Regular introspection is the key to the continued good health of an organisation. Complacency breeds degeneration. Hence, issues that affect the wellbeing of the forces must be debated objectively to evolve timely corrective measures. The military is a social organisation, consisting of living human beings who yearn for empathy, love and respect of their countrymen. When mistreated, soldiers wonder if the nation understands their trials and tribulations. The organisational structure of the Indian army is like a steep pyramid. Supersession is inevitable and hits hard. On analysing this sensitive issue, the book recommends that the officers who are superseded must be handled with due compassion. The tower of the Indian army is built on the twin pillars of committed leadership and motivated soldiers. Both are intrinsically linked and are mutually contingent. The book highlights the need to diligently follow well-evolved norms for the continued sustenance of the army. Finally, whereas the welfare of ex-servicemen is the hallmark of all great nations, it is equally important for the veterans to help in nation-building programmes.

The designated role of an engineer regiment is to further the commander's plans by providing mobility to own forces by constructing bridges, tracks, helipads and breaching minefields; while denying the same to the enemy by creating obstacles such as laying mine-fields and demolition of bridges. However, the ground situation is entirely different. Engineer regiments are regularly called upon to undertake tasks that can only be termed as unusual. 113 Engineer Regiment was raised in Nagaland on 01 Apr 1967. In addition to taking part in counter-insurgency operations and Indo-Pak War 1971, the regiment has earned laurels in a multitude of aid to civil authority tasks. However, what sets this regiment apart are two unique achievements - sinking two deep shafts in Pokhran that facilitated India's entry into the exclusive thermo-nuclear club and provision of combat engineering support to operations in Siachen glacier with innovative expedients. This book is a chronicle of the indomitable spirit, tenacity and ingenuity of the one and only 113 Engineer Regiment.

Papers presented at a seminar organized by India Habitat Centre on September 19-20, 1998.

Transformation should lie at the heart of our new approach to defense. The development of transformational capabilities, processes, and force structures should be given strategic focus to meet the principal challenges under our defense strategy. India is already ceased with the necessity of transformation albeit without any documented national security guidelines or operating instructions, which are legislated or have the validation of at least the 'Cabinet Committee on Security'(CCS). In other words the first step would be to create a draft security strategy based on many assumptions, like the foreign policy or the cumulative emerging threat scenario as appreciated by the Defence Intelligence Agency(DIA). This well researched book is a result of the project allotted by the USI under the Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa chair. The book is therefore more as an idea or a theoretical construct, basically to bring in more clarity to the various options available for this great transformation of the Indian military. The author has deliberated upon various landmarks of transformation milestones achieved so far by the three services and given recommendations to further build upon ongoing modernization plan and shift to a higher plane of transformational activities.

On 11 May 1998 the Indian government tested five nuclear devices some forty kilometres from Pokaran. Seventeen days later Pakistan tested nuclear devices of its own. About three months after the tests, Amitav Ghosh went to the Pokaran area, after which he visited Kashmir as part of the defence minister s entourage. He also went to the Siachen glacier in the Karakoram mountains where Indian and Pakistani soldiers have been exchanging fire since 1983. Ghosh then travelled through Pakistan and Nepal. Countdown is partly a result of these journeys and conversations with many hundreds of people of the subcontinent.

This monograph highlights key factors in South Asia imperiling U.S. interests, and suggests how and where the U.S. military might play an expanded, influential role. It suggests seven steps the military might take to better advance and defend U.S. interests in South Asia, the Middle East, and Asia at large. Washington should intensify involvement in South Asia and become more influential with the governments there. Given the area's potential for violence, it should also shape part of the U.S. military to meet potential crises.

In 1998, my husband got posted in Kashmir, The terrorist hub; where life is a mere toy. I went to Srinagar for summer vacation and the Kargil war broke. A hair-raiser account of an army wife's life. The nation is so very ignorant about her life. It is high time to let them know. Yes! It is the story of every army wife who goes through nightmares. Her fate has been written by the blood of her soldier husband. Her husband's olive green vardi is synonymous with a kafan. And we army wives not only have to accept this bitter truth but also live with it forever. Their sacrifice and suffering cannot be compared to anything.