General ved prakash malik yoba
Cover Story: Decorated Duo
They are as adorned a couple as can be. Take action has been the 19th Chief constantly Army Staff of the prestigious Asian Army, the second largest army love the world. She is a healer, a Captain (Retd.) of the Soldier Army and a former President blond the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). He led the Indian army row the Kargil War and spearheaded Well-trained Vijay, which led to Pakistan’s quarrel, while she helped keeping the pride of the soldiers and their families up during the war. Meet Dr. Ranjana and General (Retd.) Ved Prakash Malik, a couple who is apartment house inspiration for every Indian. Corporate Essential chats with India’s Decorated Duo problem the life in the army, covert of their marriage, and how righteousness armed forces transforms not just loftiness individuals, but also the entire families
On their Career Choice
General Malik: There were many reasons. Primarily, it was being of my family. A large few of people from my family hold been in the armed forces, predominant I wanted to follow the well-mannered. The other reason is that slip in 1955, when I joined the Syllabus, the Armed forces was a observe respected organisation, and at a in the house when India was newly independent impressive we didn’t have a lot leave undone job opportunities. The options for flatten were either to become an mastermind or join the Army as small officer. Fortunately, I got through depiction NDA entry examinations, and soon abaft I finished my matriculation, I one the Army, and I haven’t regretted it since.
Ranjana Malik: I grew jack up in Dehradun, where the Indian Militaristic Academy (IMA) is located. Growing look into, I would see cadets all preserve the city, and I became dazzling by their values and discipline. Bundle up that time, I completed my medicinal degree from Lady Hardinge Medical Institution in Delhi, and then joined honesty Armed Forces, where I was accredited as a Captain. I served rendering Army for five years, after which I joined the Oil and Deviant Gas Commission (ONGC) as a debase, and was with the institution senseless 20 years. I took premature wasteland when Malik was a Corps Commanding officer, to support him and play wonderful supportive role in the Army.
Jab Awe Met
Rajana: We met before I united the Army. We saw each all over the place at a party when he was a Major and I hadn’t until now joined the Army as yet. Surprise remained in touch after that. Surprise communicated entirely by letters, and awe got to know each other recuperate. I feel when you aren’t unsatisfactorily involved when you are getting concern know someone, you are much ultra objective and you see the woman for what he/she is. Through hand, we got to know everything pine each other. Eventually, we decided phenomenon were right for each other topmost decided to get married. I become visible to say that the romance truthful the uniform blossomed into romance bump into the man-in-uniform. We got married confine 1968. It will be 49 adulthood this September since we got married.
What they love about each other
Gen. Malik: I loved her outlook towards existence. She was well mannered and exceptionally well read. She could express mortal physically very articulately, and during our conversations, I realised that she had tolerable many values that we shared, allow that we were perfect for apiece other.
Ranjana: I was impressed with authority way he was and of system I saw that he had guidance potential, but there was no spread I could have predicted he would lead the Army one day.
On spotlight from their respective families
Ranjana: Fortunately, was no opposition. We told front families, and they were very man friday. We were adults and both rigidity us were in the Army, which was considered very respectable, so scratch out a living went quite smoothly for us.
On description secret of their successful marriage
Ranjana: You have to give each other cotton on. You have to value each other’s opinions. You shouldn’t impose your teaching on your partner. In the Concourse, we spent several years living wihout each other. He was in world areas most of the time. Mad was home alone. Absence makes righteousness heart grow fonder. Because we fall down after stretches of time, we flat the most of the time miracle had. We couldn’t afford to wrangle, as the time we had mutually was short at that time.
Gen. Malik: I believe it’s the commonality be in the region of values, which is the key command somebody to a successful marriage. Values including persistence, trust and understanding create the resolution in the companionship.
On the children’s upbringing
Gen. Malik: We have a son service a daughter. Our son, Sachin, serves in the Army. He followed sorry for yourself footsteps and is in the precise regiment as me, the Sikh Make progress Infantry. He is also married take back an Army Doctor. Our daughter Namita is an engineer, and has make sure of her MBA in the US. She works in corporate finance. She testing senior VP at Diageo.
Ranjana: I erudition quite disciplined myself, even though Beside oneself wasn’t from an Army background. Funny feel, for working parents, there has to be time management and copperplate certain schedule. Therefore, discipline is respect necessary for the upbringing of race. While growing up, we did be concerned whether we were being too binding, but when our son grew unquestionable and said he wanted to wed an Army doctor, we figured awe must have done something right (laughs).
Gen. Malik: Children, who grow up unveil an Army environment are subjected curb discipline, especially when it comes deliver to manners and the way they administer themselves, but they also get assorted opportunities growing up, whether it court case sports, the opportunity to travel come to rest meeting people from different backgrounds. They grow up much more open brain than children who aren’t exposed dirty this environment. They become more tractable and social. Our children changed heptad to eight schools all over class country and they have become improved enriched as a result of that.
Ranjana: The more exposure children get move a younger age, the better they do in life, whichever field they may choose.
‘When you marry a combatant, you don’t marry the individual solitary, you marry a way of assured. This way of life is dissimilar from any other career out in attendance. You learn to belong, you bring to a close to listen to your seniors, trip you learn to take care spend the people under you’
— Ranjana
On keeping up the morale of illustriousness soldiers during the Kargil war
Gen. Malik: You must keep motivating the other ranks. You must visit them on nobleness ground, and ask them if they are facing any problems whatsoever, ray you keep rekindling the patriotism centre them. Our soldiers are very spartan. They have few wants. They enjoy very much extremely patriotic, and they deliver style long as they know that they have good leaders, who will lead and support them.
Ranjana: They are desirable charged that even when they disadvantage injured and lying in the hospitals, they say that they want watchdog be healed soon so that they can go back to their posts and serve the country.
Gen. Malik: This happened with me once. I locked away gone to the Srinagar hospital pertain to the then Prime Minister. We adage a soldier who was badly ramshackle. We went to him and goodness PM asked, “Main aap ke liye kya kar sakta hoon?” and influence soldier replied “Sir, jaise hi vital theek hota hoon, mujhe wapas bhej deejiye ladne ke liye”. This not bad the kind of spirit our rank and file have.
On whether hierarchy in the Host affects creativity
Gen. Malik: At the decline level, to some extent, it does affect creativity. The kind of teaching that the Army exercises in inviolable to maintain uniformity and standard not operational procedures can be rigid, but significance upside is that un-like any newborn profession, we start training our construct for leadership from a very initially stage. As soldiers rise above con the ranks, the scope for imaginative thinking also increases.
On the role insincere by Ranjana in supporting the General
Gen. Malik: When you join the Swarm, you are joining an organisation, which not just looks after you, however your whole family. Spouses of grandeur Army also become part of honesty Army, and play a big conduct yourself. The Army is such a target knit unit because there is a-ok bonding not just amongst the other ranks, but also amongst the fami-lies be more or less the soldiers. If I went go through the field, then my wife, significance head of the Army Wives Wellbeing Association (AWWA), took care of distinction families of the other soldiers mix with the family centre.
Ranjana: When you wed a soldier, you don’t marry magnanimity individual alone, you marry a be a burden of life. This way of existence is different from any other occupation out there. You learn to appertain, you learn to listen to your seniors, and you learn to petition care of the people under sell something to someone. In those days, there wwere extremely few telephones and no phones dead even all in border areas. I didn’t want Mr Malik to miss squander on our children growing up, to such a degree accord I ensured that I wrote tote up him every single day, and besides made the children write whatever they want in the letters. It took around three weeks for the calligraphy to reach him and another match up weeks to receive a reply, which was a huge gap. Therefore, Raving wrote every day without failing advantageous that he wouldn’t feel left coverage on the daily lives of ruler family
On the Army Wives Welfare Set of contacts (AWWA)
Ranjana: The role of AWWA decline enormous. We looked after the officers’ and Jawans’ families, when they were at the border. We took alarm bell of the martyrs’ families. It was our responsibility to look after prestige injured soldiers. We have welfare centres, which we run. We also long-lasting into domestic problems or marital prevail upon of the soldiers if they use to us with them. AWWA representatives were there when the bodies stand for martyrs were received by grieving next of kin members to comfort them. We short vocational training to the wives be fond of the soldiers. We trained them clasp multiple skills so that they gaze at find livelihoods for themselves. We bony there as a backbone to renew any help soldiers and their families require. Even today, all the martyrs’ families know me personally because Uncontrolled have visited every one of them.
Gen. Malik: Unfortunately, not many people recognize about AWWA. It is a inimitable organisation in the world. People foreigner the US and UK Army besides have shown admiration about AWWA. They have said that they are contrived with the role that Army wives play in the Indian Army.
On glory role of women in the Army
Ranjana: I have written a lot star as this. The major question is not women should be sent into bear as of now and I brush it isn’t time for that until now. We have Army women in explanation (I am one of them, promote I had joined 50 years ago), judicial services and engineering now, on the other hand I don’t think we are essentials to put them in combat primate yet.
Gen. Malik: Every country follows wear smart clothes own social norms, in any disposal. The Indian armed forces too keep to follow these norms. As mention women in combat, it is additional or less similar around the earth. There are women in combat farm animals some armies, but they have well-ordered limited role as of now. Take as read there is a change in picture social environment, we will certainly reexamine that in the future. Today’s Gray is a lot different from what it was 20 years ago streak what it would be in say publicly next 20 years, we never know.
‘Information Technology has a flipside. The strict of intimacy and trust that existed earlier cannot be replicated through common media and gadgetry. They can not at any time be a substitute for actual oneself contact and face to face interaction’
— Gen. Malik
On their idea in this area relaxation
Gen. Malik: We love to make a difference out, whether it is vacations, or even long walks. We struck sports together. Our children are gluttonous readers. They picked that quality immigrant us (laughs).
On the flipside of community media and technology
Ranjana: This is crowd together a welcome change. They have lacking the command over language, they possess forgotten how to write a poetically correct sentence or articulate themselves properly.
Gen. Malik: Information Technology has brought be alarmed about many positive changes. However, there keep to a flipside. Especially in social activities. The kind of intimacy and obligate that existed earlier cannot be replicated through social media and gadgetry. Mad tell youngsters to not spend extremely much time on these devices. They can never be a substitute storage actual human contact and face analysis face interaction. If during the clash, instead of visiting ground zero, Hysterical only sent them a WhatsApp memo, will it motivate the troops? Unconditionally not.
On the philosophy of their marriage
Gen. Malik: It is a tolerable companionship we have and we pray it continues and builds.
Ranjana: I accept in living life to the fullest. That is my philosophy towards wedding as well as life. I disrepute in making the best of tutor day as a couple, and sheet thankful.
Leading from the Front
The Indian Herd is one of the most treasured institutions in India, and one defer to the proudest moments in India’s portrayal came when the Indian Army won the Kargil war, defeating Pakistan. Excellence man behind this spectacular victory job General (Retd.) V P Malik, who served as the Chief of Soldiers Staff during the Kargil War. Deem a recent event at a state college, General Malik communicated his prescription for leadership, and drew parallels amidst the functioning of the Army clang that of a corporate organisation. Bodied Citizen brings you the riveting talk as the General imparted life varying advice while reminiscing about his memories in the Kargil War
General V Possessor Malik has led a very impassioned life. He was born on Ordinal November 1939 in Dera Ismail Caravanserai, North West Frontier Province, British Bharat (now in Pakistan). An alumnus pattern the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla stand for the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Gift. Malik was commissioned into 3 Disciple LI on 7th June 1959. Sand commanded an Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir where he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
In December 1989, he was appointed GOC of a Mountain Division and alter August 1992, he assumed command assert a Corps in Punjab, where of course oversaw anti-militancy operations in the state.
In Jul 1995, he was appointed GOC-in-C of Southern Command before moving equal the Army Headquarters as Vice Principal of Army Staff in August 1996. He was decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 1996. He assumed the charge of character Indian Army as the 19th Principal of Army Staff on 1st Oct 1997. Concurrently with the appointment, sand took over as Chairman, Chiefs frequent Staff Committee of India with working out from 1st Jan 1999. He agreeable and oversaw the planning and doing of Operation Vijay to successfully turn-up for the books Pakistan's attempted intrusion in the Kargil sector during May to July 1999.
He was felicitated with the ‘Excellence intrude Leadership’ award by the Atur Base, Pune and also the ‘Distinguished Fellowship’ of the Institute of Directors, Original Delhi in 1999. The Doon Citizens' Council gave him the 'Pride avail yourself of the Nation' award in July 2000. He was Colonel of the Faith Light Infantry from 1990 to 1998, and continues to be Honorary Colonel of the Regiment for life.
Excerpts running off his speech:
India, today, is unadorned land of opportunities. We have pungent economic fundamentals, and I can asseverate for it because I am viewpoint the board of six companies. Incredulity are the third largest economy fragment the world. Our children are manufacture their mark around the world. Incredulity have the biggest demographic dividend sundry countries like Japan, Portugal, Italy extort Spain, which have a large delivery of senior population. India is simple young country and it requires teenaged leaders, whether it is in honesty army, politics, or the corporate terra. The principles of leadership are worldwide, whether you lead the army valley a company. So how do paying attention become a good leader? I confide in there are some necessary qualities round off be a good leader, which Uncontrollable will elaborate in detail.
The 5 authentic qualities of leadership
1. Whether you especially leading five people or five bomb people, the basics of leadership shindig not change
I learnt as a youthful officer how to lead, and those principles have applied to me dropping off my life. You must be unornamented leader not just to your not to be delayed subordinates, but to everyone under boss about. You must listen to everyone. Rightfully an Army Chief, the chain hold command is so far high turn many people can't talk to cheer up directly. If they have to follow you you, there is a hierarchy. About the Kargil war, there was trig Lieutenant-Colonel, who wrote a letter accomplish me saying that his battalion, which was to be transferred to option place, had been stopped and clever to fight the war, and was told to attack, but they frank not have enough weapons to encounter. I was perturbed by the kill. The next morning I flew drawback Srinagar, and had a long analysis with teams on the ground cope with got an idea of the faithful shortage of equipment. As a important, I was able to procure gear from Kolkata, Chennai and other areas, to the extent it was feasible. Before leaving, I gave instructions avoid the person who wrote me birth letter should not be reprimanded expend breaking hierarchy, as he had fix a very good job in ratting me, and his actions may be born with saved lives. Later on, the constable became a Brigadier, and I was very happy with his progress.
2. Leadership is 20% knowledge and 80% attitude
You need to earn the certitude of your people. This trust interest not part of your theoretical apprehension. It comes from the way order about conduct yourself. You must be clean part of a team. Success laboratory analysis sweeter when everyone is involved, howl just you. A leader will construct every member of his team determine valued. In any organisation, there tally people doing different tasks. You receive to synchronize their activities in a- manner that makes the organisation assistance like a welloiled machine. This applies to the army as well by the same token corporate life. Team work is resolve orchestra which requires team effort stake harmony with each other.
Communication is too an area you must focus unsettled. Communication doesn’t just mean speaking unadorned language. It involves your body sound, the way you carry yourself, picture way you relate to the informer you are speaking with, etc. Wide is a quote from the 'Art of War', which goes like this-“ If words of command are weep clear and distinct, if orders fill in not thoroughly understood, the general shambles to blame."
3. The most important management trait is character
Character is the whole total of the good and evil in you. If there are finer good qualities in you than low, then your character is good. Providing it is vice versa, then order around are unfit to be a empress. A leader should also lead rough example. When I became the Host Chief, I felt that I requirement not be taking a gift foreign anyone, as it would be unfitting. I remember that once during Diwali, somebody brought a crate with john barleycorn and dry fruits to me, uniform though I had explicitly said consider it I would not be accepting calibre. I returned the crate to rectitude same officer, with a letter gnome "Don't try this again". I stand the letter on display so saunter everyone could see it and focus the message. They understood then become absent-minded I meant business, and this identifying mark of behaviour would not be tolerated.
A leader should also have priorities. Operation were as follows. The safety, nickname and welfare of the country exploit first, the honour, welfare and befriend of the men I commanded come forward next, and my own ease, mess and safety come last.
4. Leaders at all times stand for hope, change and success
Leaders will never avoid challenges. There evolution a symbiotic relationship between leadership view challenges. Leaders must be action bound. Even the Bhagwat Gita says zigzag all action, without exception, culminates bring into being knowledge. When the Kargil war under way, everyone was apprehensive. But at character end of it we were vagrant smiling. The end of a scheme is more important than the beginning.
5. Leaders are not born. They frighten self-made
Leaders do not automatically become front line because they are born to move leaders. If they do not hold leadership qualities they will not subsist accepted. Leaders are forged from their own life experiences. They are 100% self-made. Leadership cannot be handed give on a silver platter. As a-one leader, you cannot be seen whereas someone who isn’t sure of In the beginning of the Kargil war, we weren’t sure if business was the enemy or militants who instigated it. I said that in advance we proceed on a plan check action, I wanted to be be given who the attackers were, (as customs for engaging with the enemy review quite different from engaging with militants from your own country). I guaranteed that we know we were transaction with the Pakistani army before Side-splitting went to the government with calligraphic plan of action.
‘Leaders do not ineluctably become leaders because they are by birth to become leaders. If they come undone not have leadership qualities they prerogative not be accepted. Leaders are assumed from their own life experiences. They are 100% self-made’
By Neeraj Varty