Retd. Colonel Pillay Talks About Agniveer Scheme and Technological Advancements in the Army
Retired Colonel Divakaran Padma Kumar Pillay shared his views on the Agniveer scheme, emphasizing its importance in recruiting soldiers who are skilled in modern technology. He explained that the army needs individuals who are not only physically and mentally fit but also adept with current technological advancements.
Historical Context of Army Recruitment
Colonel Pillay highlighted that historically, there was no consistent recruitment or pension plan in the Indian Army. Soldiers were often released without pensions after wars, such as those in 1947, 1962, and 1971. It wasn’t until 1972 that a more structured pension plan was introduced, which was later implemented in 1977.
Need for Technologically Advanced Soldiers
He stressed that the army has evolved significantly since the 1990s, with advancements in technology like GPS and satellite systems. Modern soldiers need to be capable of understanding and using these technologies effectively.
Agniveer Scheme
The Agnipath scheme, announced in June 2022, aims to create a youthful profile for the Armed Forces. Recruits under this scheme, known as ‘Agniveers’, will serve for four years, with 25% being retained for a minimum of 15 years. The rest will receive assistance for further employment and a Seva Nidhi Package of Rs 11.71 lakhs, exempt from Income Tax, but no pensionary benefits.
Doubts Revealed
Retd. -: Retd. stands for ‘Retired.’ It means that Colonel Pillay used to work in the army but now he has stopped working and is enjoying his retirement.
Colonel -: A Colonel is a high-ranking officer in the army. They have a lot of experience and are responsible for leading many soldiers.
Agniveer scheme -: The Agniveer scheme is a new plan by the Indian government to recruit young people into the army for a short period. These recruits will be trained in modern technology and skills.
Technological Advancements -: Technological advancements mean new and better technology. In the army, this could be new weapons, better communication tools, or advanced vehicles.
Historical context -: Historical context means understanding how things were done in the past. Here, it refers to how the army used to recruit soldiers and give them pensions.
Pensions -: Pensions are money that people receive regularly after they retire from their job. In the army, soldiers used to get pensions after they finished their service.
Tech-savvy -: Tech-savvy means being good with technology. A tech-savvy army would use modern gadgets and tools to be more effective.
Agnipath scheme -: The Agnipath scheme is another name for the Agniveer scheme. It was started in June 2022 to bring young and energetic people into the army for short-term service.
Youthful army profile -: A youthful army profile means having a lot of young soldiers in the army. Young soldiers are usually more energetic and can adapt to new technologies quickly.