tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post2579039282440383124..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Wake up, generals!Broadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-17253189643873222492020-08-04T05:16:18.537-07:002020-08-04T05:16:18.537-07:00Spot on.Spot on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-78068540606404708132018-08-06T10:14:15.717-07:002018-08-06T10:14:15.717-07:00What Col Shukla has written is absolutely true, in...What Col Shukla has written is absolutely true, in fact he has not exposed fully the rot in Army. There are very few senior officer you can look for high moral values and professionalism. But there is a silver lining, the new lot of Generals have some really good officers and gentlemanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00058560070501900056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-37527632641451969562018-08-06T10:05:48.457-07:002018-08-06T10:05:48.457-07:00With due respect your assessment of Gen Bikram is ...With due respect your assessment of Gen Bikram is absolutely wrong and misplaced.Gen JJ and Gen Bikram are two sides of same coinAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00058560070501900056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-82265435818029013842015-06-25T03:19:13.630-07:002015-06-25T03:19:13.630-07:00Raking up an old thread - apologies
The comment ...Raking up an old thread - apologies <br /><br />The comment by anonymous 4 August 2014 at 20:48 was intriguing while being hilarious. It does bring out the sad reality of our army. Talent and hard work aside, unless one does something different (like beautifying the cantonment or making labour saving devices by blowing away regimental funds) one cannot be graded 'outstanding' in the Annual Appraisals and there remains not a chance in hell of him making to the next higher ranks./ This leads to the officers of all seniority stooping to new levels of low in garnering that elusive '9 Pointer' ! This includes all the dirty tricks in the trade - sycophancy and being a yes man are the barer basics, some surpass themselves in setting new lows in moral degradation....expensive gifts for the immediate senior and his family (funded by the regimental and 'black' funds of course'), extremely hyper active PR (knowing your immediate boss's mom in law's birthday is the norm I guess !), learning the boss's interest and then becoming a self professed fan of whatever is the boss's hobby - be it golf, yoga or the share market. The same was espoused by a General in a public forum none too recently.<br /><br />Alas, in the pursuit of happiness by most officers (brought about by an 'outstanding' report and ascension to the next higher rank) professionalism , training (for the next war , remember?) and welfare of troops under you command, takes a back seat. It comes somewhere between remembering to clip your nails on a sunday and getting your car serviced, not necessarily in the same order !<br /><br />So, colonel , you are right in stating that the rot has set in in the army and the rot is indeed systemic and deep. And what's sad is that we are teaching the same things to our jawans and young officers who instead of learning more about their profession and sweating it out with the men (on a LRP or on the cross country route) are learning how to chart their career progression through such 'get rich quick' schemes. We are digging a hole for ourselves, and we'll sure fall into it when the next war happens and everything unravels. Until then, it is business as usual - in keeping the boss and his wife happy and laughing all the way to the next rank .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-36704334344335464422014-10-14T01:05:11.069-07:002014-10-14T01:05:11.069-07:00Dear Akash,
Thank you for putting Col Shuklas blog...Dear Akash,<br />Thank you for putting Col Shuklas blog in the correct prospective. I was never in the Army (regrettably) but I am a son of a retired Brig. My dad was from the 17 Para Field regiment and has faught all three wars. His IC number is 4841 which would indicate his seniority, I as a civilian feel ashamed at the way Col Shukla take pot shots at the army. I think he is a disgruntled ex -officer who may have got superseded a few times and only became a Col because of time bound promotion. <br />I am proud of our Army. God bless them and their families. These guys make the extreme sacrifice because of which we civilians lead our lives. Thank you Armed forces. I have learnt a lot from the army while my dad was in service. Thank you for every thing.<br />VishalAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07161881774789674623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-24713514577023557902014-08-04T22:29:46.184-07:002014-08-04T22:29:46.184-07:00@ Anonymous 20:48
Got to admit that the trends ar...@ Anonymous 20:48<br /><br />Got to admit that the trends are worrisome. But, as long as there are officers like you who can see the trends and who are inclined to fix them, there is hope. Don't give up... live by your values.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6960420653218934592014-08-04T08:18:34.202-07:002014-08-04T08:18:34.202-07:00Owing to understandable restrictions, this comment...Owing to understandable restrictions, this comment has to be anonymous..<br />I am a third generation officer - my grandfather & father have served in combat arms of two sister services in the 1971 war. I was brought up in a home where the Indian Armed Forces were held in such high esteem.<br />Just this morning, I was involved in organising a garish display of "fake" prowess - to impress a senior officer. As though that wasn't sad enough, I am sorry to report that the senior officer was duly impressed. My immediate superior & his superior are now very likely to attend "prestigious" courses of instruction - thereby guaranteeing their next ranks.<br />Not to sound like a pessimist sir, but I think the rot has now reached & surpassed the level where it can be corrected. There is NO "generation" left which as been through the straight & narrow. Our entire hierarchy has used the "fast track" to get where they are.<br />Sorry to have to say this.<br />Best regards and apologies for being anonymous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-61877157733588094162013-10-08T04:30:08.098-07:002013-10-08T04:30:08.098-07:00we dont want the countrys chief to become holier t...we dont want the countrys chief to become holier than COW!! we all know what holy men do...@ asaram bapu<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6214708346253947532013-01-04T21:22:26.740-08:002013-01-04T21:22:26.740-08:00nice article
thanks for sharingnice article<br />thanks for sharingPlay Angry-Bird Gamehttp://www.parksonsgames.com/abtradingcards/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-91544679861368395692012-11-29T22:51:20.304-08:002012-11-29T22:51:20.304-08:00Dear Sir
Just happened to visit your blog by chan...Dear Sir<br /><br />Just happened to visit your blog by chance for the first time today. Didn't know about it. Went through your article and all comments, including the very adverse, which you certainly don't deserve (I know you as a professional soldier and a thorough gentleman). I may or may not agree with all that you have written but there is certainly a need for our Senior Commanders to introspect (on the direction that our Great Armed Forces are headed to) and ensure course correction before it's too late.<br /><br />Well, if things go wrong in any organisation, the organisation has to sort them out, rather than sleep over them (let my time pass kind of attitude) and all of us who have been or are still a part of this great organisation, know that all is not well. Enough has already been in the press/media. I would rather take a pragamtic view of all such reports/articles. Criticism should be accepted and taken positively for improvements to take place. I am reminded of an old saying - 'Nindak niyare raakhiye, aangan kuti chhaway. Bin paani bin saabuna, nirmal kare suhaaye'.<br /><br />However, I feel things have still not reached a point of no return. As they say -Night is darkest before dawn. There are still many good men (not only A few good men) in the Armed Forces and they would steer it clear. Only their WILL has to be strong. Faith and Hope should never be abandoned.<br /><br />At the end I would say that your article is thought provoking (as is evident from large number of comments, both 'for' and 'against'). Wake up calls are needed from time to time. Keep writing.<br /><br />Ram Avtar<br /><br /><br />Ram Avtarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08609626368876617490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-77196888549170255472012-11-29T18:56:06.089-08:002012-11-29T18:56:06.089-08:00While debating over the issue we have forgotten wh...While debating over the issue we have forgotten what Brig Nair’s objections were! In short he had objected to Ajay’s comments on:-<br /> <br />• The sweeping generalizations, exaggerations and illogical conclusions drawn by Ajay.<br />• Condemning Gen VK Singh to be politically ambitious and being divisive<br />• Ostentatious life-style of Army Chiefs <br />• Concluding that there is a decline in the ironclad faith of the army jawan in his superiors from stray incidents.<br />• Equating number of causalities sustained with valour displayed by an Army<br /> <br />What should be our response as veterans to someone who denigrates or condemns our Army? Should we say “Ajay well done you have proved to the world how useless we are” Or shall we ask him to shut up? We know what the problems are but this is not the solution. <br /> <br />To give a “twist to the tail” I would like to argue that the present problem that we face is due to one singular fact. We have not failed often enough! Are you surprised? The country simply does not know what will happen when an entire Army fails to deliver. That is why we get no respect. We are taken for granted. The politicians, bureaucrats and the police thinks that only they have any right to be corrupt. We should be able to show them that we can be a hundred times more corrupt than they can ever be. Footloose soldiers who kill at will, wreak havoc where ever they go, loot & plunder, demand and receive protection money and run a parallel government. What do you think will happen? Suddenly everyone will start praying for protection. They will say the Indian Army is the greatest. And we should say no, you are wrong, we are the worst of the lot, and we will remain so until you realise what were you missing.! <br /> <br />We can do a war gaming simulation to perfect this plan. What do you think are the chances of success? <br />Nayanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122614027098425190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-53003144754796751102012-11-25T04:30:05.623-08:002012-11-25T04:30:05.623-08:00We are still in denial that there is a problem. As...We are still in denial that there is a problem. As far as not washing dirty linen in public, that stage is long past. Even the Tatra case is perceived as an army scam where serving army personnel benefitted. The time has come for the Indian Army to not only do the “right thing” but also to be seen to be doing the “right thing”. <br />The Indian Army is trying to be more “British” than the “British Army” by not wanting to discuss “internal” issues in public. The British Army, in the meanwhile, has evolved not only in tactics & technology but also in the way it projects itself to the nation. Why else is it that even in this day and age, they do not face a shortage of qualified men and women ready to join the officer cadre while we have a shortage of about 15,000 officers?<br />Even if we want, the army is no longer isolated from the civilian population of this country. Thirty years ago in IMA there was just one demo on what was euphemistically called “aid to civil authorities” as that was not considered the army’s primary task. Today the army is largely involved only in “aid to civil authorities” which puts them in the spotlight on a daily basis and usually for all the wrong reasons. If anything, CI ops demands higher ethical and moral standards in addition to physical courage from the junior leadership than what is needed in conventional ops.<br />In the US an Indian born neuro-sciences major from Johns Hopkins joins the armoured corps to serve on the frontline in Iraq. A Wall Street executive quits his job to serve in Iraq. The US Vice President’s son does a tour of duty in Iraq. The British Army has Prince Harry flying Apaches in Afghanistan. In India we do not have the same level of enthusiasm or patriotism (?) among the qualified young people to join the army.<br />I think the army needs to send a clear message to the nation that in this age of scams and corruption here is one shining example of how to do things right. That the Chetwode motto ”…. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time" is not just something inscribed in the academy but something we live by.<br /><br />Old CrowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-82286265762323271282012-11-18T12:12:39.639-08:002012-11-18T12:12:39.639-08:00I agree with Furious Fauji entirely and seek to pu...I agree with Furious Fauji entirely and seek to publicise the opinion of Lt Gen (Retd) H S Panag in the context of his disagreement with both sets of views, the elaborate comments by Brig (Retd) Ajit Nair as well as the detailed rebuttal by Col (Retd) Ajai Shukla in the matter at http://ajitstraightfromtheshoulder.blogspot.in/2012/11/ajai-shukla-replies-to-my-response.html#comment-form<br /><br />Gen Panag,who was renowned for his uprightness, and often inconvenient adherence to a professional ethos and soldierly conduct, admits as much at http://rwac48.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/15/ that :-<br /><br /><i> 'IA Officer Corps is suffering from crisis of character. The problems of the IA Officer Corps are systemic and cultural in nature primarily due to poor leadership development and lack of application/enforcement of Military Ethics. In this environment while senior officers are seen as the the main violators of ethics,the juniors are virtually renegades in waiting. After all they rise to be senior officers.' </i><br /><br />Need anyone say more ?Renegade Juniornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-60326406506804299222012-11-18T04:35:56.145-08:002012-11-18T04:35:56.145-08:00Apropos Army Fan's comments, about ascertainin...Apropos Army Fan's comments, about ascertaining Furious Fauji's anonymous identity; this is another example of a perfectly inane and nonsensical comment - the author (of the comment) has no take on the blog or comments therein but is keen to uncover authors of 'treasonist' comments. He certainly IS a serving fauji - it shows in the expanse and scope of his interests and views, I am NOT one - not any more.<br /><br />And Brigadier Nair's comment, amongst others, that <i> "the pomp and ostentation that even junior IAS/IPS officers live in has to be seen to be believed,"</i> unambiguously conveys a call for matching the civil servants and the political class in the scale and scope of abuse of perks and privilege of office. Well Brigadier Nair, we have to clean up our house first! we owe it to the country which pays us in cash (pay) and kind (perquisites). Unless you feel otherwise, which I think you do, as do a number of others commenting here, that non-entitled perks of office are cherries for the plucking <b>on a whim</b>.<br /><br />As far as matters of official parity, denial of perks and degenerative protocol are concerned with respect to the bureaucracy - why leave it to Ajai Shukla to take up cudgels alone? How may Generals or Brigadiers resigned (or threatened to resign)in protest? Did you? On the contrary other than the Lieutenant Colonel & Pay Band III concession, it's the Generals who helped themselves to the biggest pay raise vis.a.vis any other rank. It's the Generals (Army Commanders and Chiefs) who manage to squeeze out outrageous 'Disability Benefits' from conniving Pre-Retirement Medical Boards. Some example that flag-rank officers are setting for others to emulate - in your time and now.<br /><br />Your comments are hollow, sir, and lack any merit that the issue deserves.Furious Faujinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-51254372631258218172012-11-15T12:01:27.762-08:002012-11-15T12:01:27.762-08:00Dear Col Ajai Shukla,
I know their is truth and su...Dear Col Ajai Shukla,<br />I know their is truth and substance<br />in your article, but it also reeks of commercial and journalistic gains.<br />Let us not get into this kind of diatribe specifically about the only surviving institution with some semblence of propriety in our <br />great Nation. Let us all do our little bits in our own little ways<br />and fade away as we all should one day.<br />No hard feelings, but to be fair, You have not done justice to the better aspects of the Services. We need to motivate youngsters to join<br />the Forces, we need to follow our value systems, we need to restore the respect and faith of the Services in the eyes of our citizens. Be a doer AND NOT CRIBBERS.<br />Hum honge kaamyaab ek din...<br />just keep the faith old boy!!Tiger Tiwarinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-65533217935818745212012-11-15T06:57:42.563-08:002012-11-15T06:57:42.563-08:00Q1) shukla, why did you "quit" the Armed...Q1) shukla, why did you "quit" the Armed Forces?? or were you kicked out?? i dont want this comment to be published or rather i know that it wont be.........but anyways the message is for u.<br /><br />now what do u actually want???<br />should the chief of one of the largest and strongest armies in the world live like a saint in an ashram?? or you mean to say the he doesnt even deserve the bare minimum. grant him something dude. he is afterall the CHIEF. <br /><br />more than being critical about things i think u r jelous......<br /><br />am sure u were one of those who always would have got the complete course screwed in whichever academy u were in...<br /> but do think it over before u sleep tonight....is whatever u r doin and writing justified?? or u are betraying the strong force which even today stands guard on the frontiers selflessly and people like you write crap and not very encouraging articles projectin the complete force as bad in the light of the civil stream: where u also belong today and lowerin the morale of the other serving and retired personnel who still have the sense and feelin of patriotism,,,,,,, and pride of being a soldier.<br /><br />sorry dude u got to be a little positive in life.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-85818332928597567842012-11-15T00:09:59.264-08:002012-11-15T00:09:59.264-08:00@furious fauji....at least let us know your rank a...@furious fauji....at least let us know your rank and regiment....are you serving or a veteran ? u seem to be one frustrated guy !Army fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-24675054008387910212012-11-14T07:39:33.033-08:002012-11-14T07:39:33.033-08:00Dear Ajai,
Your articles are normally well-researc...Dear Ajai,<br />Your articles are normally well-researched and well-written, as well as being informative and thought provoking, but this article was deeply disappointing. I thought it was crass – singularly lacking in taste and loyalty – and, may I add – intellectual honesty. There is a grain of truth in every issue that you touch upon, but the sweeping generalizations, exaggerations and illogical conclusions you’ve drawn on flimsy evidence, do your Army service little credit. You’ve obviously cut your umbilical cord with the Army and sound more like a journalist with a little knowledge about the Army, rather than the other way around.<br />Let me elaborate: your outright condemnation of both Gen VK Singh and Gen Bikram Singh in the very beginning imparts a negative tone to your whole article. We cannot condemn any Chief, past or serving, just on one action/set of actions. His performance must be viewed holistically and his overall impact on the Army seen, before pronouncing judgement. As far as the current Chief is concerned, I don’t think you are qualified to comment in the definitive manner that you have. "Most new bosses, even sports coaches, are expected to provide a new direction.” Silly comparison and a sillier joke that follows. Sports coaches are invariably changed after a debacle and a new direction may be in order. Army Chiefs, on the other hand, are not ‘supposed’ to invariably provide a new direction. As if the appointment of a new Army Chief is for the express purpose of prompting radical change. It most certainly is not. If Bikram stays out of controversy and leads the Army in a fair, impartial and proffessional manner, then he would have done his job. Not everyone can be a Sundarji or a Bipin Joshi.<br />The next three paragraphs on the supposedly ostentatious life-style of the Chief are a body-blow to the Army, coming as it does from an insider. The pomp and ostentation that even junior IAS/IPS officers live in has to be seen to be believed. Indicting the Chief for living in Army House in the manner befitting any Head of an organisation (in India or abroad) is hitting well below the belt. <br />Saying that the “recent face-offs…suggest a decline in the ironclad faith that the army jawan has always had….” is hugely misleading. Such incidents have happened on and off in our Army throughout my service and point to a localized lack of leadership, man-management and compassion, rather than an across-the-board drop in disciplinary standards. <br />“Lack of intellectual direction” and “intellectual desert” are phrases that you used in casual disdain. Agreed there are no great intellectuals in our Army. But the amount of intellectual activity that our Army does is astounding. No other institution prepares their officers so thoroughly for their next rank/assignment. I’m not sure which fabled intellectual desert you allude to. Overall, Service officers are more intellectually enabled than any other profession in India, where “on the job training” or “experience” doubles up as education. <br />Today, politicians and bureaucrats are hell-bent on denigrating the Army. We need our Veterans to support the Defence Services, especially those in influential positions in the media. We have a host of unresolved issues – like the OROP, the 6th Pay Commission inequities, the CDS issue et al, but most importantly; restoring pride and honour to the Defence Forces. I’d gone to South Korea, – and for a Country that has fought one single war in its entire history, they have a wonderful, comprehensive War Museum. Isn’t it shameful that we don’t have a single War Memorial/Museum in India ? See the izzat that the Americans give to their soldiers – in every speech made by Barack or Michelle Obama, they talk about and thank their “men and women in uniform, who sacrifice a lot”. Not a single word is ever mentioned by any Indian Minister/Dignitary/Official about our Forces. I’m ashamed of my Country for this. It doesn’t deserve a dedicated, apolitical, proffessional Army like ours. <br />StraightFromTheShoulderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16679630366293250527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-22021237139075317852012-11-11T08:37:01.285-08:002012-11-11T08:37:01.285-08:00One of the problems with our brass is that they ar...One of the problems with our brass is that they are quite schizophrenic (in fact some are prime candidates for the funny farm!!!) : on one hand, they think they are something very special in this country, in fact, God's gift to India, perhaps even left by the "BIRTISH" to sort out the natives; on the other, they always justify the rot within by saying, oh, look at what is happening in the society outside and we cannot be divorced it. <br />Please make up sun-and-golf addled minds. Either you are that something special, in which case special privileges are yours - but also, you should be judged by special rules of ethical and moral beghaviour. If you are going to justify bad conduct by comparing to the society at large, well them you are no better and that is how you should be treated and judged. <br />Here is a man who is more of a soldier than the lot who is cursing him - at least he is truly loyal to the flag; as opposed to those who are cursing him merely for holding a mirror to the self-serving. The fact is that Ajai Ahukla may be a Colonel, but he is younger than most Generals and senility has yet to set in his case. That is another problem : some bums rise to the top like scum and then think they have achieved Nirvana and have found all the answers to life's problems. I think that is why bum-sucking in the Army is such a paying venture, a la "Sir tussi God ho!!". What makes you think that guy think he is smarter than Ajai? I do not reacll the Army ever conducting IQ (and psychological) tests for Generals, though it is high time they started them. <br />Lastly, do look, and this time without any bias, at how other nations have treated their Generals. Russia/Soviets and China have sluaghtered them in numbers; the US has sacked even iconic Generals like Patton and MacArthur, who then died in ignominy. Former Secretary Robert Gates sacked six, including CENTCOM chief Admiral Fallon and ISAF chief McChrystal. Sri Lanka put its former chief in jail. Turkey has locked up just a few hundred of them. In fact, India has treated its Generals with the greatest respect, despite the f---ups like 1962, Kargil, etc, for which no one has been held accountable. It is very easy to blame politicians and bureacrats, but my question is : why did you not do your best and why did you come back alive? After all, countless Indians paid for what sustaining you and the Army? So, just for that, you should given your utmost. In sum : stop bitching and start cleaning your house out.Kaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-89011132529456298962012-11-09T15:29:29.744-08:002012-11-09T15:29:29.744-08:00What IA needs is a Musharraf and Kayani, in one......What IA needs is a Musharraf and Kayani, in one....look at them. They looked after their Jawans....and NCO's. Even their paramilitary units have more cohesion then our regular army. MPatelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-25801732120007815202012-11-06T05:00:50.138-08:002012-11-06T05:00:50.138-08:00dear all
nice to see people write blogs
my observa...dear all<br />nice to see people write blogs<br />my observations<br />1 this has been happening from time immemorial.<br />2 this is not a news scoop.<br />3. babus r eating away money ,at least our gens call it perks and previledges.<br />4 we r just another org like any other PSU trying to justify to the country our existence.<br />5. all malpractices r known to all senior people and hence r equally party to curtailment of facilities to us all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-89562334568002028522012-11-05T11:11:53.395-08:002012-11-05T11:11:53.395-08:00This one is for Akash who graces these comments ab...This one is for <i>Akash</i> who graces these comments above.<br /><br />Akash, whoever you are pal, you have absolutely no standing in the matter and therefore your comments ought NOT to have been published. Alternatively, identify yourself positively while taking thoroughly irrelevant pot-shots at a blog author - there's a COAS Commendation Card for you in there somewhere as a defender of the faith! Blogs are a matter of personal expression of views - visitors read them and move on or counter them with merit. You have done no such thing ! I do wish your tirade had been screened out by the author, what a waste of good fonts !!!<br /><br />For others who have questioned Broadsword's <i>stooping</i> polemics vis.a.vis other pressing issues like parity in emoluments etc, I can only retort that we need to set our house in order first and start small - revive / resuscitate and promote a culture of ethics, integrity & honour. These are not stocked in CSDs, don't need a Statement of Case for the MoD to act on; they are free and need to be nurtured and rewarded. Instead of these core values growing substantially as an officer progresses up the ranks, these core values are the first victims of career progression.<br /><br />With due apologies to the Navy, as they say <i>the Vice Admiral's vice is the Rear Admiral's rear</i> sums up the perversity of the existing value system in the Army.<br /><br />Adios Akash - get your own blog - lets see what can you write about !!!Furious Faujinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-73727135364534363512012-11-05T05:46:03.434-08:002012-11-05T05:46:03.434-08:00We are a nation of wannabe brown sahibs. The army ...We are a nation of wannabe brown sahibs. The army is merely a reflection of this reality. Of course its colonial history may play a role but as a society we are obsessed with hierarchy, and what better place to practice hierarchy than the armed forces!<br /><br />Meanwhile in more egalitarian societies (Israel, US) teenagers/ORs/outsiders develop cutting edge weapons and tactics and are given the opportunity to climb up the ranks. Yes I know there are elements of meritocracy in our system and hierarchical bureaucracies in the West, but that does not change the underlying reality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-43294989544015533102012-11-05T05:03:14.173-08:002012-11-05T05:03:14.173-08:00@ Aakash
Don't take it personally. The good t...@ Aakash<br /><br />Don't take it personally. The good thing about a dialogue is that both the parties are right ! anyways , your smarting at being pooh-poohed at being a less than a tough Fauji is justified, but then, that's the way the oldies would like to brag - that "their times" were tougher, fairer and more disciplined. Maybe so. But I bet you'd do the same (in a perfectly lighter vein I suspect) to your youngsters too. Anyways what the Colonel is trying to bring out here is the rot within, which needs to be aired too heal (of course some medicine also has to be applied, but that's for later)<br /><br /><br />@ Baba kaamdev @4 November 2012 16:45<br /><br />Astute observations. But what has anyone done about it ? The moment a CO stands up to speak out what's right, it's the end of the road for his career. What does the poor blighter do. Though you're spot on with the unwarranted excess of AWWA activities which lead to disillusionment and disgruntlement for the young officer and soldier alike, who passed out from their respective training academies/centres with dreams in their eyes - dreams of fighting for their country and annihilation of the enemy. Sadly, his "josh & junoon" is (mis)directed towards preparing an officers' mess towards a Ladies' Meet of deciding the floral arrangement for themed AWWA do's . So much for efficient utilisation of the vast human resource we have in the army. <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-84039388677568039392012-11-04T19:41:51.002-08:002012-11-04T19:41:51.002-08:00You hit the nail n the head colonel - fair & s...You hit the nail n the head colonel - fair & square. But this article for sure is going to heckle a few bigwigs who will, by way of clever manipulation or change in policy will continue to reap the ill gotten gains of higher ranks - like a retinue of tradesmen and privileges.<br /><br />The COAS should lead by example. But that is the moot question, how many officers actually do?<br />If the Army House is to maintain a standard of decorum and is required to host dignitaries, let the Army project a case in proper manner to the MoD and employ proper civilian employees. However, the Army it seems is reluctant to ask for what is rightfully and genuinely their right.<br /><br />This case of the Flag Rank officers grossly misusing their privileges is definitely not a one off case. This is prevalent all across the length & breadth of the country , more so in the field formations. Pop into any division, force or corps headquarters in field (Like the one you delivered a lecture in recently) and you will be amazed (or maybe not) to see the hordes of tradesmen and drivers (with vehicles - vehicles that are sourced from battalions fighting insurgency or are deployed to prevent infiltration on the Line of Control/LAC, leaving the battalion stranded to 'manage' on their own) attached to cater for the comforts of a multitude of appointments - COl 'Q', Colonel General Staff, Brigadier General Staff, Brigadier in charge Administration etc. And it is bound to happen. When the General Officer Commanding can have a retinue of combatant soldiers (sourced from combat unit 'actively' engaged in combating insurgency or infiltration) attached to his household, what is stopping the minions mentioned above to make themselves comfortable? Well, if the GOC can have two cooks, two waiters,three sahayaks, six gypsies with drivers and a safaiwala, what difference will it make if the Colonel Administration or the Colonel General Staff also asked for a cook or two vehicles with drivers- combat efficiency of the unit be damned. <br /><br />It's called 'बहती गंगा में हाथ धोना '<br /><br />What is the net effect? <br /><br />Well the combat unit that is supposed to provide these- its efficiency is definitely degraded. If out of the 20 or so cooks authorised to a unit, it sheds 5 then the cook-houses , that are meant to cook three square meals for 120 or more people 365 days a year are surely going to have a tough time, leaving frontline unit to fend for itself. But then, who gives a &*#%$,? Surely not the people who are enjoying these privileges. No Sir . THeir mentality is - मैंनू की फर्क पैंदा है ? <br /><br />So it is a fair & square article, which, as I mentioned earlier hits the nail on the head. It will ruffle more than it's share of feathers, but things will not change..........they'll continue to be the way they are. You know that. Alas !<br /><br />Anyways colonel, gallant attempt. <br /><br />Bravo !<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com