OUR DEFENCE FORCES
Summary
Protecting the country from the foreign aggression is the primary duty. These works are given to the defence/ armed forces. Therefore, the role of the defence forces is very
prominent. It is a matter of pride that India has a disciplined,powerful and aggressive defence forces.
Example: The aggression by China and Pakistan. Our defence forces have sufficiently displayed that they are ready for any sacrifice during the Kargil military operation.
Note:India has about 15,200 kms of land border and 7516.5 kms of sea border to protect.
Over 40% of the total annual budget is reserved for the defence forces of India.
Responsibilities of our defence Forces
Protecting the border areas Safeguarding the integrity of the country.Preventing smuggling and such other anti-national activities.
- Protecting the border areas
- Safeguarding the integrity of the country
- Preventing smuggling and such other anti-national activities
The supreme power of the defence forces are vested with the President of India.
The defence forces of India take
part in the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations of India and display their military strength.
The defence system has three divisions
- Army,
- Navy
- Air Force
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the second largest in the world. The army comprises of Infantry, Cavalry,Tank regiments called Armed Corps, Gunners Regiment or Artillery.
There are 11,00,000 soldiers and 9,60,000 reserve forces in the army.
The service chief of the army is called General. He is responsible for discharging duties related to the control of the force, training, operation and administration. The head office is based in NewDelhi.
The army has been rendering valuable humanitarian services during natural calamities such as earthquake,floods, drought, landslides, whirlwind. The land army apart from being technically advanced, has also its own spy agency.
Indian Navy
The naval forces are necessary for protection of the islands and coastal lines.
The Indian Navy is the sixth largest in the world. Its service chief is called Admiral.
Its headquarters is situated in New Delhi.
The Indian Navy consists of advanced missile ships and submarines.
The Naval Base of the Indian Navy is situated in Karwar which is known as the Sea-Bird.
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the fifth biggest in the world. Its service chief is called Air Chief Marshall. Its head office is situated in New Delhi. For the administrative convenience,
the Indian Air Force is divided into five commanding stations. The command stations at Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Dindigal[Tamil Nadu] have important training centres. As a result of advancement of latest technology, it is equipped with fighter
aircrafts to face any eventuality.
Our Air Force is equipped with latest fighter aircrafts like Jaguar. The Air Force comprises of 1,00,000 Airmen and 1330 fighter aircrafts. The strength of the air force is a
matter of pride to the countrymen.
Operational Defence Forces
The operational defence forces help the main fighting forces during critical situations.
Border Security Force:
The important duty of the border security force is to protect the national borders.During the Kargil military operations,the border security forces fought jointly with the army, from the peak of the high mountains. Duty until death is the slogan of the BSF.
Border Roads Organization:
The Border roads organization opens the closed entries to the army to enable armed operations instantly. It also co-ordinates the important works like construction of roads,
bridges and drainage lines.
The Coastal Guards:
This is a Para-military force. Its head office is situated in New Delhi. Its major responsibility is to protect the coastal borders of the country.It also undertakes humanitarian services during natural calamities such as whirlwind, Tsunami and cyclones. Its prominent works include preventing intrusions, smuggling
and such others.The Coastal Guards have 84 latest warships and 45 aircraft, helicopters. There are 5440 sailors in the Coastal Guards.
Central Industrial Security Force:
This is the biggest industrial security force in the world.There are 1,28,000 soldiers enrolled here. It is providing security to over 300 government and private industrial installations and laboratories in India. It also provides protection to the airports, harbours, railway stations, historical sites and nuclear power stations.
Assistant Defence forces:
In order to infuse certain values like patriotism and service mindedness among the youth, few activities are planned in the schools and colleges. National Cadet Corps is a prominent activity among them.
- National Cadet Corps [NCC]
The National Cadet Corps [NCC] teaches certain qualities such as community life and leadership. Those who get this training are given preference in recruitment to the army. They get reservation in admission to higher courses. The youths in schools and colleges can join the NCC. Its main aim is to infuse the responsibility of national security. Its slogan is discipline and unity.
There were 13,00,000 national cadet corps units in 610 districts, 8770 schools, 5521 colleges spread across India in 2012.
Home Guards
The Home Guards co-ordinate the functions of the police force. Its works are -Assistance in the maintenance of internal security, emergency and natural calamities.
Civil Police Forces
The police forces work at central and state levels. The jurisdiction of the police services confine to state only. The central government has established its own police forces.
National Security Group: National Security Group provides security to very important persons. It assists in suppressing terrorism and provides internal security. The Bomb diffusion group is complementary to it.
Indian Red Cross Society
Indian Red Cross Society branches are in 700 districts of India. The President of India is its Chairman. Its main aim is humanity and Voluntary service.
Exercise
I. Discuss in groups and answer
1.Who is given the supreme power of the defence forces?
Ans:The president of India vested the supreme power of the defence forces.
2.Which are the divisions of the defence forces?
Ans:The divisions of the defence forces are Army, Navy and Airforce.
3.How is the chief of the Army called?
Ans:The chief of the army are called as General.
4.Where is the head-office of the army?
Ans:The head office of the army is in New Delhi.
5.How is the chief of the Navy called?
Ans:The chief of the Navy is called as Admiral.
6.What is the slogan of the NCC?
Ans:The slogan of the NCC is discipline and unity.
7.What are the important functions of the Army?
Ans:
- The army protects the border areas.
- Safeguards the integrity of the country.
- Prevents smuggling and such other anti-national activities.
- What are the functions of the Border Road organization?
Ans:
- The border roads organisation opens the closed entries to the army to naval armed operations instantly.
- It also co-ordinates the important works like construction of roads, bridges, drainage lines.
9.What is the aim of the Indian Red Cross Society?
Ans:The aim of the Indian Red cross society is humanity and voluntary service.
- Would you like to serve the defence? If so, give reasons.
Ans:Yes, I would like to serve the defence because it is an opportunity to serve my country.
II. Discuss
1.Why should we serve the defence forces?
Ans:The armed forces perform their legitimate constitutional roles effectively and
accountable within a framework of democratic civilian control, rule of law and respect for human rights. Good SSG means that the armed forces have the professional skills, equipment, training and management capacity to fulfill their missions without becoming a danger to the population or the state.The primary purpose of the armed forces is national defence. In the past the armed forces played a broader role, not only protecting a national territory from invasion but also potentially conducting offensive warfare,
sometimes in the context of military alliances. However, in contemporary international affairs offensive warfare has become increasingly rare and acts of aggression are illegal
under international law. As a result of these trends, as well as changes in the relationship between the armed forces and society, the armed forces usually now focus on national
defence.
