Plus and minus of Baba Ram Dev's agitation

Now when Baba Ram Dev has ended his fast on the request and persuasion of some prominent religious and social leaders, while declaring that his agitation against corruption will continue, it is time for introspection for the Yoga Guru and his ardent supporters. The plus and minus of the nine day exercise and the events related to it need reviewed dispassionately.
That Baba Ram Dev's objective was laudable and the sincerity about his deep concern for corruption and black money and earnestness to tackle the same is not in doubt at all. His dedication and commitment to the national unity, and resolve to imbibe strong nationalism and patriotism among the people in India, with the objective to revive the glory of Bharat is remarkable. He has launched the crusade against corruption and resorted to indefinite fast for the purpose was genuine. Nevertheless there were certain miss calculation and error of judgment in carrying on the agitation, including his fast. Ending the indefinite fast without making the Govt to accept his demands has some what dented his credibility and also created some confusion among his supporters. This is particularly so when his detractors and opponents are all out to malign his image, calling his agitation and fast a drama. The other crusader against corruption, Anna Hazare is right to some extent in stating that Baba Ram Dev is little immature in the matter of social activities. The Baba needs some good and mature advisors and associates in the social field and in dealing with the Govt. which has many crafty and even cunning persons. The Baba should not take vital decisions unilaterally. But he should consult with his core group. He must have a team of second rung leadership to carry on the agitation in case of his arrest or any other eventuality. His too much speaking and exerting during the course his fast, wasting much energy made him additionally weak and down after 7-8 days of his fast. He should have preserved his energy, by not speaking much, which could help his fast to prolong for more days without the sign of fatigue and weakness besides creating other health complicacies. Perhaps, he has over confidence in his inner strength and capacity. Further, his jumping from the dais to spare police action against him on the intervening mid night of June 4 and 5 has not gone well with people at large. It was not a dignified way for person of his stature, particularly a spiritual Preacher. He should have faced the police onslaught with more dignity.
Swami Ji's quick wit and ready made answers to the questions posed to him by the media as well as his answers to his critics are remarkable. Yet, as a Yogi and spiritual preacher, he should avoid retaliating and reacting with fury. As a Yogi he remained composed in every situation. This will enhance his respectability. He disarms his critics by weighty arguments, which is appreciably. But there should no impression of malice for any one on his part.

Hindu Groups relent for symbolic Pooja on June 15

JAMMU June 14:-For Technicalities, the Amarnath Yatra will now begin from June 15, it is learnt, after an agreement today between Baba Amarnath Niyas (BAN) and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to this effect. BAN, a conglomeration of various religious and social organisations, wanted the yatra from June 15, while the state government''s position was that the pilgrimage could not start before the scheduled date of June 29. However, after day-long negotiations, chief executive officer of the Board R K Goyal, in a document reportedly said the yatra will start from June 15, though, in a symbolic manner as two members from both SASB and BAN will be flown to the cave shrine for conducting a pooja marking the beginning of the pilgrimage.

Army to recruit 16,000 officers

NEW DELHI June 14:-With increasing commitments on both its eastern and western fronts, the Indian Army has proposed to increase its sanctioned strength by another over 16,000 officers. During a recent meeting attended by high-level Defence Ministry and Army officials, a proposal to increase the number of officers by another 35 per cent was discussed, Army sources said here. The proposal comes at a time when the Army is facing a shortage of 12,349 officers against its sanctioned strength of around 46,500 officers and the other two sister Services are also facing similar shortfalls. On the need for expansion, they said the Army has expanded its strength by two divisions in the Northeast along the China border and is also involved in counter insurgency operations in the North Eastern States and Jammu and Kashmir and increased strength was required to cater for future plans also. Recently, Defence Minister A K Antony had said the shortfall was partly attributed to accretions from time to time, tough selection procedures, difficult service conditions coupled with perceived high degree of risk involved in recruitment and training. A number of steps have been taken by the Government to attract youth to join the armed forces, which include increase in tenure of Short Service Commission (SSC) officers from 10 to 14 years, increasing promotional avenues for officers by restructuring of officers cadre. Overall, the armed forces are facing a shortage of 15,004 officers including 1,818 in the Navy and 837 in the Air Force. The IAF is short of 426 pilots. (PTI)

Arms,ammunition haul in Kalakote

Jammu June 14:-Army and police today busted a hideout of militants at village Pondal in Kalakot tehsil of Rajouri district and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
Official sources said a joint team of Rashtriya Rifles and police conducted a search operation at village Pondal this morning on the basis of an input developed by the Territorial Army.
During searches, a hideout of the militants was destroyed.
Recoveries made from the hideout included two pistols of 7.63 mm with two magazines and two rounds, one rusted Chinese grenade, two RPG grenades, 361 AK-47 rounds, 20 assorted ammunition, one IED circuit with sources and one pouch.
Army and police continued searches in the area.

Amarnath yatra stalemate ends

JAMMU:-The month-long stalemate between the Jammu and Kashmir Government and Shri Baba Amarnath Niyas ended today in a high level meeting held here today.

The agreement settled between the NIYAS and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) was approved by the Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra telephonically as Chairman SASB as he was in Srinagar with Darbar Move.

As per the sources, the symbolic prayers will be performed on June 15, the day of ‘Jyeshth Purnima’ while the yatra will be officially flagged off on June 29 from Yatri Niwas Base Camp here subject to the meeting scheduled to be held on June 22.

The meeting was held between the members of the NIYAS and Government representatives. (AGENCY)