Military intel destroys over 3K-kg of ‘junk’ SWACHH

Papers, 32 old comps discarded

A key branch of India’s Military Intelligence, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), is on the overdrive in the backdrop of the nationwide and fortnight-long Swachchh Bharat campaign that was launched on Friday.

Paper documents, 32 old computers and laptops, CDs, about 850 odd video cassettes, books, pamphlets, etc totaling more than 3,000 kg have been carefully destroyed in order to clear up the “junk” at the ADGPI office in South Block which houses the sensitive defence ministry.

Interestingly, this is the first time since 1994 that such documents, infotech hardware and informational material that have long served their purpose are being done away with. It was quite an effort to segregate the material keeping an eye on the fact that important material was not lost, a top official told this newspaper.

With technology taking leaping strides and I-T hardware and software building up huge spaces to store important information in much smaller devices, the clean-up operation was the need of the hour, a top official told this newspaper. “And the ‘Swachhata’ campaign provided the fillip,” the official said. The nationwide sanitation campaign is geared to highlight Swachchh Bharat Mission, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s flagship cleanliness effort. Under the Directorate General of Military Intelligence, ADGPI deals with media relations. Evolving into a key directorate in the aftermath of the Kargil War, it is responsible for the perception management of the Indian Army.

On Sunday, which is also the birthday of PM Modi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will also preside over a function for “Swachhta Hi Sewa” in Delhi Cantonment area.