Delhi – All India Radio Headquarters – February 20th, 1949
While the crackdown was still happening in Calcutta, East Bengal, and Hyderabad, Arjun made a calculated decision to address the nation. He walked into All India Radio with that calm, resolute demeanor that had become his trademark. The whole country was listening, waiting to hear what he'd say about the riots.
"My fellow citizens of Bharat," Arjun began, his voice carrying across the Union with a carefully balanced mix of seriousness and unwavering resolve, "just days ago, our Constituent Assembly enacted a historic milestone: the Uniform Civil Code. This law was born from the deepest aspirations of our Constitution. Justice, equality, and national unity. It ensures every Indian, man and woman, stands equal before the law, binding our diverse communities under one banner of shared nationhood."
He paused, letting that sink in before shifting to the ongoing unrest. His voice gained weight that commanded attention. "However, even as we celebrate this momentous step toward a modern, unified India, a small minority has been misguided by outdated traditions and incited by elements hostile to our progress. In Calcutta, Hyderabad, and a few other isolated locations, their actions have turned violent. They've attacked our police, destroyed public property, and openly defied the will of our Republic."
Arjun's voice hardened, carrying the full weight of state authority. "Let me be clear. This Government respects freedom of faith and tradition, but it respects the unity and laws of this Republic above all else. This Uniform Civil Code benefits all citizens. It's designed to uplift, to ensure equality, to streamline our society for rapid progress. It's not an attack on any religion. It's a foundation for one strong India. Those who choose to oppose this law through violence, through incitement, through any act that threatens our unity and order, aren't merely protesters. They're enemies of the Republic. And they will be dealt with as such. The state's response will be swift, decisive, and unwavering."
He concluded with a stern warning, framed as a call for collective responsibility. "We will restore order. We will uphold the law. We will protect our citizens and our national fabric from any who seek to tear it apart. I call upon every loyal citizen of Bharat to stand with your government, to embrace this future of unity, equality, and progress. Don't let misguided voices lead you astray. This is our nation's destiny. We will not falter. Jai Hind!"
As the broadcast ended, a deep quiet settled over the studio. Outside, in the affected cities, the Prime Minister's words echoed through the streets from loudspeakers, even as police sirens wailed and arrests continued. The message was unmistakable: the will of the state was absolute, its laws inviolable, and any challenge would be met with crushing force.
Delhi – Prime Minister's Office, South Block – Same Afternoon
While chaos was unfolding in Calcutta, East Bengal, and Hyderabad, Arjun summoned his cabinet to discuss the next important reforms. The Republic was newly formed and already asserting its social will, but now it needed to restructure its military might.
Maps and organizational charts about military education and command structures covered every available surface, all bearing Arjun's precise annotations. Present were Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Home Minister), K.M. Munshi (Law Minister), Narahari D. Parikh (Education Minister), General Cariappa (Army Chief), Admiral Katari (Naval Chief), and Air Marshal Mukherjee (Air Force Chief).
"Gentlemen," Arjun began, his voice cutting through the low hum of the ceiling fan, "till now, we have already established our new Republic, our very own Constitution, and even our social fabric is being unified as we speak, though a small minority tries to resist through violence.
But a nation's strength, its very survival, ultimately rests on its capacity to defend itself effectively. Our recent victory over Pakistan was swift and decisive, but it also revealed systemic weaknesses in our inherited colonial defense structure.
Though we didn't felt any or of it thanks to flawless planning and execution, they might become hurdle if in future we are engaged in a long standing military operation. So, we must fix this, fundamentally and permanently."
He swept his gaze across the assembled military chiefs. "For too long, our armed forces have functioned as separate entities. Army, Navy, Air Force, each trained, equipped, and thinking in isolation.
This is an archaic, inefficient model that can't meet the challenges of modern warfare. Future conflicts will demand seamless coordination, integrated command structures, and unified strategic vision.
Therefore, I propose fundamental restructuring of our entire defense architecture: the establishment of Integrated Theater Commands."
General Cariappa raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Prime Minister, if by Integrated Theater Commands you mean what I think, then it represent a significant change from our current structure.
Such a system would require sharp coordination, extensive joint training programs, and complete rethinking of command and control across all three services."
"Indeed, General," Arjun said with absolute conviction. "But it's not merely advisable, it's essential for survival. I'll also establish the post of Chief of Defense Staff, who will administer all three chiefs of armed forces for better tri-service coordination. By chiefs I meant like Chief of Army, of Navy and of Air Force."
He pointed to a large wall map marked with proposed command boundaries. "Now, for the theaters, the Northern Command, headquartered in Ladakh, will handle the Himalayan front, Tibet, and potential Chinese threats, led by an Army General with an Air Marshal as deputy.
The Western Command, based in Luvpur, will oversee our borders with Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, commanded by an Army General with integrated naval and air assets.
The Southern Maritime Command, headquartered in the Thiruvananthapuram, will control the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea, led by a Naval Admiral with significant air force integration.
The Eastern Command, based in Chittagong, will manage the Burma front and eastern approaches."
Admiral Katari leaned forward with interest. "Prime Minister, this integrated approach addresses many coordination failures that armed forces often witness. Joint command would eliminate inter-service rivalries that could hamper our effectiveness."
"Exactly, Admiral," Arjun continued. "But such commands demand a new breed of officer. Not merely brave soldiers, but strategic thinkers, scientifically educated, and imbued with absolute nationalist dedication.
Our current military academies, largely remnants of the British colonial system, are insufficient for this transformation. We must cultivate this talent from the foundation."
Arjun turned to Education Minister Parikh. "Narahari ji, your Ministry will play a crucial role. We'll establish a nationwide network of Sainik Schools: military preparatory boarding institutions, publicly funded and open to all students aged eleven to twelve, regardless of caste, creed, or economic background.
Of course, their social background will be checked to prevent any mishap. These schools will combine rigorous academic education with foundational military discipline, physical training, and strong emphasis on national ideology and leadership development."
Parikh nodded, already mentally structuring the curriculum. "This creates a systematic pipeline for identifying and developing military leadership potential from an early age. Sainik school students would complete their education through Class 12, then proceed directly to entrance examinations for higher military training, instead of taking Class 13 like others."
"Exactly," Arjun affirmed before unveiling his most ambitious proposal. "From these Sainik Schools and other select institutions, we'll draw the brightest minds for a revolutionary new institution: the National Cadet Academy."
He moved to a detailed architectural plan on his desk. "The NCA will be a single, unified, tri-service academy combining the best elements of existing institutions but adapted specifically for India's strategic needs.
It'll be located in a handful of locations initially, like Dehradun, Pune, Vizag and Bangalore. Later on, we can expand to other areas."
General Cariappa studied the plans intently and nodded. "A joint service foundation from the beginning would fundamentally change how our officers think about warfare. They'd understand all service capabilities, and not just their own branch."
"Precisely, General," Arjun continued. "All officer cadets, regardless of their intended service branch, will spend three foundational years at the NCA.
They'll receive intensive joint service training, advanced leadership development, modern tactical education, scientific and engineering studies, and comprehensive national strategy instruction.
This ensures every officer understands the operational capabilities and requirements of all three services."
He outlined the detailed curriculum structure. "The first year focuses on foundational basics: physical conditioning, basic tactics, military history, and ethical leadership. The second year emphasizes technology and strategy: engineering principles, navigation, communications, logistics, and joint operational exercises.
The third year concentrates on advanced joint operations: amphibious warfare simulations, air-land coordination, counterinsurgency tactics, and strategic planning."
Air Marshal Mukherjee spoke up. "After this joint foundation, how would cadets receive specialized training for their chosen service?"
"After three years at the NCA," Arjun explained, "cadets proceed to respective branches of the academy that'll be established alongside the NCA. For one year, cadets will be evaluated and then trained intensively on specialized training that suits them most.
Army cadets attend the Army War College for advanced ground tactics and armor operations. Naval cadets go to the Naval Academy for seamanship and submarine warfare. Air Force cadets complete flight school and air combat training.
This creates a total of four years before commissioning as officers."
Patel, who had absorbed every detail in characteristic silence, finally spoke. "Yet another enormous undertaking. It represents a generational commitment to rebuilding our entire defense structure."
"Indeed, Sardar ji," Arjun replied. "The NCA will be commanded by a rotating three-star officer, changing between Army, Navy, and Air Force every four years to maintain balance. The faculty will include serving officers on deputation, civilian professors specializing in engineering and sciences, and distinguished guest lecturers.
We'll invite freedom fighters, scientists like Dr. Homi Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and strategic thinkers to instill deep national purpose."
He gestured toward the comprehensive plans covering his desk. "And so, this is how we build unshakeable defense capabilities of our new Bharat.
The Sainik Schools will identify and develop talent. The NCA will forge that talent into exceptional leaders. The Integrated Theater Commands will deploy that leadership with maximum strategic efficiency."
Arjun's voice carried absolute conviction as he concluded. "This system will guarantee the security of our vast territory, from Kashmir to the Chagos Islands, from the Punjab frontier to East Bengal. "
The room fell silent as the assembled ministers and military leaders absorbed the magnitude of the proposed transformation.