Must Leverage Social Media to Our Advantage: Army Chief Rawat

On smartphones usage by army Rawat added that it should be encouraged with reasonable restrictions.

Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat.

(Photo: ANI)

Speaking on technology and use of social media by defence personnel, Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat during a conference on Tuesday, 4 September has said that the social media should be ‘leveraged to an advantage' rather than seen as a threat to the Indian army, ANI reported.

Also slamming proposition on denying the usage of smartphones, primarily for social media, by the army, Rawat added that it is not possible for an army to prevent troops from using smartphones.

Can you deny a soldier from the possession of a smart-phone. If you can’t prevent usage of smartphone, best to allow it but important to have means of imposing discipline.

General Bipin Rawat.

Speaking on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the army chief emphasised AI’s advantages in modern day warfare . He said that the maximum amount of information on AI come from social media and the army must not banish it, ANI reported.

In modern day warfare, info warfare is important and within it, we’ve started talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). If we have to leverage AI to our advantage we must engage through social media as a lot of what we wish to gain as part of AI will come via social media.

General Bipin Rawat.

On Major Leetul Gogoi

When asked about the impending case on Major Leetul Gogoi who on 23 May was detained by police, Rawat told ANI:

Talking about Major Gogoi, I had clearly said that any case of moral turpitude and corruption will be dealt with sternly. A court of inquiry has been conducted which has recommended that we should go in for court martial proceedings for whatever he has been found guilty of.

General Bipin Rawat.

He added by saying that subsequent actions will be taken if the major is found guilty.

If it’s related directly to moral turpitude then we’ll take action accordingly. If it is something else then a punishment will be given to him according to the crime he has committed.

General Bipin Rawat.

(With inputs from ANI)