Friday, December 5, 2008

Response to Singhvi's "Shameful Naval Gazers"

Response to: Shameful Naval Gazers by Vir Sanghvi

To: feedback@hindustantimes.com
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 10:54 AM
Subject: Naval-Gazers!

Dear Sir,
I read the article by Mr. Vir Sanghvi in today's edition of HT with dismay & patience. I hope the HT will read my comments with equal patience.

Firstly, Chiefs of Armed Forces taking salutes today were not laterally inducted. They were junior officers once & went through the rigors & risks of Armed Forces just like those of the present generation. A remark like that, at best, is disrespectful towards the Officer's service in the Nation's cause. Where does this remark place the thousands of ex-servicemen, who took part in numerous operations, won gallantry awards & also took salutes towards the end of their time in the Armed Forces?

As regards coastal defence, I would recommend Mr.Sanghvi to check out the existing responsibilities assigned to various authorities, notwithstanding his own story earlier. Perhaps an article in TOI dated 4th.December captioned "Time right for a single-window marine security agency" would be a good point to start with.
Marcos. Yes, the press conference need not have taken place. Yes, Marcos are not media savy. They are not trained for it & they are also not as trained for hostage situations as the NSG are. But they did not just "prowl around". They filled the vacuum admirably till the NSG arrived. They rescued hostages & suffered their own casualties. Should one be so dismissive of them?

The SAG of NSG, who did such a good job during the whole episode, comprised of Army personnel. Adverse comparison of Naval commandos vis-a-vis their Army counterparts is counter-productive. It may give rise to unnecessary friction between components of the Armed Forces fraternity in times of tension & external hostility.
Finally, it seems that Admiral Mehta has been picked on for speaking the truth. Perhaps reference to the Kargil rumours could have been avoided. But the rest? Or is it that truth be damned-just don't criticise the media?

Yours truly,
MB Ghosh
Vice Admiral PVSM,AVSM,NM I.N.(Retd.)
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