Home Depot Swot Analysis - 1216 Words

Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus develop the concept for The Home Depot in 1978. The â€Å"With help from investment banker Ken Langone and merchandising guru Pat Farrah, Marcus and Blank opened the first two Home Depot stores in Atlanta the following year. The 60,000-square-foot warehouses dwarfed the competition with more items than any other hardware store.† (The Home Depot Our History) Home Depot sells a huge assortment of building substances, domestic development merchandise and lawn and garden merchandise and offers a number of services. â€Å"Today, Home Depot is the world’s largest domestic improvement retailer with almost 400,000 orange-blooded associates and it operates via approximately 2,278 stores, such as 1,977 inside the U.S.A.,†¦show more content†¦Lastly, they willingly accept social responsibility for their actions. Operating Strategy - Home Depot’s strategic framework is founded on a 3-legged stool principal of the customer personal encounter, product authority, and productiveness and efficiency driven with the aid of effective capital allocation. Overall, Home Depot is taking part greater intently all through their organization and with their commercial enterprise companions to construct an interconnected revel in for customers that offer a stop-to-stop answer for his or her home development desires. Home Depot Second Quarter 2017 Earnings As the world’s first and second largest home development shops, Home Depot and Lowe’s are very similar. And although these two competitors have developed a unique trademark and strategic priorities, they still compete for a shared consumer-base. Below are two Charts illustrating Home Depot and its main competitor Lowe’s statements of earnings data for the trailing 12-months. Home Depot is currently at $94.6B. â€Å"Net Sales increased 6.9% to $94.6 billion for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2017, from $88.5 billion for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. Home Depot’s total comparable store sales increased 5.6% in fiscal 2016, driven by a 2.8% increase in our comparable store customer transactions and a 2.7% increase in our comparable store average ticket. Comparable store sales for our U.S. stores increased 6.2% in fiscal 2016. For fiscal 2016, weShow MoreRelatedA SWOT Analysis for Home Depot1061 Words   |  4 Pages The Home Depot is in the home improvement business and their goal is to provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products and most competitive prices. They are a value driven company that abide by their 8 core values which will be discussed later in the essay. Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer operating in 45 states. Home Depot stores aim to serve do-it-yourself, do-it-for you and professional contractors with home improvement superstores carryingRead MoreHome Depot Swot Analysis1821 Words   |  8 PagesThe Home Depot Case Analysis The Home Depot NYSE: HD, headquartered in Vinings, Georgia, is a home improvement retailer that aims for both the do-it-yourself consumer and the professional in home improvement and construction. It is the second largest retailer in the United States, behind Wal-Mart; and the third largest retailer in the world, behind Wal-Mart and French company Carrefour. The Home Depot operates about 1,900 stores across North America. The company operates stores in the United StatesRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Home Depot Inc1725 Words   |  7 PagesHOME DEPOT SWOT ANALYSIS Home Depot Inc. is the world’s largest home improvement retailer. The company operates in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The company with its leading market position is very well positioned to leverage it bargaining power to improve profitability. Following is the SWOT Analysis of Home Depot. o EXCELLENT EXECUTION: Home Depot is famously knows for its excellent capital allocation and its revenue execution. Its this strategy that prevented THD from goingRead MoreSWOT Analysis Of Lowes, Home Depot And Wolseley PLC858 Words   |  4 Pagesboth directly and indirectly. Two of Lowes’ biggest direct competitors include Home Depot and Wolseley PLC, both of which carry similar products in the home improvement category. Each of these retailer On the other hand, an indirect competitor of Lowe’s is any small construction/repair company. These smaller repair companies are classified as indirect competitors because Lowe’s is known as a retailer for â€Å"do-it-yourself† home improvement projects. If a repair company is hired to complete a service, Lowe’sRead MoreSwot Analysis : A Swot Essay1476 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction A SWOT analysis is an analysis based on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a company. SWOT analysis is the first phase in gathering information for strategic planning (Wheelen, Hunger, Hoffman, Bamford, 2015). A SWOT analysis plays a significant role in strategic planning because it is the discovery phase of what the company needs to succeed. It is a tool used to examine a company’s state of health and improve on its opportunities. It gives a detailed understandingRead MoreHD vs Lowes1097 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Running head: THE HOME DEPOT VS. LOWE’S The Home Depot vs. Lowe’s AIU Online MGMT499-1302A-06 June 2, 2013 Abstract This research paper will compare and contrast two organizations in the same industry. There will be analysis on the two organizations’ elements of business. This includes the basic legal, social, and economic environment, the managerial, operational, and financial issues impacting the organizations, and an analysis on the impact of potentialRead MoreEnvironmental Scan1350 Words   |  6 PagesScan of Home Depot Crystal Graham MGT498 March 18, 2013 Rob Inglis Environmental Scan of Home Depot Strategic planning is necessary for every successful company and needs to be managed accordingly. Environmental scanning is the first phase in strategic planning management. Environmental changes, whether external or internal can pose major problems for a company. A scan of environmental factors provides a better understanding of current trends and what causes things to change. An analysis of thisRead MoreHals Woodworking Essay844 Words   |  4 PagesHAL’S WOODWORKING SWOT ANALYSIS Table of Contents SWOT Diagram†¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.......3 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. ..4 Strengths...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 Weaknesses†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 Opportunities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 Threats†¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...5 Conclusions and Recommendations..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 References†¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7    |    | Strengths |    | |    |    | Weaknesses |    |    | | | |    | |    | | | |    | †¢ | FamilyRead MoreInternal Risk Assessment - Home Depot1552 Words   |  7 Pagestraded global firm, The Home Depot, Incorporated leads the world in retail building supplies and home improvement goods. According to the 2009 Form 10-K reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company maintains 2,244 retail sites â€Å"Located throughout the United States including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam (â€Å"U.S.†), Canada, China and Mexico† (The Home Depot: Annual Report, 2009). The Home Depot wisely forecasts and assessesRead MoreHals Woodworking798 Words   |  4 PagesHAL’S WOODWORKING SWOT ANALYSIS CSIS 405 Table of Contents SWOT Diagram†¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.......3 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. ..4 Weaknesses†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.5 Opportunities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 Threats†¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...5 Conclusions and Recommendation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 References†¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7    |    | Strengths |    | |    |    | Weaknesses |    |    | | | |    | |    | | | |    | †¢ | Family owned business |    | | †¢ | Local

Non Verbal Communication in Shopping Malls - 875 Words

Introduction:- Nonverbal communication is the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless (mostly visual) cues between people. Messages can be communicated through gestures and touch, body language or posture, physical distance, facial expression and eye contact, which are all types of nonverbal communication. Speech contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, including voice quality, rate, pitch, volume, and speaking style, as well as prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation, and stress. Likewise, written texts have nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words, or the physical layout of a page. However, much of the study of nonverbal communication has focused on face-to-face†¦show more content†¦Sign Language- Sign language (also signed language or simply signing) is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses manual communication and body language to convey meaning. It can be further divided into †¢ Visual Signs †¢ Audio Signs 2. Body Language- Body language refers to forms of non-verbal communication, wherein a person reveals clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behaviour. Majority of Non-VerbalShow MoreRelatedThe Online Shopping Industry Has Changed The World1305 Words   |  6 PagesAldrich gave birth to an idea called online shopping. This idea is a form of electrical commerce in which buyers can directly sell to their consumers without any help of an intermediary and this communication would happen electronically. This simple idea has turned into a trillion dollar industry making it possible for the average Joe to order something online and get it delivered to his/her door step from the seller, eliminating the need to go to a shopping mall to buy new things and overcoming the geographicRead MoreVerbal Persuasion and Body Language1561 Words   |  7 PagesEXPERIMENT NO. 9 Verbal Appeal and Body Language OBJECTIVE To show that verbal expression and gestures influence social impression RELATED LITERATURE According to an article by Long (2011), deceiving another person with your nonverbal messages is a form of contradiction. For example, you may be bored on a date or in class, but you do not want to communicate this feeling. So you pretend - you simulate interest, by keeping eye contact, nodding and sometimes smiling, all of which are not truthfulRead MoreThe Importance of Non-verbal Commuincation1099 Words   |  5 PagesCommunication is an aspect of everyday life. People communicate both verbally and most importantly non-verbally. Verbal communication involves words whereas non-verbal communication consists of everything else but words. Moreover, there are different non-verbal concepts. These include haptics, refering to touch; proxemics, involving space and kinesics, which refers to gestures. Non-verbal communication is considered more meaningful and powerful because it communicates what the mouth does not. Non-verbalRead More My Family: God Blessed Our Family with Robbie Essay5 28 Words   |  3 PagesRobbie is my eight-year-old brother. He is autistic. Autism is a developmental disability that interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction, and communication skills. Because of autism, Robbie has severe delays in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and even in play activities. Robbie does not do what is normal for a child of eight and he acts much younger. Things that most children do automatically have to be taught to RobbieRead MoreA Comparative Analysis of Tenses in Newspapers Headlines and Reports3368 Words   |  14 Pagespeculiar features what concerns vocabulary, syntax and even phonetics. The existence of functional styles is mainly determined by specific conditions of people communication in different spheres of life. According to I.R. Galperin, a functional style of language is a system of interrelated language means which serves a definite aim in communication.(Galperin ) Table1. Function style Intellectual- communicative Voluntary Emotive Contact- creating Aesthetic Oratorical + + + + + Read MoreInfluence of Women on Buying Behaviour of Men3672 Words   |  15 Pagesevery member of our team for helping and contributing creative and innovative ideas. Then at last, but not the least we would like to thank our parents and friends who have played an important role in completion of the report. 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The idea thatRead MoreManaging Across Borders and Cultures Essay2184 Words   |  9 Pageswhich created the need for greater awareness in managers to be sensitive to the cultural aspects of decision making† (Mattock, 2003). Cross cultural management places great importance of four aspects; the need for open and constant communication (verbal and non-verbal), the need for sen sitivity to be respectful of another culture, the importance of flexibility in being patient with understanding another cultures and the reduction of conflicts through education and abandonment of generalisations andRead MoreCustomer Satisfaction at Big Bazaar†13098 Words   |  53 Pagesretailing industry in India will amount to US$ 833 billion by 2013 and US$ 1.3 trillion by 2018. Shopping in India has witnessed a revolution with the change in the consumer buying behavior and the whole format of shopping also altering. Industry of retail in India which has become modern can be seen from the fact that there are huge shopping centers, malls and sprawling complexes which offer food, shopping, and entertainment all under the same roof. Indian retail industry is expanding itself most aggressively;Read MoreMy Observations of Parenting1990 Words   |  8 Pagesdue to the father showing his affection to his little girl. My first observation on parenting behavior I watched the fat her show affection to his little girl by way of smiling at her and kissing her on her head. The little girl was sitting in the shopping basket and was singing quietly to herself and after her dad kissed her on the head, she just smiled at him and patted his hand. The little girl said something to her father and he leaned his head down towards her and responded to her. This father

Antony and Cleopatra Heroic Act, Post Heroic Age Free Essays

Q: Describe Antony and Cleopatra as a heroic act written in a post-heroic age. Antony and Cleopatra is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare; embodying the basic notions of most of the Jacobean tragedies that occurred during the reign of King James the first of England. The story follows a historical imitation of the events that occurred during the reign of the Egyptian and Roman Empire under the power of Cleopatra of Alexandria and the Triumvirs i. We will write a custom essay sample on Antony and Cleopatra: Heroic Act, Post Heroic Age or any similar topic only for you Order Now e. Ceaser, Antony and Lepidus of Athens. Antony, one of the main Triumvirs of Rome, falls in love with the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, stirring up an affair seeped in political turmoil and war. Antony, torn apart between his duties to his kingdom and his love for Cleopatra, finds himself in the midst of the tragic remembrance of many of Shakespeare’s leading male characters like Othello, Kind Lear, and Macbeth etc. A man, destined towards an impregnable end due to one characteristic drawback, one fatal flaw. To understand the topic of â€Å"Heroism† and â€Å"Post Heroism† one must go back to the origin of the â€Å"Tragic Play†. The idea of tragedy comes from the Aristotelian school of thought. Tragedy as an art form, from the earliest works of Western play writes like Homer and Sophocles; derives itself from a materialist mind, choosing to harness the problems of the inevitable in heroic, noble, aristocratic individuals. It is a matter of ‘masculinity’, noble warriors, fighting for a single minded, subjective socio political motive, devoid of the scepticism, sensibility and democratic ideologies that exist today. It is also associated with myth, sacrifice and rituals, adhering to the rules and predestined location of the individual on a higher, transcendental platform. Adherence to a religious, or god like following. Examples of puritan ideas of tragedy are: Antigone, Agamemnon, Oedipus etc. Antony and Cleopatra was written in the late 16th century AD, during the reign of King James the first, making it a generalised Jacobean drama. Yet, the play is vastly different than any of its contemporaries, be it from other play writes of the time, as well as Shakespeare’s own tragedies. It is different from its contemporaries by taking characters from a historical, heroic phase of the world and giving it the characteristics of an Aristotelian tragedy, not showing the situations in their respective time periods. Most of the other Jacobean dramas follow only the already existing notion of socio political norms in their timely reality. It surpasses the law of time and space continuum as scenes bounce back and forth between different places (Alexandria, Pompey, and Athens) and different time spheres not rendering to the Aristotelian idea of drama. Also, it is only in Antony and Cleopatra, does Shakespeare have characters that encompass an ideology themselves, defining their identity. Cleopatra, as a character, embodies an alternative idea, the idea of the â€Å"other†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ the exotic, sexual, over feminised view of the Orient. Antony, the idea of the tragic hero, the fallen lover. Octavius Ceaser, the idea of duty, power, discipline. The mere fact that, the political ideologies of the racial other is significant in the play, when strategies and affairs go beyond the Eurocentric notion of duty and order is in itself a marvel. The challenges met by the masculine, western order of the world goes beyond borders to the exotic orient, ruled by a powerful woman who dominates the entire play ; makes many critics treat Antony and Cleopatra as a transgressive play of the time. Yet, it cannot fit the pure idea of the classical tragedy either. It lacks the divine authority of Aristotelian tragedy, not condemning itself too much to predestination. It is devoid of rituals and noble sacrifices etc. The sacrifices made, for example, by Antony and Cleopatra was not for ascetic duties to anyone else, but fuelled by their passion for one another. Cleopatra, as a character, is pivotal to the play. She is either being spoken of, or to in the venture and holds the most power amongst any of the other characters. A woman, being the centre of conversation and drive, is not befitting to a classical tragedy. Hence, Antony and Cleopatra lies somewhere in between, making many critics reassess the idea of the Jacobean drama itself as well as comparing and contrasting the play with its contemporaries to reach a higher understanding of why it was written as such. From this difference is raised the question of the difference in era and time with relation to the notion of honour, heroism and post heroism. Heroism is described as a type of war; the strategy of which is based on a single man’s â€Å"heroic† socio-political motives. Hence, heroism in a literary sense, translates to a drama based upon the wanting’s of one or few men. The Iliad, by Homer is an excellent example of heroism in dramatic form. The war against troy, instigated by personal ambitions of a few men. Achilles’s want of â€Å"glory† (another heroic notion), Menelaus’s revenge against Paris, and Agamemnon’s quest for power. Heroism is found to be the rock base of almost all the tragedies of the ancient western world. Homeric and Aristotelian tragedies base their motives upon the hands of a single person’s personal agenda. A war is caused, thousands is people are sent to their deaths over decades, to win a fight for one man’s honour. Based on myth and sacrifice, adhering to knowledge of ancient civilisations. Antony and Cleopatra, based on the history of civilisations, dating back to around 69 BC, written by William Shakespeare born during the renaissance, Elizabethean age dating to 14th century AD, provides a complex mechanism of thinking. C. L. Barber quotes: â€Å"There was a decline in honour amongst aristocracy due to professionalism of warfare. â€Å"Heroism† no longer existed by the end of the 17th century. â€Å" Thus comes the question of why a play such as Antony and Cleopatra, full of nobility, honour and the notion of â€Å"Heroism† was written during a post-heroic age. The content, befitting to an Aristotelian drama, is written in a subversive, moralistic fashion provided by the inevitable destruction of the essence to which it is formed. The character of Antony is described as an autonomous figure, with personal drive and passions. Octavius Ceaser on the other hand, performs his duties towards his empire without tangling himself in personal dilemmas. And the character of Cleopatra, of course, renders to the main problem. That is; Cleopatra encompasses the political and personal problem, Antony the fallen lover entangled in the problem, and Ceaser, and the authorial figure who in the end, stamps his values as the winner and survivor of the situation. Ironically, it is the very base of ancient heroism that becomes Antony’s fatal flaw. By the second half of the drama, Antony is trapped within his own ego, whilst Ceaser dissuades his honour. In Act 3, scene 12, Ceaser even foretells Antony’s self-destruction, in a conversation with Thidias upon the news of Antony returning to Egypt fleeing from his duties; â€Å"Observe how Antony becomes his flaw, And what thou think’st his very action speaks, In every power that moves. Shakespeare, reveals the strategy of the play from Ceasers perspective; the perspective of the post heroic age of duty and civilian authority against that of personal glory and ambition. This biasness shows the context with which the play was written; from a Eurocentric, masculine objectivity. Right before Ceaser and Antony go to war with their respective armed forces, Antony challenges Ceaser to a one on one, swordfight to determine their fates. This â€Å"heroic† gesture is then vertur ned with Ceaser refusing to accept the challenge. In Act 4, scene 1, Ceaser seems to laugh off his Antony’s proposal. â€Å"He calls me boy, and chides as he had power to beat me out of Egypt. My messenger He hath whipped with rods; dares me to personal combat, Ceaser to Antony. I have many other ways to die, meanwhile laugh at his challenge. † Ironically, the Antony seems to be a heroic character driven by his â€Å"honour†, his â€Å"virtus†, yet it is this characteristic itself, that Shakespeare has twisted into a fatal flaw. The character of Antony is destroyed because Shakespeare makes his personal heroism, his only drawback. Odd, as personal glory and passion, two man dual ship, etc. , was revered in the heroic stage of Aristotelian drama, in which historically, the play is located. Perhaps, abiding by the rule of King James the first, Shakespeare needed to adhere to social norms, by exoticising the east, and by condemning Antony’s heroism to death abiding by the Jacobean age which was devoid of such fantasy. By taking the subject of Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare seemingly reverses the whole idea of the myth, and transforms it to please and tutor the masses of 14th century England. Antony and Cleopatra hence becomes one of the most interesting pieces of Shakespeare as well as Jacobean drama, by transgressing itself completely from a heroic, materialistic, world to the dawn of the new age of political stability, democracy and sensibility. How to cite Antony and Cleopatra: Heroic Act, Post Heroic Age, Essay examples

Defence policy of india free essay sample

India pursues a road of peaceful development, and firmly pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. India is a developing country with vast territory and large population. Indias peace, security and development needs effective national defense. Indias national defense is subject to and serves its development and security strategy. It is not directed against nor does it threaten any country, and its fundamental purpose is to safeguard national security and unity, and ensure smooth progress of the cause of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. Indias national defense never goes beyond the need of safeguarding its national security. India has been and will remain firm in safeguarding international and regional peace, security and stability. India hopes the international community will view Indias national defense construction in an objective and fair manner. India is ready to work with all parties to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation with a view to promoting international peace, stability and development. India unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to preserve Indias independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for Indias reform and opening up and modernization construction, maintain world peace and propel common development. Background Following India’s independence in 1947, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embarked on a foreign policy that was based on principles of socialism and remaining noncommittal to the emerging struggle between the Soviet Union and the countries forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the post-World War II period. Eventually, this policy led to India becoming one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1955. In practical terms, it placed India in a position of securing bilateral international commitments only in situations that were clearly neutral in nature or in cases of lastresort. The basic principles of nonalignment also governed the military relationships of the Indian defense establishment, resulting in limited military-tomilitary contacts, usually through United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions or training at foreign military schools. These practices were generally followed by his successors until the early 1990s when a changing geopolitical structure and an internal economic crisis began to challenge these principles. India’s answer to this challenge is to reach out to as many â€Å"friendly foreign countries† as possible to establish a balance of nonalignment with global multilateralism. The diversification of its defense supply base from the Soviet Union and later Russia to western suppliers resulted in a series of new agreements supporting its diversification, while also securing agreements with many of its smaller friends. Since 2000, India has increased the number of countries with which it has defense-specific agreements from seven to 26 by the end of 2008. Bilateral and multilateral exercises are also an increasing feature of India’s viexpanding defense relations as it seeks to find new technologies to transform its military from Cold War era weapons to 21st century capabilities through such opportunities. India’s interests have changed over the past decade or more, taking it from a position of nonalignment and noncommitment to having specific strategic interests taking it on a path of â€Å"poly-alignment. This path appears to be following four specific, but intermingled courses: †¢ Becoming a regional power across the Indian Ocean basin and securing agreements from partners in this region that support this goal, while building up expeditionary capabilities in its navy and air force. At the same time, it continues to modernize its army to deal with potential threats from its immediate neighbors and internal insurgency groups, and to fulfill its goal of being a global leader in UN peacekeeping. Developing â€Å"strategic partnerships† with countries perceived as leaders of a global, multipolar order and seeking modern military capabilities from many of those countries. This includes modern weapon systems as well as the and technology licensed production associated with those weapon systems. †¢ Securing or maintaining ties with smaller countries globally, many of which are members of the NAM, that can provide support in international fora as well as provide potential markets for its own emerging defense industry. Maintaining its position of leadership in the NAM and publically presenting itself as â€Å"nonaligned† despite its actual alignments in the three above thrust areas. Many of the recent changes in India’s global defense relationships represent a vast departure from past policy and practices. Given that the Congress Party and its United Progressive Alliance coalition received a strong electoral mandate on its reelection in May 2009, these changes are likely to continue and perhaps will see bold moves to further develop and deepen strategic relationships around the world. As India cements its expanding defense relationships through purchase of major defense platforms and the associated technology transfers and co-production agreements, it will define the course of its long-term relationships for the coming decades. National Security, Defence Policy and Planning It is generally acknowledged that the approach to national security requires a comprehensive view of various political, social, economic, technological and strategic aspects. National security implies not only safeguarding territorial boundaries but also that the nation is able to build a cohesive, egalitarian, technologically efficient and progressive society with a good quality of life. Compared with national security, defence policy is more focussed, concerned with the protection of the state and its citizens from direct and indirect (proxy) military threats and actions of other states. In defence planning, the emphasis shifts to national security concerns that are mainly military in nature. There are two concepts at this level: deterrence (including coercive diplomacy) and defence (dissuasion). Deterrence refers to policies designed to discourage the adversary from taking direct or proxy military action, by raising the cost so that it outweighs the gains that he may wish to attain. Defence (dissuasion) policies are designed to reduce the capability of the adversary to cause damage—and own costs and risks—in the event deterrence fails. Deterrence and defence are two interwoven strands of defence policy. Defence planning involves the conceptualisation of plans and decisions for the execution of defence policy. Long-term planning for defence is essential for the following reasons: (a) The existence of a highly fluid strategic environment, which results in continuous shifts and changing profiles of threat and power equations. (b) To ensure judicious allocation of resources and cost effective utilisation. (c) Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), i. e. advances in technology, which result in weapons and equipment systems becoming obsolete at a fast rate. Lead time required to raise and prepare defence units; to produce or acquire and introduce new weapons and equipment systems. (e) The changing nature of conflict and reduced reaction time. (f) Coordination problems between defence, economic, science and technology, infrastructure and industrial activities, as well as among the Defence Forces. The defence planning process attempts to match the budgetary resources likely to be made available for the requirement to establish the defence capability necessary to face the threats and challenges. This exercise is undertaken in two phases: (a) What should be the proportion allocated to the defence effort as against other areas of national security concerns and economic growth? This exercise involves a ‘visionary’ analysis of external and internal security threats (often linked) and challenges. In order to minimise adverse affects of high military expenditure on socio-economic development, it is necessary to harmonise national development planning with defence planning. (b) Optimisation of allocated resources, i.e. distribution of resources within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) based on Force planning (Force and weapons mix, command and control, logistics and human resources management) by the Defence Services to combat current and future threats, and development of required capabilities by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), defence production and other agencies concerned. The quantum of indigenous production and the requirements to be procure d from outside are decided in this phase. The objective is to achieve maximumdefence capability from the given resources. Both allocation and distribution are closely linked. They need to be reviewed periodically but not so frequently that the planning process becomes ad hoc. In India’s case, this is done at five-year intervals. Background of Defence Planning in India Before independence, the defence services worked on a system of contract budget. Defence expenditure was pegged at Rs 55 crore per year, which was more than half of the Central Government’s revenue. There was no serious threat from outside (except during World War II, when a fresh agreement was signed) and this amount was more than adequate to maintain the establishment. The savings were not allowed to lapse but put away in the Defence Reserve Fund that was utilised to finance measures for reequipment of the Defence Services, thus freeing the Government from having to provide fund money greater than the contract amount. Expenditure on defence rose steeply soon after independence. However,  there was no planned effort and defence programmes consisted mainly of outright purchases from abroad, drawing heavily on available Sterling reserves. In the late 1950s, some efforts were made to initiate domestic weapons production by the Ministry of Defence when Mr Krishna Menon was the Defence Minister. The Sino-Indian conflict in 1962 aroused a new defence consciousness in the country. After taking care of immediate postwar requirements, systematic defence planning started in 1964. Defence requirements were assessed on a five-year basis and the First Five Year Defence Plan (1964-69) was drawn up. This plan took into account the resources available and assistance which could be expected from friendly foreign countries. The plan was primarily based on an expansion and modernisation programme considered necessary by each Service in the light of the respective threat perception assessed. It also proposed a defence production base that would gradually reduce the country’s external dependence, provide for improvements in border roads and communications, and a modest expansion of DRDO. The Government recognised the imperative need to synergise `defence’ and `development’ instead of planning each on a separate and un-related level. The MoD emphasised the â€Å"inevitable need to harness all resources of the country for the country’s defence and for the defence effort to derive full sustenance from the country’s economic development plans†. Thereafter, the National Development Council authorised the Chairman of the Planning Commission to review the needs of both development and defence. A Planning Cell was established in 1965 in the Ministry of Defence ‘to deal with the wider aspects of defence planning’. The new system was intended to facilitate medium and long-term defence planning and to maintain constant liaison with the Planning Commission and other ministries. It was expected that the MoD would derive maximum advantage from the development effort by being able to place its priorities for consideration along with the overall economic and industrial plans drawn up by the Planning Commission. The experience of the First Five Year Defence Plan showed that the development of weapons and equipment was a long drawn out process. The Government realised that there could be no forward movement in attaining self-sufficiency in weapons and equipment unless these requirements were planned over a reasonably long period, long enough to cover the span of development and production of new weapons systems and other fighting tools. The inadequacy of foreign exchange reserves was another hindrance in planning and implementation. In order to mitigate some of these drawbacks, the Second Five Year Defence Plan (1969-74) was instituted on a â€Å"roll-on† basis. After a year, an additional year was added so that the Defence Services would have before them a revised and up-dated five-year plan. In this context, the MoD commented: â€Å"Opportunity is taken by this annual exercise to take note of and reflect the change in priorities, the shifts in emphasis and the latest concepts and programmes to reorient the plan within the scheme of resources so that the aims and means are most effectively balanced. † This system was expected to facilitate the planning of projects that took five years or more and to revise or eliminate projects, depending on the prevailing foreign exchange situation and availability ofdomestic resources. For a period of five years, firm assurances were to be given on the availability of resources. This, unfortunately, never happened. In 1971, it was impossible to adhere to the discipline and the pattern of the rollon plan. Instead of roll-on annual revisions, immediate requirements dominated the Government’s attention that pre-empted plan efforts. In its 1971-72 Annual Report, the MoD acknowledged that having a Planning Cell in the ministry was an insufficient and unsatisfactory method of meeting a crisis. The Planning Cell was not taken seriously in the crucial stages of economic planning and the argument that defence needs would be adjusted in the over-all allocation of resources was proved wrong. In 1974, an Apex Group headed by the Union Minister for Planning again suggested that steady long-term defence programmes would be more cost effective and economical rather than fluctuating allocations due to periodic economic and security crises. In order to integrate defence planning with the overall economic planning effort, defence and economic development plans were made co-terminus. The Planning Machinery Most of the defence planning machinery and planning methodology was developed in the decade 1964-74. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) was established in the Cabinet Secretariat to provide external and internal threat assessments. Inputs for this purpose were to be provided by all Intelligence agencies of the Government. The Service Chiefs were to assess the broad military aims and a strategy, coordinated in the Chiefs of Staff Committee, was to be approved by the Defence Minister. However, this was seldom done. Each Service ended up planning its own force level, choice of weapons and equipment, and build-up of infrastructure. In 1977, the Government formed a Committee for Defence Planning (CDP) to â€Å"undertake regular assessments relevant to defence planning in the light of all factors having a bearing on national security and defence†. However, this committee could not function smoothly nor meet the desired goals. Planning units were also established in the Department of Defence Production and DRDO. A Planning and Coordination Cell was created in the MoD to coordinate and compile various plans into a ‘Defence Plan’ for Cabinet approval. As the bureaucrats in the ministry had no professional knowledge or background, this cell could only compile different requirements without any analysis. In Army Headquarters, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff was made responsible for preparing the Army plan. A Perspective Planning Directorate was established in the late 1970s. Naval and Air plans were prepared in the respective Planning Directorates. Financial considerations, non-existent at this level earlier, were introduced through Finance Planning Sections attached to these Directorates. In 1986, the Directorate General of Defence Planning Staff (DGDPS), comprising officers from the three Services, DRDO, and Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, was established under the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) to coordinate and harmonise defence planning. Civilian officers from the Ministries probably did not find the job professionally satisfying and were gradually withdrawn, thus leaving the DGDPS a tri-Service set up. All these measures enabled each Service headquarters to prepare defence plans in a more rational manner. But due to lack of clear political direction and each Service primarily planning for itself, joint planning, coordination between Services and other departmental plans of the MoD, were largely ignored. After the Kargil conflict in 1999, the Group of Ministers (GoM) and later the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved several reforms. An Integrated Defence Headquarters (IDH) was established and the DGDPS was merged with it. The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), whose tasks would include ensuring intra and inter-Services prioritisation of defence plans and improvement in joint functioning of the Defence Services, was recommended. The reforms also included establishment of a Defence Intelligence Agency and creation of Defence Equipment Production, Research and Planning councils in the IDH and MoD, respectively. Unfortunately, the CDS, who would be the cornerstone of integrated operational planning for defence, has not been appointed. Analysis of the System Despite several years of planning efforts, defence planning in India is characterised by seesaw bouts of frenzied activity followed by long periods of relative inaction. Five-year defence plans have rarely been formally approved before commencement. The Tenth Defence Plan, now in its third year, is yet to be accorded formal government approval. Ad-hocism is the order of the day, leading to knee-jerk responses and haphazard planning, making India a reactive rather than pro-active nation in matters pertaining to national security. Whenever India’s major adversaries plan a big defence purchase, there is an outcry for similar acquisitions, resulting in piecemeal decisions regardless of long-term impact and overall requirements. The Defence Forces are forced to follow â€Å"a case-by-case† approach to modernisation and procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment to replace obsolescent items, in many cases long after their life cycle is over and they cannot be maintained in a cost effective manner. The Army’s Vijayanta tanks, MiG-21s of the IAF, and IL-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft of the Navy are some examples. Weapons development, procurement and absorption are complex processes. A lead-time of 15-20 years is required to plan and execute major projects. Despite this, for several years, a large amount of the capital acquisition budget has been surrendered. In the prevailing era of strategic uncertainty, the changing nature of warfare demands a judicious mix of threat and capabilities-based forces that can operate efficiently as combined arms, joint Services teams and components of multi-national coalition forces. National Security Policy and Strategy The concept of national security rests mainly on the proposition that many foreign and domestic political, economic and military issues are inter-related, each with implications on the other. In India’s case, this has been highlighted by insurgencies and other political events, particularly in border-states, and other outside pressures, which are brought to bear on the country’s economy and technological progress from time to time. A response to this type of environment calls for a highly focussed national security policy and strategy. Effective guidance on national security and defence policy objectives is fundamental to the defence planning process. National security is a relative matter without a firm criteria but unless firm national security objectives are set and a defence policy evolved, there can be no military doctrine or balancing of defence effort with other national objectives and priorities such as maintaining a viable economy and supporting development of society. The lack of a cohesive national security strategy and defence policy has many implications. First, it results in the absence of clear political direction regarding politicomilitary objectives, which is the very basis of sound defence planning. Secondly, there is inadequate coordination of defence plans and economic development. Finally, science and technology policies for defence, general industrialisation and other development programmes are not coordinated properly to achieve security goals and objectives. Perspective Planning Perspective planning needs to be done in the Integrated Defence Headquarters, where military, technical and RD experts take an integrated view of future threats and challenges. This has to be based on future battlefield scenarios, and array of forecasts, evaluation of strategic options and force mixes, and analysis of potential technical and industrial capabilities. Based on this, the respective Service should work on their perspective plans and the RD and Defence Production/Supplies experts should spell out their requirements in terms of effort, technology and indigenous production. Self-reliance in Defence Technology The DRDO has a network of 51 laboratories and establishments. The Scientific Advisor (SA) to the Raksha Mantri (RM) is the Secretary of this Department. The DRDO has a staff of 30,000, including 6,800 scientists and engineers. It receives approximately four to six per cent of the defence budget annually. The DRDO is engaged in the pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies relevant to defence. It formulates and executes a programme of scientific research, design and development for the induction into the Armed Forces of state-of-the-art weapons and other equipments. In April 1984, the DRDO envisaged a programme â€Å"to transform the Department into a leader of international class with the mission to capture and retain commanding heights in critical technologies†. A ‘mission mode’ organisational structure and approach was approved by the Government with a view to increasing the element of self-reliance from the current 30 per cent to 70 per cent by 2005. This goal, however, is nowhere in sight. The Department has developed more than 1,100 items of weapon systems and equipment with a production value of over Rs 6,000 crore. But it has not been able to make any major contribution to the state-of-art weapons and equipment. Most of its programmes, like Prithvi (sea borne version), Trishul (short-range surface to air missile), Akash (medium-range surface to air missile), Nag (anti-tank missile), Light Combat Aircraft with Kaveri engine, Pinaka (multiple-barrel rocket system), MBT Arjun, Electronic Warfare equipment, new radio sets for the Army, Sonar system for Navy, and many other items, are way behind schedule. Because of the failure to deliver the required weapons and equipment, defence planning and Force structuring by the Services has suffered continuously. The DRDO’s inability to deliver in time has caused a crisis of confidence and constant dissatisfaction in the Services. In order to ensure smooth progress towards self-reliance in defence technology, the Government must undertake a periodic performance audit of DRDO projects to reinforce efforts in areas of success and weed out projects that are unproductive. Defence Production and Supply The Defence Production Department created in 1962 and the Department of Defence Supply set up in 1965 were merged in 1984 to constitute the Department of Defence Production and Supplies. Presently, 39 Ordnance factories and eight Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) come under this department. The Directorate of Quality Assurance, Air Technical Development and Production (Air), Standardisation, and Exhibition Organisation also form part of this Department. The Ordnance Factories produce more than 1,500 items of arms, ammunition, equipment and components. Most of these products constitute relatively low to mediumtechnology items. Twenty per cent of the output goes to non-defence customers. Due to the very high cost of production, delivery delays and suspect quality, it has not been possible to meet export targets and, sometimes, even orders given by the Services. Ordnance factories as well as DPSUs need to shed the manufacture of low technology items to the private sector and focus on hi-tech products. They should also be in a position to take up substantial product improvement themselves and not be dependent on DRDO. Defence Planning Tools In recent years, defence economics and management techniques have made an important contribution to defence planning. A number of techniques such as Operational Research and Systems Analysis (ORSA), Planning Programming and Budgeting Systemhave been developed to make the planning process more systematic and to maximise the benefits obtained from the given amount of resources. Systems Analysis can assist in developing rational procedures for procurement of new weapons systems. Systems performance at design stage can be evaluated through computer simulation. Planners all over the world are using computerised war-gaming techniques and structure analysis. Prospects exist for a more enlightened approach that can bring together military officers, historians, technologists and quantitative analysts. In many countries, there is a growing interest in analytical realism, operational relevance and integrated defence planning. In India the Services are far behind in introducing these aids in our defence planning system. The planning directorates in Service Headquarters do not even have data banks which can provide relevant information on a specified subject. Most of the planners have high combat and command qualifications but little clue of the modern techniques. There is an urgent need to introduce modern planning aids into our planning system. Defence planners should also learn the basic principles and techniques of economic analysis and not leave it to their ‘Finance’ colleagues. Management of Defence Budget A major lacuna in defence planning and implementation has been lack of financial commitment for the Plan period. Financially, the defence plans are treated more as annual plans rather than composite five years plan. There is a rush to spend the annual capital budget by the end of the financial year since the amount not spent has to be surrendered. In FY 2004-05, the previous government had proposed to institute a non-lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund of Rs 25,000 crore. This was a long awaited reform in the defence-finance mechanism as budgeted capital expenditure worth thousands of crores was surrendered year after year. However, the new government, being of the view that there are no provisions in the budgetary rules and regulations to carry forward unspent funds for three years, has done away with this reform. It needs to be pointed out that a similar procedure was being followed in the 1930s and 1940s. The provisions invoked at that time need to be studied carefully and could be used as a precedent. Action should be taken expeditiously to revive the Defence Modernization Fund. Otherwise, funds earmarked for capital expenditure on an annual basis will continue to lapse, leading to lack of systematic defence preparedness. In the Revenue Budget, there is a need to include incentives to save and reduce annual maintenance expenditure without adversely affecting operational efficiency. It is also necessary to exploit the increasing domestic industrial capability to support the existing infrastructure and thus reduce maintenance costs and enhance the quality ofmaintenance. Human Resources Management The development of human resources must keep pace with the modernisation of the armed forces so that new, state-of-the-art equipment can be optimally exploited by well trained and motivated soldiers, sailors and airmen. The age profile of military personnel, particularly in the Army, and the age of commanders at battalion and brigade levels needs to be looked into. Currently, a soldier has to serve for 15 to 17 years to earn his pension. When he retires, besides the lifelong pension that has to be paid, a trained individual is lost to the nation. Similarly, while there is a shortage of approximately 14,000 officers, most officers retire in rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel at the age of 52-54 years when they still have years of productive life ahead though they are no longer for active combat. Innovative measures need to be adopted to reduce the effects of the current national loss on this account. The best method would be to institute a procedure of ‘lateral induction† under which both officers and personnel below officer rank can be transferred to central police and paramilitary forces(CPMFs). The colour (active) service of jawans should be reduced to 7-10 years with no pension liability after which the volunteers are transferred to the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and other such forces. Similarly, the Shipping Corporation of India, National Port Trust and other such maritime organisations can fruitfully employ Naval personnel. Ex-servicemen will be expected to serve in these organisations till superannuation, after which they would be entitled to pension. This will improve the age profile of the Services, provide trained manpower to the CPMFs, ensure productive long-term employment for a large number of trained men till superannuation, and also reduce the pension bill of the Central Government. The Army should increase the recruitment of Short Service Officers to make up its shortfall. Induction of these officers to the CPMFs after five years of service will improve junior leadership and effectiveness of these forces in internal security and counter insurgency operations. Given the fluid strategic environment and the rapid advances in defence technology, there is a need for judicious allocation of the limited budgetary resources. Long lead times are required for creating futuristic Forces, hence the need to make long-termdefence planning mandatory. Greater synergy between defence and development plans is required. †¢ The lack of a cohesive national security strategy and defence policy has resulted in inadequate political direction regarding politico-military objectives. The Government should prepare a clear national security strategy, defence policy, and review it every 4-5 years. †¢ In view of the time taken to create the capabilities necessary for facing future threats and challenges, it is essential for the Defence Services to evolve 10 to 15-year perspective plans with the required budgetary support. †¢ The Chiefs of Staff Committee has not been successful in preparing comprehensive ‘integrated defence plans’ due to emphasis on single Service planning and constant competition among the Services for a bigger share of resources. The civilian bureaucrats in the MoD do not have the professional expertise to decide on interService priorities. Hence, the early appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is essential as he will be the cornerstone for integrated defence and operational planning. †¢ A non-lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund must be expeditiously created to ensure that allocations are optimally utilised and funds earmarked for capital acquisitions are not allowed to lapse. †¢ The Revenue Budget of the Services needs to be better managed. Annual maintenance expenditure can be curtailed by greater exploitation of the available public and private sector industrial infrastructure capability and offering incentives to the Services to save. †¢ To ensure smooth progress towards self-reliance in defence technology, the Government must undertake a periodic performance audit of the DRDO plans and projects. The review should reinforce efforts in areas of success and weed out unproductive projects. †¢ Ordnance Factories should produce only hi-tech products and shed the production of low-tech items to the private sector. Integrated Defence Staff and the Services’ perspective planners should acquire expertise in operational research and systems analysis, as also financial planning, for evolving complex integrated defence plans. †¢ In order to improve the age profile of the Services and simultaneously reduce the pension bill of the Central Government, personnel below officer rank should be transferred to central police and paramilitary forces (CPMFs) after active service of 7-10 years. †¢ The Army should increase recruitment of Short Service Officers to make up its shortfall. Induction of these officers to the CPMFs after five years of service will improve junior leadership and effectiveness of these forces in internal security and counter insurgency operations. CONCLUSION Defence planning has been neglected for long in India. This has led to ad-hocismin decision-making and adversely affected the modernisation plans of the Services. The key issues needing immediate attention include the need for formal prior approval for five-year defence Plans, better management of the defence revenue and capital acquisition budgets, streamlining of the defence procurement process and better human resources management. The Government of India should appoint a group of eminent experts to study the present defence planning process, identify the lacunae and grey areas in the process and recommend structural and procedural changes. The aim should be to streamline defence planning, harmonize it with national development plans, and make the process more responsive in order to deal effectively with the rapidly changing geostrategic and regional security environment.