Drones ::: A 'lifeless' tool --- That changed the Fauzi's Mind ::::: Indian Army has a new name today ... - the "Uudta Fauz" ::: 'Sequel to a great Success...'

The "Uudta Fauz"

From his earliest days of college, 32-year-old Brajen Joshi carried a yearning for giving unto himself a distinguished identity.

Brajen (of course - the name is changed) -- says : 

- "I was born to a family of agriculturists .... I am not anti-agriculture. But science excited me. But farming is my roots, I realised this one night when I reached north east of India as a soldier.... 

"Today, I am handling Drones in Indian army. It has changed me," recalls Joshi jogging fast with coffee coloured mud on his feet and shoes.  

An engineering graduate - he is all the more excited handling various kinds of Drones. Because he is associated with the Indian army - he would not talk much. 

But he shared a general info -- something even Uncle Google helps the Science dropout blogger !!

Drones are into 'Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance'. The third word sounds -- 'understandable yet complex'.

I rush to my Uncle Google and the response is : ".... military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features". In the meantime, we are gheraoed by his about half a dozen colleagues, comrades in arms. 

My face betrayed nervousness. But they assured me.... "it's all okay.... if you stop recording what we say ... switch off the phone and do not use notepad also".

A Bong - and a die-hard fish fan - risked the interaction banking more with Memories of human brain. 

"Dekha ... jaavey.... (Let me see, what things I can recall later)".  

In July this year, Lt Gen Abhijeet S Pendharkar, GoC of Rangapahar-based Spear Corps, observed “Exercise Drone Prahar”—a crucial and high-level military drill.

The exercise was held under 'realistic battlefield conditions' for use of drones for surveillance, intelligence gathering, real-time coordination, and precision targeting.

Operation Drone Prahar - Lt Gen Pendharkhar in Nagaland

*** 

Meanwhile, my interaction continues.

Another young man tries to explain --- "Drones are being used abundantly to counter potential threats from across the border in east, north and west .... 

the enemy radar systems cannot do much with our tech and also supported by friendly countries somewhere in western hemisphere".

In other words, I thought he was telling me how the armed forces have "strengthened" the tactical capabilities in critical scenarios. A smart communicator he tries change 'focus' area of discussions and adds: "A few years back Netra drones of DRDO were deployed for disaster rescue operations during the North India floods". 

Another man quips sharply - "We can also tell you that the Searcher MkII Drone had participated in the Republic Day parade not long ago".

One of those Exhibits for R-Day parade 

I also play mischief. "Drone sey aap ke life mein kya changes ayen (What all changes came in the life of uniformed solider due to these drones) ?" 

The response is one - given in confidence -  "It has changed the soldiers' Mind... In about a decade time; you will find the forces will be able to retain young and old officers and other ranks more and more. 

Fauzi .... fauz nahi chhorega .... 

Naya pan aa raha hae (Various kinds of new things are coming in)".

I tend to agree because the 'level of job satisfaction' in the military is high these days due to multiple factors. 

One reason is Atmanirbhar Bharat -- the exciting push given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. 

These were my personal findings in the west and also east and north east.

Slowly the 'manpower' issue of armed forces at multiple levels may be resolved -- we all hope.  

Me and my Drone-friendly friends start along the neatly maintained roads. 

Some one says - "The army is able to make Drones and also repair ... the multi tasking thing is giving us a lot of excitement. The demands are on rise as various security installations in east and north east have understood the utility of Drones".  

I was told before my journey commenced in Delhi about anti-Drones.

I was also briefed a bit about "modernization" process of Indian forces and how these are supported by 

-- Focused approached for Indigenous development

-- Policy initiatives - the Drone Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

- and Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Swarm drone technology into tactical operations. 

One source had alerted me about Rudra Brigades and Drone batteries.

No less than Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi had said on the Kargil Vijay Diwas itself that -- 

"With the aid of specialized logistical and combat support, the Indian Army is creating all-arms brigades known as "Rudra".

This will combine infantry, mechanized infantry, armor, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems.  

Taking almost a path-breaking decision; I was told the composition of the Rudra Brigade may change based on the duties and operational requirements. 

Wrapping my visit as I took the flight back to New Delhi; the co-passenger with me was from aviation industry.

He is himself an ex-serviceman and his daughter joined Indian Navy a few years back. As we chatted in certain details about ensuing elections in Bihar and states such as Assam and West Bengal -- he threw up his one-liner :

"When we talk of Indian army today .... and also of two other wings; we should speak about something called 'Sequel' to the success. 

We have reached that stage. 

I am not merely talking about Operation Sindoor. 

Drone has made the army -

Uudta Fauz." 

I was wondering the manner he explained and sound it so simple.  I told him -- Sir, you must write a book.

The gentleman paused and -- then added: "The story of my life is full of anecdotes.... I have stories to share so that you young people can also learn things .... how much our men in uniform gave for the nation".

For a man of his age -- he opted to take a quick nap.

Gazing outside --- I found the clouds moved along ... slower than my aircraft.

And I was wondering -- these stories of brave men and women, the indigenous-Drones and their new-found scientific temperament and the spirit of self sacrifice .... everything would be nothing if ....

they were not so elegant and lucid in sharing the fables of glories with us.

ends 

Revenge of Journalism : Science Dropout disvovering Mystique Drones