Insult to Soldier, Injury to Nation

Dear Friends,

Everyone has Unions and Associations to voice their concerns and problems to the authorities, people and media. Defence Forces have their constraints and cannot express their problems in the manner that most of our civil services and brethren do.

But what role do we assign to ourselves as veterans (retired Officers and other personnel) to be of use to the nation and its Armed Forces? Whatever our regional, organisational differences, let's all get together for a common cause and show our solidarity at Amar Jawan Jyoti (India Gate, New Delhi) as proposed by some of our friends.

The Sixth Pay Commission has not harmed the Defence Forces. It has harmed the country, the Nation and the recommendations have dangerous potential to weaken the Nation's might to defend itself in times when threats to India's security are multiplying from within and without. A soldier is not a 'CHOWKIDAR', he is the 'WARRIOR' who challenges Death in its face and sacrifices his life so that his countrymen can live in peace and safety. Whenever civil administration has failed to deliver - be it natural calamities, communal disturbances, strikes or any other catastrophe - everyone turns to the Army for help. And even in restoring situations that were none of their responsibility, they have always accredited themselves with honours and love of the people. And lo, those who often raise their hands in handling adverse situations in their own domain and often depend on the defence forces for their own survival, sit in judgement and authority to decide what Defence Forces deserve! Those who neither understand the organisational structure nor the working environments of the Defence Forces sit and decide on their service entitlements. Nothing could be more ridiculous and demeaning for a self respecting Nation.

The treatment meted out to the Defence Forces, especially to the middle rung officers by virtually lowering their status so ridiculously is not only demoralising for the Forces but also wrought with dangerous dimensions that affect the security of the country. Military might is the power of the State with which it achieves all that cannot be achieved by other means - internally or externally. A militarily weak India is what our enemies always want. Who is working here for them? Let's wake up and speak out now.

Hereunder I fwd the original appeal from our veterans and Ex-servicemen Leagues/ Organisations. Please pass it on to as many friends as you can, exhorting them to join in. See you at Amar Jawan Jyoti on 27 April 2008.

Best wishes,
Col Karan Kharb (Retd)