UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION OF INDIA
‘Lt Gen SL Menezes Memorial Indian Military History Essay Competition 2023’
Rules
1. Competition is open to all, irrespective of nationality. This includes all members of the
Armed Forces of India, the Territorial Army and the Senior Division of National
Cadet Corps, and personnel of the Paramilitary Forces, Police and Civil
Administration in India including retired personnel.
2. The essay for 2023 must be on the topic “China’s Galwan Aggression, Military Lessons for India”. The essay should be approached keeping in mind the following:-
• The clash
in Galwan between India and China in
2020 marked the fiercest incident in Ladakh post the 1962 war with
China. China violated all the agreements and mechanisms signed by the two
countries since 1993. It was a brazen military aggression by PLA. The skirmish
on 15-16 Jun 2020 which resulted in the death of both Indian and Chinese
soldiers and the capture of soldiers on both sides was a strategic shock and
setback as far as relations between the two countries were concerned.
Incidentally, this clash occurred when the world was grappling with the Covid
pandemic.
• The
Galwan valley is strategically located in Eastern Ladakh between Ladakh in the
West and Aksai Chin in the East. It also lies close to the Darbuk – Shyok
-Daulat Beg Oldi road. There were also disagreements regarding the LAC in Hot
Springs, Depsang Plains, Gogra, and Pangong Tso which are at multiple points
along the LAC in this region. China’s territory-grabbing technique also
referred to as ‘salami slicing’ involves
encroaching upon small parts of territory over a large period of time. There is
no doubt that there has been an increase in China’s expansionism and aggression
with regard to India over the years in spite of growing trade relations.
• As a
result of this standoff, India decided to deploy additional troops in this area
and also occupied an area in Kailash Hills. A series of meetings have also
taken place between the two countries regarding resolving the issues on the
border. However, in spite of 17 Corps Commander level meetings held between
India and China wherein both side has exchanged views on the resolution of the
relevant issues along the LAC in this Sector in order to restore peace and
tranquillity along the LAC, apart from de-escalation and dis-engagement the
larger issues of demarcation and delineation of the LAC have not been resolved.
As a result, India's troops continue to be deployed in increasing numbers to
safeguard its sovereignty. Galwan incident has also brought the Sino-India
relations to its nadir since the 1962 War. China’s military aggression has
seriously dented the bilateral relations and there appear to be little sign of
any thaw in the foreseeable future.
• Examine the issue which led to the clash at Galwan to include the various agreements between India and China regarding the confidence-building measures on LAC as also the challenges faced by India in this Sector with regard to the infrastructure and the increasing collusively between China and Pakistan; and recommend the way forward as far as India is concerned to protect its sovereign interest versus China.
3. Essay may
vary in length between 3,000 to 4,000 words (including footnotes). The
word-length should be shown in brackets at the end of the essay. Entries not
exhibiting the number of words or those exceeding the 4000-word limit are
liable to be rejected.
4. Essays
should be written in the English language and printed on one side of the paper
in double space. Hardcopies only should be submitted in TRIPLICATE and one
softcopy sent by email to [menezesessay@gmail.com].
5. Entries
will be strictly ANONYMOUS. No detail pertaining to the author is to be
mentioned on the essay or in the covering letter. One sealed envelope is to
accompany the essay with a paper indicating the author’s name, address, email.
Service officers are to indicate their personal number, rank, date of
commission, unit, address and e-mail. On the outside of the envelope, only the
title of the essay is to be written. These envelopes will be opened during the
USI Council meeting, after the judges have given their decision. Essays
violating the anonymity rule will be rejected.
6. The essay
must be an author’s personal and original effort. Sources are to be cited in
the laid down format. Jointly written essays are not accepted. Winning entries
will be run through an anti-plagiarism software. Disciplinary action will be
recommended against entries displaying blatant plagiarism of content.
7. Three
judges chosen by the USI will adjudicate. Marks will be given on the basis of
the following:-
a. The
extent to which the contribution throws fresh light on the subject.
b. Whether
in the whole or in large part it is in a form suitable for publication.
c. Understanding
of the subject.
d. Thought,
logic, development of theme.
e. Language
/ expression.
f. Essays
must have relevant footnote references and a bibliography, as applicable Essay
NOT having footnotes or bibliography will be rejected.
8. The award
of the judges will be final. They may recommend the first prize to the winner
(a certificate and cash prize of Rs.10,000/-), as well as a certificate only to
the runners-up. USI life membership will be given to the Essay Competition
Winners on gratis basis. The names of the winner(s) of the essay competition, along
with the winning essay, if recommended for publication by the judges, will be
published in the USI Journal.
9. The
Institution reserves the right not to make an award, if none of the essays
submitted are of a standard which the judges consider adequate. Cases of
plagiarism will invite disqualification.
10. Copyright of all essays submitted will be reserved by the United Service Institution of India.
11. All
essays should be sent to the Director General, United Service Institution of
India, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Post Bag No.8, Vasant Vihar PO, New Delhi-110 057, to
be received not later than 15 September 2023. Softcopies should be emailed to
menezesessay@gmail.com. Essays received
after last date will not be accepted. The envelopes should be marked as
follows:-
• ‘Lt Gen
SL Menezes Memorial Indian Military History Essay Competition 2023’
12. All essays
must conform to the CMHCS style sheet, available at
https://usiofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/style-guide-CMSCS-1.doc
Lt Gen SL Menezes Memorial Essay Competition
General Zorawar Singh's conquest of Ladakh and his expedition into Tibet forms the basis of the present-day McMahon Line. Born to a humble Rajput family, he was a ferocious warrior and is revered as a hero in Dogra folklore. As a General in Ranjit Singh's Army, very interestingly, he met the emperor twice but was denied permission to capture Tibet for the Sikh Empire. Finally, after the demise of Ranjit Singh, with the blessings of Raja Sher Singh & the Dogra ruler of J&K, Dhyan Singh, he led a mixed army of Sikhs, Dogras and Ladakhis to capture Ladakh and most of Western Tibet. There are fascinating accounts of the bravery & professionalism of his army, which fought at 15,000 feet under extreme weather conditions & formidable terrain to subdue the Tibetan army of the Dalai Lama. Following his death in Dec 1841 and the signing of the famous treaty of 1842, it brought the kingdom of Ladakh & Tibet together, resulting in a robust socio-economic interaction that remained till the annexation of Tibet by China in 1950-59.
The implications of Zorawar Singh's campaign on the strategic geography of modern India are profound. His conquest of Ladakh and the impact on the Treaty of 1842 are proof of the absence of any Chinese presence in Tibet. In fact, the Qing Emperor sent assistance to the Dalai Lama in the First Tibetan- Gorkha war of 1788-89, but refused the same in the Sikh-Tibetan war(1841-42) as well as the Second Tibetan-Gorkha war (1855-56) further cementing the fact that China had little presence or control over Tibet. Aside from this, a number of Sikh & Dogra soldiers chose to stay behind, marrying locally and contributing to an interweave and synthesis of cultures, traditions and religious beliefs in this region
Examine the historical and legal facts arising from the 1841 military expedition of Gen Zorawar Singh and the impact it had on India's strategic geography, particularly on our northern frontiers
- Competition is open to all, irrespective of nationality. This includes all members of the Armed Forces of India, the Territorial Army and the Senior Division of National Cadet Corps, and personnel of the Paramilitary Forces, Police and Civil Administration in India including retired personnel.
- The essay for 2021 must be on the topic “An Appraisal of Gen Zorawar Singh's Military Expedition and its Impact on India's Strategic Geography”.
- Essay may vary in length between 3,000 to 4,000 words (including footnotes). The word-length should be shown in brackets at the end of the essay. Entries not exhibiting the number of words or those exceeding the 4000-word limit are liable to be rejected.
- Essays should be written in the English language and printed on one side of the paper in double space. Hardcopies only should be submitted in TRIPLICATE and one softcopy sent by email to [menezesessay@gmail.com].
- Entries will be strictly ANONYMOUS. No detail pertaining to the author is to be mentioned on the essay or in the covering letter. One sealed envelope is to accompany the essay with a paper indicating the author's name, address, email. Service officers are to indicate their personal number, rank, date of commission, unit, address and e-mail. On the outside of the envelope, only the title of the essay is to be written. These envelopes will be opened during the USI Council meeting, after the judges have given their decision. Essays violating the anonymity rule will be rejected.
- The essay must be an author's personal and original effort. Sources are to be cited in the laid down format. Jointly written essays are not accepted. Winning entries will be run through an anti-plagiarism software.Disciplinary action will be recommended against entries displaying blatant plagiarism of content.
- Three judges chosen by the USI will adjudicate. Marks will
be given on the basis of the following:-
- The extent to which the contribution throws fresh light on the subject.
- Whether in the whole or in large part it is in a form suitable for publication.
- Understanding of the subject.
- Thought, logic, development of theme.
- Language / expression.
- Essays must have relevant footnote references and a bibliography, as applicable Essay NOT having footnotes or bibliography will be rejected.
- The award of the judges will be final. They may recommend the first prize to the winner (a certificate and cash prize of Rs.10,000/-), as well as a certificate only to the runners-up. The names of the winner(s) of the essay competition, along with the winning essay, if recommended for publication by the judges, will be published in the USI Journal.
- The Institution reserves the right not to make an award, if none of the essays submitted are of a standard which the judges consider adequate. Cases of plagiarism will invite disqualification.
- Copyright of all essays submitted will be reserved by the United Service Institution of India.
- All essays should be sent to the Director, United Service
Institution of India, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Post Bag No.8, Vasant
Vihar PO, New Delhi-110 057, to be received not later than 15
September 2022. Softcopies should be emailed to
menezesessay@gmail.com. Essays received after last date
will not be accepted. The envelopes should be marked as
follows:-
- ‘Lt Gen SL Menezes Memorial USI Essay Competition [YEAR]’
- All essays must conform to the CMHCS style sheet, available at https://usiofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/style-guide-CMSCS-1.doc
|
‘Lt Gen SL
Menezes Memorial Indian Military History Essay Competition 2023’ |
|
|
Subject: “China’s Galwan Aggression, Military Lessons for India” |
|
|
Position |
Winners |
|
First |
Maj
Yogeshwer Rana TCW/Army AD College Pin -928992 |
|
Second |
Cdr
Anurag Tiwari Naval War College INS Mandovi, Goa |
|
‘Lt Gen SL
Menezes Memorial Indian Military History Essay Competition 2022’ |
|
|
Subject: "Appraisal of Gen Zorawar
Singh’s Military Expedition and Its Impact on India’s Strategic
Geography". |
|
|
Position |
Winners |
|
First |
Col K
Ravichandran, CI Tac, College of Military Engineering, Dapodi, Pune, Pin-
411031 |
|
Second |
Col Devendra
Kumar, Faculty of Military Leadership (FACMIL), Army War College, Pin-
908767, C/o 56 APO |