Antony says India’s military might key to its growing clout
25 Oct 2007

Following is the extract of the closing address at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial Lecture delivered by the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony on October 24, 2007

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Following is the extract of the closing address at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial Lecture delivered by the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony on October 24, 2007:
“I am extremely happy to be amidst you on the occasion of 12th Field Marshal K.M Cariappa Lecture. Such occasions provide an opportunity to focus attention on issues of crucial importance.
K.M. Cariappa was among the only two Indian military officers to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal. In a career spanning almost three decades, he held several high offices, displaying tremendous qualities of head and heart in marshalling the troops. Affectionately called “Chimma” and “Kipper”, he was deeply attached to books, music and sports. A staunch nationalist, Cariappa was secular to the core. He once said, “I don’t care a damn, if a man is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Parsi or Christian, as long as he plays the game to serve our country well. That is all that matters to me”. Besides military matters, Field Marshal Cariappa also displayed a profound understanding and insight about the status of the nation.
He used to say, “In modern warfare, a large army is the first line of defence, the industry is the second”.
Gen Rodrigues, has just now put across his views on “Resurgent India – the way ahead”. In fact, all those present here today would agree that India has bright days ahead– in the not too distant future.
Indeed, our military might is also an important contribution to its rise as a regional and global power. India has one of the world’s largest professional Armed Forces. Our Army is one of the finest fighting machines in the world and has proved to be effective in combating insurgency and low-key conflicts for over three decades. Our military training institutions like National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy are among the best in the world. Indian Navy has the largest presence in Indian Ocean after the United States and fields an aircraft carrier, which allows it to extend its operations beyond its immediate areas of concern. Our Air Force has already demonstrated that it can be counted among the world’s best in a series of joint exercises.
We have thus, come a far way indeed, but a lot more still needs to be done. It must be our collective endeavour to ensure that our country firmly takes its place in the comity of nations.
India was once considered to be the repository of knowledge contained in Vedas and Upanishads. Nalanda was believed to be one of the best centres of learning. Nations that are knowledge societies will emerge as knowledge powers in the future. We must ensure that India remains in the forefront of knowledge revolution.
The international community is no doubt changing its perception of India. The name “India” is no longer associated merely with magic and snake charmers. India has taken rapid strides in the fields of economy and technology. We are committed to provide latest technology to our Armed Forces and to the extent possible – indigenously.
During the last few years, several global IT and science-based firms have located R&D labs in India. Their recruits are young graduates, straight out of Indian universities and elite technology institutes, or expats eager to come back, as they see India as the place to be in.
Our young population is technology-savvy, making our country one of the most important hi-tech hubs in the world. Bangalore is referred to as the world’s second Silicon Valley. The same companies and their founders had played a major role in hi-tech and internet boom in United States in the 1990s.
On the economic front, conditions have never looked better before. In an interview to Future magazine, noted management guru, Peter Drucker had said, “India is becoming a powerhouse very fast. The medical school in New Delhi is now perhaps the best in the world. And the technical graduates of the Institute of Technology in Bangalore are as good as any in the world”.
It has been a privilege to be with all of you and Gen S.F Rodrigues. I am sure such occasions definitely help our Armed Forces in taking stock of the situation and charting the future course of action.”

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