We can protect Assamese identity despite being true nationalists: Rana Pratap Kalita

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, who is currently serving as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, was the Guwahati Press Club’s Guest of the Month for November 2023. He visited the Guwahati Press Club on Tuesday and interacted with several journalists present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that when he was younger and used to pass through the Gopinath Bordoloi Road, he used to be mesmerized by the District Library, the District Museum, and the other key buildings near Dighalipukhuri, and that he was very happy to be invited to the Guwahati Press Club as a guest. He also mentioned that he had always dreamed of an Assamese reaching the high ranks of the Indian Armed Forces, and the same dream has landed him in his current rank and in the press club as a guest.

Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita said that he hails from a small village in Tamulpur, that his father was the headmaster of a school, and that there was an army camp near his village. Seeing the jawans and officials of the Army, he soon developed an interest in joining the armed forces. He mentioned that he had a tailored dress that looked similar to the Army uniform during his early school days, which he loved a lot. His father also noticed his interest in the armed forces and admitted him to Sainik School, Goalpara, in 1973, following which he entered the National Defence Academy in 1980.

While speaking of his early years in the army, he mentioned that he was very lucky during this period as he got to participate in several key operations, including Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Operation Bajrang in Assam, and several operations in Kashmir. He also added that he has only a few days left of his service to the nation, as he will retire on December 31, 2023. During his talk, he also expressed his gratitude towards all his near and dear ones, including his family, his colleagues, and his son, who is now serving in the Indian Army.

Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita said that the geopolitical situation is changing very rapidly in the modern day. Major changes are coming both on the domestic and international fronts at a very fast pace, and the Indian Army is also changing in response to these changes. The year 2023 has been named the Year of Transformation of the Indian Army, he informed. The Lieutenant General said that in the new scenario, human resources are also equally important, as the armed forces help the nation’s democracy grow.

He also mentioned that the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, which he currently heads, is responsible for nine states in the region. Apart from the seven Northeastern states, the states of Sikkim and West Bengal are protected by the Eastern Command, along with the Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh international borders. The Command is charged with assisting these state governments in case of any need.

Speaking about the conditions in Manipur, the GOC said that the Army is trying very hard to ensure that normalcy returns to the state as soon as possible. Mentioning that the conflict between the two communities is not a new development, he added that over 5,000 weapons were stolen during the conflict, out of which only about 1,500 were recovered by the authorities as of now as operations continue to recover the rest. Mentioning that he had visited Manipur more than 10 times after the start of the unrest and working to de-escalate the problems, he added that there are multiple problems related to the Indo-Myanmar border. Ethnicity and geopolitical problems remain a cause for concern in the region as the army tries to stop the flow of narcotics in the so-called Golden Triangle. He added that the Indian government had recently started fencing the international border and expressed hope that it would soon bring an end to these problems.

He also mentioned that the directive related to the neighbouring country makes it very clear to the forces that the common villagers fleeing Myanmar in fear of the violence in their country are not stopped with a strict no allowance for armed people and contraband items. But their details are maintained with the police as well as the state government, and whenever the conditions improve in their country, they will be sent back. He also pointed out that there are no fixed routes and that these refugees attempt to enter via any possible way, but the Indian Army is well-equipped to stop any undesirable elements and that the procedure is comparatively different for the police and army personnel from Myanmar.

Taking about the construction of infrastructure on the Chinese side of the international border with Arunachal Pradesh, he mentioned that the geographical location makes it comparatively easier for the Chinese when compared with India, but nevertheless, the Indian Army is always ready to handle any situation. He also mentioned that the Chinese had started the construction ahead of India, but we are catching up very fast.

He also pointed out the lack of proper knowledge about the armed forces and the related benefits among the people of Assam, while adding that his mother had asked him to fail the service selection board, or SSB, and not join the services after clearing his NDA examinations. A large number of people think that people can join only as jawans, and they lack knowledge about the officer ranks through other entry processes. He said that he has been working actively towards spreading awareness among the children and organising several events in that direction across the state and the entire Northeastern region. He also said that society has a massive duty to protect the youth of the state from being influenced by anti-social elements and joining militant organisations. This is essential for the development of the region as a whole, as the youth are the force that drives the region.

During his speech, the senior officer also pointed out that we can protect our individual (Assamese) identities despite being true nationalists, saying that he does not become any less an Assamese if he calls himself an Indian. He said that despite caste, religion, ethnicity, or region of belonging, one should remain loyal to the country. First, we are Indians; then the individual identities should be considered, and the fine balance should be maintained so that both can be maintained.

He also mentioned that post-retirement, at the end of this year, he is planning to come back to Guwahati.

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