MEMORIES OF DEOLALI-- BRITISH TIMES

MEMORIES OF DEOLALI  Courtesy:  RJT Internet Services  Ron.Taylor@britain-at-war.org.uk Best Viewed with: Design by Ron Taylor Copyright © RJT Internet Services (Please note, this is copywrited material reproduced by me without any commercial interest or for any advertising or monetary gains. Exclusively for the information and entertainment of Indian Gunners for whom Deolali has unforgettable memories - Tony Sarao) GAMES,  AMUSEMENTS,  ACTIVITIES (DEOLALI) CANTEENS. There are canteens in nearly every Wing and a MAIN canteen in every camp. SUPPERS can be bought. INDOOR GAMES such as DARTS and DRAUGHTS can be played. There are frequent sessions of TOMBOLA QUIET ROOMS are provided. CLUBS for B.O.Rs and B.O.Rs'  Families. The Darna Buttery,  DARNA CAMP. A club for WOs and SGTs Toe H. Infantry Rd. MUNRO CAMP. (Open to all ranks.) Suppers, Tombola, Gramophone concerts. Talks, BRAINS TRUSTS, Large writing room, GIFT SHOP which will send PARCELS home. A SERVICE is held on THURSDAY evenings. Lurnley Services Canteen, Connaught Rd, Suppers, REFRESHMENTS, DANCES for BORs are occasionally held. GIFT SHOP.  Indoor AMUSEMENTS YWCA. Families Wing, MUNRO CAMP. Lutnley Road Canteen,  Nasik Road Camp. Suppers, Indoor GAMES READING and WRITING ROOMS. YMCA. NASIK ROAD CAMP, Suppers, TOMBOLA DARTS LIGHT REFRESHMENTS, GIFT SHOP which will send PARCELS home. CLUBS for Officers and Officers' Families. Temple Hill Club, Deolali. This is a Private Club with a limited membership. Temporary members, however, are allowed up to a limit of 300 for a period of ten days, after which the temporary membership lapses unless renewed. Officers passing through HBTD are eligible for temporary membership. There is no-subscription for temporary membership, but there is a surcharge on Coupon Books. Ex-permanent members must renew their membership, but no entrance fee will be charged or, alternatively, become temporary members. The Club has a swimming bath and tennis courts. Dances are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and there is a Musical Concert on Sundays. Please remember that the Club is a Private Club, which you join as a PRIVILEGE and not as a RIGHT. If you wish to join as a temporary member you must obtain a card from the office at the Club. Darna River Club, South Deolali. A Private Club. Officers passing through HBTD may join this Club as daily temporary members. Subscription — one rupee for each day the Club is used. There is no surcharge on Coupon Books. Dances are held on Monday and Thursday evenings. Gramophone Concerts are held on Sunday evenings. Any meal may be had in the Club PROVIDED that 48 hours' notice Is given. There is fishing in the river, but the Club is unable to provide tackle. There is a Bus service to this Club. Look on the Notice Board for details. Nasik Road Golf Club. (Royal Western India Golf Club Ltd.) Officers passing through HBTD may join this Club as temporary members. Subscription — one rupee per day each on each occasion the Club has been used. No surcharge on coupons. Games Fees. Golf Rs. 2/- per day up to a limit of Rs. 10/- per mensem, - Ladies half. Tennis — Rs.  0-8-0 per day. Badminton—Rs.  0-4-0 per day. (Members should supply their own balls and shuttle-cocks.) CINEMAS.  KATHAY Cinema, Infantry Rd., DEOLALI, GARRISON Cinema, Connaught Rd., DEOLALI. MUNRO Cinema, MUNRO CAMP. CAMP Cinema, NASIK CAMP. NEW Cinema, NASIK CAMP. BYTCO  TALKIES  (Civilian)  Half-way  between  DEOLALI  and NASIK CAMP. All the cinemas show English films, which are usually changed daily. There are two evening shows daily, matinees on Saturdays and Sundays and some morning shows. Prices run from 8 annas to one rupee according to the seats. Seats are bookable. For times of showing, programmes, particulars as to booking sea your Notice Boards or the "WHAT'S ON" Bulletin (issued weekly). FREE film shows are also given in the DARNA THEATRE twice weekly. THEATRES. DARNA THEATRE, DARNA CAMP. R.A. THEATRE,  DEOLALI. OPEN AIR THEATRE, NASIK CAMP. ENSA and Local shows are put on regularly at these theatres. At DARNA and the OPEN AIR Theatres, Gramophone records are also played. For particulars of shows see your NOTICE boards and the "WHAT'S ON" bulle tin. TICKETS are obtained from your WING OFFICE. SHOPPING. There are Tailors, Shoemakers and Barbers Shops in Camps and Wings. Sadar Bazaar in DEOLALI contains the usual bazaar shops where prices compare favourable with the rest of India. For those who want a taste of home there is a fish and chip shop in this bazaar. Bombay Cottage Industries Shops, DARNA and NASIK Rd. CAMPS. These shops have large stocks of Kashmiri and other Indian fancy ware and will send purchases to England. Toc 'H' Gift Shop.  A smaller establishment here also sends parcels home. Y.M.C.A. NASIK RD. CAMP. There is a. W.V.S. Gift Shop attached to this Club which will send purchases home. Contractors Curiosity Shops, at NASIK RD. CAMP, No.  I Wing and No. 5 arid 6 Wing, and in MUNRO CAMP. Families' Shop. MUNRO CAMP. Carpet Shop. MUNRO CAMP. RESTAURANTS. Lemuir Hotel. Situated near the MUNRO Cinema. Bar is open to sergeants and above. New Victory Chinese Restaurant. Situated near the MUNRO Cinema. Serves European and Chinese dishes. Fish and Chip Shop, Sadar Bazaar, DEOLALI. Garden Cafe, MUNRO CAMP. Services Cafe, just outside North entrance to NASIK CAMP. Regimental Cafe, NASIK ROAD  (near BYTCO Talkies). OUTDOOR GAMES. There are ample facilities for sport in the station and any draft that can raise a cricket, hockey or soccer team should contact the Wing representative.  Kit, pitches, referee, linesmen and opponents will all be "laid on". A game can also be found for any individual who would like to play. In addition, there are frequent first  class matches on the TRANSIT GROUND, Infantry Road, which attract a great deal of attention. Nasik Road Camp. The following outdoor games are available. Football-cricket-badminton-deck tennis-basket ball-volley ball. Each Wing has its own football ground and in addition there is a Camp football ground situated centrally. Hockey grounds are situated in i Wing and in the centre of the Camp, near the Camp football ground. The Camp cricket pitch is between 4 Wing's Officers' Mess and 6 Wing. Each Wing has its own badminton, volley ball, deck tennis and basket ball pitches, and with the exception of badminton kit, which is held in the Camp Sports Stores, kit for these games is available in the Wings. Transients who wish to play any of these games should apply to the Wing Sports Officer who will make the necessary arrangements. SWIMMING. There is a Station Swimming Pool in the R.A. Depot Lines, open to all ranks. Admission is free but towels and costumes should be taken. At NASIK ROAD there are two pools to which admission is also free but towels arid costumes should be taken. Water polo matches and galas are arranged. Officers who are temporary members of the TEMPLE HILL Club may use the club's swimming bath. For times see the Club Notice Board. EXCURSIONS. These can be arranged to LAKE BEALE and to the NASIK CAVES. The former offers good fishing and swimming in pleasant surroundings and the latter contain some good examples of early Indian art. A private trip to the famous AJANTA CAVES is well worth while and can be done in under three days at a maximum cost of a hundred rupees. There is an excellent hotel which offers, accommodation to visitors not far from the caves. For further details of these trips see the Welfare Officer at the Welfare Centre, near the Main Mess, MUNRO Camp. INDOOR GAMES. Billiards-darts-chess-table  tennis-whist  and  tombola can be played.  CONCERT PARTIES.  ENSA and other concert parties often visit the Camps.  For particulars soe your Camp Notice Boards. NASIK Camp has a small concert hall in the YMCA in which talent-spotting contests arid other entertainments are held frequently. LIBRARIES. In every camp there are one or more libraries. Contributions of books to the libraries would be very welcome. Please remember to return books when you leave the camp. TRANSPORT There is a local bus service from NASIK ROAD to DEOLALI (20 mins. service, 5 mins. week-end). A military Bus service runs from NASIK ROAD to NASIK CITY Bank daily and to the Officers Shop, DEOLALI twice daily. Nasik Road Camp — Darna Camp.  Via  B.M.H.,  DEOLALI,  CON-NAUGHT CAMP,  H.Q..  HBTD,  MUNRO CINEMA. Two-hourly service in the morning and one-hourly in the afternoon daily. This service is operated by a G.P.T. Coy with 3-ton lorries. Deolali Sadar Bazaar — Deolali South.  Via SUB AREA H.Q., CONNAUGHT CAMP, R.A. DEPOT. FIRST Bus leaves DEOLALI SADAR BAZAAR at 0830 hrs. LAST   „          „       „       ,,     at 2230 hrs. FIRST Bus leaves DEOLALI SOUTH         at 0830 hrs. LAST   ,,          ,,       „       ,,     at 2230 hrs. TIMINGS: — Until 1630 hrs., every hour. After 1630 hrs., every half-hour FARES: — 4 annas single. 8 annas return. This service is operated by the SAROSH BUS Coy. FARES for TONGAS and VICTORIAS PLACE One Horse Tonga Two Horse Tonga Victoria Rs As P Rs As P Rs As P 1. Sadar Bazaar to Deolali Rly Station 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 11 0 2. Sadar Bazaar to Nasik City 2 0 0 2 8 0 2 11 0 3. Sadar Bazaar to Munro Lines 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 11 0 4. Sadar Bazaar to Haig Lines 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 13 0 5. Sadar Bazaar to Bhagur 0 13 0 1 1 0 1 5 0 6. Sadar Bazaar to Barnes School 1 2 0 1 8 0 1 13 0 7. Sadar Bazaar to Nasik Road 1 2 0 1 5 0 1 10 0 8. Sadar Bazaar to Darna Road 0 13 0 1 1 0 1 5 0 TAXI FARES 10 annas per mile. PLAGUE If there is an outbreak of plague all ranks and families may be forbidden to use civilian transport and the bazaar may be put out of bounds. CHURCHES AND CHAPLAINS There are Church buildings or tents in all Camps with the exception of Connaught Camp, and every effort has been made to equip them in such a ivay that you will feel "at home" in them no matter what your denomination may be. They are open for use each day, and so far as the number of Chaplains permit Church Services are held every Sunday for all denominations in all Camps. The times of Services may vary, but they are published in Camp Orders every Friday. SERVICES AND MEETINGS Munro Camp. A social hour followed by an Epilogue Service is held on Wednesday evenings in the Central Hall. The Chaplains hold a weekly meeting on Tuesdays in the Central Hall and they will be pleased to see any Chaplains in transit at these meetings. Darna Camp. There is a Padre's Hour every Wednesday afternoon in the Education Centre. A fellowship Meeting is held on Thursdays nt 1830 hours in the Church Tent in "D" Wing lines. PADRES INTERVIEWS Chaplains are available for interviews in their offices which are to be found in the following places. Senior Chaplain     ...    Room 65 at Main Mess, Munro Camp. Munro Camp       ...    St. Paul's Depot Church. Darna Camp       ...    Officers' Wing. There is a scheme for commending those on Release to their Churches at home, and this is carried out by the Chaplain in the Release Wing, MUNRO Camp, who will be found daily in St. Paul's Church between 0930 and 1230 hours. He will explain the scheme to anyone who is interested. All Chaplains (except R.C.) will report to the S.C.F., Main HQ, who will ensure that they have received the correct instructions for procedure on disembarkation in the U.K. This differs for Chaplains from the usual treatment for other officers. CATHOLIC CHURCHES There is a Resident Chaplain at St. Patrick's Church (the Cantonment Chapel) which is situated near the B.M.H., live minutes West of the Garrison Cinema, where Mass is celebrated every Sunday morning. This is the most convenient centre for those personnel at Connaught Camp. There is also a Resident Chaplain at the Main Officers' Mess, MUNRO CAMP, and Mass is also celebrated in this area every Sunday morning. At DARNA CAMP Mass is celebrated every Sunday morning in "A" Wing Quiet Room and at NASIK Road Camp Chapel ; a resident Chaplain offers Mass every Sunday morning. Confessions are heard before all these Masses. The times of Services and Meetings of all denominations can be found on Wing Notice Boards.

	Courtesy:  RJT Internet Services  Ron.Taylor@britain-at-war.org.uk Best Viewed with: Design by Ron Taylor Copyright © RJT Internet Services 1999

ARMED RESTRAINT AND FORWARD POLICY IN REVERSE

ARMED RESTRAINT AND FORWARD POLICY IN REVERSE
 WHO WANTS A WAR?

 (D S SARAO)

1  "Those Who Cannot Remember The Past Are Doomed To Repeat It". The quote is ascribed to George Santayana, a thinker and philosopher of some repute, who had attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College and was a one time professor in philosophy at Harvard. According to Santayana's philosophy, 'history repeats itself', and if  that be true, should not lessons of history guide foreign and national policy? And do we really learn from past mistakes? 
 2  Wars are always due to the urge of acquiring more territory or because of ideological differences or because of economic necessity or a combination of any of these factors. Many subsequent wars have been as a result of 'unfinished business'. The 'end' of such wars only led to a temporary respite with the core issues put into a state of hibernation. No lessons learnt--history buried and forgotten; till the next round. WW1 never really ended with the armistice. It sowed the seeds for the next great war. The Indo-Pak war of 47-48 sowed the seeds for the subsequent wars. So did the Arab-Israeli wars and first Gulf war. In the present context, the stage for a Sino-Indian clash was laid in the 50's when the first inklings of Chinese objections to the Macmohan line were received by India. But the questions remains. Have we learnt anything from our past dealings with the Chinese or are we again going to repeat the rhetoric of being 'stabbed in the back'! Is it worthwhile to jump into a state of war without exhausting other means at the disposal of the nation?

3  Before we debate on the intentions of the Chinese and their recent  incursions, we need to understand the  very concept of a ''Nation State'' and the need for a state to have an army. A State is more than a government. All governments, whether democratic or dictatorial, are transient but States endure. A State is the means of rule over a defined or "sovereign" territory. It is comprised of an executive, a bureaucracy, courts and other institutions. But, above all, a State maintains an army to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and when required, impose its will on other States if diplomacy fails. Wars start where diplomacy fails. Be ready for war but start the war only once diplomacy and coercion fail.

 4  In 1962 it was Mao's directive of 'armed restraint' to Nehru's  'forward policy' before the shooting war started. It seems that the play is once again on, this time with roles reversed. The Chinese have decided to creep forward not only in the Galwan Valley area, which in any case was hardly a major point of dispute after the 1962 war, they have also activated old flash points and made startling new claims. The attempt at salami slicing and grabbing land in places, many of which were recognised by both parties as 'area's of differing perceptions,' points to a well thought of and calibrated plan at the highest levels. It is evident that China is now trying to alter the status quo from Depsang/PP14/Pangong Tso in Ladakh  onwards to the 'disputed areas' in the East to include Chumbi Valley and Arunachal Pradesh (Doklam Plateau, Anjaw, Andrella and Upper Subansiri) in the 33 and 4 Corps areas. Many of these areas are not clearly demarcated; physically occupied by none but patrolled by both. Considering the extent of Chinese incursions and activities spread over the entire Northern, Middle and Eastern theatres it becomes clear that this is no rogue action by the PLA's Western Theatre Command (responsible for operations opposite the Ladakh sector) currently headed by General Zhao Zongqi. He may well be the architect of PLA's  current 'forward policy", but the sanction for the same definitely has the approval of the CMC and Xi Jinping.

5  The Chinese are adept in Sun T’zu’s art of diplomacy and war and have taken their lesson well. Two important teachings of this great thinker, who has influenced so much of military strategy, can be seen in the Chinese moves – firstly , 'to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill’ and secondly,  ’Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.’ 

          Surprise The Enemy And Keep Him Guessing

6  Not going into the debate as to what could be the Chinese intentions in their latest forays (and gauging these intentions does not require a crystal bowl), what this article wishes to highlight is that without going into a full fledged war, which neither China nor India is keen on, India can very easily, with a mix of Kautilyan and Machiavellianism strategy, win the next round and take the initiative.
7  He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation. It is a known fact that the political doctrine of Machiavelli, also denies the relevance of morality in political affairs and holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining sovereign power. So what stops  India from doing all or any of the following, some already being done and others in being.
8  On the international front we need to recall the Indian Ambassador for urgent consultations and advise the Chinese Ambassador that he needs to go and discuss the issue with his Government. A message will be conveyed that the time for CBM's, corps commander level meetings and niceties is now over. Simultaneously the Foreign Minister should immediately plan on quick visits to Indonesia, South Korea, Phillipines, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Australia. The MEA should depute senior officials from the external affairs ministry to visit Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka  Burma, Maldives, Afghanistan and tell them –‘‘either you are with us or against us, and we shall remember.’’ We will also come to know who our friends are. Our hard ware and war material supplies from Israel, France, Britain, S Africa, Russia amongst others need to be confirmed.
9  We need to warn Pakistan to steer clear while we finish our business with China. The Americans (and the Quad) will ensure that Pakistan neither threatens India with a second front nor 'surrenders' its sovereignity  by providing air bases to China in the Skardu /POK region. A two front war does not suit any nation. It is exactly for this reason that alliances become a must.
10  On the economic front, an advisory to Indians and Indian traders to be cautious in the whole gamut of tourism, education, economic affairs, trade and border movement etc. Trade to be put on hold. As per latest figures, China accounts for over 5% of India’s total exports in financial year 2019-20 and more than 14% of imports. India therefore runs a huge trade deficit with China. This should be taken as an opportunity, not as a set back.  Surely the Ministry of Commerce can find alternate suppliers. There are many more than willing 'Asian Tigers' for supplying our smartphones, electrical appliances, power plant inputs, fertilisers, auto components, finished steel products and capital and engineering goods which were being supplied by China. Let them feel the squeeze from the (still) fastest growing economy.
11  On the military front,we need to take necessary steps in the Northern, Middle (central) and Eastern Sectors to counter and pre-empt any more such like Chinese ventures. Aim being to provide the Chinese with a fait-accompli; maybe even a quid pro quo (land grab). Immediate and credible mobilization of the Services, the Railways and the Nation in case the Chinese flex their muscle or mobilise sizeable troops in the Tibet and Xinjiang Military districts or the Western Theatre Command or across the T'sang Po --- the whole world is watching.
12  Occupation of all heights and other defensive positions along the Indo-China border by earmarked units and reserve formations with deployment of artillery with ammunition dumping. Invoke certain treaty obligations with Bhutan and with their concurrence, move troops to secure vulnerabilities in the Doklam Plateau once for all. Let continuous fighter sorties, fully armed, fly over the so called disputed area, without crossing what we perceive is the actual border/LAC. Maximum and visible use of a large number of rotary wing and transport resources for logistics, troop movements  and reconnaissance. Move of frontline fighters and other aerial assets to forward bases along the Chinese frontier. We mean business.
12  Aggressive patrolling and maritime reconnaissance by the Indian Navy extending from the Horn of Africa to the Western sea-board of Australia . Use your aircraft carrier, battleships and submarines on the high seas, which are as much yours as any other nations’  Remember, China has most of its oil and other imports through the Indian Ocean. Do not  do not venture into the South China Sea at this time. Let the Americans, Taiwanese Japanese, Australians and interested parties handle that. 
 13  The Tibet card---our trump card, dangle it in front of the Chinese and play it close to the chest, atleast for now. Call the Dalai Lama to Delhi the day you recall your Ambassador from China. Xinjian, is also there, but in a later time frame. In case China raises Sikkim or Arunachal, remind China about Tibet. In any case the world is interested in Tibet, not Sikkim. Do not take your territorial or ‘hot war’ disputes to the United Nations.That , unfortunately, is the recourse of a weak and unsure nation. Let the other party do that if they want. There would have been no 'Azad Kashmir', but for such follies.
4  Whereas Carl von Clausewitz said that war is just an extension of domestic politics, Kautilya argued that diplomacy is really a subtle act of war, a series of actions taken to weaken an enemy and gain advantages for oneself . A nation’s foreign policy should always consist of preliminary movements toward war, if war is inevitable: “In this way, the conqueror should establish in the rear and in front, a circle (of kings) in his own interest—'
         And finally, war is always an option.

                      ‘’ROUND TWO - GAME , SET AND MATCH IS YOURS’’

                                                                         

                          

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO A BILLION PEOPLE