revised protocol needs to be highlighted. For example, a Maj
Gen is placed below a Deputy Commissioner in his district or a DIG Police has been equated with
a Brig et-al. that has led to demoralization of the armed forces.
With regards.
Maj Gen Dinesh Chandra (Retd)
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From: VINOD KHARE

Sent: 15 September 2010 22:02
To: Kamboj Chander
Subject: Re: NDTV PROGRAMME - MORE FEED BACKS - "REPORT MY SIGNAL" -
In the whole excercise, one fact is NOT being highlighted. It is a combatants commitment to
supreme sacrifice, which is peculiar to combat.
When spreadsheets are made for comparison of direct payments, allowances and perks, this
column and its cost does NOT figure anywhere. Mebers on pay commissions, where services
were NOT represented, have NOT tasted this aspect.
Bureaucrats sitting in decisions on compensation are partisan to the hilt. When a bureaucrat and
a Brigadier died in the same bomb blast in Afghanistan, the bureaucrat had 8-9 years lesser
service than the Brigadier. Would any one like to cost what the copensation to the widows ?
For the bureaucrat dying on duty was a rarest of the rare exceptrion, while for the combatant it
was routine.
Civilians draw their equivalaence from he paybands positioning rather than commitmet,
accountability, service conditions and their incidence on families.
NDTV episode lacked coverage of these aspects.
Gen Kadiyan may like to send this feed back to Ms Barkha Datt.
Lt Col (Retd) VC Khare
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From: Atul Dev

Sent: 15 September 2010 19:12
Subject: ONE RANK ONE PENSION
Dear Friends,
I have witnessed with great interest the programme on “One Rank One Pension” telecast by
NDTV in their “We the People” series anchored by TV Anchor Barkha Dutt.
Seeing that Programme, I – and I am certain the general viewer - came away with the following
impressions - Firstly, the Armed Forces are still poorly paid; Secondly, the war disabled are not
being given their due for their sacrifices; and, Thirdly, there is some problem in the pensions they
are supposed to get. The average viewer would have understood nothing more! In any case who
are such programmes beamed to?
Personally, I have never subscribed to the theory that the media will help us to project our
grievances. They are putting out their show for their own TRPs and any emotive issue will help
them get more viewership – as has perhaps happened during this programme; particularly so with
our excited friends rushing e-mails around to advise people to watch the programme.
Such public uncontrolled outcry – please note uncontrolled - does not really serve our purpose.
Note how two senior ranked retired officers were barely given adequate time to put across their
point of view. Besides, most viewers would treat these as personal views. In fact there is already
an e-mail doing the rounds that only Army was ‘represented’ and the Navy was left out. How
immature can one be?
Do you really think that by appearing on such a programme, MP Rajeev Chandrashekharan,
would be able to influence any government decision? It would be far better if we were to use the
good offices of such well wishers to help us ‘lobby’ our cause in Parliament and Committees. And
the term 'lobbying' I use strictly in the professional sense - like they use formal lobbyists in USA.
So far we have only created media events - hoping that the 'powers that be' would take note.
While they did note, there were others keeping their gun powder dry and that finally appeared on
files.
Did any one lay bare the arguments put out by the Joint Secretary in the MoD? She was
obviously parroting from the arguments placed ‘on file’ in MoD. Those that have worked at that
level know well that once anything is recorded in such files it needs a great deal of ‘guts’ to
disagree or change or modify. The damage remains on record. Note the argument – “Pensions
are a function of the overall pay package”. She never said a word beyond!! Any counter
arguments or explanations from our side?
During the Programme we managed to convey that OROP is given to Judges, Secretaries of
Government of India and Lt Generals/ Generals who retired in C-in-C rank and above, and so it
should be given to all personnel of Armed Forces? I too did not see the logic in this argument!
Emotion – Yes – argument – No!
As I said at the beginning of our ‘agitation’ we still need a position paper on “Pensions for Armed
Forces – A Revised Approach”. This document/ proposal needs to look at basic issues. No
comparisons. No declaring ourselves equivalent to…… etc. I am always a bit unhappy when we
say – “I retired in so-and-so rank which is equivalent to that of a Secretary.”
We now already have a great achievement to our credit – the 7th Pay Commission due, in 2016,
would be separate for the Armed Forces from that for the rest of the ‘central government
employees’.
We do not have much time before 2016 will be on our doorsteps. Let us prepare our basic
arguments now and have them ready. We need to look at Armed Forces pay and allowances
including disability allowances and pensions de novo.
Perhaps a major overhaul is needed in the Terms and Conditions of Service for those serving in
the Armed Forces of the Union.
With warm regards,
Atul Dev
A-34 Sushant Apartments, Sushant Lok-I
Skype: atuldev
Twitter: http://twitter.com/_atuldev
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/atul.dev
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