Address during the release of documentary My Flag My Life

07/Aug/2009 : Pune
Courage Stimulates Civilizational Growth

"When you wish upon a star,

Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you�
I am indeed delighted to address and interact with the Students and NDA cadets
today, at the release of the documentary �My Flag My Life�. I am happy that
Creation Entertainments has made special efforts to project the career in the
Indian Armed Forces as an attractive career option for our youth and I am sure,
seeing this documentary will inspire bright young minds to join our Defence
services. My greetings to all of you. Since I am in the midst of future leaders of
the country, I would like to share with you few thoughts on the Topic �Courage
Stimulates Civilizational Growth�. First let me talk about my teacher.
Teacher who gives a vision

When I see you all, I am reminded of my childhood days when I was studying in 8th
class at the age of 13. I had a teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer. He was a great
teacher in our school. All of us loved to attend his class and hear him. One day
he was teaching about bird�s flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard
depicting the wings, tail and the body structure with the head. He explained how
the birds create the lift and fly. He also explained to us how they change
direction while flying. Nearly for 25 minutes he gave the lecture with various
information such as lift, drag, how the birds fly in a formation of 10, 20 or 30.
At the end of the class, he wanted to know whether we understood how the birds
fly. I said, I did not understand how the birds fly. When I said this, the teacher
asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that
they also did not understand. He did not get upset by our response since he was a
committed teacher.

Our teacher said that he would take all of us to the sea shore. That evening the
whole class was at the sea shore of Rameswaram. We enjoyed the roaring sea waves
knocking at the sandy hills in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying with sweet
chirping voice. He showed the sea birds in formations of 10 to 20 numbers. We saw
the marvelous formations of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. He showed
us the birds and asked us to see that when the birds fly, what they looked like.
We saw the wings flapping. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the
combination of flapping wings and twisting tail. We noticed closely and found that
the birds in that condition flew in the direction they desired. Then he asked us a
question, where the engine is and how it is powered. Bird is powered by its own
life and the motivation of what it wants. All these things were explained to us
within fifteen minutes. We all understood the whole bird dynamics from this
practical example. How nice it was? Our teacher was a great teacher; he could give
us a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example available in nature.
This is real teaching. I am sure many of the teachers in schools and colleges will
follow this example.

For me, it was not merely an understanding of how a bird flies. The bird�s flight
entered into me and created a special feeling. From that evening, I thought that
my future study has to be with reference to flight and flight systems. I am saying
this because my teacher�s teaching and the event that I witnessed decided my
future career. Then one evening after the classes, I asked the teacher, �Sir,
please tell me, how to progress further in learning all about flight.� He
patiently explained to me that I should complete 8th class, and then go to high
school, and then I should go to engineering college that may lead to education on
flight. If I complete all my education with excellence, I might do something
connected with flight sciences. This advice and the bird flying exercise given by
my teacher, really gave me a goal and a mission for my life. When I went to
college, I took Physics. When I went to engineering in Madras Institute of
Technology, I took Aeronautical Engineering.

Thus my life was transformed as a rocket engineer, aerospace engineer and

technologist. That one incident of my teacher teaching the lesson, showing the
visual live example proved to be a turning point in my life which eventually
shaped my profession which has something to do with flying. My ambition to fly was
fulfilled when I was in the cockpit of Su-30 MKI.
Experience in Sukhoi-30 MKI

On 8th June 2006, I flew in a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft to make a sortie. The
previous night, Wing Commander Ajay Rathore gave me lessons on how to fly. He
became my teacher who taught me successfully how to pilot the aircraft as well as
handle weapon control system. It was a dream for me since 1958 when I became an
engineer, to fly a fighter aircraft. After our strapping on, Sukhoi-30 took off
and sore to a height of 25,000 feet flying at a speed of over 1200 kms per hour.
Wing Commander Rathore suggested me to turn the Sukhoi to the left and then to the
right. I experienced about 3g, of course with a g-suite. I could experience the
banking of the Sukhoi to the left and right going up and down before landing.
During the sortie I tried to understand various sub-system of the aircraft
developed by Indian scientists which have been integrated with this aircraft. I
was very happy to see the indigenously built mission computers, radar warning
receivers, IFF and display processors in the aircraft. During the sortie, I was
shown how to locate the target in the air and on the ground with the help of
synthetic aperture radar. The flight lasted for over 36 minutes. I felt the
fulfillment of a great aim and long cherished dream of my life. Above all, I
realized the leadership qualities of our Air Warriors are engaged in the defence
of our national airspace.

Similarly, from 2002 to 2007, when I was the Supreme Commander for Armed Forces, I
was always keen to know the environment in which our Armed Forces are operating,
their state of readiness, their problems and challenges. As a part of this
mission, I had visited a number of units of Army and Navy also. The interactions
with the Officers and Jawans forced me visit difficult stations. Hence, I
specially chose to go to highest point Kumar where our troops are operating at
minus 35 degree Celsius and submarine operations in Visakhapatnam coast. Let me
share my experiences with you, when I was in Kumar at minus 35 degree Celsius with
the soldiers and when I was in the submarine with the sailors and Naval Officers.
Valour in Glaciers

I landed at KUMAR in Siachen Glacier on 2 April 2004. The post is located at an

altitude of 7,000. At that time, it was snowing and the temperature was minus 35
degree centigrade with heavy winds. When I reached the field station, three
soldiers � Naik from Karnataka, Williams from West Bengal and Salim from Uttar
Pradesh - shook hands with me. As soon as they shook their hands with me, it
became Agni that transformed into warmth and penetrated into me. This warmth gave
me the confidence that our nation is safe in the hands of the soldiers defending
in the difficult environment and terrain at the highest altitude. Extraordinary
leadership qualities are required to generate this warmth among the troops in the
freezing cold conditions.
My rendezvous with Silent Force

On 13th February 2006, I had a journey underwater in the naval submarine INS
Sindhurakshak. I entered the submarine through the lower lid of the conning tower
and descended for about 10 meters. The submarine commenced diving to a depth of
about 30 meters from the surface and started cruising. Through a narrow circular
door of one meter diameter, I entered the submarine control room. The crew
explained the functioning of the submarine showing the maneuvering operations and
buoyancy control methodologies with great enthusiasm. It was a thrilling
experience for me to cruise with the Chief of Naval Staff, the young sailors and
officers. During the review, the underwater communication system, target
identification and launch simulation were shown. This was followed by the firing
of torpedo/missile water-shod to simulate an attack, demonstrating the combat
capability of our underwater silent force. The target location, signature analysis
from the sonar data, torpedo launch and its homing were presented. I realized the
complexities involved in under water warfare.

I moved on to the weapon storage compartment where the torpedoes are stored and
this compartment connects to the front of the submarine where water is filled
before launching the torpedoes. Then I moved on through various compartments to
the rear part of the submarine to see the diesel engine based propulsion system
and the electric drives. I met 90 officers and sailors in the vessel working like
busy bees. Their job is not easy but they feel proud in their challenging mission.
We went to a small working room where seven people could be accommodated. We had a
delicious vegetarian lunch. I was given a presentation on the future of Submarine
building plans for the next 30 years.

The submarine, after completing its underwater journey for three hours was ready
to surface. The procedure started and the vessel came to the surface and moved in
the direction of the shore. I climbed up through the ladder of the conning tower.
I saw the land and the ocean back. What a memorable underwater journey. Our Navy
is indeed multi-dimensional - under water, on the water and above water. The high
morale shown by the sailors and the officers in the submarine is commendable.
A story of valour : Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw

During World War II, the young officer Manekshaw was leading a counter-offensive
against the invading Japanese Army in Burma. As he charged forward with his men, a
Japanese soldier suddenly emerged from the bushes and fired at him, wounding him
seriously in the stomach. Fortunately, Major General D.T. Cowan spotted Manekshaw
holding on to life and was aware of his valour in face of stiff resistance from
the Japanese. Fearing the worst, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own
Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a
Military Cross."

Later in 1971 General Manekshaw, prepared our Army for a well-planned and a well
executed operation against Pakistan leading to the creation of Bangladesh. As
Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, he welded the Army, Navy and Air Force into
a well-knit team. He ensured the taking over of 90,000 Pakistan POWs, thereby
paving the way for favourable conditions for negotiations. Nation gratefully
recognizes Manekshaw with the title �Field Marshal of the Indian Army.�
Conclusion

Following the foots steps of Field Marshal Manekshaw, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal
made supreme sacrifice in the face of enemy and his determination to hold his
position gallantly without abandoning the post has become a historical event of
Indian Army. He is definitely a role model for all the youth of the nation. I
recall a poem which I composed on 15th August 2005 when I was paying the tributes
at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. Let me share with you my feelings which I had, while
saluting such courageous soldiers who fought for our nation.

Amar Jawan Jyoti

Lights our heart with courage
Radiates to the nation, devotion
Spread the message of sacrifice
Ignites confidence upon our nation

Courage to defend the nation, courage to innovate, courage to invent and courage
to overcome the sufferings and to succeed, are indeed the traits that led to the
growth of human civilization. I am sure, all of you will have the courage to
overcome all the problems and succeed in your designated mission in whatever
profession you choose.

My best wishes to all of you for success in everyone of your endevour.

May God bless you.

Oath for the Youth

1. I will have a goal and work hard to achieve that goal. I realize that small aim
is a crime.
2. I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.
3. I will be a good member of my family, a good member of the society, a good
member of the nation and a good member of the world.
4. I will always try to save or better someone's life, without any discrimination
of caste, creed, language religion or state. Wherever I am, a thought will always
come to my mind. That is �What can I give?�
5. I will always protect and enhance the dignity of every human life without any
bias.
6. I will always remember the importance of time. My motto will be �Let not my
winged days, be spent in vain�.
7. I will always work for clean planet Earth and clean energy.
8. As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success
in all my tasks and enjoy the success of others.
9. I am as young as my faith and as old as my doubt. Hence, I will light up then,
the lamp of faith in my heart.
10. My National Flag flies in my heart and I will bring glory to my nation.
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