‘Defence forces should play key role to ensure access to energy’

“For long,the Middle East has been the dominant source of energy for the whole world. (But) the growth of new energy sources in the US,North America has meant that those parts of the world will become more or less energy self-sufficient. Their interests in preserving access to oil supplies will reduce. On the other hand,our import dependence on oil will increase. Especially as our GDP goes up,our growth rate goes up,really,the burden of ensuring that we can have secure access (to energy) will fall much more on us than we have now,” said Ahluwalia. Though he did not specify,Ahluwalia was referring to the advancements in extraction of shale gas in the US,Canada in the recent past. Interestingly,India’s own ONGC began shale gas exploration Wednesday.

He said India’s GDP will be third largest in the world by 2030. “China will be number one and the US will be number two. There is only one superpower today and another one is beginning to catch up. But in the next 20 years,we will certainly have a more multi- polar world.the ability of a superpower to single handedly police the world will be lower,” he said. “At a time when large number of our institutions is coming under question,I am happy to say that our armed forces continue to command admiration,” Ahluwalia said after conferring medals on the achievers of the passing out course of the NDA.

He also stressed on reducing the dependence on importing defence technology by increasing the ability to “develop technology” within the country.

290 cadets awarded degrees at NDA’s convocation ceremony

PUNE:AS many as 290 cadets of the 125th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) were conferred degrees by Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi,on Thursday. The course includes 122 cadets in science stream,101 in computer science and 67 in social science stream.

Cadet S Barak won the commandant’s silver medal and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) trophy. The honours were conferred on him by General (retd) K Sundarji for standing first in science stream with the highest FGPA (Final Grade Point Average). Cadet K Thukral were awarded the commandant’s silver medal and the Admiral’s Trophy by Admiral (retd) Suresh Mehta,former Chief of the Naval Staff for standing first in computer science stream with the highest FGPA.

Cadet SS Ithape bagged the Commandant’s Silver Medal and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Trophy presented by Air Chief Marshal (retd) N C Suri,for standing first in social science stream with the highest FGPA.

Cadet S Barak bagged the Chief of Naval staff trophy for standing first across all three streams. He was presented the trophy by Admiral (retd) O S Dawson.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia,Deputy Chairman Planning Commission was the chief guest at the convocation.

“In the profession of arms,which you are going to join after a year,leadership plays a vital role and thus it is the most important factor. It is special for armed forces. What I want from you is to build the trust. Your men should have immense trust on you. Therefore,you must take sincere efforts to infuse morale and character in them,so that they can stand up to the occasion,when need be. You must give right and effective orders to get their unstinted support,” Ahluwalia said.

The Chief Guest was received by Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill,Commandant,NDA and Ranjeet Gill,NDA’s first lady.

In the introductory speech Gill said that the emphasis of training in NDA has been to educate the cadets in the tenets of military ethos and professionalism.

These three years that they spend together in fellowship and brotherhood are meant to instill in them the spirit of solidarity and of unity that our nation represents. Rear Admiral Anand Iyer,deputy commandant,NDA was also present on the occasion.