CDS General Anil Chauhan addressing the program.
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan addressed ex-servicemen and youth at the ‘Devbhoomi Mega Veterans Rally’ in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on Saturday.
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In this program organized at Jaswant Singh Ground in Garhi Cantt, he said that the security of the country should be maintained not only on the front but also on social media. In his address, General Chauhan appealed to the veterans not to share anything on social media that might harm the image of the armed forces.
He said that “there is a lack of strategic thinking in the country, and if our ex-servicemen play a role in this direction, the country will get great strength.” Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd) was also present on this occasion.
See 2 photos related to the program…
Officers sitting on the stage during the program.
More than 5 thousand veterans participated in the program.
CDS said these 4 important things…
- New steps related to the welfare of veterans: CDS General Chauhan announced that ‘Integrated Veterans Wellness and Seva Centre’ will be set up at Dehradun Military Station. This center with modern technology will be dedicated to the facilities and welfare of ex-servicemen. He expressed confidence that Uttarakhand Sub Area Headquarters will complete this project on time.
- New model related to dairy products and local economy: CDS told that a new economic model will soon be started in Uttarakhand. Under this, dairy and animal husbandry products will be purchased from local cooperative societies. This initiative will boost the local economy of the hilly areas.
- Announcement of better health facilities: He informed that ECHS polyclinics are already operating in Pauri, Raiwala and Vikasnagar in the state. Also, three new polyclinics have been approved. The Defense Ministry is also considering upgrading health facilities in Clement Town and Champawat.
- Inspiration for Youth, Respect for Veterans: General Chauhan said that “the quality of the next generation of soldiers depends on how we treat our veterans.” He appealed to the youth to take inspiration from ex-servicemen in patriotism and discipline.
What is the role of Chief of Defense Staff?
- The Chief of Defense Staff acts as the principal military advisor on matters relating to the three services. Even though the CDS advises the Defense Ministry on matters relating to the three services, it is still the chiefs of the three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – who advise on matters relating to their respective services.
- Meaning, CDS works as an advisor to the Defense Ministry in matters related to the three armies, but he is not the chief of any of the three armies, rather the chiefs of these three armies command their respective armies.
- India is a nuclear weapon rich country. In such a situation, CDS also works as a military advisor to the Nuclear Command Authority. The head of this command is the Prime Minister.
- India formed its Aerospace Command (the Integrated Space Cell) in 2008 for better coordination between the Army, Department of Space and Space Research Organization (ISRO). CDS also has the charge of this cyber warfare division.
- The job of the CDS is to help streamline the logistics as well as capital acquisition needs of the three services based on the projected budget.
- Unlike the earlier Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), (which was the most senior of the three service chiefs), the CDS has administrative powers.
How was the Chief of Defense Staff formed?
- In 1999, immediately after the Kargil war, the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) was formed under the leadership of Krishnaswami Subramaniam to review what were the shortcomings that allowed the Pakistani Army to capture strategic locations.
- The Kargil Review Committee report was presented in Parliament in February 2020. It addressed the initially sluggish Indian response during the Kargil war, and suggested measures to strengthen national security.
- Following the recommendations of this committee, in 2001, the Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani had recommended the appointment of Chief of Defense Staff (CSS) in its report submitted to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- But the Chief of Defense Staff could not be appointed for the next two decades due to various reasons. Finally, during the Independence Day speech on 15 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the post of Chief of Defense Staff.
