Reservation for defence personnel in educational institutes

Antony for hike in defence quota in educational institutions
Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 28, 2012
With the number of ex-servicemen and consequently their dependents increasing day by day, Defence Minister AK Antony has sought an increase in the number of seats reserved for wards of serving and the retired defence personnel in educational institutes.
In separate letters written to Minister of Health and Family Welfare Gulam Nabi Azad and Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Kapil Sibal, copies of which have been circulated to veterans’ associations for reference, Antony has pointed out that the present quota of defence seats is insufficient.
Antony has asked the health minister to consider increasing the existing quota to at least 100 seats in MBBS and 25 seats in BDS courses run in Central government medical colleges. At present, this quota is about 30 seats in MBBS and 2 or 3 seats in BDS courses. Similarly, the defence minister has requested the HRD minister to reserve at least two seats in all educational institutes and universities to effectively address the aspirations of the wards of the armed forces personnel.
Antony has stated that it has been experienced in many places that the provisions of reservation for wards of defence personnel have not been fully implemented, thereby defeating the very purpose of supporting them in their education. Further, the difficult service conditions in which wards of defence personnel grow have a bearing on their education too as they are often deprived of guidance and hence they require the government’s additional support.
Antony for hike in defence quota in educational institutions

Veteran Welfare Neglected Issues

Dear Veterans,
In the resent past major veteran issues have come up in the blogs concerning the Armed Forces Personnel and the Veterans.
A few of them are:
1 Non Functional Up gradation (NFU) to officers.
2. Amending the Pension Regulations of the Armed Forces.
3. Non Implementation of Judgments of AFTs (aboutg 2000).
4. Payment of 100% pension to the Veterans up to the age of 60 years (age for superannuation for central Govt employees) and payment of OROP.
5. Separate Ministry or a Defense Board (like that of Railway) for Armed Forces Personnel.
6. Cadre Review (being done every 5 years in other Departments).
7. Abnormal Difference of pension between two immediate Ranks to the tune of Rs.11,000/-PM
8. Withdrawal of existing Rank Pay by 6th CPC (replacing with grade pay to give additional emoluments to civilian employees and also to create an equation of imbalance between civ and Military.)
9. Majors with more than 15 years of service equated with cadets and Hony Lt's (PB-3).
10. A meaningful resettlement of Armed Forces Veterans.
11. Dignity (Izzath) of the personnel in uniform/ Protocol/ precedence vis a vis the civilian counterparts.
The above are some of the major issues that are being reflected in emails and blogs nowadays. The blame is palmed on to the babus of MOD and the Politicians. But one must think honestly - Are they fully responsible for these omissions. What is the role of the Service HQs?
click here for more

MoD Style- Blame Game to Cheat Veterans

Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Blame Game : MoD style !
“We believe to err is human. To blame it on someone else is politics" : Hubert H Humphrey
The MoD is unfairly and unnecessarily blaming the Services for non-implementation of Court orders.
People who are familiar with the field of litigation in the defence services would be aware of the fact that most of the cases decided in favour of pensioners, especially disabled personnel, are not implemented in a timely manner and majority of decisions of Courts and Tribunals are implemented only after contempt petitions are filed by affected parties. Even the judgements that are implemented are done so in a reluctant manner with the feeling in the South Block being that the policies framed by the MoD are sacrosanct and that every decision against the thought-process of the MoD should be challenged in a higher Court of Law. Fair enough, since the Constitutional framework provides a right to appeal to every party to a case. But this assumes dangerous proportions when even verdict after verdict on a particular issue, including by the highest Court of the land, the MoD continues to file appeals in similar matters thereby burdening the pockets of veterans and dockets of Courts. This is done with one singular motive – that out of the many appeals filed, even if one succeeds, the MoD would be able to scuttle the move for a change in policy for the better. And this is done being fully aware that veterans cannot afford legal help, especially at Supreme Court level, and hence it is not surprising that in most of the cases where decisions were ultimately rendered in favour of the MoD the affected parties were either unrepresented or were appearing in person, the reason being common – inability to afford counsel fee.

The powers to implement Court orders have been delegated to the Services HQ. It was earlier felt that due to lack of proper understanding, the Services HQ were blindly following the dictates of the MoD, especially in pensionary matters, and recommending appeals even in settled issues and further making no moves to reduce litigation or to bring about changes in policies that had persistently faced flak from the Courts. But this changed in the recent few years when the AG’s branch and the Personnel Services Directorate truly started taking proper interest in these matters with actual application of mind resulting in some proactive policy decisions and also putting it on record that certain imbalanced policies of the MoD which were resulting in a major flux of litigation, required a re-look. It was also now clear that even in certain issues where the Services HQ were of the view that appeals were not required to be filed, the MoD still insisted on challenging the verdicts but publicly projecting that it were the Services which were going about filing appeals against their own pensioners and not the MoD since the powers to implement decisions were vested with the Services HQ. In fact, it was more than once communicated by the MoD on hard paper that they were not the ones filing appeals, but the Services HQ. This statement was, and remains, a sham. It appears that despite best efforts by all stake-holders, the perception in the corridors of the MoD, especially, the Pension Wing, is, that veterans are greedy and do not deserve more than what they are already getting. The efforts of the Services HQ to bring about a change in policy meet the waste-bin in ways more than one.

And now comes another hard to believe master-stroke. Now the MoD has blamed the Services for delay in implementation of orders by Benches of the AFT. It has also been stated before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Defence that about 303 decisions are yet to be implemented due to the delay caused by the hierarchical structure of the services. The excuse is hogwash and so is the number since there must be well over 2000 decisions as on date which have not been implemented. 303 is a very mild figure and at best depicts an antiquated bolt action gun.

Hence in the ultimate analysis, when the public questions the MoD over appeals being filed against veterans and the disabled, it (the MoD) very conveniently blames the Services leaving the Services HQ at the mercy of public flak and ridicule, and when a Parliamentary committee questions the non-implementation of Court orders, again the Services are blamed for the delay when the actual culprit is the sadist attitude of those manning certain lower level appointments in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in the MoD.

The policy making mechanism at the Pension wing is leading to frustration and a sense of great disservice. In-principle decisions taken at the highest level are scuttled by lower staff by misleading file notings. Policy decisions take years to materialise, for example, certain anomalies of the 5th CPC are being resolved 15 years after the date of implementation of the 5th CPC. Rather than taking decisions at the govt level, files are sent to the offices of CGDA and PCDA(P) for drafting govt letters and seeking their opinions, whereas accountants have actually nothing to do with the process of decision making, their duty is to disburse payments based on govt policy and not make the policy itself. Rather than rectifying anomalous policies, appeals to the SC are made as a matter of routine, to take an example, the SC has in atleast 10 cases settled the issue of grant of service element to pre-1973 retirees irrespective of length of service even if the disability falls below 20%, but the MoD continues to file appeals in similar cases and at this particular moment, more than 50 appeals are pending on the subject filed by the MoD against disabled veterans, most of them over the age of 70 notwithstanding 10 verdicts in favour of veterans. In cases of disability pension, till the 5th CPC, the amount for disability element for say 20% disability was Rs 310/- per month and even in such cases appeals were filed as a matter of routine when disability pension was allowed by Courts wherein lacs of rupees were paid to the battery of counsel representing the MoD, the great MoD which has scant respect for the National Litigation Policy formulated by the Union of India, that great MoD which treats its disabled as its adversaries, that MoD which feels that pensioners are a greedy lot, that MoD which would wrongly blame the Army, Navy and the Air Force fully knowing the sleight of hand at play, that MoD whose staffers believe that they are better jurists than the Courts rendering verdicts in favour of pensioners and the proof of this attitude lies in the fact that the MoD has filed a review petition in every single case decided by the Supreme Court in favour of pensioners in the recent times.
Solution

Solution No 1

The top brass at the MoD including the RM, the RRM and the Secretary of the Department of ESW, starts taking proper interest in the affairs of veterans by way of initiating democratic decisions by involving all stake holders – the ESW staff, the Services, representatives of recognised veteran bodies with experts in the field. Look at the current lot dealing with the issues involving millions of veterans – An otherwise well meaning Secretary from the IAS who is retiring soon, a Joint Secretary from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre of the IAS who is currently on training and whose tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme ends this year, a Director (Pensions) who is from the Indian Forest Service and knows nothing about pensions and who would soon revert to his parent cadre, two Under Secretaries from the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) who again have no expertise in pensionary matters and who probably rule the roost of the pension branch, knowing that the department is entirely dependent on them, in all probability assuming more air of authority than what their so-called proficiency really warrants.

Solution No 2

Disband the Army. Period.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh

Why OROP for Senior Ranks?

Dear Veterans,
1. History has repeated itself again where the seniors have not put their foot down for the welfare of their junior officers. The point two percent of the senior officers have taken the booty of OROP home along with the hundred percent of the JCOs and other ranks leaving the rest of the junior block of officers in lurch. Selfish……? Self centered……!!
Then why to hit the time with an iron rod and bleed it to get the OROP? The high and the mighty are not pleased with the loyalty, sincerity and service of the juniors rendered for the reasons of their own. They have ignored the officers block by sitting the reason that the problem is very complex to decide the deal. Then why the same rule does not apply for the point two percent? why they did not deny the benefits for the sake of their junior officers? And why the punishment is matted out to those who are not guilty at any count?
2. The rotten rats sitting on the higher posts are stinking and lowering the prestige of the armed forces. Don’t blame the babus for their crafty tactics to deny the benefits coming to the soldiers but curse those who are sitting on the top of the pyramid and ruling the roost in their own favor. And there is no point to hit the wall hard and draw the blood out for the sake of OROP ! Don’t press the bubble to burst! Don’t ask any body to submit. Rather gently prey and gradually succumb! Tell them to see beyond the mentality of the babus and the bosses who have played the trick on the soldiers.
3. Who fights less or more in the battlefield is a totally guess work of those who have never seen the face of the battlefield and do not know that ‘fight’ is a totally team work. Also they do not know that soldiers don’t beg. Soldiers don’t care and crawl for the things like OROP. They game it like a war and face the consequences squarely. The time is the only factor and its a great healer! Let the time come the same babus and the same seniors would prey, pamper and please them with many more OROPs because the soldiers are supreme!!
Maj Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

Veteran Welfare- Are we being cheated and then dishonoured?

Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The Supreme Court has recalled its order given on 15 November last year in which it had directed MoD to set up a Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former soldiers of the Armed Forces. In the same order, the Apex Court had made a mention of Smt Pushpa Vanti’s case, a widow whose husband was an Army Major. The petitioner Smt Pushpa Vanti had claimed that she was getting only a meager amount of Rs.80/- per month as pension since the death of her husband in 1967 and her pension had not been revised since then. In the said order, the Supreme Court also alluded to the discontent among the serving and former members Armed Forces and their widows and family member regarding their service condition i.e. Pay Scales, anomalies regarding pension, inadequate pension etc. and directed the Central Government to set up a Commission called Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

Subsequently, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of MoD verified the facts regarding actual pension drawn by Smt Pushpa Vanti and also considered the implications of setting up of such a Commission given the fact that an elaborate mechanism for welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen and their dependent already exists under the aegis of Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.

On verification of facts it was found that Smt Pushpa Vanti is actually drawing a family pension of Rs.16360 and not Rs.80/- as incorrectly represented before the Apex Court. The factual position was brought before the Supreme Court on 05 July 2011 by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare through the Solicitor General of India who also submitted before the Supreme Court that for looking after the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen a comprehensive mechanism is already in place.

Following this, the Supreme Court recalled its order given on 15 November 2010. SK/ (Release ID :73300)
Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The truth is bitter to swallow
Armed Forces Tribunal Orders are mostly defied; click here
Grievances of veterans have been ignored for years even when the Supreme Court has issued favourable judgments- click here

Veteran Woes
Things have come to a dangerous pass.
Appalling already was the scheme of events in our nation, with veterans and the government in a logjam and protests related to pensionary anomalies reaching the streets.
As most of us know, the Supreme Court had recently recalled its orders related to the constitution of the Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission. What follows is this official press release by the Ministry of Defence almost celebrating the recalling of the orders, commemorating the victory of the Ministry of Defence over veterans and stating that the poor widow in the case had ‘incorrectly represented’ facts before the Court, while actually there was no such observation of ‘incorrect representation’ by the Hon’ble Apex Court itself in its orders.
Does an official press release such as this behove a government agency? Is the recalling of a judicial order official-news material, if that be so, then all departments should regularly issue press releases every single day on the hundreds of cases decided daily involving them, this way or that way.
While on the surface, this press release may seem to be innocuous, but lying beneath is a thought process that is thoroughly and distastefully disgusting – the thought process that defence veterans are adversaries of the MoD. It is an MoD Vs Veterans state of mind. Otherwise, why would there be a celebratory official PIB press release on the recalling of an order that was so dear to the hearts of the defence community ? Can this be expected in any developed democracy ? Can we imagine the Department of Defence of the US or the Ministry of Defence of the UK issuing a press release celebrating the recalling of a Court order favouring veterans?
Click here to read full article of Maj Navdeep Singh: Sad Sign of the Times!

Soldier, Sailor, Rich Man, Thief

The Telegraph 21 April 2011
It is dangerous to ignore corruption in the armed forces, writes Brijesh D. Jayal
Grievances of veterans have been ignored for years even when the Supreme Court has issued favourable judgments. Today, at regular intervals, veterans are returning their medals to their Supreme Commander — who has not once thought fit to meet them. No self-respecting democracy is so callous towards the sentiments of its veterans. This lack of respect is not lost on those serving; it is also received with some glee across our borders. But to our politics and parliament this means little.

The fragility of civil-military relations has other adverse effects. Modernization will continue to be sabotaged by vested interests which will raise the bogey of wrongdoing at critical times in the process of procurement. The lack of consensus on the appointment of a chief of defence staff ensures that we cannot develop an integrated fighting capability so crucial to combating modern security challenges. Inability to set up a national defence university ensures that we are denied the opportunity to educate and train leaders, both military and civil, who will be better prepared for the emerging security challenges.

It is crucial for the nation to decide what place it wants to accord its armed forces in the national scheme of things. This writer had pleaded in these columns (“Through thick and thin”, June 3, 2009) for a Blue Ribbon Commission to make recommendations to Parliament, which could then take a final call.

Now that the debate in Parliament has shown the country how fragmented our polity is and how unreal our priorities, perhaps on the issue of national security and the role of the armed forces there is an opportunity for our polity and Parliament to redeem themselves and display that elusive unity. This is one debate that the guardians of our nation’s borders — the armed forces — will watch with great interest as will our friends and potential foes. But it will need more than poetry and innuendoes.
The author is a retired air marshal of the Indian Air Force
SOLDIER, SAILOR, RICH MAN, THIEF

Apathy towards the war-disabled must end

Disabled soldiers at the Paraplegic Rehabilitaion Centre in Mohali. Several issues need to be redressed to ensure that disabled soldiers get due benefits that compensate them for the substantially reduced capacity for employment.

The number of war-disabled soldiers is increasing on account of casualties being incurred in prolonged counter-insurgency operations. But they are gradually fading away from the radar screen of the government and the Service headquarters. The plight of disabled soldiers needs to be appreciated and action should be taken to ameliorate their multifarious problems

There is certainly a need for regular dialogue between the ESW department, army headquarters and the NGO's. Getting them on board will result in a two-way passage of information between the authorities and the war-disabled. Both NGO's exist on donations that are meagre, but their request for funds has been summarily dismissed by the ESW department!

Over the last few decades, the war-disabled as a group have been gradually fading away from the radar screens of service headquarters as well as the government, despite the fact that their number is increasing practically on a daily basis on account of casualties incurred in counter-insurgency operations. The plight of war-disabled soldiers, especially in rural areas needs to be appreciated and actions need to be taken to ameliorate their multifarious problems. This situation of apathy to the war-disabled must be corrected lest it leads to grave adverse repercussions in the long term.
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army and President of the War Wounded Foundation.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Apathy towards the war-disabled must end

War-disabled
The above article “Apathy towards the war-disabled must end” (Feb 18) by Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd) was a touching description of the plight of the war-disabled. The writer has rightly pleaded for the benefits/maintaining records of the disabled and need for a positive attitude towards them. Even the NGO’s can play a better role with the help of the media. India must treat the war-disabled with respect.
A.S. ANAND, Ludhiana

ESW is a Cosmetic Bureaucratic Appendage
Over six years ago, a Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) was created to give focused attention to welfare programmes for ex-servicemen and their dependants. In reality it was a cosmetic exercise as three existing entities of the Ministry of Defence merely started reporting to another set of bureaucrats. Even after six years, except for garnering additional vacancies for their cadre, the department is yet to come out with a single programme for the welfare of veterans. They also commenced looking after the pensions of veterans and the mess they have made post--Sixth Pay Commission is too well known.

Here is a department tailor-made to make much of the soldiers' sacrifices by conceiving a comprehensive and long-term plan to commemorate their valiant deeds, not only on Vijay Diwas, but also on other such occasions. The need is for vision, empathy and dedication, which requires staffing this department by military personnel. They know what soldiers want and how best to meet their needs. The incongruity of welfare of soldiers by the bureaucracy needs immediate burial. Let us do so without delay and start honouring our soldiers.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
The writer is a former Vice Chief of the Indian Army
When will we honour our soldiers?

Honour the soldier: India must never forget its armed forces

The Tribune Saturday, December 18, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Thirtynine years ago, India recorded a spectacular military victory over Pakistan which has since been closely studied and analysed by several military forces the world over. The military victory, which involved considerable planning, evoked the largest surrender after World War-II, a record that was later broken by Saddam Hussein’s mother of all surrenders during the 1991 Gulf war. The most significant consequence of India’s military victory was that it rendered irrelevant Jinnah’s two-nation theory – East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan to build a national identity based on (Bengali) ethnicity and language rather than on the commonality of religion.

Indeed, the record of the Indian soldier has been among the most glorious. From conducting nation-consolidation operations starting with Junagadh, Kashmir, Hyderabad and later Goa to nation-preservation against attacks from Pakistan and China, the Indian military has also been wantonly misused if not abused as evident from its involvement in Operation Bluestar in Punjab, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka and internal security operations in Kashmir and in the Northeast due to a long history of gross political and administrative mismanagement.

Yet, the stoic and apolitical Indian soldier has performed uncomplainingly and with aplomb even as some governments in our neighbourhood succumbed to military interference or coups. His sacrifice remains mostly unheralded. In April this year the Supreme Court observed that our soldiers were being shabbily treated by the government. Disgustingly, successive governments have failed even to build a national war memorial. The India Gate, where our President ritualistically lays a wreath every Republic Day and which we treat as a war memorial, was, ironically, built by the British colonialists to commemorate the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting in World War-I and in the Third Anglo-Afghan war. It is a national shame that ex-servicemen have been returning their gallantry medals to the indifference of our politicians. Unlike the US where successive presidents starting from US Army Colonel Harry Truman to Air Force First Lieutenant George W. Bush or the present British Royal family starting from Queen Elizabeth-II to her grandson, Royal Army Lieutenant Prince Harry, all of who have a distinguished record of military service and of seeing action in wars, the Indian politician ranks among the most corrupt and self-seeking with rare examples of either he or his son serving in the military. India cannot afford to forget that all books of statecraft starting with Sun Tzu’s Art of War, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Niccolo Machiavelli’s Prince warn against neglecting the soldier. We can risk this only to our own peril.
Honour the soldier: India must never forget its armed forces

राष्ट्रपति को आज छह हजार पदक लौटाएंगे पूर्व सैनिक

भारतीय सैन्य दिग्गजों की सेवा में
चंदर.
भगवान की पूजा के साथ अन्याय के खिलाफ लड़ने के लिए है.
इसलिए कृपया सैन्य दिग्गजों 'जंतर मंतर, नई दिल्ली में रैली के लिए वहाँ हो, 28 नवम्बर 10 पर, 10.00 घंटे से 14.00 घंटे
और अन्याय के खिलाफ लड़ाई में शामिल किया / भारत का रक्षा सेवा करने के लिए किया जा रहा है

राष्ट्रपति को आज छह हजार पदक लौटाएंगे पूर्व सैनिक
राष्ट्रपति को आज छह हजार पदक लौटाएंगे पूर्व सैनिक
Nov 27, 08:40 pm

नोएडा, संवाददाता : 'वन रैंक-वन पेंशन' के लिए लंबे समय से लड़ाई लड़ रहे जंग-ए-आजादी के छह हजार जांबाज रविवार को राष्ट्रपति को अपने पदक लौटाएंगे। साथ ही तीनों सेनाओं के पूर्व अधिकारी दिल्ली स्थित जंतर-मंतर पर रैली निकाल विरोध दर्ज कराएंगे। वे राष्ट्रपति को खून से लिखा ज्ञापन भी देंगे। शनिवार को 12 राज्यों से आए तीनों सेनाओं के पूर्व अधिकारियों ने नोएडा के सेक्टर 29 स्थित अरुण विहार इंस्टीट्यूट क्लब में 'इंडियन एक्स सर्विसमैन' संगठन की वार्षिक सभा की। इसमें संगठन के चुनाव भी करा लिए गए। गुड़गांव के लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान को दोबारा भारी बहुमत से राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष चुना गया।

राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष कादयान ने बताया कि रविवार सुबह 11 बजे दिल्ली के जंतर-मंतर पर काफी संख्या में 'इंडियन एक्स सर्विसमैन' से जुड़े तीनों सेना के पूर्व अधिकारी विशाल रैली में शामिल होंगे। यहां से वह राष्ट्रपति भवन जाएंगे जहां महामहिम को खून से लिखा ज्ञापन देकर छह हजार पदक वापस लौटाए जाएंगे। इससे पहले इसी साल 22 अगस्त को भी संगठन 'वन रैंक-वन पेंशन' की मांग को लेकर राष्ट्रपति को खून से लिखा ज्ञापन दे चुका है। इस पर सवा लाख पूर्व सैनिकों के हस्ताक्षर थे। सैनिकों का आरोप है कि सुप्रीम कोर्ट द्वारा उनकी मांग के संबंध में गठित की गई कमेटी भी सरकार की कठपुतली बनी हुई है। अगर सरकार ने जल्द मांग नहीं मानी तो उन्हें मजबूरन उग्र प्रदर्शन पर उतारू होना पड़ेगा।

राज कादयान ने बताया कि 17 दिसंबर 2008 को 'इंडियन एक्स सर्विसमैन' संगठन का गठन किया गया था। इसके दो साल पूरे होने वाले हैं। इसलिए शनिवार को नोएडा के अरुण विहार क्लब में वार्षिक सभा आयोजित कर पूरे साल का लेखाजोखा प्रस्तुत किया गया। इसी मौके पर संगठन का पहला चुनाव भी कराया गया। राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष पद के लिए लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान के अलावा गुड़गांव के ही कर्नल पीपी त्यागी ने दावेदारी पेश की थी। राज कादयान 539 मतों से जीते। कर्नल पीपी त्यागी को मात्र 12 वोट मिले। पांच वोट अवैध घोषित किए गए। इसके अलावा सभी पदों के लिए सर्वसम्मति से पदाधिकारियों का चुनाव कर लिया गया। इनमें मेजर जनरल सतवीर सिंह को उपाध्यक्ष, विंग कमांडर सीके शर्मा को कोषाध्यक्ष, ग्रुप कैप्टन वीके गांधी को महासचिव और कमांडर शरण अहूजा को निर्विरोध संयुक्त सचिव चुना गया। इनके अलावा कार्यकारिणी में कर्नल आरपी

IESM: Be temperate and disagree with dignity

Dear Colleagues,
Over the last two years there has been a great awakening among the ESM. We have become visibly and vocally aware of how successive governments have been doing us down over the years. Our voice, suppressed over the years by the weight of the Service rules, has found air. We are justifiably angry. In the case of some of us the anger finds expression through our keyboard fingers.
With this rather sudden realization we have begun to look for issues to criticise the regime on. We need to keep in mind that raising too many issues – some not even directly connected with the ESM welfare – might give us an unfair and unwanted tag of being garrulous. This would hurt pursuit of our main goal of OROP and other demands.
Internally, the subject of membership fees refuses to die down. There are weighty arguments supporting both options; maintaining status quo as well as effecting a reduction. The issue has been debated and decided repeatedly in the Governing Body, as well during a Core Group meeting. Views expressed in rallies have also not been unanimous in favour of either option. We should leave the issue for discussion in the next AGM.
A related issue is whether the government response has any direct relation to the total number of members and to the fact that an entity is recognized by the government. While each one of us has his view on the subject, recalling of some facts may be in order:

Before IESM membership had touched a four-figure mark, or even before IESM was born and when the protest rallies were conducted under ESMO beginning in April 2008, the government conceded two of our major demands.

Constitution of an ESM Commission

A separate pay commission for the armed forces. We should recall that on earlier occasions the government had repeatedly turned down the Chiefs’ request of even having representation in the pay commissions.

We already have ESM organizations having large membership (lakhs) and government recognition and still not having been able to get the ESM their dues.

It needs to be known that government recognition is based on certain pre-conditions. These include a written acceptance of shunning any form of anti- government public protest such as rallies, depositing of medals etc.
I will again appeal to all ESM to use temperate language while voicing a counter view. All of us are entitled to our opinions. Let us disagree with dignity. Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

None amongst must forget..."
"For democracy... for the precious right to speak freely..."
"Down the long, long corridors of duty, of honour, of gallantly going silently, We remain silent of deeds and sacrifices..."
"No veterans, no democracy, you got no India we lovingly call Bharat."

Thoughts on Future Course for Veterans

Thoughts on Future Course for Veterans
My view is that unless the veterans prepare the ground (shaping the battlefield in military parlance), no attempt be made to re-start a confrontational approach. Once the ground work has been laid, a concerted plan must be put into effect. What does preparing the ground entail? In my view it includes the following:

Unity amongst the various veteran groups. In this, the first step may well be unity of purpose, as even this seems to be lacking at present.

The overall focus should be on the long term and not trying to get issues resolved in a hurry. The veterans have woken up after decades; to hope that they will be able to resolve their problems overnight is not possible.

Convincing the people of the justness of the veteran’s case.

A more broad-based objective, covering various facets of problems of the veterans and not focusing exclusively on OROP.

The present perception that the veterans are only seeking more money needs to be changed. The way to do it is to project lowering of status and not lowering of pay/pension. The latter would automatically follow.

Close interaction with the serving community, as it is the only way to get maximum synergy. We need to disabuse the notion that the actions of the veterans will embarrass the serving community. Such notions have little basis, in my view. It is the veterans who have to make such overtures and not the other way around. The serving have the option to go along covertly or overtly or even back out, but this must not deter the veterans.

Building up the various veteran organizations by major membership drives.

Personal reaching out to the rural-based veterans and weaning them away from their present exclusive focus on the different types of elections.

Periodic interaction with the Department of Ex Servicemen Welfare and the personnel directorates of the services headquarters, as also with the Ministers.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Read more for valuable inputs:
Thoughts on Future Course for Veterans

Army short of 11,387 officers: Antony

Posted: Monday , Jul 27, 2009 at 1503 hrs, New Delhi
The Indian Army is short of over 11,387 officers, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday. While the Navy was short of 1512 officers, the shortage in the Air Force was 1400, he said in a written reply. However, there is no significant shortage of Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBORs) in the Armed Forces and nearly a lakh joined the army in that category in the last three years. As many as 5033 officers and 96,453 PBORs joined the Army in the last three years while 1209 officers and 6792 PBORs were enrolled by the Navy during the same period. As many as 1451 officers and 21,311 PBORs joined the Air Force in the last three years, Antony said.

During the last three years and in the current year, 3764 officers and 27,477 PBORs of Army, 842 officers and 126 PBORs of Navy and 893 officers and 3961 PBORs of Air Force have sought discharge/voluntary retirement, he said. Listing the steps taken to motivate the service personnel to continue in service and attract youth to join Armed Forces, Antony said all officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) were now eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel after two, six and 13 years of reckonable service respectively. The tenure of SSC officers has been increased from 10 years to 14 years, he said. Antony said 750 posts of Lt Colonel have been upgraded to Colonel after implementation of A V Singh Committee Report.
Army short of 11,387 officers: Antony

Comments
By: Major (Retd) Virendra Sharma, 28-Jul-2009
Today's army personnel (Officers and the personnel below officer's rank-PBOR) have much better service conditions. I am 1963 vintage ex-officer. At that time the Second Lieutenant started the basic salary at Rs.400/- pm. Today the rank of 2nd Lieutenant has been abolished and the starting basic salary is Rs 25,000/. Many other amenities have been increased, but the fact is that when in '60s there were very less avenues for young men like me, today is entirely different situation. Why to talk of other civilians, even the wards of the serving officers do not prefer to join the services because they are not very attractive. It is good that the service tenure of the SSCOs has been increased from 5 and 10 years to 14 years. I suggest that it should be increased to 20 years so that these officers are entitled to the pension. This will be a great step to attract people as the pension is seen as a secured future income.

Critical analysis of the Military after implementation of AV Singh Committee Recommendations
The quality is directly related to the quantity. While the world has flattened, the Indian Army has added to its hierarchical structure along with a significant increase in numbers. Protecting one’s fiefdom and enlarging its scope has been the hallmark of most government bodies and the army is no exception. The US army has been blindly aped by creating an Army Training Command more than 15 years ago, with no reduction in the training directorate at Delhi. South-western command and a new corps have been raised to ostensibly improve the operational effectiveness of the army. But many insiders believe that it is to create more avenues for promotions at the middle and higher levels. A new operational logistics and a public information directorate were also created in the recent past, adding to the existing layers of military bureaucratic structure. While all this has happened, there has been no talk of reduction in numbers ala the western armies. The US, UK and French military training schools are either outsourced or largely manned by civilian employees. No modern army worth its name runs its own logistics; their logistics is totally outsourced. The Indian army, on the other hand, still waxes eloquent about its teeth-to-tail ratio and takes pride in the large inventory of its ordnance corps – from a shoe nail to a tank.

Can we have a leaner army that is as effective an insurance for the nation’s future? Arguably, yes. General Malik reduced 50,000 in his tenure as the army chief, but it all went away in the aftermath of Kargil. The political willingness to correct this anomaly is distinctly lacking. After all, there is safety in numbers. The annual report of the ministry of defence (2006-07) puts forth this grandiose justification in buckram prose:
"India’s national security environment is determined by a complex interplay of its geographical attributes, historical legacy, and socio-economic circumstances as well as regional and global developments...bla bla..."
Extract from:
The Indian Army Part 3

Indian Armed Forces: Inheritors of the priceless apolitical tradition

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
An article published in the June, 2009 issue of the journal, "Defence Watch" is attached, should a differing point of view be of interest to the readers of "Report my Signal".
Sincerely,
Rajendra Prakash,
Dehradun.

WHILE WE SLEPT: POLITICIZATION OF INDIA’S ARMED FORCES by Adm Arun Prakash (Retd)

The recent displays of blatant praetorianism across our eastern and western borders have served to confirm that the Indian Armed Forces are truly the sole sub-continental inheritors of the priceless apolitical tradition bequeathed by their British progenitors. Armies are sent into battle only when statesmen and diplomats have been unsuccessful in ensuring peace. Our Armed Forces have not only fought gallantly on the battlefield but consistently and impartially upheld India’s integrity and secular democratic tradition, when all others have failed the nation.

Their darkest hour occurred in the wake of Operation Blue Star; an unseen internal crisis which threatened to rend the taut fabric of discipline and loyalty which binds together our magnificent Army. The manner in which it contained and defused this calamity will remain another (untold) saga of outstanding military leadership.

This monastic devotion to discipline is the reason that Subhash Bose’s Indian National Army and the Free Indian Legion are, till today, spoken of in hushed tones in the Service environment. The exact details of the 1942 Royal Indian Navy mutiny (even though it imparted a decisive impetus to the freedom movement) will forever remain confined to confidential volumes kept under lock and key on board every warship. Similarly, public expressions of defiance like hunger-strikes, dharnas, marches and demonstrations by civilians cause acute discomfort to the soldier, sailor and airman because they run contrary to the essence of all that he has been ever taught: unquestioning respect and obedience of lawful authority.

Once he doffs his uniform, an ex-Serviceman (ESM) is technically liberated from the restraints of military discipline, and is free to adopt the demeanor and behaviour of any civilian on the street. But deep inside, his soul cringes at the very thought of conducting himself in a manner which would have brought disrepute to his uniform, unit or Service.

Why then did our ESM start resorting to demonstrations in April 2008, in the heart of the national capital as well as in many states? Why did they thereafter graduate to relay fasts at Jantar Mantar? And why are they now surrendering their precious medals to low level functionaries in Rashtrapati Bhavan?. Although they have conducted themselves in a most dignified and orderly manner, the very fact that veterans ranging from Generals to Jawans have been marching on the streets and squatting on footpaths has sent shock waves throughout the Services community; even if the media and our fellow citizens have largely ignored this disturbing development.

I am not about to argue the case of the ESM, but a brief summary of events would help to orient the reader. In early-2006 when the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) loomed into sight, the Service Chiefs, individually and collectively, through the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), appealed to the Raksha Mantri, on the basis of bitter past experience, that a Service member be included in the CPC. This request having been declined, when the CPC Report was released in 2008, the Services found to their dismay that the recommendations expectedly contained many glaring anomalies impacting adversely on serving personnel as well as ESM.

At the persistent urgings of the Service Chiefs, a Review Committee was constituted; ironically yet again bereft of a Service representative. The Review Committee aggravated the anomalous situation by arbitrarily making some further unwarranted modifications. A series of instructions were issued by the Defence Accounts and pension disbursing authorities which were self-contradictory and compounded the prevailing confusion as well as unhappiness. While the Chairman COSC took up the issues relating to serving personnel with the Government, the ESM became convinced that since no one was listening to them, they had no choice but to adopt agitational methods. They have, therefore, taken to the streets since April 2008.

Military veterans, world-wide are objects of spontaneous respect, affection and admiration because they are national symbols of courage, patriotism and sacrifice; a segment deserving of special consideration by the Government. The grievances of our ESM, should, therefore, have been handled with far more sensitivity and responsiveness, than they actually were.

The current ESM movement has been able to mobilize opinion country-wide and gather self-sustaining momentum, mainly due to connectivity provided by the Internet and cellular phone networks. While the MoD seems to have adopted a disdainful and detached stance towards their grievances, the ESM roll-on agenda now encompasses canvassing political support for their cause, and even the formation of an ESM political party which will put up candidates for the forthcoming General Elections.

Thus it is now obvious that, while the nation slept, the process of “politicization” of our Armed Forces is well under way, if not complete. The 6th CPC has also inflicted serious collateral damage by deepening the existing civil-military chasm and thereby further slowing down the languid functioning of the MoD.

As a former Army Chief has pointed out, the ESM retain “an umbilical connection” with the serving personnel; they hail from the same regions or neighbouring villages and often belong to the same extended family, whom they meet when on leave. In any case, the Services and ESM constitute one big family. No one should have any doubts that the essence of whatever happens at Jantar Mantar or India Gate will slowly but surely filter back by a process of “reverse osmosis” to the men in uniform.

Even if the politicians and bureaucrats do not care, the nation’s intelligentsia (where are they?) need to introspect. Does the nation want proud, independent and self-respecting Armed Forces who live by the professional soldiers’ honour code and die unquestioningly for their country; or do we want their soldiers tainted with the stain of “politics”. Were this to happen– even by default– it would constitute the most grievous injury to be needlessly inflicted on itself by the Indian state.

India’s democracy requires that the Armed Forces must be restored to their original pristine state at the earliest; detached from politics, and focused on the profession of arms. The first step is to remove the ESM from the streets, and the best means would be to constitute a multi-party Parliamentary Commission (what is termed a Blue Ribbon Commission in the UK), and NOT another committee of bureaucrats, to examine and address the full gamut of issues.
Defence Watch

One Rank One Pension- New Committee

The Congress led Government has appointed yet another so called high power committee to consider OROP. However, still it is a committee of bureaucrats!! No service rep has been included. We all know that the bureaucrats are so crafty and will come up with a percentage solution not a full fledged OROP. Their resolve to keep the Services down seems insatiable.

There is no statement from Mrs Sonia Gandhi or her son who lay down the policies and priorities. The Prime Minister has not spoken a word himself either; All three should have. The seriousness of the issue does not seem to have sunk in, even though a mention was made about the welfare of the veterans in the President's address.

The committee formed appears to be to counter the BJP, some sop for the agitation launched by the veterans and also in view of the fast approaching elections in Haryana, where the veterans have sizeable vote bank. The verdict by the Supreme Court in the case of Maj Gen's pension could also be a reason.

Perhaps the euphoria is misplaced. Let us not count the chickens before these are hatched!! The need to lobby with the highest and keep the pressure on is absolutely necessary.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

Date: Sunday, 7 June, 2009, 5:09 PM
Gentlemen,
Lets not claim credit ahead of each other and try to score brownie points. Fact is that the agitation of exservicemen, be they under any flag, has forced the government to declare that they will do justice to them. Its time we stopped bickering amongst ourselves and let our adversaries take advantage of us. I agree with RKRN that we should address the Cabinet Secy and the PM to ensure that the ESM point of view is made known to them. I would request all the heads of all the ESM organisations to meet and chalk out a plan of action and prepare a paper on the compelling reasons for OROP. Lets forget our differences and unite to solve this problem.
Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd)

US Troops Respected- The Best Commercial

Obama to the Navy...
And, finally, whether you’re 26 years old or 89, if you’ve worn the uniform and taken care of America, America will take care of you. With a modern VA that keeps faith with our veterans and wounded warriors. With a 21st century GI Bill that gives our veterans and their families the chance to live out their dreams.

This is America’s covenant with you — our solemn commitment to all those who serve. And while our nation has not always fulfilled its duties to its armed forces, let there be no doubt: America’s men and women in uniform have always fulfilled theirs. And that’s exactly what America’s Navy did last month in the seas off Somalia.
(Courtesy V/Adm Desilva John,former VCNS)

Tailpiece: WHEN or WILL IT HAPPEN IN INDIA?

Revive the morale of the armed forces

THROUGH THICK AND THIN- The government must revive the morale of the armed forces
BRIJESH D. JAYAL
Unsung lives
Through this column I would like to congratulate Manmohan Singh and his party for having provided this nation with what was most needed at this critical juncture — a stable government. While doing so I must confess that I am guilty of not being one of those who have made this possible. I chose not to exercise my franchise since the denial of the right to exercise the option of ‘none of the above’ is to my mind not being fair to the spirit of our democracy.

The subject of this article, however, is not electoral reform, but the one institution that has served the nation through thick and thin at the cost of tremendous human hardship and sacrifice — the armed forces of the republic of India. While the public still holds the armed forces in some esteem, the same cannot be said of those who govern the country. Had it been otherwise, there would not have been a progressive decline in the status of the armed forces in the national scheme of things. To quote the Kargil review committee report, “India is perhaps the only democracy where the armed forces headquarters are outside the apex governmental structure.” It would be fair to say that every government since Independence has contributed to the decline of the status of the armed forces and its veterans, either by design or by neglect.

But one needs to make an exception. There was one minister of state for defence under the Rajiv Gandhi government, whose understanding of matters military and the ethos of the armed forces was profound. He later chaired a committee on defence expenditure set up by the V.P. Singh government, and the task force on management of defence set up as a consequence of the Kargil review committee report. Both these exercises had the stamp of his understanding of the issues involved and their national implications. Had the recommendations of these committees been implemented in the spirit in which they were made, the need for this article may well not have arisen.

The nation today is faced with stark choices. The national security environment is the most demanding since Independence and deteriorating by the day. The spectrum of warfare now spans the nuclear at one end to urban and internal at the other. Decades of insurgency in the East and years of proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir are taking a heavy toll on a professional army. Incidents of fratricide and suicides are increasing alarmingly. Hostile interests are taking advantage by spreading disinformation about the armed forces — ‘psychological warfare’ in today’s parlance. We are losing dozens of lives on active duty even during peace. Our borders with both Pakistan and China are underprepared. Revolutions in military affairs demand much greater levels of technological and training skills than at present, but the pool of volunteers is fast shrinking. Yet opportunities in civil life are expanding with generous salaries and stable lives.

That over the years the status of the armed forces has progressively declined is no secret. What is less evident is that the morale of this fine institution is being sapped bit by bit. Because service ethos demands cheerful acceptance of orders, this decline has been taken as meek acceptance. As internal security challenges rise, the polity becomes more competitive, and for the 24-hour electronic media hungry for breaking news, there is a temptation to make a scapegoat of the military. It happened in Manipur some years ago, it occurs frequently in Jammu and Kashmir, and happened recently in Tamil Nadu where an army convoy was needlessly attacked. Successive service leaderships have failed to convince the government of the adverse implications of this state of affairs. The sixth pay commission has merely added another insult to the already wounded psyche of the armed forces.

For the first time in the nation’s history, veterans — from soldiers to three-star ranks — have been driven to express their anguish publicly by holding rallies across many cities, sitting in dharna at Jantar Mantar and, in a regrettable gesture, surrendering their prized medals to the supreme commander in their thousands. These unheard of incidents would have evoked instant response from the government in any democratic country. Our silence is both pregnant and deafening.

The nation needs to introspect. Why, for instance, are we the only democracy where civilian control of the armed forces has come to mean bureaucratic control? Why has there been a systematic and progressive decline in the standing of the armed forces over these last six decades? Why is it that the only living five-star rank-holder should feature in the warrant of precedence below the cabinet secretary? And why was it thought fit not to give a state funeral to a field marshal, who contributed to our 1971 war victory? One could go on; suffice it to say that slowly but surely we are robbing our armed forces of the oxygen of izzat and iqbal, shorn of which they will become mere mercenaries.

The nation under the leadership of Manmohan Singh needs to decide whether it needs professional and combat-worthy armed forces or is content with forces that will be runners-up. Military morale is a strange phenomenon. You can neither define it easily nor see it. While perceptive commanders can feel it in their bones, once it begins to evaporate, even the finest of them need godly qualities to revive it. Too much is at stake for it to be left to the very institutions that have brought us to this pass — and every arm of governance must accept the blame. The legislature for taking little interest in matters relating to the forces, unless there was some political mileage. The government for remaining a mute spectator and resisting bringing the military into the decision- and policymaking process. The bureaucracy for having converted the dictum of civilian control over the military to bureaucratic control. And finally, the armed forces leadership for sometimes failing to protect the ‘safety, honour and welfare of the men they command’ in the face of this onslaught.

The Mumbai attacks tell us how fragile the security environment is and the newer threats that are emerging. Pakistan has kept even the sharpest strategic minds guessing, but the prognosis is far from good. The West sees its war on terror as somewhat different from ours. A senior American navy commander’s recent revelation of Chinese maritime intentions in the Indian Ocean should cause us no surprise. The situations in Nepal and Sri Lanka are still evolving. In every area, without sounding pessimistic, we need to be prepared for far greater security challenges.

The nation can not afford to sit idle while our armed forces continue down a slippery slope. The time has come to opt for innovative solutions — something for which Singh is best known. Let the nation respond by setting up a ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ to look at all aspects of our armed forces. This would encompass every sphere, from the changing nature of warfare to what sort of armed forces are needed in the future, to inter-service working, to the way the forces are organized and integrated within the national decision-making process, to their place within the hierarchy and that of veterans in society, to the creating of a war memorial as well as other issues that contribute to making the armed forces of any nation a unique institution.

The ‘Blue Ribbon commission’ would include citizens known for their experience and non-partisan interests, and will give the beleaguered armed forces some level of comfort. Its recommendations must be debated in Parliament, which should then legislate on major issues determining the role and place of the armed forces in our country.

Legislative direction is the surest way to ensure that decisions that become law are implemented. Otherwise they are open to administrative sleight-of-hand. Even in the United States of America it was the Goldwater-Nichols Act that mandated the joint chiefs of staff institution, scrutinized professional military education and mandated strengthening of focus on joint matters.

It is possible that our precedent-driven administrative system will resist this as a Blue Ribbon commission approach is a departure from the norm. But Singh must have faced similar hurdles when he embarked on the bold economic reforms in 1991. The institution of the armed forces now looks up to him for similar salvation.
The author is a retired air marshal of the Indian Air Force
THROUGH THICK AND THIN- The government must revive the morale of the armed forces BRIJESH D JAYAL

SCPC: Blue Ribbon Commission for the armed forces

The Tribune Sunday, March 22, 2009, Chandigarh, India
This writer is not about to argue the case of the ESM, but a brief summary of events would help to orient the reader. In early-2006 when the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) loomed into sight, the Service Chiefs, individually and collectively, through the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), appealed to the Defence Minister, on the basis of bitter past experience, that a service member be included in the CPC.

This request having been declined, when the CPC Report was released in 2008, the services found to their dismay that the recommendations expectedly contained many glaring anomalies impacting adversely on serving personnel as well as ESM. At the persistent urgings of the Service Chiefs, a Review Committee was constituted; ironically yet again bereft of a service representative. The Review Committee aggravated the anomalous situation by arbitrarily making some further unwarranted modifications.

A series of instructions were issued by the Defence Accounts and pension disbursing authorities which were self-contradictory and compounded the prevailing confusion as well as unhappiness. While the Chairman, COSC, took up the issues relating to serving personnel with the Government, the ESM became convinced that since no one was listening to them, they had no choice but to adopt agitational methods. They have, therefore, taken to the streets since April 2008.

Military veterans, world-wide are objects of spontaneous respect, affection and admiration because they are national symbols of courage, patriotism and sacrifice; a segment deserving of special consideration by the government. The grievances of our ESM, should, therefore, have been handled with far more sensitivity and responsiveness, than they actually were.

The current ESM movement has been able to mobilise opinion country-wide and gather self-sustaining momentum, mainly due to connectivity provided by the Internet and cellular phone networks. While the MoD seems to have adopted a disdainful and detached stance towards their grievances, the ESM roll-on agenda now encompasses canvassing political support for their cause, and even the formation of an ESM political party which will put up candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Thus it is now obvious that, while the nation slept, the process of “politicisation” of our armed forces is well under way, if not complete. The Sixth CPC has also inflicted serious collateral damage by deepening the existing civil-military chasm and thereby further slowing down the languid functioning of the MoD.

As a former Army Chief has pointed out, the ESM retain “an umbilical connection” with the serving personnel; they hail from the same regions or neighbouring villages and often belong to the same family. In any case, the Services and ESM are one big family. No one should have any doubts that the essence of whatever happens at Jantar Mantar or India Gate will slowly but surely filter back by a process of “reverse osmosis” to the men in uniform.

Were this to happen — even by default — it would constitute the most grievous injury to be needlessly inflicted on itself by the Indian state. India’s democracy requires that the armed forces must be restored to their original pristine apolitical state at the earliest.

The surest way of doing this is to remove the ESM from the streets, and the best means would be to constitute a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine and address their grievances. This can be done right now, because the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct does not come in the way.
Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd)
The writer is a former Chief of Naval Staff
Full article at: Buy the best for armed forces

Armed Forces: Windows of opportunity

Why has there been a systematic and progressive decline in the standing of the armed forces over the last six decades? Why are we the only democracy where civilian control of the armed forces has come to mean bureaucratic control? And why was it thought fit not to give a state funeral to a Field Marshal, who won us a war? One could go on. None of these and associated issues will mean much to the ordinary citizen, but to those in uniform it’s a matter of honour.

Militaries are secular not out of any ideological consideration, but out of an innate sense of professionalism. While individuals may be deeply religious, if one is facing death in the line of duty daily, what counts is flag, country and regiment or unit of the fighting men. Those who have either donned military uniforms or respect the profession of arms will understand this ethos. The rest will find it incomprehensible.

The progressive decline of the parity of the armed forces as a consequence of successive pay commissions is well known. The Service Chiefs’ request to include a member from the services in the Sixth Pay Commission was turned down. The services did not get a fair deal and the Chiefs made a representation. While appointing a Committee of Secretaries, the government again declined a service representative. When the services voiced concern on these findings, there were veiled threats in the media about disciplining the services.

This is a defining moment as our last bastion of security stands dented, fortunately not punctured. Many eagerly wish to fish in these troubled waters. The nation cannot afford to sit idle while the institution of our armed forces continues down a slippery slope.

Such moments of crises are also windows of opportunity. Let the nation respond by setting up a Blue Ribbon Commission to look at all aspects of our armed forces and indeed their role and place within the Indian Republic. Like the Army advertisement seeking volunteers, it is the turn of the nation to ask itself "Do we have it in us"?

Brijesh D Jayal
Retired Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force
The above article is an extract. Please click for the full text: Windows of opportunity: The armed forces’ role needs a close look