CAFE
COM:PORT
CHAT JOCKEYS
EVENTS

The Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora Chat

Surya: Sat Siri Akal. At no time I felt that we may lose the war. I was confident of our cause and the valour of the troops that we shall be victorious.

After we helped Bangladesh get independence, what went wrong between the two countries?

I believe that, sir. But my question focuses on the present state of the Indian army. About the numerous vacancies that need to be filled in the Indian army but cannot due to the lack of personnel. But the fact that it is no longer considered prestigious to join the army. What should we do to mend this sorry state of affairs?

Jaswant: Thank you Jaswant for a very good question. We had sufficient troops deployed on the northern boarder to take care of any disturbance that the Chinese might have created. On the other hand we also realised that in a situation of this nature Chinese coming to the assistance of Pakistan was not so likely as in no way we had taken any physical help from Russia. The real help was in the Security Council by stopping the other nations from passing a resolution against India. If a situation like this arose as it happens the Chinese did not come to Pakistan's help in any effective manner. Primarilly because in no way it helped their own domestic policies.

The Enetreprise was in the Bay of Bengal. Were you at any time apprehensive of American intervention in the conflict in the Eastern sector?

I think that people are not joining Army is true in many other countries too. I heard such problem of UK on BBC. This is actually a natural phenomenon. The problem is many Islamic countries might get more entrants due to burning issues like Kashmir

Thank you, Sir, for answering my question. It should read the Enterprise.

In your recollections of the war, published on this site, you said, we were not prepared for a war in May. Had Pakistan attacked us then, what would we have done? Why were we not prepared? Was it a lack of political foresight?

You have seen Bangladesh war. What is your comment on Kashmir? What do you think India should do?

I agree with you, Mr Gupta. Fortunately or unfortunately, we do not have such burning issues. In fact, I wonder whether we would be affected by them. Today's Indian youth prefers to be a goon on the streets to serving the country by joining the armed force.

dear nanaji, this is nonita. My first memories of the war was when we I was two and in Cal. 25 yrs later I bumped into a taxi driver who remembered you -- he said the bangladesh war was the last time India proved her courage -- do you agree? by the way, the taxi driver never took money from me and said you were still his hero -- as you are mine

Balaraman: Thank you Balaraman. I think it is a really a good question that make one think. There is no doubt that if the local population is against you your task becomes more difficult. Mukti Bahani's main help was to make the Bangladeshis well disposed towards us and against Pakistan army as the Pakistan army had committed untold atrocities. The situation in Kashmir however is not the same. We are fighting against the terrorists, most of them trained by Pakistan as well as terrorists which belong to Pakistan and from other areas. The recent election has proved that substantial part of the Kashmiris want peace and our policy is to give them peace and to also give them autonomy to extent possible within the Constitution. The present announcement by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has already pronounced that Jammu and Laddak population will also get autonomy so long they stay within the state. This policy is bound to succeed. Tnank you.

No one prefers to be a Goon on the street. It is the sorry state of Indian economy where a youth cannot earn enough money and lead a happy life that they become goon. It is the lack of work culture, lack of respect for different types of job that decreases the job facility in India. We need to learn to respect all profession.

Hello

Hello

Nonita: Thank you, Nonita darling. You have asked me a sentimental question. I am happy to know that 25 years later people still remember me fondly. I would not claim that this is the only time that we fought with courage. I think that the Indian army has always fought with great courage and whatever the results may turn out to be depending upon several other factors. With love. Your Nanaji.

Thank you, Sir. Would the Indian army win another war with Pakistan today? Or are there are too many imponderables ( the nuclear option, for instance) which prevents that eventuality? Do you not think the Pakistan army (the ISI) has done its job by crfeating so many trouble spots in India that our underbelly is exposed. Do you think we will ever fight a conventional war with Pakistan again?

Guptaji, I'm sorry to say I don't agree with you. How many of the Shiv Sena people in Maharashtra, for example, cannot find a good job if they want one? It just boils down to question of personal power and domination.

I believe that, sir. But my question focuses on the present state of the Indian army. About the numerous vacancies that need to be filled in the Indian army but cannot due to the lack of personnel. But the fact that it is no longer considered prestigious to join the army. What should we do to mend this sorry state of affairs?

But do you deny that Army had also done attrocities? I am from Assam. Army has killed raped people there. They have even raped childs. It is said that the killer of Rajiv Gandhi was a raped victim whose husband was killed. Do you understand how much hate that woman should have had? No, we are not just fighting terorists. It is not true. We have failed to address the problem. Kashmiri people and people of North-east has always gotten a raw deal from the center. Like Congress should have stoped the immigration from BD. Mostly muslims. It had changed the topography to Assam in Many places. But Congress wanted it because they were sure vote banks. And people like us, suffer because of these things.

behind every successful man is a woman - where do you place naniami? love, nonita

General, Sir, do you think faith -- in Pakistan's case, the concept of jehad -- is a much more dynamic spur for its troops than say something like Indian nationalism? Somone I know visited Pakistan troops recently on the Siachin and came back with stories about how the soldiers were charged up by the thought of jehad.

You, sir, seem to be a peace loving person. What made you join in the army - what made you take part in two bloody wars?

Namaste Sir, What do you think will solve the present shortage of Army personnel ? Do you think that giving people who join the army a good technical education will help solve some of the problem ? Why do you think people are not so inclined to join the army ? One of the reasons I think is if we have leaders like Deve Gowda and Mulayam Singh Yadav who sleep in defence meetings nobody is interested in joining the forces.

Is war the only solution to the Indo-Pak problem? Will we only stop after one of us has totally destroyed the other?

Sir, Its an honor talking to you, Do you believe army officers become good governors, case in point Gen. Krishna Rao

I accept that this is a universal phenoenon that Army people rape. India cannot be blamed for it. But still. The bigger thing is we have failed to address the Kashmir problem. If we are so confident of our cause, what was wrong if we would keep our promise of pleblestic. May be we can do it ourself, without outside support. Many surveys are done. What is wrong? After all we had promised. One Kashmiri told me that if India would have help pleblestic 10 years ago, it might have won, but not now any more.

Arti: Thank you Arti. Niazi told me that he was grateful to me for having treated him so well. There was no occasion of having a drink with him. While after the signing the surrender he was sent off to Dhaka contontment with my co-commander after having told him that he will obey all orders given by him. I went out to meet the crowd who had gathered to watch the surrender ceremony. They were full of praise and cheers.

Can we have short services in the army for two or three years like in Germany or Israel, or for five years for graduates?

Thank you, Sir. Would the Indian army win another war with Pakistan today? Or are there are too many imponderables ( the nuclear option, for instance) which prevents that eventuality? Do you not think the Pakistan army (the ISI) has done its job by crfeating so many trouble spots in India that our underbelly is exposed. Do you think we will ever fight a conventional war with Pakistan again?