Jaswant Singh… Indian Army better awaken to reality
On military training
Technically, there was little I found difficult in all this military training. It was all clearly so exaggerated, needlessly loud and overbearing, and especially concentrated too, so as to break us in quickly. And for most, that breaking-in was permanent. As I tried to cope with the daily assault on my sensibilities, and upon my incurably free spirit, this ‘understanding’ helped me arrive at just the appropriate response: ‘I must preserve myself and not sink into the anonymity of totally submissive obedience. For this, technical excellence in the “externals” of what is being imparted is training, is all that is needed.’ That brought me privacy, saved my self-respect and spirit, too. Was this not the aim of all this bullying and hectoring after all: to inculcate qualities of individuality, initiative, the ability to think and act on one’s own? I doubt it. The system really works for developing conformity, not individuality, unthinking obedience, not questioning assent.
Military training gave me a very great deal, infinitely more than what it took. What I had to give was conformity and obedience, even a pretence sufficed. In return, I got self-control, a sense or regulating time, much greater self-discipline. Vigorous physical training, coming on top of an already led outdoors life and upbringing, became a kind of fixed deposit of value, of habit, of exercising the body daily. A certain military directness replaced the rounded courtesies of village dialect.
…The schedule and pace of military training was such as to leave hardly any free play in the mind. If you gave yourself up then it would suck you down, instantly.
***
On Commissioning
I already knew, had perhaps always known, that I was not going to be in the army for good.
***
On military service
My commissioned service in the Army of just about nine years, 15 December 1957 — 22 November 1966, has no place in this narrative. I joined in what I term as the ‘golden age of cantonment soldiering’ in India. We soldiered as we imagined fabled cavalry must have done at one time, therefore, we too must follow suit: ‘Cavalry, Sir, is to lend colour to battle to add style to what is otherwise just an unseemly squabble’, ‘Officers, Sir, are to lead men into battle, not muck around all the time on piffle like inspections and parades and all that…’ An officer at Jhansi railway station, aping the ‘mythical’ Brabazon to the flustered and hapless station master, after being informed that the train to Delhi had gone: ‘Gone?’ the officer asked in a gimlet-soaked drawl, ‘what do you mean gone? Get another, instantly, go and get another train, now.’
I realised soon enough that all this was empty posturing, this living as caricatures; that the Army had better awaken to reality. I sought a formal interview and asked for permission to resign. I had barely two years of service. ‘Why?’ a rather jovial, bon-vivantish colonel commandant asked. He was a great raconteur and he truly couldn’t grasp what I meant when I said: ‘To write Sir, I need leisure to do so, and I am losing time.’ Astounded he asked: ‘How old are you?’ ‘Twenty-one, Sir,’ ‘Twenty-one! You are mad! The maximum leisure is here in the Army, not outside. Look at me… I have all the time I want, so much that I don’t know what to do with it.’ I did not succeed then, but I was not deterred from my objective either.
As a reflex, I volunteered for all the impossible seeming missions, the many reconnaissance in the Himalayas that were then being ordered.
***
On Resigning
In 1966, I resigned. When asked to give reasons, I stated clearly: ‘To join politics.’ I had no pension, I did not want one, and, of course, no other ‘terminal benefits’ from the Army. My service with it was the great benefit, and what the Army gave me, taught me, left with me is my priceless pension.
[Extracted from A Call to Honour - In service of Emergent India by Jaswant Singh, Rupa & Co., New Delhi, 2006]
Good riddance
OROP Nil support ?
Kargil medal for him ?
Kandahar ?
Wearing a CIH Beret and pushing the ECHS as his own bright idea ?
Rude, supercilious with the brass ?
he is so full of hiself that he will soon burst. methinks the army was too much for him to handle. Better to be a Thakur and lord over lesser mortals rather than demonstrating leadrship skills to earn respect.
@ PS/ jabs
I disagree with your views. If you read through his entire book, then he is more pro than against the Armed Forces. Had his emotions been understood at that point of time, then probably the Armed Forces would not have been in the present S**t.
1. Trust but verify ?
(a) Biodata: ( JS says he is a BA, BSc )
http://164.100.24.167:8080/members/biodata.asp?no=77&mpname=Singh+Shri+Jaswant
http://164.100.47.5:8080/members/website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=77
(b) JS says he is not even a Graduate !
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/17255.html
2. Tangled Web:
(a) Discussion Boards:
http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/21onkar1.htm
(b) The Economic Times:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Jaswant_Singh_faces_an_opium_test/articleshow/2520782.cms
(c) The Second Hijack:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/11747.html
I am not saying that he is against the army, only that he was a misfit in it. By his own admission he is more an academic than a soldier and now he is a politician. I wonder what the actual jaswant is all about. And pray what s**t are the armed forces in? they are doing a tremendous job in ensuring the internal and external security of the country. There are internal problems in every organisation, so it is in the Artmed forces. this does not mean that they have lost their touch.
[...] officer, has never used his military rank in his political life. And indeed, in his autobiography, he writes “My commissioned service in the Army of just about nine years, 15 December 1957 — 22 [...]
Hi PS
I am not sure if you have any personal vendetta against Jaswant Singh (in my assessment was probably one of the most outstanding ministers India has produced in the recent past.He was an achiever too any yardstick of performance)
Legtimate criticism against Jaswant Singh9on Kandahaar episode etc) is one thing but you chose to pick on something silly and that too by resorting to deliberate falsehood on his educational qualification.Other than in India,’Graduate’ refer to someone who does a advanced degree after finishing his undergraduate programme.BA and B.Sc are commonly understood as Undergrad programs by generally accepted classification
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_school
Amazing…Mr. Jaswant singh has started playing politics here too!!!
The way these portions from his book have been produced here it appears that Mr Jaswant was never fit for the defence forces. Another case of misrepresentation by prags.
Kandhar! brushed aside. who all were involved in the decision making.
Four years in the Army but nothing worth mentioning. Just joining politics can not be the reason enough. ‘Had I remained in Army I would have been court marshaled” Does it say some thing about the attitude towards discipline or in-discipline. no family life except the solitary K in acknowledgments.
a good read, absorbing, fluid and enjoyable, throws lot of light on many gray areas of the period.
training in IMA
The Dreaded Drill Square
Extract from soon to be published book ‘A Soldier’s Journey through Life’ By Brigadier Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)
Comments
What need to be understood is that IMA provides the essential basic training required by an infantry soldier; On commission the young officers proceed to different Arms and Services , based on their aptitude an service requirements , the training imparted in IMA always there as a backbone of the officer.
Here is something written about Jaswant Singh by Aditi Phadnis.
As a Def Min what did he do to rectify this handicap where Defence officers have to say “Yes Sir’ when they mean “No Sir”. As a political leader what has he done to remove this weakness amongst officers.
Even as a political leader he has done and said things he never meant.
Jaswant Singh in his book titled Call to Honour, published in July 2006 stated that a mole has played a “central role in giving new direction to India’s economic policy”.
When he can write so much about the military why can’t he even name the mole or do something to rectify what he feels is wrong in the Army?
Isn’t he responsible for National security?
Dear readers,
The service officers have to be careful about the reason that they state when they apply for voluntary retirement.
The most popular reason which many give is the sickness of aged parents and the requirement of looking after them. Some give taking care of property and lands which are are in risk if unattended. If some one states that he is disillusioned with service and there is no growth and no useful purpose would be served by continuing further, the applications would be surely rejected for telling truth. truth is hard to digest and is a naked fact.
No one wants to accept the truth including the serving snobbish service officers. By accepting such reason, the governmnet or Ministry of Defence would be accepting their own defeat, position and failure and such reasons are not thus accepted. That means governmnet does not want any thing on paper about their failures in promoting the service and making it lucrative as no 1 service. Though they advertise DO YOU HAVE THAT ( SPUNK) IN YOU? they prove after few years that most of them are useless by the time they are about 40 to suffer eternally. They already decide inintially to condemn great percentage by 40 years for none of their fault. It is no doubt competetive in terms of rat race to put things straight. If some one misses board three times , he can always state that he has missed the boat three times and hence he wants to quit. hat will be acepted and governmnet is happy to accept that the officer himself has stated that he could not make to the rank through boards and thus was condemned and the condemnation is accepted by him. Thus govt wants to relieve the officers after they accept their condemantion.So Govt is happy and plays safe.It is self defeating in purpose,theory and in practice and probably immoral too. The reasons for missing the boat could be varied, debatable in most of the cases, determined by circumstances and goofed up by the much controversial draconinan ACR system and whimsical and unceratin guys at top. Difficult to digest indeed. This has ruined scores of bright men in services in past and continues to do so like a bull dozer. In fact service is a bull dozer ready to ruin scores by their forties. The MOD of course flatly denies and states all is well. Redressal itself is debtable and very poor. The guys who reached top positions would not accept the shortcomings because they are in better positions and turn a Nelsons eye to real problems. If the cupboards are opened rotten and stinking skeletons would roll in many thousands. The eye sockets of skulls would stare at the COAS who remains unmoved. Redressal itself is debatable and poor. The same is not true for IAS men. Every one who joins almost makes to joint secretary equivalent to Maj General. Rather army equates Major General to Joint Secretary and not other way. IAS men are not interested to equate with army ranks because they are ruling the land. They are least bothered. It is army that is running after equations and feeling satisfied externally. The joint secretary looks very young with hardly 20 years service while the Major General looks exhausted, mostly blad with weathered look with atleast threee decades of service behind and sagging under sword and baton outwardly twisting his moustache. Of course he and his ego is satisfied with the red star plate and some type of flag on a staff car. The flashing red light on the roof satisfies his ego fully that are not authorised to IAS men mostly.
In nut shell, the service men wanting to call it a day have to tell real lies to get out before getting condemned after three boards. As Jaswant singh stated he wanted to join politics all can not do. If every one states probably it becomes a joke. Some poor should hang on for the tit bits and the time scale rank of Colonel to atleast to take a photograph ith weathered look and feel satisfied. When he comes out he is rotten and becomes dead wood ( drift wood) forcibly , the legacy of defence services. Better luck in next life is the answer.
Unknown
As Jaswant Singh said,
Military training is to break ones will
So they do the regular punishments and drill
Guys are bullied and given idiotic hair cut
While the brains settle with lot of rust
Initiative is killed with brute force
The guys of course have no remoarse
Mental faculties soon decay
The guys turn into dumb asses eating hey
Unknown
@ unknown
Respected sir,
A young officer can leave forces only on extreme compassionate grounds.As the grounds of FINAL supersession/ to join a PSU (provided vacancy exists and if approved by MOD) are not available to young officers.
The worst case is Medical officers who had time scale Lt Col at 14 yrs and were considered for Full col at 25 yrs of service for the first time SO by the time they were finally superseded they had finished 28 yrs of service.Given the basic MBBS being 5 and 1/2 yrs course and you are comissioned at 23 this used to mean 50+ yrs.
The things are a bit better now after AVSC when the doctors are being considered for the first time at 21 yrs service for full col so they can quit at 24 yrs of service.The bad part is about 60% make it to full col and then only 10 % make it to brigadier(or equivalent )
SO the only recourse is to apply on extreme compassionate ground.
To add fuel to fire if your papers are rejected you cant apply for release again within 01 year for the same reason.
So if you put up papers after making some ground they dont reply for almost one year.Then after they are rejected you cant put up for another one year.Then you put it up they dont reply for one year.so till the time you put up three times at least three years are wasted.
In these three years if your parents are ill they die(or if you have marietal disharmont your wife divorces you) so your compassionate ground holds no ground adn they reject it.
The first thing which comes to my mind is why cant someone leave because he does not want to serve.Let him give three years notice within which they can make good the short fall.
First make an officer lie and then call him liar and condemn him.
It is not service it is not even bonded labour it is slavary nothing else.
WHat are we talking about huma rights.
I was told that you joined service voluntarily.SO when told a general that when I joined AFMC I was just 17.If I make a mistake at 17, Cant I ever correct it? I am condemned for life what kind of justice is this? He had no answer.
Regards
Subodh
Dear Subodh,
Your questions are highly valid. In my post I said Govt is forcing officers to lie and lie repeatedly to get release. They make sure that the officers are condemned and then let out leaving a permanent mental agony in them. Mnay are turned into mental wrecks. As you said slavery is a correct word rather than bonded labour. Slavery was rampant in bye gone ages. Kutubuddin Ibek who ruled at Delhi after Mohammed Ghori left in 13 th century was a slave of his master. By sheer skills he rose to be the general of Ghori. To be a ruler he was to be freed from slavery.Ghori agreed to this and the royal permission was granted and he was freed of bondage. But Indian army does not believe in such practices.Ghori was happy to free him when Ibek reached more heights. We condemn and then allow officers to leave. What type of justice it is? No answers to such questions. So Retired officers automatically do not recommend services for their own children. How can others be motivated to join? As a I wrote Govt will never accept the papers if you tell the truth that service no more has any charm or future and you want to leave and do not want to serve. If you are released on this cause, it means the Govt has accepted its failure. This will not be acceptable . The exit policy is non existing, shady and inhuman and rather immoral too. One may arhgue that everything is part of Karma as Lord Krishna said in Gita. This would be phiolosophical over view of the fa iled organizational values.
Unknown
u all are always worried about permanent commissioned lads. What about short Service Commission .they are really short circuited in the long run.
Govt should stop this ssc bussiness. It is inhuman, immoral trafficking of people and then dumping them in the middle of messy road. the only alternative left for a ssc lady officer is to get married at right time so that she can have roti, kapda and makan when she really needs it.
@ Wg CdrSangeeta Malla(Retd)
BTW You should not write (Retd.) after Rank but after Name. A rank given is for life.
Nobody dumps SSC officers, they are given choice to stay and only .01% choose to stay and it happens extremely rarely that somebody opting to stay with services are not allowed to !!
@ Unknown on Jaswant Singh
Yes you are right, The Poem is Fully and Completely applicable on Jaswant Singh himself !!
Technocrat@
Thanks
Unknown
Better Hang uniform… Why hang yourself?
Dear readers
Army has been waging a continuous battle with the civilian bosses Topiwallahs, Lungiwallahs, Jodhpur coat wallahs and turnab wallahs, Suit wallahs for various disparities in rank, pay, status, perks and equivalence. The former colonial British Indian army has been systematically down graded in a democracy and it has been reduced to a lower status over the years in a democracy and there is no doubt army takes a back seat. Probably an ungrateful nation and its pseudo leaders have forgotten all the sacrifices of service persons all these years. The political leaders in India who enjoy the perks of parliament, luxary cars , apatmnets, free air travel, trips abroad, plenty of money and power have simply forgotten the sacrifices of soldiers, airmen and sailors all these years and forgot that their safe and happy enjoying in the parliament and all the perks they enjoyed all these years was only by virtue of sacrifices of service men eversince 1947. It does not mean that army can be neglected and thrown into a dust bin s seen now. however after every war in India, Army’s status has been down graded while some Generals got promotions and governorships after retirement. For this, who is to be blamed? When our own house is not in order , others automatically exploit you ( rather screw you). They throw blames at you. All these years, Indian army was in hiberanation and blacked out by the old British victorian customs of chivalry and sacrfice. It did more of slavery more beautifully termed as discipline and regimentation.This has been fully utilised to exploit army by the Indian bosses such as ledaers, IAS men, glorified clerks. They have taken services for granted. The old saying that a good slodier fades out gracefully. Poor Indian army officers stuck to this and many faded out unsung and un heard.There is a saying that even a mother does not feed a child unless it cries. Army with a self imposed holy cow image allowed itself to be shoed about by the glorified clerks all these years. What is the use of crying now loud? The service chiefs never agreed together on any point except recently when they asked the latest pay commission report to be kept in pending unless the disparities are settled. The media has lambasted the services for taking such a stand. Does it mean that services have to sacrifice themselves at altar fully exploted? Is media playing dirty devil now? Probably yes.Should army air force and Navy not have any voice? Will they have to get bashed up eternally? Even a cat retalliates if cornered. Even a docile cow stabs with horns when troubled seriously. The guys in uniform are sacrificed prematurely at the prime of the life in the form of draconian ACR and top brass has to be blamed for this. None else.Dedressal is so bad and no one has confidence in it. Continued aping of British traditions in a changed world has done the greatest damage to our services. It has reached such a state that army officers have been arrested by police persons and put behind bars and humiliated till they were resuced by seniors. In some cases army guys have bashed the police persons at the police stations. ( Ex Langar House incident at Hyderabad) Why such things happen? This is because army has been down graded ( Castrated is a harsh word). For this only senior guys like Generals have to take the blame. None else. Some think it is better hang unifiorm instead of suffering humiliation in a thankless and ungrateful nation.No sane youth is taking up service in armed forces. Why they should? A Tragedy indeed.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
The service guys are now given more vacancies for higher promotions as read in a daily. May be a tune of 12oo for army.From Colonels to Lt Generals these have to be proprtinately divided and distributed in various arms and services etc. Naturally more would go for arms and less for services. Tail is inferior to teeth. Finally at the level of Colonel that is a bottle neck hardly any change it would make. The crib would still continue. Army still wants to maintain steep structure of pyramid. It can not be like a Egyptian pyramid. It would be like steep peak type pyramid as seen in movie ‘Superman returns’ or ina Harry potter movies’s castle. Everything would turn out to be a war fighting for mountain and catching a a mini rat at the end. Bettel luck next time.Every time war is new and experiences are fresh.
Unknown
source :shiv aroor blog….
On Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Defence formally denied the existence of a sensitive article from South Block that Headlines Today put on air the same afternoon — an article honestly, violently and articulately full of hate for the bureaucracy, and packed with insider detail of just how the pay commission mess has been allowed to snowball into the crisis it is now. Denial apart (there’s no way the Ministry could accept the existence of such an article — that would be tantamount to admitting just how dangerous things have gotten), we stuck by our story and went on air with it again primetime at 9.30pm Tuesday night, double pep, through the night and the earlier half of today. The note, being called an “article” has been authored by senior serving officer(s). Well since the Ministry of Defence denies the existence of the article (in essence, a retort to Shekhar Gupta’s column from October 4), and we stand by it, I thought I’d put it up here for anyone who cares to have a look at it. These are excerpts:
Setting Up of Committee of Secretaries (CoS). CoS was set up to look into and resolve the anomalies in the 6th CPC report, as highlighted by various Central Govt cadres.
Armed Forces Representative Not Included In Any Capacity. Verbal assurances were offered by the officials of the Def Ministry that the issues raised by the Armed Forces were well understood by them and will be pursued most honestly and diligently by the Def Secy (a member in the CoS). Hence, they justified non-inclusion of any Armed Forces Rep in the CoS, even in advisory or observer capacity.
Opaqueness in Deliberations of CoS. In absence of any communication from the CoS, the Chairman COSC formally sought that the findings and recommendation of the CoS be shared with the Armed Forces for them to attach their concurrence or observations, if any, prior to the same being submitted to the Cabinet for “Informed Decision Making”. No formal or Informal Response was received to this formal request.
Cabinet Decision : Ill Informed. The Cabinet could not be faulted in giving its approval to the recommendations of the CoS. They were fair in assuming that Armed Forces views would have been objectively presented and analysed as the Def Secy was on the panel of CoS.
Questionable Manner of Dissemination of Govt Notification of the CPC. The Govt Notification was made available to the Services HQ late on Friday (after 5.30 PM the office closing time in South Block). Further, only that portion of the notification was made available which pertained to the Armed Forces. This prevented the concerned Armed Forces officials to study the Govt Notfn at least until offices opened on Monday; and even then, unable to do any comparative analysis vis-à-vis provisions made for other Govt Services, they would not be in position to analyse the implications on parity/disparity issues for quite some time thereafter.
Major Discrepancies Noticed by Armed Forces in Govt Notfn. While being exposed to continued “informal pressure from the bureaucracy” to commence the implementation process, the Armed Forces, with ‘patient haste’ conducted a detailed study and analysis to find “four major discrepancies” in the Govt notfn. While, one of the core anomalies was the legacy of the original CPC report, the Armed Forces were surprised that the other three had been introduced surreptitiously by the CoS itself (please remember, the CoS was constituted to resolve anomalies and NOT create them).
Chairman COSC and Services Chiefs Meet RM. The RM, when presented the facts pertaining to the 4 Core Anomalies, was convinced of their logic and legitimacy and promised the Service Chiefs to take up the issue with the PM. He directed the officials in the MoD to communicate the same to the PMO, with his recommendations for early resolution.
The Bureaucratic Subversion. In absence of the RM, the MoD did not send any communication to the PMO as directed by the Minister. Instead, it sent a note for consideration of the officials of the Fin Ministry. The note thus sent, diluted the Armed Forces’ case as was presented to the RM and with which the RM had already concurred. The officials of the Fin Ministry diluted the Armed Forces case even further and presented the same to the Fin Minister. The Note, thus rejecting most of the Armed Forces’ observations and proposals was to be dispatched to the PMO.
Service Chiefs Meet Finance Minister: Bureaucratic Subversion Partially Exposed. The Service Chiefs (at least the two of them) met the Fin Minister before the Note rejecting the Armed Forces’ case could be dispatched to the PMO. After detailed presentation of their case, the Fin Minister acknowledged that “officials in his Ministry had misled him and had also misrepresented facts”.
Bureaucratic Fiat Issued Separately to Three Services to Notify Govt Notfn on Pay Commission so as to Ensure Its Implementation wef 01 Oct 08. Three separate notes were issued separately directly to the three Services HQ (please remember, all communication on the subject between the MoD and the Services were with the Central Pay Commission Cell in the COSC and not directly with the Services HQ). Moreover, the notes were issued by the MoD in absence of the RM who still was away on foreign visit.
Service Chiefs Meet PM. The PM responded favorably to the Service Chiefs’ presentation of the core anomalies. He also stated that he had received favorable comments on the issues, from the Fin Minister but, the PMO could not proceed to take a view as it had not yet received any communication on the issue from the MoD. (Please remember again that the RM, before proceeding on visit abroad, had instructed his Ministry to send a formal communication to the PMO).
Service Chiefs Meet RM : Fears of Further Exposure of Bureaucratic Subversion. Service Chiefs apprised the RM of their meetings with the Fin Minister and the PM. They also apprised him of the fact that no communication had been sent by the MoD, as personally directed by him) to the PMO. The RM directed a letter drafted immediately, recommending all Armed Forces’ proposals. The same was dispatched, addressed to the PM and personally signed by the RM.
Services Chiefs Issue Communication to All Ranks. The nature of sudden and intense media campaign which had potential of subverting the morale and maybe discipline of personnel, issue communications to all ranks in respective services.
The following basic principles must be considered and informed view taken in the context of the issue being discussed:
Is Govt Authority synonymous with the Bureaucratic Authority? Is Subservience of the Military to the Civil Authority in a Democracy synonymous with Subservience of the Military to Bureaucratic Authority?
Each one in the Armed Forces have grown, since their initial induction, learning that in a Democracy, in the context of the Military’s Subservience to the Civil Authority, the Civil Authority signifies the “Elected Govt” and at the larger levels, the “Parliament” and the “Constitution of India”. On day-to-day functioning, the bureaucracy may represent the elected Govt but it surely does NOT replace elected Govt.
The bureaucracy misled the Cabinet into believing that their recommendations were based on fair consideration of the views and logic of the Armed Forces (if it was not so, the RM, FM and PM would not have been surprised and found merit in the issues raised by the Armed Forces subsequently).
The bureaucracy, knowing the schedule of foreign visits by the RM and PM, deliberately worked in a manner that would prevent exhaustive deliberations with the deadline of 01 Oct and thus pressurise (the pressure was brought through a section of the media, led by Indian Express and a print news agency) the Armed Forces to implement the Pay Commission in its current form and deferring the resolution of the core anomalies indefinitely. This is exactly what they achieved in the case of previous Pay Commission.
What is most disconcerting in the bureaucratic design that they resorted to “disobeying instructions of the RM”; and “Misleading the FM and Misrepresenting Facts Before Him”. The charge of “Defiance of Govt Authority” that is being labeled upon the Service Chiefs actually should be labeled upon the Bureaucracy.
As for the Service Chiefs withholding Notifying the Govt Order, it is a simple case of they being morally bound to apprise the Govt of their perception of anomalies and ill-effects of implementing its order, prior to blindly executing it. Once the Govt (represented by the RM and PM) found merit in reconsidering the aspects brought before it by the Armed Forces and assured the Service Chiefs of having a re-look, until it got back to the Services with fresh instructions, the Services cannot be blamed for ‘defiance’ or ‘disobedience’. Once the Govt did come back during the previous weekend with interim orders, the Services have accepted the same and are implementing.
As far as the communications issued by the three Services Chiefs to all ranks is concerned, one ought to read the complete documents and understand the context. There is nothing in them which can be distantly construed as ‘defiance of govt authority’. In fact, in all manuals on military leadership and of late, also included in teachings on HR by the corporates, one of the abiding principles is that of “keep men informed”. This is expressly meant for men not following prey to rumours, propaganda and misinformation as they can seriously subvert the morale, discipline and ultimately operational effectiveness of any organized group and especially, the Armed Forces.
Mr Shekhar Gupta’s contention of the Service Chiefs behaving as “Union Leaders” egged by cheering ex-Servicemen, is gross misrepresentation. The Armed Forces are denied right to form unions, firmly in the belief that the concerns of each individual are addressed by a strict chain of command. This chain leads to the Service Chiefs. The Service Chiefs are thus doing what they ought to do in a democratic setup and purely as per democratic norms which govern the interface between the Civil Govt leadership and its subordinate military leadership. Mr Shekhar Gupta has also attributed the Services Chiefs with “Open Defiance of Civil Authority”. Is he in know of or can he recollect any instance of any act or articulation by services Chiefs which any sensible person can construe as defiance of civil authority? He surely cannot. Further, the ex-Servicemen should, if at all, be complimented for expressing their concerns and grievances, not only in democratic fashion but in a “dignified democratic fashion”. He, through his column, could have actually asked other interest groups and individuals to emulate them.
The whole episode so far, has been a classic case of the bureaucracy “subverting the democratic functioning of the state”; “undermining ‘informed – thus wise’ decision making by the Elected Govt”; and “Subverting the Public Opinion by Using/Misusing the Media”.
The facts and their sequence as brought out may be verified by those willing and an objective opinion may only be made thereafter. The provisions of the RTI Act would surely help uncover the criminal collusion and lengths to which the officials in the concerned Ministries have gone to, to ensure misrepresentation of issues, misleading their own Ministers (and thus the Govt) with the ill-intent of depriving legitimate dues to the Armed Forces personnel and undermining their status.
The bureaucracy, especially those associated with the Defence Ministry, during the past six decades, have found themselves not only increasingly incompetent but even unwilling to develop related competencies, to fulfill their assigned roles. As this episode clearly shows, the bureaucracy have instead, attempted to usurp the role of the Ministers (& thus the Govt) by assigning most of the “decision making” to themselves in the growing belief that in all cases of Ministerial interventions, they can effectively misrepresent facts and mislead the busy Ministers and further, that their acts of commission and omission will never be open to scrutiny of the Armed Forces. In the instant case, the concerned bureaucrats had not bargained for the Service Chiefs walking up the political masters which led to exposing of their nefarious designs and professional gross misconduct.
It is anybody’s guess that the current media campaign is the handiwork of the same very bureaucrats in a last ditch effort to scuttle the “Informed Decision Making Process by the Appointed GoM” and to “Cover Bureaucratic Misdeeds & Follies” by raising the bogey of “Armed Forces’ Defiance of the Govt Authority”.
@Unknown
Thanks for stating the truth and abject frustration as we went on like zombies to reach 20 years of service to get a pension so that our children at least do not blame us for not providing the basic aminities .
24 years of spunkless pitiful yes sirring, overshadowed by a moment when one actually felt like a man and dared to say NO. Your qualifications, your decorations, nothing can save you the wrath of an ACR spoilt.
Sucks.
Nobody dumps SSC officers, they are given choice to stay and only .01% choose to stay and it happens extremely rarely that somebody opting to stay with services are not allowed to !!
hello btw ,are u speaking about indian armed forces or u speaking about some other armed forces of the world . u are definitely shooting from the hip . whole world except u , knows the fact no ssc lady offr indian armed forces as of today is being given permanent commission. dont start disinformation campaign . kindly check ur info and facts.
Dear Unknown 2
ACR is the greatest villain in Army and its provisions have been misused by many to ruin others and take revenge or damage hiding behind like a snake in the grass.Some time ago remarks were shown. Then they were changed. Then nothing was shown. A simpkle avearge ACR need not be shown. The final damage is done whe the cut off level at MS branch is decided. To cater for pyramid cut off limit is prescribed. Then guys below the line even by fe points decimal are screwed. What type of Justice. There are hundreds and hundreds of officers who have been ruined by our own syste,. MOD never told these red Tab generals to screw guys. It is our own doing. Army senior guys suffer from self pride (Over) andself glorified virtue. Why blame IAS men when own house is bad. The army at every stage said the pyramid is steep. Many guys to go as Lt Col and Majors. Then why do not state the same thing before they are commissioned. They should have been told at SSB. Notify in the news papaer advertisement. Even to day the advertisements are shady andmislead people. The senior guys who have reached higher ranks do not understand the agony of officers who are sure but are left out without any warning in the last minute. They are compkletely shaken and broken. Even if a guy makes in next board that si unlikely it is like joining wo broken glass pieces with quick fix. It will never be the same. This army can never change.Why reject officers for vant of vacancies? Approve them in spite of lack of vacancies. Pay them same improved pay till they pick next rank. His ego would be satisfied. He is not mentally broken. Army itself has to be blamed or todays position and frustration in officers.The senior guys are probabaly more worried for AVSM or PVSM and jobs after retirement.They must change.
Unknown
All guys shouting on this blog ( including some pseudos),
All other uniformed services in India have to be one step down to Defense services. There can not be any argument on this and the version of police forces has no standing.Can you make DG BSY equal to rmy Chief. Probabaly day is not far off in India. They can not be superior to defense services. In any war like situation Police forces have to come under the command of army particularly the paramilitary forces where even IPS guys work on deputation. Army, air force or Navy commands the situation wherever required. The operational commanders are at battallon level who actually carry on opeartions. Earlier we had Lt Cols as batallion or regimental commanders and we rather foolishly made them colonles. Rank dilution by army has done the damage. This should be restored.Why police should copy army ranks? Why they should fly flags and star plates. It is not army? Nonsense should not be accepted. Unless services dig in heels they would be pushed around. In the latest episode ,the service chiefs indeed dig their heels in not implementing the pay packet. With MOD playing strong and showing stick of discipline probabaly chiefs may develop cold feet and that would be the end of the show. Sadly some say the service chiefs had rubber heels than steel heels. Once things are implemented no one cares for these uniformed guys, It happened in past. It would happen now too. Under the guise of discipline, Services are made to shut up. Then what is the solution? If a man looses board he can only represent and nothing would come out of this cock and bull fight and shadow boxing. He may go to court and again nothing would come out of the court too as the process is very slow and costly too. How many can aford? There is nothing like a tribunal in services. You put your grievance to your senior who has already damaged you. what can you expect from them? It is a just an eye wash. If the service chiefs can not take care of services ultimately sane persons naturally would expect them to call it a day than to enoy the star plates, flag, salutes,embroidered peak caps with lion emblems and sword and batons, hanging sword. ADC, g;owing roof lights and other bla…bla,, and chow chow..when they can not do. No bad feelings .No disrespect to the top guys. Do they have that spunk ? the usual question found in army advertisements trapping the candidates for commission and screwing them later at (? in past) and Ltcols and colonels promotions.Some even lost promotions for partD exam too. Sadly rarely a person has spunk puting on uniform. He meekly submits to the topiwallah in the country.There ends the matter.
Unknown
Unknown
Truth is pungent as ammonia gas
And many join army to turn into an ass
Many turn their head otherway
While scores nod heads and sway
Dear Bloggers ( Those who act as self styled spokesmen )
The guys reaching top in uniform slept all these days
Although they swallowed perks in hundreds of ways
Dozens of orderlies worked and toiled in their dens
While they ruined others reports using their dirty pens
These guys have no right to shed tears now
Who want to stay in front row some how
The ruined guys have lost the solace and light
The senior guys of course look to be happy and bright
These pay commission tricks would help only seniors lot
While others are thrown into a dirty shit pot
The same old story is sure to repeat
And all the guys would finally are sure to retreat
Unknown
WHAT A FATE?
Curtain rises and in the center of a dimly lit room in heavens an old man is lying on a cot. He is bald, tall , thin and frail. He has already crossed 90 years and is unable to move even. Next to his bed on a small table some medicines are kept. In a corner to a stand are hung uniform and embroidered peak cap. A rusty old fashioned sword hangs at a nail. Dusty Army boots are kept at a corner. The rank badges on uniform have almost become black due to influence of climate.The uniform is faded with wrinkles. He is seen coughing too…An eerie silence prevails in room.
(Some one knocks at the door and the old man is woken up)
Old man. Hey who is there .. Koyee hai…( Typical British Indian army style).. Ughh.. Ughhh …..(Coughs)
The door opens and a person walks in. He switches on the light and goes near the bed. He is not very tall, looks shriveled with large moustaches and walks with drooping shoulders.
Old man. Who is there ?.( Looks at the visitor.) Hello. Sam How are you? Nice to see you here. How is everything?
Sam Manekshaw. Good evening Cariappa sir. I recently came here after some illness in India.
Cariappa. That is good. It is a good riddance. We had enough of it there.
I put on uniform for so long
Then finally I became oblong
My body at the end had only bones
Although while young I was like Indiana zones
( Indians zones is a famous American character)
Sam. Yeahh. Well said sir,. How are you doing sir?
Cariappa. You can see yourself. I was thoroughly sucked out while in uniform while I was C in C and then COAS. In heavens also none bothers. I am given this dingee room. Dead secretaries from central civil services live in AC rooms.
Sam. ( Takes deep breath) (Sighs).Me too. I was given rank of Field Marshal then I was left to winds. Some leaders were not happy with me. Many thought I was a great risk. They thought I would take over India. think they slept well when I hung my uniform
Cariappa. Silly guys.. How can we do that? We had so much discipline and were brought up in slavery too. The same thing continues in blood too.I was given the rank when I was unable to walk even.Even then who wants to run this funny nation. Why buy head ache. Let them suffer.
Sam. That is how things work there.
Cariappa. I heard lot of trouble is going on in respect of pay commission for army. You came recently. Any news?
Sam. I was no way involved. They do not consult us. We are ceremonial. But I know some serious trouble is there
Cariappa. What could be?
Sam. The chiefs at last gathered courage, became manly and refused to implement sixth pay commission’s recommendations
Cariappa. That is strange. Did they have straight and erect spine? How they got courage? I can not imagine. My head is reeling now. This could be one of the wonders of the world
( He swallows a pill of Asprin)
Sam.( Laughs Haa.. Haa.. Hoo. Ho.. Ho.. Hii…Hii Hee) They atlast developed the spunk. Sir! Recently Army used to give in the news paper advertisements for recruitment.. Do you have spunk in you.? If so join army. That was great
Cariappa. Haa… Haaa ( Caughs loudly. He picks up a cough syrup bottle from bed side table and takes few drops. Did good guys join after reading?
Sam. I doubt sir. Bright guys run away from army. Left over flunkies and nuts gather at SSB. They are struggling now to get higher pay for every one. They are unhappy that civil babus and police guys are getting more and there is no parity in ranks. A BSF commandant would now draw more pay to army Lt Col. Sirring will be reverse way now. Now guys in army are scared that a day would come when police DGP would become senior to Army chief even. Any thing can happen in India
Cariappa. Let BSF guys fight wars for India. We can take care of borders in peace time. Roles would be reversed. Diluting army was always there right from beginning. What was my position when I took over from General Butcher? What were you finally?
Sam. We are junior to even chota mota (Minor) civil servants and side kicks too.
Cariappa. Leave apart some political flunkies
Sam. A stage will come when a Lt Col will be junior to even a police inspector. The day is not far off
Cariappa. It can happen
Sam. As it is some army officers were put in lock up by some police men in UP. They were rescued by a Lt Col later on by taking troops with him
Cariappa. These things have been happening regularly and some times army guys have bashed up police men. I know it happened in Langar houze at Hyderabad, Amritsar and Agra
Sam. All crap is going on now days
Cariappa. I think there is overall slump in the country
Sam. True
Army guys in India are at receiving end
The country’s ways they are unable to bend
The guys are happy with some titbits thrown in
And they happily beat an empty mess tin
Cariappa. What a nice poem. When did you learn to write poetry?
Sam. What else can I do after retirement? No one gives me other job.
Cariappa. Haa.. Haa. Hee. Hee. True but now aa days the army guys claim that they get top jobs in industry if they go out
Sam. Illusion sir. These guys are already outdated working in army. No one cares for their experience.
Cariappa. But they might be good at man management. See they do so many courses.
Sam. Partly. (Laughs) But many are bad managers also. Civilians think these guys can not adjust and are one tracked
Cariappa. But not always. Some may be bad
Sam. But these guys are left only when they turn into dead wood and completely exhausted. Then they are pushed out with some silver salver.
Cariappa. I learnt it is also not given in time on day of retirement
Sam. Yes.. I heard one officer had to write to a Colonel Commandant to get one after retirement
Cariappa. What a tragedy indeed?
Sam. But that is life sir
All is not fair with these guys
Who are floating like buoys
They swing left and right
Looking some time bright
Caraiappa. Nice poem. You have picked up this art well
Sam ( Laughs).This is what people should do after hanging uniform
To be continued
WHAT A FATE II
Cariappa. You said retired army guys are fit to right poetry. But not all are good at English. Then what they will do?
Sam. I know many do not do any thing. I know someMajor Generals joined some political parties. Nothing came through. They were not given higher positions. They thought they would be given top slots. Nothing happened
Then what happens in such state?.
Cariappa. I know. These guys have lot of ego never ending. Every where they have to be at number one. Once you leave your uniform you are along with every one in a political party. You are not known in public life. If you stand independently who would vote for you?
Sam. Haa.. Haa. Not even your wife and pet dog too if has voting rights.
Cariappa. Some spend some time as chief guests at some functions. That is also short lived as time goes on.As new Generals retire old ones are pushed behind.
Sam. Yeah. You can not be at top all the time
Cariappa. That is possible only in civil politics where certain dynasties rule.
In the mean time Marshal music is heard. “Chod Chalo oh Duniya wallo Hindustan hamara Hai”.. … is played at high tone Then walks in Netaji Subhas Chadra Bose in Jack boots and in uniform of INA, goose stepping.
Subhas. Hello Marshals, Good morning. How are you
Sam. ( Gets up smartly and salutes) Good morning sir. I am honored
Subahs. ( Goes to Cariappa who is unable to get up . Places his hand on him and comforts him) Hello Marshal. Do not take trouble. You already had enough with guys in India serving babus.
Cariappa. Good morning sir. I am unable to salute you. I am weak. I can not even lift my hand properly
Netaji. Marshal Just relax. I just now over heard your conversation from the door when I stepped in. You were telling about dynastic rule.
Cariappa. True. I was saying some families always rule in India. Others only to boot licking to be precise.
Sam. Son of a person from some families always are top leaders
Cariappa. That is the psychological degradation in Indian masses. They are more slavish. They live on past glories and give credit accordingly
Netaji. That is perfectly said. Just see the Indian leaders one after the other. There is a chain of succession
Sam. Yeah.. Mughals died long ago. But soon a new dynasty started off.
Cariappa. It happens only in India. We are more sentimental and slavish too. Look in America they worship Washington. But Washingtons children did not become Presidents.
Sam. Same is the case with England.
Netaji. (Takes a deep breath) What I can say. I have seen things from very close. I am the witness to the growth of some important persons during freedom movement who are still ruling and getting ready to rule
Cariappa. Now a days some one is being called Yuv Raj. A practice from kingdoms. Although he denies that he is not yuv raj, who does not want to be Yuv Raj. When a country is being given in a plate can any one refuse?
Netaji. Look Marshal. The stooges in the political party want to appease the top guys. It is sad that even senior guys from the party resort to this type of bootlicking to gain favors. Without such gimmicks they have no life of their own. Most of them are parasites devoid of own personality.
Sam. Sir this is the Indian trait.There is a word called chanchagiri that si very freely used in army circles. It reaches peak during the season of writing annual confidential reports.
Netaji. Look. Although Winston Churchill led England to victory in World War II he lost the elections. In India guys get elected on some ones name eternally
Sam. Although they mucked up Indian security in 1962
Cariappa.True.
Indian army was butchered in the past
At some places they fought to the last
Nehru was sad and atlast gave up his soul
But no one had guts and shouted foul
The dynasty goes on to rule
People in elections become a fool
The same old faces are again on the screen
Although they are sick with damaged spleen
Sam. Sir well sung. Three cheers to you
Netaji. You guys appear to be good at poetry
Cariappa. What else we can do? No one wants our advice.No one gives us any job.
Netaji. I heard there is some trouble in army over pay commission reports
Sam. Yes sir. We were discussing that before you came in
Netaji. Nothing new. Days have changed. INA soldiers were different . They were fighters for freedom. Indian army also has laid down many lives during last four wars and internal security commitments
Sam. Thanks for your kind words sir
Netaji. It is OK. It is so sad that Army had to shout and Ex servicemen have to demonstrate for extra coppers. What a shame in India?
Sam. It is said Army in under civil control.
Cariappa. But looks like under civilan Babu control as I read in news paper.
Netaji. I know India is heading for trouble soon.
Cariappa. Sir What type of trouble?
Netaji. When army demads higher pay which should have automatically come ,it is the last straw. Down fall has already commenced. We have seen How Pakistan suffered and what happens there
Sam. You expect similar things
Netaji. I do not wish. But is inevitable. No one can change fate
Carappa. What a fate indeed? We are happy we died.
Netaji. Thanks guys. Thanks for the company. God bless you.
Sam and Cariapa say Jai Hind and salute as Netaji goose steps and walks off stiffly while song is played…. Chod Chalo Oh Duniya wallo Hindostan Hamarahai…
Cariappa.. A befitting song for the dynastic rulers in India.Hindostan belongs to them eternally. Others just suck own thumbs because they can not suck others thumbs.
Sam. Haa…. Haa… Heee.. Hee
Cariappa gets up from bed and hold hand of Sam. Both do some crazy steps saying Hindostan tumhara hai..Naa Hindostan hamara hai..
CURTAIN DROPS
END
@Dr Rao,
Take a bow, Sir.
Wow!
Mr Rohit,
Bow is too primitive.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
WHAT A FATE
SCENE III
(Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and Cariappa lie on the ground gasping after some fast crazy steps singing the INA song. Both are struggling to come to feet. Sam is the first one to slowly get up.)
Sam. Yeah.,,,,,, Oohha .. What a crazy way of doing things? He pulls up Cariappa by hand. Cariappa dangles and gets up(sits on bed coughing). His legs are trembling.
Cariappa. I do not know what happens to us when we speak to the great Netaji. We are so inspired. There is some magic in him. No doubt in it.
Sam. True. Look Both of us are so old and weak and you were unable to stand even. But look we danced to glory to his tune and for some time forgot that we are 90 years plus.
Cariappa. That is the greatness of Netaji. He made heroes out of mere moles and asses. But to day the dynastic rulers in India make moles and rats out of heroes. Competent guys are thrown in dust bin, side tracked and thrown into oblivion. See the fate of PV Narsimha Rao. What a fate he had finally! How about Gulzarilal Nanda? Poor guy was cycling on roads of Delhi while the fatty leaders were zooming past in cars.
Sam. Rather competent guys are castrated now like bulls are castrated
Cariappa. Look. Even now Netaji is so stiff and goose steps so well. I can not even lift my foot by few millimeters, leave aside stamping in IMA style.
Sam. Why not? He lived in Germany and you know German army goose steps
Cariappa. I know. ( Gasps for breath). Now what is our next action? I do not know when Netaji would visit us again.
Sam. We can go to him if we decide
Cariappa. No… no…no… Not this week. I am tired too.
Sam. Rather retired. And dead too .But we can not die again. That is good part of death.
Cariappa. True. While living, army officers are dying every day at the hands of babus and seniors too.Many are killed at the promotion boards by MS branch. But once they really die they are I think happy. No more dying. In fact Army officers die the moment they are commissioned. Along with presidents parchment of commission, they are also given death warrant. Suddenly I remember some thing Sam.
Sam. Sir! What is it?
Cariappa. I gave a speech after India was given freedom by the whites in 1947, and you know my Hindi is rather very poor. In fact atrocious. I said “Aaaj ham Muft ho gaye hain”
Sam. Haa.. Haaa.. Hee. . Heee………. Hi, That means we have become of no value.Useless too. That is called Phukat in Hindi mostly used in Bombay parlor. Sir You said very right thing although inadvertently. Don’t feel bad sir.Your prophecy has become true also.
Cariappa. Although I never meant it, my words became true. Indian army to day became Phukat in the eyes of civilians, Babus and Topiwallahs and pagdiwallahs.
Sam. Yeah. Truth can not be hidden. After independence, once the civilian guys tasted power and knowing that army is limited to back benches in democracy, they got a cue. I am sure they went downgrading it with a fixed plan.
Cariappa. The guys may not like that.
Sam. But it is a fact as many feel true
( In the distance a song is played .. “ Watan ke rahe me.. Want ke naujawan Shaheed ho… Pukar te hai ye zamin aasman shahid Ho… Pukar te hain ye zamin aasman shaheed ho… Oh.. ohohooh…) Sam goes to window and peeps)
Cariappa. What is there?
Sam. Some Topewallahs are singing the song and going around on the street
beating drums.
Cariappa. What does the song mean? Tell me I am very weak in Hindi
Sam. I am also not that good. I wish Kavi Pradeep of Hindi cinema is here
( Suddenly Kavi Pradeep appears in front of Sam)
Pradeep. Good morning Marshals. Why you thought of my name suddenly? I am in heavens since long. Till today no one remembered me. I am delighted sir.
Sam. That is very nice of you sir. We wanted to know the meaning of the song being played by the guys on the street
Pradeep .( Listens and wipes tears) They are giving a call to the youth to sacrifice themselves and become martyrs in the cause of nation
Sam. Good that is really good
Cariappa. What an inspiring song?
Sam. True. But not for todays youth infact
Pradeep. Sir I penned thousands of patriotic songs and sang too. All were hits. Some were banned also for telling truth.
Cariappa. Look Pradeep ! truth is always disliked
Sam. I remember your famous song, “” Dekh tere sansar ki haalat kya ho gayi Bhagwan.. Kitna badal gaya insaan…Oh kitna badal gaya insaan.. Suraj na badlaa chand na badlaa…
Cariappa. You guys know that I am bad at Hindi. Plesae tell me what you sang
Sam. It means, “ Oh God look at your creation and its state. Look How much the man has changed… The sun has not changed and the moon has not changed
Pradeep…. Naa badla re aasman .. Oh Kitna badal gayaa insaan. It means Sky has not changed.. See how much man has changed?
Cariappa.. Really a nice song. I know immediately after gaining independence and having gained power, the politicians have ruined the nation within few years. Cuhurchill predicted long ago that India would be doomed by misrule by corrupt and self centered men. What is happening there is a clear reflection now.
Look at India my dear sam
Kindly also get me some pain balm
Look in India at all the corners and nooks
we find the rulers to be just crooks
Sam. Very well said Sir ,Three chairs for the poem. But India is becoming a super power. That is what people say. We won wars and in IT sector we made name. We have sent a moon rocket and also have nuclear weapons.
Cariappa. Do you call it is all progress
Sam. Sir, Then what?
Cariappa. But humans have become heartless, corrupt and misrule goes on. All this will end finally by break up of this great country. Writing on the wall is there. Can’t you read them. I am able to read very clearly
Sam. ( Sam takes out his spectacles and wipes them clean. Looks through them at the wall ) Probably you are true sir.. I can read now.
Pradeep. ( sings) Aaya samay bada be danga… aaj aadmi bana laphanga ( To day the times have changed and men have become scoundrels…) Kahi pe jhagda kahi pe danga… Nach raha nar hokar nanaga… ( Fights here and fights there and man is dancing naked …)
Cariappa. Please go ahead Mr Pradeep. I enjoy it
Pradeep.. ( Sings) In heenki kaali kartootose hua ye mulk mashan.. Kitna.. ( the country has become a burial ground with the evil doings of these people…. How man has changed ?.) badal gaya insaan
Cariappa. ( Cries loud…. Mera Bharath.. Mera Bharat beats his chest and then wipes tears)
Sam(Goes to Cariappa ) Sir! do not feel bad. That is the fate of India. Why have sentiments for such guys?
( In the meantime, Film actor Raj kapoor comes in through a window in his usual comic style sporting old shaggy Hollywood hat used in movie Sree420 )
Rajkapoor. Good morning every one here. I Am here. I heard Pradeep ji singing and came in.
Sam. Hoi Raj . How are you?
Raj.. Fine sir
Cariappa. Hello Raj. Give us something from your side. You are greatly talented.
Raj. ( Dances some Bhangra steps smartly… shouts Oh Balle… balle… balle).. Sings.. Oh sachhe Phansi Chad de witche.. Ho oh.. ho oh.. hooo…..Oh sachhe phansi chad de witche aur jhoote mauj udave…aur jhoote mauj udave
Kya mai Jhoot Boliya.. Koina…. Hai koina…..
Cariappa. What does this mean Pradeep?
Pradeep. Sir, it means.. “ All truthful people shall climb gallows while cheats would enjoy. Did I say lies… No.. No …..)
Cariappa, Sam and raj also dance Bhangra shouting Aaan huhu.. uh.. uh.. aaanhuhu….. while Pradeep claps. The bhangra dance picks up speed and Cariappa and Sam being old get tired and fall down gasping. Pradeep and Raj vanish through the window.
CURTAIN FALLS
THE REVENGE
Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)
The blazing sun of March was slowly going down at distance. The Sun slowly was getting red as a burning ball of flame and fire. The birds struggling throughout the hot day were seen slowly returning to the nests. The road is winding through the broken country a vast barren land devoid of any big tree. Thorny bushes and shrub dot the entire area as a car was winding over the lonely road. It was an old model “Standard-10” car making short of the cross country roads in a tough terrain. The purring engine with 1000 cc petrol engine was effortlessly negotiating the slopes and bends in the evening hours of the day. A screeching sound from brakes and Lo! The car came to a halt at a sharp bend. There were boulders on the road placed side by side. Obviously the car could not pass through. The driver suspected something, but could not have avoided stopping. The door opened and a strongly built man, fair in color and with few strands of hair on the head stepped out looking uncomfortable. He tried to clear the stones when a strong voice was heard. “Stop” yelled some one in loud voice. Within moments a masked figure rode in on a horse from behind a large boulder. He was dressed in black dress and hid his face with a cloth. He wielded a 12 bore double barrel gun with a band of cartridges across his chest. He came close and kicked the man struggling at the stones with his boot. The man collapsed and was looking dazed. “Who are you?”, asked the man lying on the ground. “Why have you stopped us here?” “What do you want from me”, he yelled. “My mother, can you bring her back”, screamed the masked man. I do not understand any thing. “How I am responsible for your mother”, pleaded the man.
“Major Banwari!, You! Son of a bitch!, bloody bastard of the highest order! Screamed the masked man with utmost vengeance as the barrel of the gun slowly swung at the man at his feet. “Now know who I am”, he removed the scarf over his face. “Raj Singh, You !“ Said the man in surprise”. “ “Yes.. I am Raj Singh the former Lance Naik. The same Raj Singh whom you got punished four years ago by court martial and thrown out of army”, said the masked man. “ You can not escape now from me, No one can save you from this gun to day. You were so ruthless and cruel at men under your command. You have no heart. My mother committed suicide after I was sent to jail by court martial. Can you bring her back?” , The gun tightened in his hand as he uttered the words.
The car door opened and a lady stepped out. She was rather aghast at the scene outside the closed doors of the car. She understood the situation. “ Please do not kill him. I beg you?”, she fell at the feet of Raj Singh. Go away! do not fall at his feet, Whatever happened in past was a part of the duty during course of military duty and discipline”, shouted Major Banwari. “You rascal! You are the same arrogant one. You do not deserve any mercy. I feel sorry for this woman. But I am helpless. If I leave you now, my mother’s soul will not rest. You deserve death” , shouted Raj Singh. But I shall not kill my single shot. You have to die in agony”, screamed Raj Singh. There was a moment of Silence and Raj Singh took careful aim and there went a deafening sound of 12 Bore gun. The shots found the mark and with loud cry Major Banwari was lying in pool of blood. The earth and sky whirled in front of his eye while the past flashed in front of his like a cinema reel. He lay flat in a pool of blood.
It was years ago Major Banwari was working in a large military unit some where near Bombay. He was the OC of a unit commanding men and civilians too. Life was as usual for every one till destiny changed course. Raj Singh was one of the Jawans under the command of Major Banwari. He was smart active and disciplined too. One day Raj Singh approached Major Banwari and requested for leave for few days as he had to urgently go to his native place somewhere in Punjab to sort out domestic problems, there was no response and his repeated requests fell on deaf years. Raj Singh was getting restless. He went to the OC troops to get some relief, but to no avail. Leave had to be sanctioned by the OC. In the evening hours before closing hours Raj Singh went to the office of Major Banwari. He was sitting in a chair reading some papers.
There was none in the room. Raj Singh said, May I come in Sir?” “Come in”, the Major growled without looking up. Raj Singh moved in and Saluted Major Banwari said, “What I can do for you?” “Sir I am desperate. I am compelled to go on leave. My father is trying to marry another woman and my mother has written a letter to me. Sir You can verify it. I am not telling lies” said Raj Singh. “No. I already told you that leave can not be granted to you now. We have inspections in few days. How can you go. Please go away. Do not waste my time” said Banwari sternly. “Sir am begging you sir. It is essential and urgent sir. If I do not go my mother would surely commit suicide”, pleaded Raj Singh. There was no response for few minutes. “Sir please I touch your feet” pleaded raj Singh and he moved forward and touched feet of the Major. You fool get out. You swine. I already told you. Are you in army or civil?”. Shouted the Major shoeing Raj Singh away. For few seconds everything became blank for the Soldier. He took up a iron rod lying on the table and hit Major Banwari shouting, “You bastard, I shall kill you You son of a Bitch” There was commotion. Major Banwari struggled and got up on to his feet and shouted loudly, “Come on guys. Catch this guy soon. He is trying to kill me?. With in a faction of time other workers including some soldiers rushed into the office and caught hold of Raj Singh who was simmering with anger. He was held on both sides by two well built men. Major Banwari went to Raj Singh and shouted, “You son of a bitch. You want leave. Now I shall show what I can give” He kicked him in groins while Raj Singh moaned in pain.
Soon the soldiers arrested him and took him away. There was commotion in unit and officers came to see Major Banwari to enquire about him. Raj Singh was put in Quarter Guard under arrest Matter was reported to higher ups. The next day a court of Inquiry was ordered to ascertain facts. Raj Singh was sent for medical examination. It was soon a ritual. The witnesses were managed. Those who could throw light on the episode and were aware of the conduct of Major Banwari towards the men whom he commanded were side tracked and made a part of enquiry team. The enquiry projected Raj Singh as the real culprit who attacked the Major in his office with ulterior motive. The circumstances that provoked the conduct of Raj Singh were obviously went into darkness and hidden behind. Soon the summary court martial was assembled. Raj Singh was given few years in jail and dismissed from service. Major Banwari got scot free off the episode and enjoyed sympathy of higher ups. Days passed off and Raj Singh went into oblivion and was forgotten soon. Major Banwari also was posted out and soon he got his promotion into the select rank of Lt Colonel. Years rolled by and he became Colonel and finally he retired. He was to settle to spend his time in Delhi in his post retirement life… The film reel came to an end as darkness was looming on the eyes of Banwari.
Banwaris wife was desperately pleading to spare his life. “Why you want to kill him? Whatever he has done was a part of his duty. You can not hold him for that… Please.. Kill me too”, she cried. “Can he kick me in groins when I was held by two people? Can he abuse my mother and father in filthiest words when I was begging for leave? He is unfit to be an officer in army. He should have been shot long ago. I do not know how many people he ruined. There is no escape for him”, Raj Singh shouted. Next moment another shot went through the barrel and there was silence. The life of Major Banwari disappeared into wilderness.
“I do not want you to struggle in this world without this wretched guy. So be it”, said Raj Singh as he reloaded and aimed the gun at the woman. Another shot reverberated in the midst of the boulders as she fell in heap. Raj Singh looked with satisfaction at the fallen man and woman. He quickly galloped in to darkness that fell soon. Birds that were nesting in a nearby tree rose into sky making a big din. The gun shot echoed several times in the rocks .
Raj Singh no doubt committed crimes of killing a man and woman in cold blood as a revenge. But the way Major Banwari handled situation years ago when Raj Singh wanted leave could have been avoided. He could have seen the reason and been more humane. He was more a dictatorial leader and that called the trouble. There is no doubt that the situation was mishandled and Raj Singh became the victim of circumstances. The day Raj Singh was sent to jail, his mother committed suicide as his father remarried. The next three years in jail Raj Singh fumed and fretted. When he came out from jail, he was given the tag of a convict who suffered jail. He could not get employment. He became victim of alcohol in frustration. Years passed by. Raj Singh developed more grudge while major Banwari climbed promotion ladder step by step. The only aim for Raj Singh was the revenge that he finally took. We have read in news papers that there were many killings of officers by men in army in recent years. Why such things happen. Although these are attributed to stress, strain and inability to sleep, frustration of being away for long periods away from home, the fact is that it is the result poor man management. It is as simple as that. Army stresses greatly at the Academies on man management and caring for troops they command, yet some black sheep must be there in army too who derives pleasure in sadistic exploitation of troops and their harassment hidden behind the holy army uniform. Thus Raj Singhs were created several times in the past and in recent years. The only solution to this is better training of officers in man management and rejecting sadists at the selection it self. Service Selection Boards should be able to identify such sadists while selecting the candidates. Usually sadists are born thus. The basic traits in them live eternally. When they gain power in rank and administration these negative traits further get boost and cause frustration among troops. This has to be remembered. All cases of killing of officers by men are the results of mismanagement by officers.
( Note.. This story is purely based on imagination and names and incidents do not necessarily attribute to any living or dead person)
Unknown Very true. It is not only poor management, but is nearly absence of leadership and moral values. Some ppl have got this fancy idea “Ours is not to question, but to do or die”. Some have this fancy notion that they are created superior to every one. The fact is officers are superior only because they have been trained and taught. Not because they clear up civic administration. On the contrary civic admn requires army because they have the organisation to do it which by itself is funded by govt. Remember I commented abt suicides. Here is something to think abt. Google these ” randish dogra, sushmita chaterjee, pankaj jha, sumit kohli”
All w ere young maj or lt col.
All used bullet to shoot themselves. Even when they had no reason to even have a rifle/ak near them, they went and borrowed weapon from some one else and shot themselves.
All of them had a good middle class family back ground.
Families of all suspect foul play.
Weapon used had only one bullet.
Families of all said they wanted to leave army.
All died during good hour of the day (not night)
All were in staff or mixed unit.
None left any note for any one.
All were hushed up.
Sham,
True, When I said man managemet obviously it includes leadership qualities and moral values. In fact such guys are unfit to become officers and get commissioned, You are correct and thanks for affirmation. But the seklf styled disciplinarians and mopralists in army however think other way and poor handling of officers is neglected or hushed up as it would bring bad name to the system.
Unknown
@Sham
Friend you are still at it!! From Hawaii?
The insinuation in your post gives me creeps! I am already looking over my shoulder.
Take this as my note, if anything does happen to me.
Mr Rohit
?????????……?????????
@rohit
It is ur mind, which is developing these insinuations.
Where did I accuse any one. Those are pure facts taken from each and every incident. I told u, google these names. There are striking similarities, which ordinary person can not find.
Believe me, one of the deceased was a good frnd. And however hard I may try, I can not convince myself of this stupidity of suicide.
I can tell you of other equally apalling details.
@ sham
Your posts seem like you are a trojan masked as an armyman but your lack of straight-talk gives you away.
Rohit, menon and sham are aimimg at each other missing the mark. These are shots in blind holes
Clueless
@ Clue Less
That’s known as living up to your name – Clue Less.
Menon.
That was good. Indeed the otherway back to you infact. Thanks for correcting me
Clueless
Dear Rohit and menon
On the first count I pray to God to bless both you guys.
Learn to be tolerant towards criticism. There was nothing harsh in the post of Sham or clueless to get worked up. It only reflects on ones intolerance and anger and inability to digest truth. When some one is intolerant automatically harshness, anger and hatred also build up that would cause down fall of a man soon now or afterwards. This has been proved from time to time.You can not challenge this truth.Great souls like Jesus and Buddha preached years ago to be tolerant to others and accept criticism. Dharmaraja practiced till he left us.Even Gandhi practiced a bit although he had own limitations.They even were prepared to embrace death in upholding their convictions while we are at each others throat on silly matters. You were drawing swords just for a comment and goes to point that you are infact capable of much more if required. That shows ones ignorance in this world. That is why Jesus said on the cross “Oh Father forgive those who do not know what they are doing”. It is befitting to say the same when I read your posts. God bless you to come out of ignorance to tread a path of truth and humility that obviously lacks in your posts. May God bless you.
Tolerant
@ Tolerant
People are just waiting to screw you in case you get tolerant. If you talk about God etc you will be categorised as a religious fanatic- AND if you are in the Lt Col/Col bracket then WOW! its news. Babus can pimp around but thats part of our culture and no comparisons please- no finger pointing. When they compare – thou must not defend thineself?
In fact you need to ask Good ‘Ol God to Bless this Country and save them from the Sons of Satan a.k.a Shaitan ke aulad – the Babus of Fascist India.
One…Two…three…four…five… ….nine…ten…
Oooommmm.
Well I think I can tolerate toleRANT now.
Thank you and God bless you too.
Mr Menon
You are practical down to earth.
Toerant
He cribs of assault on sensibilities and curbing of incurable free spirit. Does he thinks other soldiers dont have this free spirit?? But they forgo it in national interest which he could not.Who needs these sermons from a quitter??? and escorter of terrorists???