THE SIGNALMAN - CORPS OF SIGNALS JOURNAL.
PUBLISHED AT MCTE MHOW.
EDITOR = COL HS BHANDARI
Every Sparrow look forwarded to this wonderful Magazine, more so after one retires it coonects him with the Corps Events.
The Signalman Journal is sent by post to the life members by POST which has its own misgivings that in most of the cases it does not reach the addresses, it is obviously being pilfered while in transit and could be landing with the scrap dealers. There is nothing much we the recipients can do about it. That's the postal environment these days of Email and Whats app.
The alternative left out is to get the magazine either by Registered speed post or through electronic means.
We had earlier also proposed the web version of The Signalman, but the same could was not considered citing some security reasons. on citing similar security reasons the issue of soft copy of the MCTE News Letter :"FLASH" was stopped for the Veterans.
We the veterans are once again proposing a very viable alternative for issue of a Password Protected soft copy of the Magazine in PDF format. Since this will be highly secured method of transmission to the recipient all possible security aspects will get looked after. Saving in printing sost as well as the postage will be saved.
The proposal as made is placed below and comments received from various Veterans are also appended for consideration.
THE SIGNALMAN - A PROPOSAL TO ISSUE THE MAGAZINE AS A SOFT COPY
There is a big problem in receipt of the Corps Magazine sent by ordinary post, it never reaches a majority of the recipients. May be landing with Raddi Traders after posted in post offices.
Suggested Solutions:-
1. Send by registered post/Speed post, bulk rates can be negotiated with Postal Dept at Supdt of post offices, Indore or Bhopal. The Registered Post charges which will come up will be below Rs 100 per year and can be paid by those who offer for Registered Post, and pay on line to the SIGNALMAN Bank Acct..
Choice be left to recipients for Registered Post or Ordinary Post.
2. Issue the magazine as Password Protected PDF file or as E book by email to subscribers. Password can be individual for every subscriber a combination of Life membership number and last name. It's only a two mins procedure to insert password and email in PDF. This will cater for security issues being stated in past by Signalman.
This will be a welcome step by the Veterans living abroad apart from saving in Hy printing cost of the magazine since only limited number of hard copies will need to be printed.
REQUEST Authorities kindly take note, this issue has been perpetual since long but kept under carpet for years.
It's time, Sirs, to seriously look into secure and viable alternative to ordinary posts using mod-tech.
Thanks
Comments received are shared herewith as under ..
[5/30, 17:31] +91 98108 52347: We should deliberate on what content of
Signalman magazine is of real value to retired officers, and whether that
content has any security implication, which prevents it from being offered in a
password protected pdf form.
For example, photos from units may be Restricted but info of retiring/
retired signallers may be Unclass
For views only
[5/30, 17:44] BRIG NARINDER DHAND: Signalman is not a classified magazine,
photos of the unit activities too have no classified content. Just because it
is a service magazine authorities are over conscious. That is why I have
proposed it to be a password protected soft copy to be issued to subscribers on
their emails rather than hosting the same on any website.
[5/30, 17:45] +91 98100 17154: If the security classification is not high
enough to prevent it being sent through normal post in an unsealed cover, then
surely it's not too high to be sent by secure pdf.
Why not send it by book post. It need not be sent in an
closed envelope. This is the way we get journals such as Outlook, India Today
etc. It costs hardly anything, and we never miss a copy. If you don't get a
copy, just give them a call or send an e mail and the copy is sent again.
Maj Gen VK Singh
9873494521
From: CPC
Sent: Friday, 31 May, 2019 11:52
To: Narinder Dhand
Subject: Re: (SIGNALS-NCR-PARIVAR) Fwd: POINT FOR CONSIDERATION -
SIGNALMAN - Non Receipts.
Sir,
Encryption as a solution is adopted/recommended only to protect document's/individual's
Security ans Privacy
Encryption as a solution is adopted/recommended only to protect document's/individual's
Security ans Privacy
Since both security and privacy are irrelevant in case of an open publication as Signalman, the deliberate inclusion of password protection will be Cost prohibitive for incorporation of individualized password. Waste of resources for a purpose which is questionable at best and outright unnecessary and infructuous.
Some times some of us do not even open our bank statements because it is password protected just to avoid the effort.
Personalized password protection is ideal for only documents like Bank Statement or Voter identity Card etc. and NOT for public open Documents.
Can you imagine New York Times password protecting personally the publication they are sharing with their subscribers? If some one manages to hijack the communications, they would consider the interception as unpaid advertising and feel good about it! In fact, they would even encourage it, secretly. This is the reason they make the trial subscription rates ridiculously low price like $0.99 for 4 weeks!
It may not be out of place to mention that I am a certified Security & Privacy Professional, albeit, currently retired but still an active researcher in the professional area of Security & Privac
Lt Col Chandra Nath
7760928824
Some times some of us do not even open our bank statements because it is password protected just to avoid the effort.
Personalized password protection is ideal for only documents like Bank Statement or Voter identity Card etc. and NOT for public open Documents.
Can you imagine New York Times password protecting personally the publication they are sharing with their subscribers? If some one manages to hijack the communications, they would consider the interception as unpaid advertising and feel good about it! In fact, they would even encourage it, secretly. This is the reason they make the trial subscription rates ridiculously low price like $0.99 for 4 weeks!
It may not be out of place to mention that I am a certified Security & Privacy Professional, albeit, currently retired but still an active researcher in the professional area of Security & Privac
Lt Col Chandra Nath
7760928824
MY REPLY
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brig Narinder Dhand <nkd616@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 May 2019 at 17:00
Subject: signalman.pdf
To: CPC Nath <cpcnath@gmail.com>
From: Brig Narinder Dhand <nkd616@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 May 2019 at 17:00
Subject: signalman.pdf
To: CPC Nath <cpcnath@gmail.com>
Hi CPC
You are right theoretically as well as technically that Signalman can be sent unprotected soft copy, However,
you are missing on the fauji environmental challenges before soft copy of Signalman is cleared by Army HQ MI DTE for issue to subscribers, specially when there no existing precedence.
You must have read my last email also on the same.
That's the crux on being right technically and also practically which we generally miss out and hit against the wall.
Cheers.
Dear Sparrows
additional Comments received are shared herewith..
[5/30, 17:31] +91 98108 52347:
We should deliberate on what content of Signalman magazine is of real value to retired officers, and whether that content has any security implication, which prevents it from being offered in a password protected pdf form.For example, photos from units may be Restricted but info of retiring/ retired signallers may be UnclassFor views only[5/30, 17:44] BRIG NARINDER DHAND:
Signalman is not a classified magazine, photos of the unit activities too have no classified content. Just because it is a service magazine authorities are over conscious. That is why I have proposed it to be a password protected soft copy to be issued to subscribers on their emails rather than hosting the same on any website.[5/30, 17:45] +91 98100 17154:
If the security classification is not high enough to prevent it being sent through normal post in an unsealed cover, then surely it's not too high to be sent by secure pdf.
We should deliberate on what content of Signalman magazine is of real value to retired officers, and whether that content has any security implication, which prevents it from being offered in a password protected pdf form.
For example, photos from units may be Restricted but info of retiring/ retired signallers may be Unclas.
REPLY SENT --
Signalman is not a classified magazine, photos of the unit activities too have no classified content. Just because it is a service magazine authorities are over conscious. That is why I have proposed it to be a password protected soft copy to be issued to subscribers on their emails rather than hosting the same on any website.
[17:45, 5/30/2019] +91 98100 17154 COL JASPAL SINGH: If the security classification is not high enough to prevent it being sent through normal post in an unsealed cover, then surely it's not too high to be sent by secure pdf.
[20:14, 5/30/2019] Brig Raj Kapoor: It seems that Signalman is just a means for veterans to involve in their own Corps which they revere .. however, there is a detached attitude from our HQ to do so.. wonder why ?? There is an attitudinal change required to ensure healthy involvement, it's going to be out of the box, we may think in that direction ... However if my post is disturbing, I request no sermonising which is becoming a Hallmark in our social groups ...my post be deleted if not savoury. Regards to all
[12:34, 5/31/2019] Maj Gen Suraj Dhawan: -- WROTE
Dear Friend
I had earlier raised the issue regarding Signalman and written to So-in-C and Comdt MCTE. This aspect of so called security needs logical considration. Most ot the copies of Signalman after reading as well as undilivered copies land up with the Kabari. Where is the aspect of so called security for not e-publishing it saving most of the problems.
Request all of you to give it a thought.
Regards
Maj Gen Suraj Dhawan (Retired)
Ex CSO Southern Command and Ex Editor Signalman (1986)
Sharad Paranjape<sharpara@gmail.com> wrote
As Suraj Dhawan points out, the false security fear about
electronic transmission of Signalman needs serious consideration. Particularly
against the following backdrop:
1.
Even one copy of Signalman in the wrong
hands is enough to proliferate all secure content in that
issue.
2.
Is postal communication really more
secure than password protected electronic document?
3.
There are several hundred ex-servicemen
who are citizens of foreign nations and not subject to Indian laws unless
present on Indian soil. There being hundreds of Signalman subscribers among
them one can imagine what can happen to copies after they are
read.
4.
The only information of so called
security value in Signalman may be photographs of units deployed in sensitive
areas, equipment, and possibly names of some static units/formations and their
commanders. Is it impossible for the enemy to obtain this information from
sources other than Signalman?
5.
If some information has real security
value should it find place in Signalman at all?
Personally I will be glad to receive my copy of Signalman
electronically. Being located in USA, I have to generate my bank statements,
Pension slips, Income-tax returns, Form 26AS, Aadhar Card, MF statements and
many other sensitive documents all on line. I pay all my bills like property
tax, electricity bill, and other financial obligations on line. Secure,
frequently changing passwords is all that we can do. The only other option is
to stop living and just sit at home saying prayers.
Col Sharad Paranjape, Retd.
|
Brig CS Kamboj wrote --
I have not received till date my February 2091 issue of THE SIGNALMAN till date. Since it is considered a security issue the Editor SIGNALMAN should kindly investigate this lapse of security.I request that the concerned authority should investigate the earliest at the earliest.
[12:42, 5/31/2019] +91 99716 93331 RAJEEV : Anything in print we are sending by post across India needs to be considered public. As you can not control and hold people accountable for loss of signalman magazine or kind. Best was is to publish online. Access online with registration of subscribers and access using password will still give better control
[15:42, 5/31/2019] BRIG NARINDER DHAND:
There is just no security issue however for this DG Sigs will seek permission from MI and info DCOAS their Boss, DG Mil Intl will know that there is no security issues but why should he take the responsibility, after all he too must follow the Cover Thy A... Syndrome . Hence live with it dear friends as far as print versions are concerned.
The only way out is as suggested by me after thorough analysis of the issue, The Password protected PDF copies with separate password for each subscriber sent on email, just like one gets on line bill and acct statements from Banks as also comns from Income Tax Dept.
Here some terms and conditions can be drawn up to fix the receipients for any conceivable breach.
Earlier we do it better it is.
Hope our respected Col Comdts are getting these messages thro Sig's ADM for consideration .
Times have changed.
Brig Narinder Dhand.
[16:18, 5/31/2019] BRIG NARINDER DHAND:
Thanks, we too should update,. with changing times. It's the need of this he for us.
Probably a serving offrs will realise the value of Signalman-Connect only after retirement.
Gen Harvijay may kindly ask his Dad, how happy he gets to open and turn the pages of the Signalman. This is what I mean by CONNECT.
[20:25, 5/31/2019] Maj Gen Harvijay Singh:
Sir, I am a Veteran too now.
MI clearance is a huge challenge. Took me an year to get my book cleared. Changes finally were only cosmetic.
Reading the Signalman Magazine is always a dIvine experience.
Online distribution is the best option, I do subscribe to some magazine with username and password.
Regards
[20:27, 5/31/2019] Maj Gen Harvijay Singh:
My articles in South Asia Strstegic Defence Review.
defstrat.com
A big relief from officialism.
SIGNAL MAN MAGAZINE MEMBERSHIP ON RETIREMENT
As per the decision taken at the Corps Committee Meeting held in May 2011, all Signallers retiring after 01 Jan 2012 would need to renew their membership. They can opt for 5 or 10 years by paying 700/- or 1200/- respectively. It is not obligatory.
Affected and interested colleagues can send the cheque/DD in favour of CORPS PUBLICATION FUND. One can even directly transfer the subscription amount to SBI MCTE Branch (a/c no. 53016628515, IFSC: SBIN0030523).
Mailing address and payment documents/proof may be sent to;
The Signalman, C/O MCTE Mhow (MP) – 453441
Please contact us for queries, if any @
thesignalman@rediffmail.com
thesignalmanmcte@gmail.com
telephone 07324-275625
********************************************************
In case you are not receiving your copy by post please fill up your details on the E- Sheet by opening the following link for The Signalman staff at MCTE , Mhow to take note :-
http://bit.ly/2Myufzs OR CLICK HERE
This link opens the E-Sheet without any log in or password from Google Drive
********************************************************
In Feb 2018 The SIGNALMAN set up a counter during the Corps day to receive non receipt complaints from officers, please peruse below ..
There is no effort which is not spared to tackle the issue by the staff looking after the Journal but they have constraints to tackle the Post Depts in transit and the terminal post officers and the delivery post man.
We thus need to solve the issue by eliminating the Post Dept.
Sir,
We shall set up a 'Signalman' office at Vatika during the
Corps Day social to help our veterans clarify on membership and non-receipt of
the Magazine. Even on the Barakhana day, the JCO shall get in touch with serving
and retired Signallers who may have any query.Col Navrattan Atun is former Editor of Signalman , he wrote to us some suggestions in detail which are placed below for perusal by the authorities.
Dear Atul
will you be coming on 18th to Vatika , if so please hand over these points
to
the signalman office, if not let me know please
ब्रिगेडियर_नरेन्द्र_ढंड
Brigadier Narinder Dhand.
NOIDA -(NCR) - 201303
Brigadier Narinder Dhand.
NOIDA -(NCR) - 201303
*********************88
From: Navratan Atul
Sent: Monday, 22 January, 2018 16:42
To: NCR Gp Sigs ; Narinder-nkd616
Subject: Fw: [SIGNALS - NCR] The Signalman Not
Recd
Dear Sir
Ref to your for non issue of The Signalman magazine raised in the Noida Signals forum.
I am enclosing my points which i forwarded to you earlier.
Despatch of magazine from Delhi has added advantages. Also if the printing is also done here will be better as the best printers and quality/cost can be obtained at Delhi as the market is big here with lot of competitors.
Delhi is a central place where couriers form all over the country come for work.
Army transportation from various units are available for railway station.
The dummy of the magazine(draft) can be prepared at MCTE as it has been done at present but the responsibility of printing and dispatch can be assigned to one of the units located at Delhi. And a central office of The Signalman is recommended to be created at one the signal units in Delhi who will take over the duties of The Signalman as per the approved list with addresses of the life members and will keep the records which will be shared on net with the office the The Signalman at MCTE Mhow.
The central dispatch from GPO Delhi will be faster as GPO Delhi will be able to dispatch the big lot of magazines in shorter time in comparison with MHOW.
Also trains all over places in India pass through or gets originated from here. The services of RMS is better and faster from Delhi( Because more no of trains to a particular station pass from Delhi and dispatch of magazines will be on faster rate and all life members will get them in shortest possible time.
Opening an office at 1 AHQ Sig Regt / 21 Sig Gp or at any major Signal Unit at Delhi can be considered to resolve the problem of non receipt by life members.
All members to be advised to update their latest address by email or by post to The Signalman office so that magazines are not lost due to wrong addresses.
Forwarded for kind condideration please.
With very warm regards.
Col N K Atul (retd)
Mob--8376060253 / 9999780151
Ref to your for non issue of The Signalman magazine raised in the Noida Signals forum.
I am enclosing my points which i forwarded to you earlier.
Despatch of magazine from Delhi has added advantages. Also if the printing is also done here will be better as the best printers and quality/cost can be obtained at Delhi as the market is big here with lot of competitors.
Delhi is a central place where couriers form all over the country come for work.
Army transportation from various units are available for railway station.
The dummy of the magazine(draft) can be prepared at MCTE as it has been done at present but the responsibility of printing and dispatch can be assigned to one of the units located at Delhi. And a central office of The Signalman is recommended to be created at one the signal units in Delhi who will take over the duties of The Signalman as per the approved list with addresses of the life members and will keep the records which will be shared on net with the office the The Signalman at MCTE Mhow.
The central dispatch from GPO Delhi will be faster as GPO Delhi will be able to dispatch the big lot of magazines in shorter time in comparison with MHOW.
Also trains all over places in India pass through or gets originated from here. The services of RMS is better and faster from Delhi( Because more no of trains to a particular station pass from Delhi and dispatch of magazines will be on faster rate and all life members will get them in shortest possible time.
Opening an office at 1 AHQ Sig Regt / 21 Sig Gp or at any major Signal Unit at Delhi can be considered to resolve the problem of non receipt by life members.
All members to be advised to update their latest address by email or by post to The Signalman office so that magazines are not lost due to wrong addresses.
Forwarded for kind condideration please.
With very warm regards.
Col N K Atul (retd)
Mob--8376060253 / 9999780151
*******************8
On
Thursday, 27 October 2016 11:00 AM, Navratan Atul
<nkatul_ameeta@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Brig
Dhand Sir,
Thank u very much for your kind and prompt reply.
We all have to analyse this problem and find out the viable solution . I have handled the Corps fund account ( for signalman) and it was not very healthy. The same situation might be existing now also. Each magazine is posted with a stamp of Rs 15 or 17 ,considering it as a printed material not used for commercial purposes.
No courier will deliver it with confirm delivery in this much amount. Negotiations with various vendors/couriers at Mhow and Indore are required to be done so that magazines can be picked up in one go as one lot for dispatch. Transporting of magazines from Mhow to Indore is another big task.
Dispatch of magazines from RMS Mhow can give better results. Mhow post office has only one small van and they do not accept more than certain amount of magazines per day that's why it takes days together to dispatch them from Mhow. Non dispatch of magazines from Mhow can be one of the reasons and requires to be monitored. MCTE can explore the option of dispatch of magazines from head post office Indore or from RMS Indore (MCTE can provide the vehicle from Mhow to Indore to trsport the Magazines.) Mhow post office does not have capabilities to transport them in one bulk.
If you remember The Signalman magazine use to be in small in size. When i joined MCTE in my second tennure, i carried out the market survey at Indore to explore the options to reduce the cost. With Mr Goeinka , Mr Swadhaya and other printers. Gen R L Magotra was the commandant at that time , I transformed the magazine in to bigger A4 size with the same cost of printing and could adjust more reading material as the coverage area has been increased. The cost of dispatch by post also remained same (it was 12 Rs in 2001) , now it is Rs 15 or 17 per copy.
I proposed this to the ex s o- in c here in AWHO about my points which i sent you yesterday ( to publish it from Delhi), which will solve a large no of problems. He appreciated my analysis and approach.
We all having our email addresses and mobile nos. My suggestion is that MCTE can connect them with our life membership no. Ones the magazine is dispatched in lots, the officers for whom it is been dispatched ,can be informed by email and by sending bulk SMS to the officers and to others.
The second aspect is how many no of copies been printed, due to poor Corps fund position , it might be possible that less no copies are been printed and all life members are not been dispatched the magazines. It might be due to non updating of their mailing address or non renew of life membership or return of magazines of few due to subscriber/member address wrong(not available)Sir publishing the Corps magazine from Delhi will have lot of Added advantages.
Thank u very much for your kind and prompt reply.
We all have to analyse this problem and find out the viable solution . I have handled the Corps fund account ( for signalman) and it was not very healthy. The same situation might be existing now also. Each magazine is posted with a stamp of Rs 15 or 17 ,considering it as a printed material not used for commercial purposes.
No courier will deliver it with confirm delivery in this much amount. Negotiations with various vendors/couriers at Mhow and Indore are required to be done so that magazines can be picked up in one go as one lot for dispatch. Transporting of magazines from Mhow to Indore is another big task.
Dispatch of magazines from RMS Mhow can give better results. Mhow post office has only one small van and they do not accept more than certain amount of magazines per day that's why it takes days together to dispatch them from Mhow. Non dispatch of magazines from Mhow can be one of the reasons and requires to be monitored. MCTE can explore the option of dispatch of magazines from head post office Indore or from RMS Indore (MCTE can provide the vehicle from Mhow to Indore to trsport the Magazines.) Mhow post office does not have capabilities to transport them in one bulk.
If you remember The Signalman magazine use to be in small in size. When i joined MCTE in my second tennure, i carried out the market survey at Indore to explore the options to reduce the cost. With Mr Goeinka , Mr Swadhaya and other printers. Gen R L Magotra was the commandant at that time , I transformed the magazine in to bigger A4 size with the same cost of printing and could adjust more reading material as the coverage area has been increased. The cost of dispatch by post also remained same (it was 12 Rs in 2001) , now it is Rs 15 or 17 per copy.
I proposed this to the ex s o- in c here in AWHO about my points which i sent you yesterday ( to publish it from Delhi), which will solve a large no of problems. He appreciated my analysis and approach.
We all having our email addresses and mobile nos. My suggestion is that MCTE can connect them with our life membership no. Ones the magazine is dispatched in lots, the officers for whom it is been dispatched ,can be informed by email and by sending bulk SMS to the officers and to others.
The second aspect is how many no of copies been printed, due to poor Corps fund position , it might be possible that less no copies are been printed and all life members are not been dispatched the magazines. It might be due to non updating of their mailing address or non renew of life membership or return of magazines of few due to subscriber/member address wrong(not available)Sir publishing the Corps magazine from Delhi will have lot of Added advantages.
(a) Delhi has the best printers available.
(b) Printing with latest technology with minimal cost.
(c) Better manpower and transport support to run the office and for dispatch of magazines.
(d) Bulk dispatch with ensure deliver by post office/ RMS or by couriers
possible.
(e) A large no signal units in Delhi are present, attaching persons on temporary
duty and providing transport to railway station and loading the magazines in
train by units by assisting by manpower will save porter charges .
(f) Reps of Command , Corps , Divisions and Brigades are coming on temp
duty, the magazines can be collected by them after finishing their main job.
Couriers from units to Mhow are been sent specifically for this purpose.
Transportation from MCTE to railway station Mhow and again shifting to
another train at Indore to their destination has got its own drawbacks.
Dispatch of the magazine from Delhi has lot of advantages.
Sir i propose that for the next issue,we can carry out a trial. Dummy( CD) for the magazines can be prepared at MCTE. It can be sent to Delhi and printing can be organised here. Persons ( jco i/c, ors, civilian staff)responsible for the dispatch for the magazine can be sent on temp duty for 15 days to carry out the task and train the staff detailed here from units. After that next issue will be organised and conducted from Delhi by the" Signalman cell "created here.
We can ask suggestions from other retired officers and can send suggestion to present so-in c and to colonel commandants to work out a viable suggestion to resolve this issue.
With very warm regards.
Col N K Atul (retd)
On
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 4:34 PM, Brig N.K DHAND wrote:
Dear Navratan,
Thank you for your detailed mail elucidating the issue.
I am happy that the issue of non delivery of SM which remained
under carpet for some time has surfaced. I am sure something worthwhile should
come of it.
Suggestion to print and deliver from Delhi surely can solve the problem.
As regards flicking of the journal, I have a feeling that it is being done at Mhow Post Office itself, where it may be going in to Raddi to some Kabadi. As such it is not being put into postal conduits. Once it goes into Railway Mail Service at Indore, it will get on to destination and delivered.
Suggestion to print and deliver from Delhi surely can solve the problem.
As regards flicking of the journal, I have a feeling that it is being done at Mhow Post Office itself, where it may be going in to Raddi to some Kabadi. As such it is not being put into postal conduits. Once it goes into Railway Mail Service at Indore, it will get on to destination and delivered.
I am in touch with Hoshiyar already, From Veteran sides we will
highlight the problem to the Corps Committee.
What is your opinion on booking bulk bundles duly packed, by rail
as parcels to units from Mhow rather than unit couriers. Or contracting a civil
courier company from Indore for delivery to all the individual life members.
Today civ couriers make delivery to even villages.
I will be in touch with you on mail and Phone in pursuing this
issue to the end.
Brig Narinder Dhand,
http://signals-parivaar.blogspot.in
http://signals-parivaar.blogspot.in
On Oct 26, 2016 12:41 PM, "Navratan Atul" <nkatul_ameeta@yahoo.com>
wrote:
Dear Brig Dhand sir,
I am Col N K Atul (retd) staying in AWHO Greater Noida. I was associated with The Signalman in my two postings at MCTE. I was the Assistant Editor for the magazine in my both postings in addition to my other appointment of GSO1(studies), GSO1(SD) ,Commander All Arms etc.
I interacted with other signal officers in AWHO and most of them are not receieving their magazines. Some of the officers have resorted to get it by registered post by paying around Rs 250 or so to the signalman fund that is one option available to us.We should not look for the signal persons staying at Noida and Greater Noida who are not receiving the magazine but think about a Signal man who is staying in a remote village and not getting the magazine, whom should he approach to get the magazine.
The matter is required to be taken up in Colonel Commandants conference to resolve this issue.I spoke with Col H S Bhandari (retd) , Mr Harish and Mr Sule who are at Mhow and working for The signalman, i mentioned that most of the officers at Noida and Greater Noida are not getting the Signalman magazine. The answer is that they have dispatched it in time. The question arises why are we not getting it. Think over ,is the magazine so lucrative that postal department will like to flick most of them, it does not seem to be correct as there are so many other attractive magazines been dispatched in civil domain are been received regularly by all of us.
I discussed this problem with senior officers who are staying in AWHO to find out the solution so that we all who are life members should get our magazine in time.
Some of the suggestions i have and will like to share with all of you.
(a) All officers who are life members should update their postal address with " The Editor ,The Signalman, MCTE Mhow(MP) either by post or by email mentioning their IC no or by mentioning life membership no..
(b) The Signalman magazine should get printed at Delhi and a section should be established at 1 Army Hq Signal Regiment by attaching persons from local units to disspatch the magazine from Delhi. This will have following advantages
(i) Delhi printers have the latest art technologies /techniques to print the magazine the best with competitive rates.
(ii) Dummy of the magazine can be prepared at MCTE , final copy can be sent on email or in a CD for final printing at Delhi. As we have Coprs History cell at Delhi,we can think of creating The Signal man cell also here.The data can be transferred from MHOW to Delhi.
(iii) Collection of the magazine by various couriers from units faces problem to carry a big lot of bundles from MHOW TO INDORE. Porters charge lot of money from the couriers , which is claimed by the couriers from their unit regimental funds.
If Magazine is printed here it will have following advantages.
firstly ---Easier to dispatch ( Bulk magazines can be dispatched in one go as we have main post office and so many other post offices in Delhi to accept them in one go. Mhow got a small post office and it take 15 to 20 days or more to dispatch the magazines. A large no of units are in Dehi with adequate man power to assist in dispatch of magazines, adjusting and attaching persons coming on couriers(temp duty)is easy , dispatch of couriers to Railway station , avoiding porter charges by using sister units tranport, manpowerwill save money.
Ones magazines are dispatched in bulk its probability of loss is less in comparising to when it is dispathed in small lots.Secondly------- All units are sending couriers to Delhi for one job or others , they can collect the magazines also on their return. At present units are detailed command wise to collect the magazines and further Corps , Divisions and Brigades detail their couriers to collect their magazines from Command Hqs . This is waste of manpower and money, also by the time a signalman serving at forward post gets it after six to eight months of publishing or he may get posted out from the unit and magazine goes to the dust bin. Dispatching magazine from Delhi will be have lot of advantage
(d) There is no special expertise exists at MCTE to handle the magazine. A group if created at Delhi ,as we have for the History cell can do the job. Some retired officers,JCOs, PBORs who are willing to help and have expertise can do a better job. Some of retired officers ladies and children can do wonders as they posses the talent. MCTE has a very limited expertise. We all are connected on net and sharing of articles,photographs etc on net is not at all difficult now a days. The Signalman can be put under supervision of one of the AGSI,ADGT, ADG Tac C or some other person whom the senior colonel commandant appoints.
The list of persons who are life members ,their details can be made available on the net, updating of their address can be connected with a pass word, details of dispatch of magazine can be connected on email , a SMS can be sent ones magazine is dispatched so that we can inform our locality post man to deliver it ones received. Option for getting magazines by speed post/ registered printed material is not costly, we can track it with the registered no which can be informed by email or by SMS.
Updating of our postal address and paying the life member subscription (if due) is a must to ensure delivery of the magazine at your door step.
For information of all I am mentioning the details on which you can communicate with the staff dealing with " The Signalman" in FOS , MCTE MHOW.
Tele No---07324-275625 or 07324-255205Please talk to Col H S Bhandari(retd) or JCOI/C, or to Mr sule or to Mr Harish to answer all your queries.
Email address-- thesignalman@rediffmail.com , thesignalmanmcte@gmail.com
The above is forwarded as suggestion and to be shared to work out a plan to get the signalman magazine in time.
With warm regards.
Col N K Atul (retd)On Tuesday, 25 October 2016 11:36 AM, "'Brig Narinder Dhand' wrote:
Dear Fellow Veterans of the Corps of Signals,1. The June-2016 Issue of the Signalman was received by theVeterans in Sep 2016.2. A large number of us in NOIDA have not received this magazinetill date which had been posted by “The Signalman management” fromMhow so confirmed by them.3. I intend taking up a case with Post Master General Uttar pradesh.I therefore request the veterans to mail me in case they too have notreceived their copies till date giving their life-membership number andthe postal address.4. I suspect a mischief by the postal people at NOIDA since its beenhappening for the last one year.THOUGHT - Just as a thought in case we can get all the copies forNOIDA addresses (life members) at one place say IETE Office insector 29 from where we can collect our copies. This can be organisedif so desired to ensure that we get our signalman in time.Kindly do reply with your comments and opinion.ब्रिगेडियर नरेन्द्र ढंड.
Brigadier Narinder Dhand.
NOIDA -(NCR) - 201303
CLICK - http://signals-parivaar. blogspot.in
Dear Asst Manager Sahib,
My life time sub number 0086, Brig NK Dhand.
I have not received the signalman June 2016 issue till now.
May I request you to kindly check the despatch details at your end.
Thanking you
Brig Narinder Dhand (Veteran)
D - 616, Ram Vihar,
Sector- 30,
NOIDA -201303 (Uttar Pradesh)
Phone 0120-4281645,
** http://signals-parivaar. blogspot..in **
ब्रिगेडियर_नरेन्द्र_ढंड
Brig Narinder Dhand,
Founder & Convener
Veteran's Web Portals.
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