Someone forwarded this article to me, and I think it”s worth a thought , at the very least!
Stand up for the Indian soldier
Harsh V Pant
The minister would not have dared to make such a comment had the protestors been a part of his or his
party”s vote bank. The fact that the Indian armed services do not go public with their grievances does not mean that they do not have any concerns and the fact that they have been forced to come to the streets should make the minister and his government acknowledge how desperate the situation might be.
The Indian government is fooling itself if it thinks that by dragging its feet on the issue of the armed
forces dissatisfaction with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, it can make the issue
go away.
A country that refuses to respect its armed forces will eventually end up getting forces that will not
respect the nations” aspirations. A country makes a sacred contract with its soldiers that while he/she will lay down his/her life when called upon to do so, the nation will take good care of his/her and his/her family”s needs to the extent its resources would permit.
This contract underpins the very survival of a nation as when its territorial integrity and political
independence are under threat, the nation looks upon the only instrument that can protect
it — its armed forces.
While all governments have to look for a considered bargain between their commitments and power and
between power and resources, a responsible government will always be aware of the serious implications of not spending adequate resources on defence.
The debate as it has been made out to be in some quarters between defence and development is a spurious one. Unless adequate provisions are made for defence, no state will be able to pursue its developmental agenda. This is much more important for a country like
sides of its periphery.
A government can keep spouting pious rhetoric about global peace and non-violence but it realises
fully that force is the ultima ratio in international relations. Politics among nations is conducted in the brooding shadow of violence. Either a state remains able and willing to use force to preserve and enhance its interests or it is forced to live at the mercy of its militarily powerful counterpart.
Even Nehru, after neglecting defence for all the years after independence had to eventually
concede in 1962 that India”s military weakness “has been a temptation, and a little military
strength may be a deterrent.”
The Indian public and press remain apathetic on defence issues. We make Kargil into a television spectacle, an opportunity for our journalists to try to show their temporary bravery by going to the frontlines for a few hours and getting the excitement of covering a war from the inside. And then when it is all over, our soldiers have been interred into their graves, we move on to new and more exciting spectacles — to our song and dance reality shows and saas-bahu sagas, forgetting that soldiers are still on guard.
This is a nation that will cry with Lata Mangeshkar [Images] when she sings Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon but will not make any effort to understand the real problems and concerns of its soldiers. It is a sign of the highly skewed priorities of the Indian media that the rising turmoil and dissatisfaction within the ranks of nations” armed forces is being given only perfunctory coverage.
It is an issue of nation”s very survival yet the media seems busy with its devotion of superficialities. Every rave and rant of Bollywood actors is religiously covered, detailed
dissection of seemingly never-ending cricket matches are conducted, exorbitant
pay rises in the corporate sector make it to the headlines but the one issue
that can make or break the future of this country is consigned to the margins.
We continue to pray at the altar of our false heroes while our real heroes continue to face neglect and
scorn.
The armed forces feel they have never got their due from various pay commissions over the years but the
government in its wisdom decided to keep the armed forces away from any representation in the latest Pay Commission. The dominance of bureaucrats meant that while the interests of the bureaucrats were well-recognised, the armed services once again ended up getting a raw deal.
The discontent is so serious that some of the best and brightest in our services have refused to go
for the Higher Command Courses and more and more are seeking an early retirement. Indian armed forces are desperately trying to fill vacancies as other professions are luring the young of the country.
Against the sanctioned strength of 300 per batch, the
The reason is pretty obvious: One can”t think of any major power in the world that treats its
soldiers the way
for help from a callous politico-bureaucratic elite.
Our politicians remain more than willing to waste tax payers money by routinely boycotting Parliament and have never shied away from increasing their own pay and allowances, claiming
that they remain underpaid. Yet those who defend the sanctity of Parliament are
given a short shrift.
The abysmal knowledge of defence issues that pervades the Indian political class probably gives them an illusion that the country is being protected by divine blessings.
Political apathy and bureaucratic design are rapidly eroding the self-esteem of our forces. A functioning
liberal democracy needs a loyal soldier that can take care of the state”s security, allowing the state to look after its citizenry. In
Dr Harsh V Pant teaches at King”s College
You can read the article with comments here
Thanks for the comment , and sorry for the late response. Just logged in after ages and saw your “unapproved” comment and the new rediff interface
is not showing any dates for comments. Indeed, I do have a thing for men in uniform…..basic conditioning from being an Army officers daughter
and marrying an Air Force officer.So, does that answer your question about KB
I dont know about soldiers but without them we are sitting ducks. Their salary will rise, at least they have a pay and some type of security. Now that the pay commission has been okayed, it will spread some cheer.
u really got something for the men in uniform and this article is worth a read!
This is a nation that will cry with Lata Mangeshkar [Images] when she sings Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon but will not make any effort to understand the real problems and concerns of its soldiers. .—–100% TRUE….thx for the post
This is really a thought provoking article. Thanks for posting it. It has taken 2 decades to bring in newer trainer jets. I remember reading in an article that when George fernandes visited siachen he was informed that some babu in Delhi is sitting on the file for snow scooters. This babu was sent on a trip to siachen. The file was cleared forthwith.
Every one in the forces needs a better deal. Though we need a leaner and meaner forces.
thank you for the article, I hope enough awareness is generated for Govt to work towards Armed Forces difficulties.
I am moved.
The Armed Forces frustrations and drums are getting louder by the day
They are calling the Government and IAS to judgment, and now’’s the time to pay
For the accumulated wrongs you”ve done your forces and their trust betrayed
So hear those drums swelling, hear them well and be afraid.
You all came to power on India’s waves of Independence that you would make your mark,
In a land that shone in Asia like the Kohinoor diamond in the dark.
In simple faith we uniformed people put our trust in your administrative care,
And the Armed Forces were repaid by your wrath and ruled by fear.
Sixty years of political and IAS rule and mis rule and your lavish postings and trips abroad
A nation’’s military heritage is being lost through your patronage and the Pay Commissions” frauds.
The Chiefs grow fat while mid level others must starve and famine stalks our PBOR.
The drums of anger are beating for the truth is seeping in to the fore.
The IAS have feet of clay and their tricks should n
Hi! It is not only about indian soilder . I feel the whole country Government sector is in a mess and need a overhauling.