GOK – 4 (coffee stains & tea cups)
How can you trust the airplane maintenance when they can’t wipe the coffee stains off the flip trays?
One of the great consultants in the field of quality process improvement, Tom Peters, wrote a very famous book titled “In Search of Excellence.” One of the examples he gave in the book, related to improving quality, was of an airline passenger who pulled down his tray table and saw a coffee stain there. Many would assert that a coffee stain on a flip tray in an aeroplane is not a big deal (especially when India had only the pathetic public sector AI-IA combo for all these years and now with all these economy airlines around). However, many times an average person gets his cues about quality, or about whom they can trust and why, from things that are different than the real substance.
Tom Peters’ point was, if you see a coffee stain, you not only are concerned about how the cleaning service does in that aeroplane; you wonder: If they are not able to clean up a coffee stain, are they maintaining the engines? Is this a safe plane to fly in? The little things can send signals that may or may not be accurate, but if a little thing is negative, the signal will be likewise.
There isn’t an organisation or an individual who hasn’t made mistakes. Luckily most of these blunders are probably quickly forgotten and forgiven. But how many are the equivalent of the coffee stains on the tray table?
For the Indian military, these coffee stains are the adverse media reports about their approach to and behaviour on the SCPC award. Editorials and newsreports tell the public that the services are petulant and greedy, with misplaced priorities. The military leadership thus cannot be trusted to behave in a way that is efficient and for the larger good of the country. The common man observes the services jockeying for status and clamouring for more from the government — along with the use of abusive and agressive language by many service officers at all contrarian opinions — and concludes that if the services have lost their marbles on these things, certainly how can they be trusted to do the big things for this country.
There is huge danger if this trend continues. Eventually, the services would lose their moral authority and their superiority in the minds of the common man. It will be then that allegations will fly around that the services have undermined the trust of the Indian people. When it happens, a lot of that goes right back to this coffee stain, which is the approach and behaviour of the services and their members on the SCPC award.
It is from the reckless nature of media coverage and “over the top” reactions from the service fraternity (serving and veterans alike) that others will wonder about the larger image of the military. Some would contend that the media coverage has already bated (with only one major story in a national daily today) and these coffee stains don’t matter. Pardon the mixing of metaphors, but then it is nothing more than a storm in a tea cup! Can you really expect the government to be shaken out of its stupor with minor turbulence?
Nevertheless, the equity of status with their civilian counterparts is extremely important in the eyes of the most servicemen and women. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said so aptly, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. If the struggle here is about dignity and self-respect of the service officers, then the public behaviour of the service officers has to be in keeping with that dignity and comportment. Going by the comments on this blog, on Navdeep’s blog and on Shiv’s blog, one wonders if this can be attributed to intellectual depravity in the services - Where ignorance predominates, vulgarity invariably asserts itself.
The devaluation of military ranks is not solely the misdeed of scheming bureaucrats and ignoramus politicians. The greatest damage to the equity of status with civil counterparts was done by the services themselves during the IVth CPC [many in the know of those details will catch the hint]. More damage was done by pursuing the same approach during the Vth CPC and the damaging aftereffects are visible today. It was compounded by short-term solutions that started in the mid-80s with the cadre review and the final nail in the coffin was the AVSC. Former naval chief Admiral Arun Prakash had earlier [Army’s path of self-destruction] warned that:
But that is what happened when AVSC Part I suddenly flooded the Services with extra officers in ranks that they found hard to accommodate. The result was foregone conclusion: devaluation of ranks, for short term gains.
Having partaken of the benefits offered by AVSC part I, the birds have now come home to roost for the services. …By starting the rank inflation game, the Services have regrettably walked into a dangerous trap, and triggered off a vicious cycle which can only result in proliferation of ranks and their consequent devaluation…
The services genuinely believe that when they do right, no one remembers. But when they do err, no one forgets. That is the nature of the beast called the mainstream media. When the media indulges in flattery (Kargil, Gujarat earthquake or Bihar floods), the services should better remember this pop aphorism - Flattery is like chewing gum. Enjoy it but don’t swallow it.
This blogger had cautioned the services against this fraternity with the media much earlier [Media : Army’s new force multiplier]:
Media in all parts of the world loves a sensational story. The army and its Generals think that they are exploiting the media by feeding them their stories. But they are greatly mistaken; the media is “using” them instead. Media is a ferocious and unshackled tiger that will one day come back and bite the hand that is feeding it today. The army and its generals better be warned. Soon, it may be too late to retreat to safety.
The services should know better than others there is a thin line that divides bravery and foolhardiness. Gung-ho approach or an adrenalin rush may work for a short duration and win a one-off battle but consistent victories demand tact(ics). Tact is the ability to give someone a shot in the arm without them feeling the needle. Have the services leadership displayed this kind of tact? Else, some concessions on the SCPC here may be only akin to the proverbial “winning the battle but losing the war”.
Every cloud has a silver lining. As has been exposited at this blog earlier, some good may come out of these inchoate and brash acts of the services and their unprofessional media coverage. The services will eventually lose their protective shield and be under the same scrutiny as any other institution in the country. For long enough, the services have evaded tough questions in the garb of national security and morale of the soldier. This may not hold true anymore. The reform and restructuring may then start before the services hit the rock bottom. Or maybe not… The services could turn around and say-
I never get lost…I just change where it is that I want to go. ~Rita Rudner
NB – If you are seething with anger after reading the above post, do consider the following line carefully before hitting the comments button.
People who swear are either too ignorant to express themselves properly or too lazy to find the proper expressions.
There was a proposal long back (during Gen Sunderji’s time) that an AF pilot should serve with armoured formations.People laughed it off & it was never implemented.
Some thing similar is required now for the whole central government set up where every one is trained in the same institution & even serve in different organisations .
This will go a long way in underastanding each other’s roles & bring lot of cheer amongst various organisations.
I was told by one of my uncles (who was ex IAS & retired as a Chief Secy ) that they used to serve with army units for a few months in the beginning of their career.I dont know of any army officer serving with any civil organsiation in the beginning of their career.
The reform has to take place in the minds & then only it can be implemented.The reform is not needed only for the services.It is required for the whole set up.
The first reform I would like to see is a common entrance exam for every one.
@pragmatic
“Former naval chief Admiral Arun Prakash had earlier [Army’s path of self-destruction] warned that:”
Similar etc. …Admiral Prakash in the IESL journal Aug 2008:
Precisely – that is what a genius ( I won’t say who ) had suggested – a level playing field – i.e. a nice Fauji Akhbar with the same freedoms would be nice for starters.
@PS:
Thanks. There used to be Fauji Akhbar earlier, which later became the Sainik Samachar. Correct me if I am wrong. What guarantees that a similar fate will not befall the nouveau Fauji Akhbar?
Can you send me a link to this IESL article, if it is online? Sounds interesting!
@pragmatic
[1] Journal not on line; Article is 8 pages. Will scan and send to your ‘contact me’ id.
[2] Fauji Akhbar to Sainik Samachar is right. But the latter has a style which is either (a) stiff upper lip or (b) coy or a (c) fauji page 3 – eg like photos of Mrs Brig Nambiar at a AWWA do. Need more zap = take that ..
Pragmatic@
True . Earlier there was a Fauji Akbar that was renamed as Sainik samachar. This contains some general articles, some news and nothing more. This is the official publication of MOD. But contains nothing to discuss real issues as discussed on Blogs.While in Uniform one can not write aticles in news papaers or journals without permission from Army Head Quarters. If any such requests are made for any article it it has to be claered by Military intelligence and invariably the answer would be negative for aticles containing some truth and when real problems are discussed.
My article on Communism and threat to democracies was rejected while in service and it was published after I left service in a journal It is not a forum for airing grievances. When I wrote article India was in embrace of USSR and my article was critical of communism and its general policies. The army persons have a long channel of redressal of grievances. The final end is a dead end invariably. In Sainik Samachar some of my articles were published under the veil in lightervein. One of the articles was also put on this blog.
One can not hit under the belt directly putting uniform. His future will be surely sealed. So no one expresses views and thus suffers agony. Under the act of discipline the organization will not allow any discussion of real matters. You may realise on this blog too many serving guys in uniform must be surely writing with pseudo names, Reality is this. Inferences are automatic.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
The devaluation of military ranks is not solely the misdeed of scheming bureaucrats and ignoramus politicians. The greatest damage to the equity of status with civil counterparts was done by the services themselves during the IVth CPC [many in the know of those details will catch the hint].
Can you permit the past to haunt us? Shouldn’t we make amends? Let us first address the immediate threat i.e. the kick from the SCPC. Resolve that and then introspect. If you don’t resolve that then there is no use for introspection.
Eventually, the services would lose their moral authority and their superiority in the minds of the common man. It will be then that allegations will fly around that the services have undermined the trust of the Indian people.
Why superiority and moral authority? Why are we looking at utopia only for the Serviceman? He should be upright, straightforward, celibate etc etc. Isn’t he a human being? Reminds me of the chap looking for the perfect wife. He’s still searching. It is this holy cow image that insulated the services from the Indian civilian. I’m glad that the Godman image of the Army is vanishing. We are now amongst equals and should be treated as such even in matters pay & perks. The country must know that the Army man is doing no person a favour by defending the Country and the country should stop thinking that military will work for pittance. Performance is directly proportional to moolah be it the Army or the civilian.
The only thing to consider is that if the civilian mucks it up you still have the Army to fall back on and if the Army mucks it up,
GOD ONLY KNOWS
what will happen.
Maybe 1000 years of being under foreign rule is not enough for the Indians!
@pragmatic
“The little things can send signals that may or may not be accurate, but if a little thing is negative, the signal will be likewise.”
Uncomfortably, very true. Cut close. Thank you.
“along with the use of abusive and aggressive language by many service officers at all contrarian opinions”
The Military Dog Squad if not employed in the bite role will bark ‘commands’.
” The greatest damage to the equity of status with civil counterparts was done by the services themselves..”
Absolutely Right.
@pragmatic
“What guarantees that a similar fate will not befall the nouveau Fauji Akhbar ?”
Because, very simply even if they do, who cares ? There is this Forum – although that could / would not be the original intention of PE.
Right, Wrong, Contrary or other it’s thinking, angry, stayfree (sorry ma’am)
Or, If it works don’t fix it……..?
@PS:
There is this Forum – although that could / would not be the original intention of PE.
Thanks. That’s a huge vote of confidence. You are right that it is purely unintended; may be because the INI bloggers have a strong belief in the concept of liberty and freedom of expression.
There is at bottom only one problem in the world and this is its name. How does one break through? How does one get into the open? How does one burst the cocoon and become a butterfly?- Thomas Mann
@pragmatic
The interview was published on Shiv Aroor’s blog. The link is here
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2008/06/exclusive-reflection-by-admiral-arun.html
@ Prags
I think that this blog forum has degenrated into nothing more than an exchange of Quotes and Wit between you , PS and a few other regular cronies. Each post by you here starts out implying some deep thinking needs to be done on the state of the Forces and appears to be thought provoking , then stays the flavour of a few days before petering away into nothing .
How is anyone ever going to bring about a change in anything by pondering over an issue for a few minutes, then looking up some nice quotes and posting them before moving on ? Or by just plain cribbing , for that matter? Have we all accepted complete helplessness and become just by standers , making our own views and thoughts known only in anonimity and then looking heavenwards , in true Hindu tradition?
Prags will dismiss me as a disgruntled blogger who is struggling to get out and failing to do so , but i would like to state that exchanging the same views about the much discussed Evil in the Armed Forces, and the injustice meted out to the soldier by all and sundry, is of no apparent use unless someone can come out with a new plan of action , or a forum of redressal. We might as well just play poker on Facebook … or just get around to read this guy Chesterton ! …and wonder if …
“”The reformer is always right about what is wrong. He is generally wrong about what is right.”
@Blake:
That’s a fair criticism and I understand where you are coming from. I appreciate the honesty and forthrightness. But answer it honestly, have you got nothing from this blog… nothing at all?
How is anyone ever going to bring about a change in anything by pondering over an issue for a few minutes, then looking up some nice quotes and posting them before moving on? Or by just plain cribbing , for that matter? Have we all accepted complete helplessness and become just bystanders, making our own views and thoughts known only in anonimity and then looking heavenwards , in true Hindu tradition?
It is rather flattering to my ego to know that you expected so much from me and my blog. However, there is no Halo here. When did I claim that I will change or reform the defence services with this blog? I can do what I am good at and what I like to do. It is not a reformist movement, it is not starting a revolution. It is a damn simple Blog where I post about things that I like. As you know very well, Blog, by definition, is personal space of the Blogger.
You come here, build your own expectations and then feel disappointed when those expectations are not met. Fair enough, but I never promised salvation to anyone or made any other commitment to anyone as a forum of redressal.
Change is incremental and what bubbles overs fast tends to fizzle out even faster. It does not happen overnight and to believe that a blog will change the services in precisely 13 months and 5 days is being rather naive. We can only chisel at the mountain but it will take years before a path is made.
Look at it this way. How many people came to know of Subodh Khare’s case from here? How many journalists picked it and other stuff up from here? How did Dr. Harsh Pant change his views overnight? There could be a few more things that I do not wish to publicly talk about.
That’s why I think you are being rather harsh in your criticism.
…is of no apparent use unless someone can come out with a new plan of action, or a forum of redressal…
Show me the way… I’ll be happy to join you in your venture.
Show me the way… I’ll be happy to join you in your venture
After cofee stains and tea cups –Pragmatic is set for
GOK 5 – Coffee – Tea – Army
Pragmatic, I think Blake has a point…U started a blog but now its a hot potato. U have thousands reading it and eagerly awaiting some consolatory words and looking for helpful info.
But u are behaving like a rich man running a business just for the fun of it..not realising that his employees are betting their future on his ability to run it well.
Do involve urself in more than Angrezi as someone accused u of…and it really got your goat then didnt it.
The Faujis need some help in this moment of trouble and just when have some means to help, u are turning indifferent. The faujis dont have the media at their command and have turned to you and Navdeep for ome help and solace.
Dont reject them….and waste ur one year’s effort.
regards
@Someone:
I have already answered Blake’s point because I know where he is coming from. I do not fully comprehend what you expect from me and my blog…
Pragmatic Euphony is an independent blog hosted at the INI platform committed to certain values that I share with other bloggers at the INI — “economic freedom, realism in international relations, an open society, a culture of tolerance and an emphasis on good governance”.
Obviously all this is in Angrezi (I don’t even have a Hindi or Tamil or Bangla software), a language I am comfortable with. I respect, appreciate and value the opinions of all the commenters but I am not driven by them or their agenda. Thanks for your concern about the “wasted effort” of one year, but I know what I have achieved and learned every single day here. This should settle this debate once and for all.
@Blake, Someone
Are you guys for real?
Selfhelp is the best help.
I am amazed at your naivete in assuming that this guy is going to help you.
Nobody will.
These are rumblings / views of an armchair critic. Some painfully true but mostly rather childish and lopsided/prejudiced.
If the world was so simple as he thinks and reform as easy as he makes you believe, India would have been a different country.
So guys have patience and your demands shall be met.
Nobody can make you happy but you.
This is no battle ”To be won” and there is no ”War” to be lost.
Whatever is is is.
So continue enjoying and read the story of ”The Goan Fisherman”.
Somebody hoped that this blog would be a substitute for ”Fauji Akhbar”
Far from it.
I really Wish I was ISI and I had such a basket case to exploit.
Whenever I am a little depressed, I come to this blog, read his views and feel happy that i am not as prejudiced as him or as pathetic in my thinking as him.
@Blake
I completely agree with Pure Spam on this one. There is no way you can get out easily in the near future. If you put yourself in the shoes of the authorities with the current levels of control available over their subordinates and the question of national security to think about you will get your answer. If they open the floodgates today national security will be jeopardized there is no doubt about this. The only way out is to find happiness within the boundaries of this world (for mere mortals who dont have any pull). It is just a change of mindset required.
If your problem is so genuine and severe then by all means such a person should approach the courts but you can rest assured that the services will fight tooth and nail not to allow a precedent to be set. The issue here is of self preservation, of this organism which we call the armed forces today. If this organization allows people to go out freely without planning for and increasing the intake over a period of time it is going to die its natural death. That is what the controllers of this organism (who also enjoy the perks and privileges associated with being in that place) will never allow.
They are living under a cocaine like high ( fueled in no small terms by the perks that they enjoy) with their minds firmly believing in what they are doing (saving the nation). They will come out of this stupor only when they retire and some other chap will take their place to continue the same work. What we need is some sort of a revolution. But this cant take place. So just find happiness with what you have.
PE has become a vent for several people more interested in just letting a rant out in sheer frustration (self included: (, apologies already posted).
Some of the issues that you have brought out : that of the Services finding that the media is a two edged sword with a mind of its own, for example, are very pertinent, even if lost in the general clamour.
What amuses me is that people expect you to have solutions to the problems you bring out. On the other hand, I do expect that you will have (justified) opinions on the issue. For example, do you agree with the tone or the content of the IE edit ?
And since soundbytes and quotes are order of the day, I would like to join in with a conversation from Saki.
_________________
“Fact is, I’m an out-and-out patriot and you’re only a half-hearted one. That’s what you are, half-hearted.”
And with that parting shot he left the carriage and lounged heavily down the platform, a patriot who had never handled a rifle or mounted a horse or pulled an oar, but who had never flinched from demolishing his country’s enemies with his tongue.
“England has never had any lack of patriots of that type,” thought Yeovil sadly; “so many patriots and so little patriotism.”
Most of you want a ready made answer. Do this – get that. Not so. Think guys, what is the first priority? Reverse the degradation meted out systematically by the SCPC and previous pay commissions. If the Govt. can allocate 71000 CRs for loan waiver for farmers whereas the RBI figures only show 30000 CRs as loans I am sure we can rightfully demand our dues. Obvious that the Finance Min. and PC are fooling the Indians.
How Def funds get clubbed with other non productive funds like NCC, DRDO etc and inflated can be taken up later.
The need of the hour is to secure a Bridgehead. A firm platform to stand on. That can only be done by negating the evil designs of the IAS engineered Pay commissions.
As has been brought out in this blog we DO need in house restructuring and rethinking, but that is for later. Let not too many issues cause a divergence of objective. A professional approach to HRM & HRD can be the next objective. MS Branch & Dir P function like in the medieval ages.
The SCPC may have been the last straw but the Service HQs and Rank egocentric Generals must share the blame for overloading the camel.
@pragmatic
while you are fully in your rights to decide the stuff in your blog and have never promised anyone – anything…..i always thought that with so many problems being discussed (and with so much passion!) ….it would be a good forum for suggestion of some workable solutions too.
Setting up commissions/committees is another way. It has been done earlier and the success rate is for you to see. In fact you(and many others) are vociferous critics of the AVSC….which also would have the ‘distilled wisdom’ of a lot of experts then before dishing out the recommendations.
Fact is, good suggestions are always welcome. Not all of them are implementable only at the topmost echelon. I don’t claim to have all the answers…and i truly believe that the people blogging here are more knowledgeable and experienced in life than i am. i would be extremely grateful to get a good workable solution which is actionable within the confines of the system from this erudite gathering. This would be the collective wisdom which would be open source and with due battering by all concerned would finally be a better distillation than any commission/committee.
I am not dictating what you write about. In fact i quite like you quotable quotes which show your point of view. Beyond that …what? Badgering the system without any reasonable (even if small) suggestions is childish. You may not like to suggest any….fair enough. but don’t get tickled when this truth is shown to you. That is not heckling….
http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/72944/defence-chiefs-take-their-pay-grudge-to-pm.html
HI PRAGMATIC,
SORRY FOR TOUCHING A NERVE OR TWO. MY WORDS WERE PROBABLY A RESULT OF TOO MUCH HOPE, LOADS OF HELPLESSNESS AND A BASKETFUL OF PETULANCE. I ACCEPT UR CHASTISING IN TRUE FAUJI STYLE.
CAN U SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE ACTUAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF AVSC II AND WHAT WAS THE APPROVED PART OF IT. AND WHAT IS THE FAUJI RELUCTANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THAT. ALSO WHY THIS DISPARITY WHERE THE ARMY PROMOTES LT COL TO SELECT COL IN 16 YRS NOW WHEREAS THE NAVY DOES SO IN THE 21st YEAR?? MAYBE NAVDEEPJI CAN SHED SOME LIGHT?? AM ACTUALLY TROUBLED BY THE DUAL STANCE OF THE FAUJI BRASS ON THIS ISSUE. WHY CASTIGATE THE IAS WHEN U ARE RELUCTANT TO GIVE UR LT COLS THEIR PROMOTION ON TIME IF THATS WHAT AVSC II IS ABOUT??
@ Someone
Dear,
This “Pragmatic” is a Baaboo running this Blog to see and know the inner feelings and Info of Service Officers, their thinking etc etc., and You Fell Straight into his Trap. Just a Cautionary message from a well wisher. He can’t give a Damn info on any service matter, how can he. His actual field is Economics !!
@ Blog Eater
Lets all talk about the money then…?!!!
Ps@
” The greatest damage to the equity of status with civil counterparts was done by the services themselves..”
Very true. 100 % correct.Battallion commanders were made Colonels and lions on their caps were removed along with Khaki colored beret. They guys cried in hush hush.. Screamed in silence with mouth shut, Shed tears when no one saw them. Gulped rum in messes and in dark rooms in their houses frustrated. Thank god they did not take out red band on peak caps and turbans. It was the brighter streak in the calamity. t Cols were automatically down graded to a state of Yes sir… yes sir three bags full. All for you and none for me… so say all of us… and so say all of us…Atleast Lt Colonles did not command companies. top guys enjoyed as many became Generals and Brigadiers.
Can you undo it now? Or contune to commit mistakes more and more justifying the previous act. Entire thing has become a shit pot that can not be cleaned.
Dr K PrabhakarRao
[...] Peters had explained the signalling value of small mistakes with the example of coffee stains on the tray table of an aircraft, which raises doubts in a [...]
CADRE REVIEW
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
Colonels berets have been made blue
And they were stuck on skulls with sticky glue
The lions on the berets were quickly put in a cage
And were sent into history’s page
The guys cried in great despair
Damage done was beyond repair
They fumed and fretted in disgust
While the senior guys let down the trust
Colonels became Tom Dic and Harry
Every one in silence felt sorry
They pulled their hair in darkness in vain
Their downgradation was real and plain
Cadre review doomed the service men
The damage caused can not be put down with a pen
The generals were the real gainers in the show
hile other cried like a thirsty crow
Why only blame the civilian guys for this rot
Top Brass itself acted sleeping on cozy cot
They have to take the eternal blame
While army burns in disgust like funeral flame
Dr K Prabhakar Rao