Shortage of officers in Indian Army 'scary'

"Lateral induction is the only way to attract the young but savvy population to the toughest profession where risk-to-life factor is an everyday affair. Once they (army officers) know that after a short and demanding tenure they have an assured career elsewhere, with seniority of service intact, and their family will not be on the roads, the deficit in officer cadre will disappear," he said.

"Similarly, a jawan after ten-year tenure must be laterally inducted into paramilitary, coast guard, marine police and the central and state police set-ups. It is necessary to create that we create and maintain a lean and mean fighting machine," the strategic expert said.

Modernisation of the armed forces required not only induction of sophisticated weapons, equipment and systems, but also infusion of fresh manpower so as to retain the requisite youthful zeal - a key determinant of military prowess, Verma said, adding that among the advantages would be the transfer of disciplined, trained and skilled manpower to the civil set-up.

Pointing to the strange mindset that guarding the borders was the sole responsibility of the security forces, which had little relevance to the civil society and other professions, he said leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Morarji Desai were among several leaders who had flirtations with the uniform while being part of the British Ambulance Corps, the University Corps or the Training Corps.

"Awareness and appreciation of military matters among Indians is imperative if India is to become a key player in Asia. It would also serve as an antidote to casteism and communalism," Verma said.
Read more:
Shortage of officers in Indian Army 'scary': Expert