The power of Indian soldiers- Bharat ki Sena
In recent months, we gave a befitting bashing to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. It was our call, our timing our retaliation but the narrative was stolen by Pakistan. We messed up the narrative. ‘Banee Banai Baat bigaad dee’.
बनी बनाई बात बिगाड़ दि
We had strong media, senior military officers, phenomenal BJP speakers and politicians. Why were we mum for so long?
We had all the proof; satellite pictures, craters to show, hangers and airfields destroyed but-yes but- we kept struggling with our position on the victory stand. In war there are no runners up- either you win or you lose. We lacked initiative? May be- badly.
We stopped clobbering Pakistan because our DGMO (Director General Military Operations) got a call from the Pakistani DGMO saying or pleading- ‘enough is enough please stop now’. But the clearance must have been given at the highest level- yes at the level of the PM. Why we kept struggling to prove to the world and to some of our naysayers especially political opposition that we halted at the request of Pakistan. Why could we not ask for an E-mail from them, a FAX or something in writing? I am not aware if this is prohibited under some international protocol- but I do not think it is.
You now say we got a call from Pakistan but people say ‘this is what you say’ our own man on the street may not believe the you.
Donald Trump the great was shouting from the white house again and again and yet again, that he stopped the war. And opposition in our country calling ‘Narender surrender’! what a shame.
you cannot play out a recorded call between the DGMOs; but you can show a printed mail. To counter POTUS our EAM had to say so many times that there was no call- too little too late. Trump kept saying India lost so many aircraft and Rawalpindi was cheering. They got the bashing and we took all the flack.
Did we not learn a lesson from Balakot? Pakistan kept saying we killed a few Pakistani crows. By now don’t we know our opposition and our enemy? Both are equally great!
We got the flak and Asif Munir their Army chief got a promotion- becomes a Field Marshal! Obviously, the Pakistani public would say they won the war. They had a victory celebration.
Despite dividing their country in two in 1971 war, capturing 93000 soldiers and a Lt. Gen rank officer, Pakistan still said they won it. They have the shameless gumption to come on TV debates and say so with pride!
Why are we so soft in our approach?
Media and films are two great vehicles.
Let us look at how Americans project their prowess.
Soft power is required for hard power to become rock hard.
Marines and Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, and Land), of US army are shown- yes shown as Phantoms if not supermen in Hollywood movies.
Let me put this on record that Indian MARCOS and Special forces are far-far superior to the Americans in the same field.
‘Oh, he is a Marine’ is enough to punch the shit out of you. One man can kill twenty- he can fly planes, jump across buildings, kick ass, smash a glass window, throw a dagger 80 feet to pierce your heart, break neck of a soldier in one snap of his arms, steal a car, run through flames, swim through a river at night, open a steel cage with bare hands- bingo.
This is Hollywood meri jaan.
Reality is quite different.
Their training is 13 weeks long and Indian special forces train for 7 to 9 months and their deployment is continuous after that. Work in progress.
US marine training is briefly as under
Marines are instructed in marksmanship, patrolling, grenade usage, identifying and countering improvised explosive devices, and land navigation, among other various infantry skills. In doing so, the Infantry Training Battalion provides the Corps with Marines who are fully prepared for combat service.
Combat Water Survival: Building skills and confidence in water.
Physical and Combat Conditioning: Intense physical training to build strength and stamina.
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP): Developing hand-to-hand combat skills and a warrior ethos.
Academic Instruction: Classroom learning on various subjects relevant to being a Marine.
The Crucible: A 54-hour, high-stress, simulated combat test that requires recruits to rely on their fellow recruits with little sleep and food.
Marines and NAVY SEALS Badges
Indian commandos win hands down
Indian Special Forces undergo intense, multi-phase training focusing on airborne operations, combat diving, counter-terrorism, jungle warfare, and urban combat. Training occurs at specialized schools, such as the Special Forces Training School in Nahan for Army units and INS Abhimanyu for MARCOS, and includes unique elements like High Altitude Low Opening (HALO)/High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) parachuting, deep reconnaissance, and integrated operations.
Indian Army Elite Training: Shaping the Commando
Para SF training is a relentless grind, sculpting you into an elite operative:
- Duration: 3-6 months, followed by a 6-month probation in live combat zones.
- Skills Mastered: HALO High Altitude-Low Opening /HAHO High Altitude-High Opening jumps from the edge of the atmosphere, jungle survival, mountain assaults, explosives expertise, and shadow warfare.
- Terrain: From unforgiving peaks to scorching deserts, they train where legends are born. This is a big plus point. It varies with different units.
Special Frontier Force (SFF):
Initial selection and training can last around six months, focusing on guerrilla warfare, rock climbing, demolition, and survival.
- Para Commandos (Para SF):
The initial 90-day probation is the “toughest” selection period, after which further specialized training continues. The total Para SF training program can last nine months or even up to three years, depending on the specific role.
- Garud Commando Force:
The basic training course is 52 weeks (one year) long. It includes a three-month probation, followed by special operations, airborne, and survival training.
- MARCOS: (Marine Commandos)
Training includes para-dropping into the sea with a full combat load, which is part of a longer overall training program.
Key takeaway
While some specific training modules like the SFF’s initial program are about six months, the complete training for Indian elite forces is more comprehensive. The duration can be anywhere from one to three years, depending on the specific special force’s unit, with multiple phases for selection, probation, and specialization.
Pass the training and probation, and you’ll step into a Para SF battalion—think 9 Para SF (“Pirates”) or 10 Para SF (“Desert Scorpions”). The Balidan badge will adorn your chest, a symbol of sacrifice and supremacy. From counter-terrorism in Kashmir to silent strikes across borders, your missions will write history.
Para SFF Balidan badge
These guys I swear are tougher than steel.
Basic Commando course of Indian Army
It is called basic but it is a far from basics. Some can’t complete it, some have to discontinue due to injuries, mostly fractures during obstacle courses.
A 33 days basic commando course which every Indian Infantry officer and some select officers from other arms and services do is a living hell- you cannot imagine how tough it is. It is for men too.
There is an age restriction- you cannot do this beyond early twenties.
The speed marches are killing and once a week. You start with 16 Km, then 26, 32 and finally 40 KM. every week one notch up. you get 8 minutes to a Km and it is almost a jog. Back pack, weapon and boots make up to 35 Kg! This is a mandatory load. Therefore, with a 35 Kg load you run 40 Km.
Confidence jump is from 100 feet, three times the 10-meter board. Rock climbing, cliff assault, and un armed combat and living off the land with 20 hours a day grind, sleep deprivation it is a hell hole. Actually, I have seen guys sleeping while running!
While designing the course, Indian Army has taken the best of both. Physical grind is Russian, with Russian Obstacle type course and pushing you to the limits without much resources; and technology for demolition and destruction adapting from Americans.
Our training is also good for urban, city warfare. Close quarters battle (CQB) refers to fighting at very short ranges, typically in confined spaces like buildings, and often involves the use of firearms. It requires rapid, high-intensity engagements and is characterized by the principles of surprise, speed, and controlled violence.
Once you return back home, people cannot recognize you- you look lean and thin but all steel.
Indian Airforce Survival course itself is not easy- designed for Pilots who may have to bail out in enemy territory Jungle and Snow Survival School (J&SS) Curriculum:
- Shelter building
- Fire starting
- Signalling for rescue
- Basic first aid
- Water and food procurement
- Day and night survival
The Western edge
The Americans are tall and burly. They look ferociously dangerous and tough. A fighter in special ops has to be to the bone- light, tough and agile with a survival instinct built in. Bruce Lee was thin but tough, quick and flexible. The survival in jungles is tough and Americans need candy bars and protein bars, where as our guys can live off the land in the true sense- survive on ‘Shakkar paras’.
You do not require big bulging muscles and brute force but a lightning speed, endurance. Russians are very tough- they are not softies like the Americans; they are hardened for battle. Their BOC or battle obstacle course of 2 km is killing and we have that for our commandos. But Americans manage their image very well and the world buys it. They show case this whenever they get a chance.
They have Helicopters, Aircraft carriers and vertical take of aircraft, Humvees et al.
Pomp and show
With no malice to any one; you have actors like Steven Seagal (weighs around 150-160 kg), Jean-Claude Van Damme at 83 Kg is a little shorter in height but looks formidable or Dwayne Johnson (118KG) look great on the screen- I am sure they must be tough too but are hefty.
Movies like Second in Command, the siege, Doom or Skyscraper are movies with deadly star cast and deadly budget.
There are no song and dance- pure serious Warfare or operations.
We did make some like Hum Dono, Haqeeqat, Skyforce, Border, Lakshya, Prahar, but didn’t hit the bull’s eye in terms of grit. We cannot do without songs.
Imagine Steven Seagal singing ‘jailhouse rock of Elvis Presly’ after a jail Break in Vietnam! Or Dwayne Johnson singing ‘Dady cool- of Boney M’ after eliminating 50 guys.
Or Van Damm singing ‘Staying alive’ of Bee Gees fame.
We have the talent; we have the technology- yes short on budget- but we need a clear vision, a clear goal and guts to project ourselves a great- top gun. Only guns no Gaanaa.
We need to invest too, especially special effects. As journalist Palki Sharma says ‘Budget Jaal Jira aur chahiye Al Jazeera’.
You need Money and focus and capacity to absorb losses for a while
The initial cost for launching Al Jazeera in 1996 was approximately $137 million USD at the time. Today it would be around 280 million USD.
This amount was provided as a loan by the founder, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, to sustain the news network through its first five years.
It’s also worth noting that:
- Al Jazeera has received additional funding from the Qatari government over the years, allowing it to operate at a financial loss.
- The network’s annual budget was estimated at $25 million around 1999, when it began 24-hour broadcasting.
- In 2013, Al Jazeera acquired the American channel Current TV for $500 million to launch Al Jazeera America, which later closed in 2016.
Our financial strength.
As of fiscal year 2024 , total Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending in India was approximately $4.17 billion
With an economy of $4.19 trillion in 2025 and a CSR of $4 billion plus; $280 or 300 million USD million to launch ‘Bharat’ channel is no big deal. But do we have the Will?
— Virender Kapoor, A thinker, educationist, author, columnist, and inspirational guru. Masters in Computer Science from IIT Bombay and MA Geopolitics. He was the Director of a management Institute with Symbiosis University. Authored fifty books. some translated in eight regional and foreign languages.
