Gunners Shot

Who is winning the war between the Chinese virus and Indian leadership at present? Any guesses? To me it's very clear.     India will win the war against the Chinese Virus. No Doubts. The cost will be high. In fact, inordinately high. The difference between a ‘high cost’ and an ‘inordinately high cost’ is attributable to Indian leadership at present. That cost, unfortunately is three to four thousand lives on a daily basis and probably growing as I write this article. Very sad and heart wrenching but true. This diatribe is not a broad brush paint against everyone.     I am highlighting a few glaring defects which the Chinese Virus has exposed at this point of crisis. Forget election rallies, Kumbh Mela or farmers agitation. They are behind us. No point in crying about them. They have spilt their poison. Look ahead. I am talking of the current and future situation which we have to overcome. It needs effective and strong leadership. However, our invisible leadership is...

I   had an interesting discussion with Sandeep Unnithan of India Today on the reports in SCMP on deployment of MLRS by China in Tibet. The discussion in below. The link below is the video recording. It gives you a better perspective. I would suggest you read this interview in conjunction with my earlier articles  1.  Force Multiplication of Rebalancing     2.   Non Contact Conventional Deterrence    Video Link :  https://twitter.com/indiatoday/status/1386606718684045313?s=24 Match Chinese MRLs with Pinaka: Lt Gen. P. Ravi Shankar  |   India Today Insight Lt Gen. P. Ravi Shankar, former director-general, artillery, on the need for India to fill the gaps in its rocket artillery and train at high altitudes Sandeep Unnithan  Delhi April 22, 2021 UPDATED: April 22, 2021 23:22 IST   On April 19, China’s military newspaper,  People’s Daily , carried a report confirming the deployment of what it said ...

I  hear continuous wailing of sirens of ambulances taking patients stricken with the Chinese virus to hospitals. Are they banshees carting people to death or are they angels of mercy flying them to recovery? I wonder. I read countless messages on the social media…seeking help from any source they can get from  a hospital bed to an oxygen bottle. I see hospitals giving out SOS messages that they have a pitifully few hours of oxygen left.    Some messages inform me of those lucky ones who have returned from the hell of breathlessness. Many sorrowful messages inform me of people succumbing to the virus. As we condole and grieve the death of those who have passed to the other world, I feel a sense of loss and darkness gripping me. Is my time due from this unknown scourge ? I do not know. However my odds of survival are better since I was lucky enough to be vaccinated. I might survive to tell my story another day. Who knows? This is a once in a lifetime disaster. Nev...

The Prime Minister while addressing the valedictory session   of the Combined Commanders Conference stressed the importance of enhancing indigenisation in the national security system, not just in sourcing equipment and weapons but also in the doctrines, procedures and customs practiced in the Armed Forces… He also called for a holistic approach, focused on breaking down civil-military silos… He advised the Services to rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that have outlived their utility and relevance…For the first time in many years the political executive was interacting with the Armed forces and directing them to do something instead of mouthing inane homilies. Heartening. While the overall slant of the address was great and positive, the larger message on requirement of indigenous doctrines, procedures and customs in the armed forces and focus on breaking down civil-military silos need examination.     We should not embark on a senseless indigenisation progr...

Match Chinese MRLs with Pinaka: Lt Gen. P. Ravi Shankar  |   India Today Insight Lt Gen. P. Ravi Shankar, former director-general, artillery, on the need for India to fill the gaps in its rocket artillery and train at high altitudes ADVERTISEMENT Sandeep Unnithan  Delhi April 22, 2021 UPDATED: April 22, 2021 23:22 IST An advanced version of the DRDO-developed Pinaka rocket was successfully flight tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, Nov. 4, 2020 (PTI) On April 19, China’s military newspaper,  People’s Daily , carried a report confirming the deployment of what it said was 'a regiment of an advanced long-range rocket launcher’ to the Himalayas. The report came two months after India and China disengaged troops after a 10-month long standoff near the Pangong Lake in the Kailash Range. To understand the significance of this deployment, India Today Executive Editor  Sandeep Unnithan spoke with  Lt Gen. P. Ravi Shankar , former di...