NOT EMPLOYING INDIAN NAVY A BLUNDER: AVM ARJUN SUBRAMANIAM. EXPERTS SAY GRIT, DETERMINATION AND CAMAREDERIE WON INDIA THE WAR IN THE FACE OF ADVERISTY

On its second day the 9th Military Literature Festival, Chandigarh continued to draw huge crowds exceeding those on its first day. Panel discussions on vibrant topics featuring powerful speakers continued apace with the Clarion Call Theatre, motivation section, horse and dog shows and a military equipment display. 

  

 

 Face2News/Chandigarh 

Accepting that Pakistan at the time had better preparedness as India was recovering from the 1962 war with China, veterans of 1965 and other wars said here today that dismantling Pakistan's myth of over confidence remains one of the biggest takes aways for India, amongst an array of strategic lessons for future wars. 

The views were echoed during a panel discussion on the 2nd day of the Military Literature Festival. 2025 by an eminent panel consisting of War Veterans including Lt. General (Dr.) J S Cheema, Major General B S Grewal, Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam, and Brigadier Satinder Singh, here earlier in the day. The engrossing session was moderated by Lt. General (Dr.) J S Cheema. 

Renowned Military history AVM Arjun Subramaniam said during the discussion that not allowing the Indian Navy to take part in the 22-day 1965 War remains the war’s biggest mistake, while adding that it is also a fact that India at that time was a fledgeling in its approach towards Joint Operations. 

The Indian Air Force, which was itching to get into action as it was not employed in the 1962 War, did a commendable job in not only assisting the Indian Army but also to contain the Pakistan Air Force by inflicting serious damage on their Air strips, railway lines and communication infrastructure, AVM Arjun Subramaniam added. 

Leading the discussion, Major General B S Grewal, while delineating the War plan executed by India to thwart the Pakistani attack in Akhnur Sector, said the grit and camaraderie of our Units formed the bedrock of our resolve to hit Pakistan hard and teach them a lesson for forcing the War on India. 

Responding to a question, General Grewal said that it has become fashionable to blame any loss as Intelligence Failure, which he said must be resisted. 

"It is not only enough to have Intelligence. The real test going ahead is to absorb Intelligence through technology and exploit the available information to our advantage", he further said. 

Earlier, while moderating the discussion, Lieut General Cheema said that to ascertain whether the outcome of the 1965 war was a victory or stalemate needs to be assessed from various long-term outcomes for our nation. 

The over confidence of Pakistan in its ability to wreak havoc with US-made Patton Tanks was destroyed in style by our soldiers through World War II era Centurion Tanks, which performed exceedingly well, Brigadier Satinder Singh said. 

Pakistan miscalculated India's resolve to fight back after being surprised on the night of September 1st, 1965. The way Pakistan was forced by India into submission after ceasefire shows that the majority of our aims both political and military were fulfilled. Reaching Lahore was never the aim during 1965 war, he added. 

INDIA'S ENERGY TIME-BOMB TICKING FAST; EMERGING GLOBAL ORDER RESET PUTS INDIA IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION : In wake of turbulent global order India's future energy security lies in a profusely precarious position, especially in wake of forceful global assertions by Trump-led America, China and Russia. 

The newest domain being implemented by strong nations across the globe is resource weaponisation to secure their energy needs. If you look at ongoing wars in Ukraine, Middle East, Nuclear attacks on facilities of Iran, all are being fought in the backdrop of securing Oil. That India which is the third biggest energy consumer globally after US and China does not have the luxury of time and we must act swiftly to shun single hand dependence on Russian Oil. 

These critical views were expressed by an eminent panel which included renowned Journalist Rahul Bedi, Lt. General Vinod G Khandare, and Brigadier Arun Sehgal who also moderated the discussion here during the Second day of the ongoing Military Literature 2025 at Lake Sports Complex. 

Posing a reality check before a fully packed hall, Rahul Bedi said energy is the invisible force behind every political expedition today and if India does not expand strategic reserves, forms resilient supply networks which can outweigh any form of foreign sanctions, and upgrade refineries. 

To cater to future needs, India must build up capacity along with building up skilled manpower and generating geo political leverages to navigate tough alliances and sanctions, he added. 

Earlier while moderating the keenly debated session, Brigadier Arun Sehgal said as the world is saddled with wars today, every nation would need to recalibrate its approach to ensure energy sustainability. 

Building on the example of China, which has revolutionized its electrification of Vehicles to cut down its oil bill by a massive 1 Million barrels per day, Lt. Gen. Vinod G Khandare said that India today must look to explore its space exploration domain to explore Lunar mining. 

Space based solutions for energy needs are going to be the next big thing, he said, adding that India must learn from Japan which has already taken the lead in this sector.

Huge, enthusiastic crowds of youngsters flocked to the Horse and dog displays by the Army. There was a keen interest shown by school children in the equipment display arranged by units of Western Command, said Mr. Mandeep Singh Bajwa, Chairman,, Media Committee.