Army, What a shame!
Amidst the plethora of eulogies, panegyrics and paeans being spun out on the joint Army-Airforce exercise in Rajasthan, Brazen Chariots, was buried a two-line news that three soldiers had died and two injured in an accident during mortar firing.
It is not that such accidents do not occur during training. Despite all precautions, they do happen and are accepted as a professional hazard. What is distressing is the manner in which the Army top brass has tried to cover up the incident and hush it up so that the “image projection” of the Generals doesn’t suffer. Reality be damned. Who cares for the honour of a few fallen comrades, if it adversely affects a General’s well crafted image? PBOR, damn those PBOR!
Now, Shiv Aroor, at his blog LiveFist, unearths the shameful conduct of the Army top brass. I am compelled to quote the complete post to do justice to the sensitive topic.
Defence correspondents who were taken to Pokhran to witness a slice of Exercise Brazen Chariots were lied to. Two Army havildars and a gunner were killed when the lower barrel of their 120mm mortar exploded during a range portion of the exercise. It happened just kilometres from where the correspondents stood at about 2pm on March 19.
But instead of informing the press at least that the incident had taken place, the Army systematically covered up the incident. It is a gross violation of professional conduct to hide such an incident. Yet, what the Army’s well-oiled publicity machinery did was just oversee bullsh!t, obtuse reports on an exercise nobody really understood. As one correspondent who I spoke to said, the Army had the duty to inform people about the incident. “They insulted the honour of those jawans who were killed by not making an announcement about the incident to the public,” he said.
What makes my blood boil even more are the Army’s reasons for concealing facts. There were too many foreign dignitaries, and the Army did not want to “rock the boat” of an otherwise well-executed exercise. They thought it was better to let it slide for now. Let all these journalists write about the exercise. They’ll get to know about our three dead jawans in the next few days. Why screw up coverage of the exercise by revealing something like this. That was the thought process behind what happened.
The news, incidentally, flashed first on Headlines Today only last evening — over 24 hours after the incident first took place. I provided a brief phone-in after speaking to Maj Gen Vijay Narula, the ADG Public Information at Army HQ. After the flash of course, everyone else called in to get the facts. All of us had it a day too late. There wasn’t even a customary press release informing the country that three of its honourable Army soldiers had died in a dreadful accident in the name of better defence preparedness. They just had a regular crap press release about the stupid exercise. Not one goddamned line about the deceased or the accident. No names. They were de-humanised by the infuriating off-the-record Army version that “they were all Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBORs)”.
Army PRO Colonel SK Sakhuja, who was on the trip to Pokhran was contacted yesterday. He had this to say. “I am no longer the Army PRO, as I have relinquished my position. So I do not have any information.” When I apprised him that Maj Gen Narula had confirmed the facts to me, this was his response: “Ok, so he has told you. Then it’s alright.”
I can imagine constraints stopping the Army from announcing deaths in operations, or in sensitive areas. But an exercise in peacetime? Truly, truly shameful. The Army chief should find out how this happened and severely reprimand those who decided on such deceit. According to one journalist, who did a report on his paper’s front page today, it was the Army chief himself who ordered that the news be suppressed. What a shame, if that’s true.
Rest in peace, Havildar SK Bagh, Havildar Mangu Singh and Gunner Ram Mehar.[LiveFist]
This blogger has continuously affirmed that salaries are a minor issue that plague the services today. It is the decadent organisational culture, selfish and highly ambitious top-brass, unbridled power (and attendant corruption) in the hands of the few and an immunity from scrutiny by the public, through the parliament and media, that is the real bane of the services.
Imagine a similar situation in any other modern democracy. The nation would have been appalled, media would have continually highlighted the story and the political leadership would have been compelled to act. If it was the US, my guess is that a few Generals would have been either shown the door or told to put in their papers.
A final thing that irks me is the constant lament by commenters on this blog that this ungrateful nation [i.e., civilians] doesn’t care for its soldiers. In the light of this story, they need to ask themselves whether the military and its top brass itself cares for its soldiers.
It may be a time for introspection for the services; for the government, it is time for action.
it is wrong to say that it happens only with PBOR the top 10 percent of the officers lot is treating the whole army in the same way the writer of this blog has mentioned. so it is wrong to blame the complete officer lot. the other 90 percent of the officers are also as helpless as others are.
@pragmatic
I have been a regular visitor to livefist blog and pragmatic’s blog.It has been “blow hot blow cold’ blogging and commenting as far as Armed Forces are concerned,particularly with regards to Army news.I have been fence sitting all through.
There has always been a feeling that media ignores ‘value’ news but latches on to some bits and pieces of inputs which can be published as ’scandalous and sensational’.
I,sitting as far, from the scene of reporting of ‘Ex-Brazen Chariots’feel that news outflow or media briefings have followed logical coverage of a major National military event.Yes,perhaps,the spokes person could have mentioned about the tragic ‘Range’ accident at the end of the briefing.In case his brief warranted the disemination of the tragic news at a later time,it is perfectly justified and warranted no adverse comments from fellow bloggers.But whoever said “they were all PBOR” is regretable.
Excercises in field, though in peace time, are warlike activities and action must go on as per ’standing orders for war’ and there are no two ways to this line of thought.
7:24 PM
It is hard to make the senior leadership change the system, especially when they’ve risen to the senior positions through the same system.
Army is a closed system with very little intercation with outside environment. Therefore total energy within closed system reamins constant. This is the scientific thermodynamic view of Army.
Recent three deaths during the presigious army exercise in Rajathan owing to bursting out of the 120 mortor shell in the barrel itself has been highlighted in press and lot of discussion is taking place.
Army by and large keeps its internal matters secretive and nothing uch is heard in press pr by official army relaeses. It is hoghly State controlled organization. In fact Army has been kept away from civil influence by official policies and much interaction with civilians is also a taboo and unwritten law.Although training exercises are conducted in peace time their intentionas and the degree of professionalism is not diluted compared to war, except that in peace time the troops exercising do not come under enemy fire. The movements of Tanks racing across the deserts and shrubs and helicopters dropping some guys and equipment go unhampered. In real war it is not that easy and safe. Death lurks at every corner.Accidents do occur and deaths are part of army life. The day guy has put on Uniform, he has surrendered to the cause of service. Although some quarters argue that the deaths should have bee reported by Army being peace time operation , probably army views in different way. This is the hazard of service and some deaths have to be accepted. Deaths are unfortunate and it is human tendency to play safe and also cover up as much as possible. Even if this is not a cover up Army has its own SOP in such cases and they do not jump to short circuiting SOP. We surely feel sorry for accidental deaths and defective ammunitios will sure be examined, segregated and destroyed in future. It would be also necessary to examine entire lots unexplored of ammunition to assess safety. As usual some monetray benefits to the dead would be there and soon they would be forgotten unsung and unheard. They will not be entitled to any award being accidental death in peace time.
The guys dead would be soon forgotten
And the Top brass paying some concern for brief
They could visit families to console
And abndon them to cry in eternal grief.
This is the real.. world
Dr K Prabhakar rao
Dear, I agree with you. It is because of few two stars and above ranked officers that the Services are in the bad state. It is because of such officers that our exit poicies for officers do not exist. because they have taken upon their tiny shoulders the responsibility of defending the country. It is not services’ responsibility it is Government of India’s!!! If this simple fact was understood by our senior lot, today Services would have been got a better bargain from the Pay commision. Why would any body sacrifice his life to get his pay and that too equal to a civilian babu with nil equivalent perks???
@Rorak:
In case his brief warranted the disemination of the tragic news at a later time,it is perfectly justified and warranted no adverse comments from fellow bloggers.But whoever said “they were all PBOR” is regretable.
No one is blaming the spokesperson. It is the guys who approve those briefs. Shiv clearly mentions that it was from none other than the Chief himself.
But whoever said “they were all PBOR” is regretable.
The Indian Army Press Release said so. You still would dismiss it as regrettable, not as an abominable and odious reaction of its top brass.
Excercises in field, though in peace time, are warlike activities and action must go on as per ’standing orders for war’ and there are no two ways to this line of thought.
Are you saying that Propaganda, as in war against a foreign country, is permissible against own nationals in a peacetime exercise? Remember propaganda is 95% truth, just like rat poison it is that 5% that will get you.
You, being a service officer, would understand that it is all about image projection. The three soldiers, damn PBOR, spoiled the perfect showbiz party of a few Generals.
@pragmatic
Rightly & Exactly said.
The 3 pbOrs should have been more considerate and helped upward mobility.
@pragmatic
u lose the touch of genuineness through such out bursts.
It was not a party of few generals.
And ppl even at senior level are very human.
Dont generalise a couple of comments by some official you managed to contact as the mindset of the Army. Sorry, you get to only report deaths for some juicy tidbits…. the soldiers see it very close and daily. Its just that it happened during some major exercise. And these exercise not only showcase the Army but the nation; and are generally with a lot of political undertones.
And, the news that followed had the names of the PBORs that you have repeatedly referred rather dramatically… and the armed forces feel for their men a lot more than you would like to think.
And boss, dont feed rumours of the Army Chief allowing suppressing of any news…. grow up pal…
Army maintains distance from the society and government promotes it rigorously. The very fact of keeping cantonments away from normal huma inhabitation limiting to outskirts itself is the evidence. This was the policy of the Englishmen to keep away from external socialogical and political influence. After gaining independence we are still following the same policy. Discipline with in army is govened by Army act and it has tough provisions. Under any case deaths in army may be by accidents, killings by enemy action, getting killed in encounters with terrorists etc and are these taken in aroutine way and most of the things happening unusual are settled by Court of enquiry within house , unless a foul play is suspected and is openly evident. At any time these are not open to public scrutiny at any point of time and it is not the governmemt policy.Even ehelka scam culprits had to go through normal army procedures of discipline and accordingly setensed. There iis a great difference in the democracies practiced in ISA and India. The present camel trading, haorse trading and multiparty bickerings, scams and waht else and what not, all speak of the degenerated Indian democracy. It is million and million miles away from US governing.It is doubtful whether we can call ourselves democratically governed. Answer will be coming within for every one if he has any sensible conciousness. One should not expect the type of arousal coming in US in similar situations. It is a futile attempt to cry hoarse at our inability to share grief of the PBOR.Usually the policy of the government in any land is to cover up its misdeeds or deaths in action. This is to prevent rise of anti government tempo. They try to project as if all is good.. and good. Probably in India one would never achieve transparency. It will be alawys behind a smoke screen. Till today an aveage man does not know our deaths in 1948, 196,.1965, 1971, Lankan and Kargil wars.How about casualties inHyderabd and Goan opeartions? There is no account for continuing deaths in terrorist actions in Assam, Manipur Mizoram, Nagaland, Kashmir. Even if some data available we are not sure whether they are correct as everything is government controled. In India a common man has no control on the ruling elite.Inference cane be drawn from the government reply about Netaji Subhas Chadra Bose. On a query it was replied that Government has no information. Then where do poor jawans and low level officer stand. They have to pray to God and be happy. Why boil blood. This is the way of Indian functioning that can never be changed under present system. God bless those who died.
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2008/03/brazen-lies-part-ii.html
The other aspect to the issue is the Army exercise itself. Have you ever heard of a one day Army exercise, that too being conducted in front of DAs and the media without a rehearsal? Here are the bitter, undisputed facts: Exercise Dakshin Shakti was going on for a month and Exercise Brazen Chariots was just the show piece. So when Brazen Chariots needed to rehearse, they just took the assets of the ongoing Dakshin Shakti, thus harming a major army exercise. According to highly reliable sources, Army chief General Deepak Kapoor wrote to Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Nobel Thamburaj ordering the transfer of assets for the “showcase” Brazen Chariots. He is understood to have protested the rude interruption to his exercise, but of course had to go with what his chief wanted.
The result, as we all saw, was the deaths of three soldiers, which was quickly brushed under the carpet.
Your criticism of the Army (Army, what a shame )shows utter ignorance of facts and a baseless allegation that the the Army Chief personally ordered that the news be supressed.It is an example of poor journalism and lack of manners. Accidents are and integral part of a soldiers life when operating in the field or field like conditions. There is nothing to be ashamed of.News about the casualties are given to the press only after the next of kin are informed. That is a custom in the services and hence the rule. Please do not be too lavish with ill informed criticism. You are only showing your ignorance of facts.
Army Officer’s on service increased pay scale so much. Their all using Every personal work and vehicle from Army. Govt and senior officers not thinking about Jawans and family.
Satiamurthy@
One for themaster and one for the mam
One for the shaggydog and one for golf
All the vehicles in unit are for the top guy
Who devours all as an hungry wolf
Vehicles in army no doubt are misused
The same is true in civilian police force
All goes in the game of army act
While staff cars are ground without any remoarse
Unnown
Dear Satiamurthy
Your agony is understood. In most of the cases in any activity leaders get recognition and the led are side lined and remain the clapping crowd. So army is not different from the generalisation. Think of a Cricket game. Although winning is the result of team activity or the work of one single good bowler or the stream of runs single handed from a batsman, the final credit is swallowed by the captain. You take any thing similarity is there. Think of Indian Independence movement. Think of scores of others who laid their lives and sacrificed for the nation. What credt they got? None. their names are also not known. We hear only of Mohandas Karam chand Gandhi and every one thinks that he got us freedom. He has been made father of nation. All can not be fathers of nation.In civil sector too IAS guiys are much over pampered. They are treated as some gods and some superior beings with who gets to top and facilities and heavy pay rise. There is a very great difference in pay structure between officers and sub ordinates in civil services too. So is army. That is the way of life. The lower cadres in army have no say at all. It is believed that they are the most suppressed lot.Any grievance has to go through channel and that isi the end. On this blog how many jawans are taking part? Probabaly very few or none. All the comments are mostly from officers. This is because of education levels. The pay commission have catered for jawans PBOR also but it can not match officer cadres. There has to be variation and it will be there. It has to be accepted. Coming to the misuse of vehicles by officers and their families they are to br blamed. There is a syaing. Kotwal Chor ban gaye to kya karenge…. Fence eats away the crop… etc. There is no point burning blood. This is the way of life.
Un known
All bloggers appear to be exhausted venting feelings.Many must be frustrated too fighting agaisnt the solid china wall. Remember even China wall did nt prevent invaders and it was breached at severa; places.When the wall is in the way there are three alternatives. One is to by pass and reach the otherside. The second one is to demolish it with power.The third one is to go back. The first one does not help in any way.Left with now only two. Breaking the wall needs unity and will and is not out of reach. The last one is the easiest one and be contended and reconcile to fate.Be a sadhu.This mostly people resort to. When the wall is too strong one has to gather all strengths and it is not possible for any one of the system. Any how the blog has seen interesting comments, brick bats, abuses, dirty phrases dvoid of decency, aspirations, negative thoughts, from all sections including retired, those not in the game and some in game under pseudo names and hiding behind a curtain and throwing stones. But end result appears to be undecided. Writing on the wall can be judged. Best of luck. struggle must still continue. Even a blind man tries to wade through traffic now a days.
Unknown
Unknown