Issues concerning national security

FIELD MARSHAL K.M. CARIAPPA MEMORIAL LECTURES 1995-2000: The Directorate General of Infantry; Lancer Publishers and Distributors, 56, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi-110049. Rs. 395.

THIS BOOK contains a series of lectures given by various thinkers on the Infantry Day anniversary honouring the contribution of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa. The broad sweep of these lectures dwell on the Indian Army's contribution, growth and some of the crucial issues affecting the future task of the Armed Forces. These distinguished persons have spoken with candour, understanding and with a sense of deep responsibility to the public and the Defence Services.

Mr. J. N. Dixit, who has traced the civil-military relationships spread over a century, has rightly pointed out that isolation and the British attitude towards politicians was mainly responsible for lack of close interaction between the armed forces and the public at large. He had made a number of recommendations on the subject of integrated headquarters, functioning of the cabinet committees and revival of the parliamentary sub-committees to ensure that bureaucrats and political workers understand the nuances of national security.

Mr. Jaswant Singh has mourned the relegation of national security during the pre-British period and has aptly pointed out that most of our ills are due to limited security concepts encased within our geographical boundaries. His analysis and recommendations on the rejuvenation of our defence policy has been a major contribution to recent changes in India's defence apparatus organisation and budgeting.

An excellent book for all those in public arena and in the Defence.

BRIG A. THYAGARAJAN (Retd.)

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