A Deathless Hero – 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC (Posthumous)

What can one say of a shy, self effacing, embodiment of the Chetwode motto who died? That he was disarmingly handsome and brave; that he was an inspirational leader and the Fakhr-e-Hind of his beloved country, India? That he was admired in death by his opposing number of the Pakistani Armoured Corps. That much and so much more can be said and written about this bravest of brave young officers, who willingly and selflessly gave up his tomorrow for the Indian Army’s priceless historical legacy of naam, namak and nishan

Siachen – Bravery Beyond Compare

The true, heart warming story of the capture against impossible odds of the Pakistani post, Quaid, the worlds highest battlefield post at 21153 feet (6749 metres) above sea level, from personnel of its elite commando force; the Special Services Group (SSG) by Naib Subedar (later Honorary Captain) Bana Singh, PVC, of 8 JAK LI and his brave hearts.

Graveyard of Empires

Taliban have carried out the most serious assault in Kabul in 11 years, simultaneously attacking embassies, a supermarket, a hotel and the Afghan parliament, in addition to attacks on US bases and Afghan police stations in three other provinces. Hardly a spent force. In fact these attacks managed to achieve a great deal.

The Tragic Pulitzer Prize Winning Image of Mayhem in Kabul 2011

Tarana Akbari, 12, screams in fear moments after a suicide bomber detonated a bomb in a crowd at the Abul Fazel Shrine in Kabul on December 06, 2011.  This searing photo was taken by Massoud Hossaini, who just won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography .  Massoud Hossaini has won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for [...]

Winning Hearts: Unique Saga of A Soldier

When a project to make its people self-sufficient was inaugurated in far-flung Longdaipabram in Manipur last week, it formalised a bond between an Army officer and the village forged under the worst of circumstances in the state. Eighteen years ago, as a young Indian Army captain, D P K Pillai, had received near fatal wounds [...]

Pakistan on a Genocide Watch?

After the sordid experiences of the genocide leading upto dismemberment of East Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh, Pakistan is keen on balkanising again. It needs to be stopped!

No More “Tit for Tat” Now Please!

Accepting Pakistan the way it is but pushing for peace nonetheless may be the only way forward but it is a way littered with political and military minefields which needs careful and cautious charting. Making hope a policy would be harakiri.

Tributes to Lt Navdeep Singh, Ashok Chakra

South Asian Idea has carried a trilogy or articles and a tribute by Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (retired), paid to this valiant son of India  who sacrificed everything and brought laurels to the nation. On 7th April 2012, the nation unveiled a bust of the martyr and named the main block of College of [...]

Demystifying the New World Order in Middle East

In this maze of activities redefining the New World Order in Middle East a lot is at stake not only for the middle east but South Asia and the world as such. Much in league with Mr Jamal Wakim’s assertions, Israel and the west may get deeper into the struggle now called West versus the Rest. While it would be difficult for the West to replicate Libya in Syria, an attack on Iran would alter the geopolitical geometry totally.

Naxal Hostage Crisis: Who Blinks First Matters

There is a need to develop a strong case for dealing with such incidents firmly to ensure the image of the state does not take a beating. This would require sound intelligence, excellent interlocutory skills and sharp responses to terminate the crisis at a favourable long-term cost.

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