Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Kaul

[Ray]

Dear Mr Chidabaram

Dear Mr Chidambaram,

I am sure all men & women who have worn uniform were very pleased to read for once, appreciative words from the Finance Minister in this mornings newspapers. We never knew that you could say anything like that about the lowly soldiers. While the people rescued in Uttarakhand say that they saw Gods in uniform, who not only saved their lives but also went out of their way to look after famished, cold, injured, shelterless and under clothed hapless citizens while the state administration including the police, twiddled its thumbs.

It is an old story that the soldiers have witnessed many a time in their service specially, after a war or a natural calamity. The government and people are all praise when the hazard is faced by them but once the problem has been tackled successfully by the soldiers, they are forgotten as if they never existed. Governments are ever ready to open their purse strings when it requires placating a vote bank but when it is the turn of the soldier to meet his legitimate dues, the purses are locked away. Even when the force of a Supreme Court judgement is behind them, all kinds of excuses like illegitimacy of the order, financial stringency, too much work involved in calculating the dues (in an IT strong country!) and such other frivolous excuses, are put forward.

Your Ministry is ever willing to reduce rates of interests for all kinds of loan takers but you crib about giving 6 % interest to soldiers who the Court has stated were deliberately denied their legitimate dues. Consequently you managed to deprive soldiers 20 years interest due to them from 1986 to 2006. Surely the amount due to HEROES, as per your unsolicited statement, will not help you balance your budget. Many have passed on waiting for the government to give them their dues and many more will, but the government will continue to be heartless towards soldiers whose only fault is that they are part of an efficient body, shining in a sea of sloth!

Go ahead Sir, carry on as you are doing, the Defence Services will continue to perform as well as before but they will know who to curse when its comes to a crunch! (As Gen Patton told his soldiers in much more flowery language!)

Lt Gen SK Bahri (Retd)
Chairman
Alliance Of Ex Servicemen Organisations

A3/502 World Spa East
Sector 30/41
Gurgaon 122001

Tele 0124 4143180/181
Mob +9810002800

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

As politicians spar, some like Narendra Modi making astounding claims to have rescued 15000 Gujaratis in two days, the Armed Forces are at it on a war footing. Just yesterday, the IAF set a new record for air evacuation by flying 330 sorties and rescuing more than 4500 people. But do the forces get their due? Col (retd) Anil Kaul, author of 'Better Dead Than Disabled' joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the matter.

Q. With so much of corruption in politics and bureaucracy do you think it is worth dying for this country. Does it not mean giving more security to politicians and others so that they can loot more. Asked by: Rakesh Katyal

A. It is a perspective as one sees it. Once you have joined the profession of arms, dying is part of the deal. No great shakes. It is the feeling of certainity about the people you leave behind being adequately looked after, that needs to be assuaged completely, and that is where We as a Nation fail. As regards the second part of the question, we need to set things right and very quickly before we too are label a "failed state" Notwithstanding the rhetoric of the politicians.

Q. Why is that there is no coordination between Govt and the armed forces during rescue operation? Asked by: Sri Kumar

A. The Armed Forces are task oriented and will comply with any task given to them through their, leadership, organization, ethos, training & discipline. On the other hand our civilian agencies read Govt, Lack all of the above, hence the mis-match.

Q. Do the forces get their due? Asked by: Anuj

A. No, Here are some statistics 1. OROP hanging fire for 30+ years. 2. 2000 AFT cases decided against the Govt not actioned on. 3. War Widows not given their dues. 4. The only govt that fights cases in court against its own def forces.

Q. States are ready to pay millions to a member of the team if they win a cricket match But they are reluctant to take care of the person who die for their nation whether its armed forces or para military forces. Asked by: Prathap

A. Sad but true. yesterday crash victim NOK will get 15 L, Mr Dhoni and company 1Cr each. Travesty of justice indeed.

Q. Do Indian govt care for its forces? Asked by: Vikas

A. No emphatically no. Otherwise why should ESM take to demonstrations?

Q. Narendra Modi ballon will burst since he is always creating air that everything happens because of him. What is your opinion sir. Asked by: Deepak Desai

A. Mr Narendra Modi is a politician with a purpose and aim. In all fairness he must be given a chance to prove his credentials at the National level now that he has done so in Gujarat.

Q. When I see the General VK Singh was treated I felt sad for such a forthright general who put his country first. Asked by: Prathap

A. There is certain class of Indians who will not let us right ourselves because it does not suit them. Gen VK Singh was a victim of such a class though in his case it existed also within the Army.

Q. People of country & particular media propaganding that all institutions are useless in India. People shall come out from that & salute all Govt. institution along with some critique. Understand that what would happen if arm force, police force and local body worker go on strike at time cost them? Your comment sir. Asked by: Deepak Desai

A. I personally am of the opinion that in India there are too many free loaders. If each one just worked his own little way with National pride we would be rid of all the malaise that affect us. I feel too much of democracy has been our bane. It should be to a point beyond which in matters of National importance there should be a Non -negotiable approach.

Q. Sir, govt cant give some special bonus or some reward for over brave jawans who are in Uttarakhand. Asked by: akbar huusain k

A. The jawans, officers & others are doing their duty. PERIOD. Individual acts of courage & dedicated service will be rewarded in due course. Units doing well will get unit citations. However I have a larger issue. For a topic like this to get only 8 questions shows the indifference of the citizens of this country towards the armed forces. Why blame the politicians.

Q. Why have we been a nation who's reactive than being proactive? We have faced such uneventful scenarios but we haven't learned to deal effectively? What steps can we take for better crisis management? Asked by: Nisha

A. Chalta Hai attitude. and in a country of 1.3 bn the cost of lives lost is of no value.

Q. Do you believe that presence of politicians in the affected area hamper the rescue work? and as well as main objective is somehow diverted? Asked by: Debojyoti

A. Absolutely. Unless they get off their choppers, join the rescuers, carry loads, serve food, accept the danger to those they command they are in my opinion parasites. Look at the PM of Australia carrying survivors luggage during the floods. Will MMS ever come down to GZ and do it. A LOUD NEVER.

Q. Do you think the visits of High Profile Politicians will create hindrance in rescue operations? Asked by: Chandru

A. Yes please see my answer to a similar question earlier in the chat. Unless the participate in the rescue physically themselves w/o their chamchas hanging around they might as well stay where they are.

Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Kaul

 

[Ray]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

A very true analysis!

 

[Bhadra]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

A very true analysis!

Armed Forces and doctors are remembered only during emergencies

 

[DivineHeretic]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

The Indian Govt. have never cared for anyone but themselves. Not once, not ever.

The only time they have moved in to support an Indian citizen, whether in Indian or Abroad was when the public and especially the media piled on the pressure. Sadly, the armed forces have no organisation to throw light in the plight of soldiers.

We saw this after the 62 war, the 71 war, the 99 conflict and even in the numerous CI spanning five decades. We saw this during the framing of the Sixth pay reccomendation.

Whether victory or defeat or stalemate, the treatment of the Indian Jawan has remained the same.

Then comes the bureacracy, which ferociously protects their status and superiority over the army, to the extent they'd rather lose a war than allow any measures to increase the standing of the army officers.

Shame on us. Even dictators treat their soldiers better.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

completely true

 

[JBH22]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

Q. Narendra Modi ballon will burst since he is always creating air that everything happens because of him. What is your opinion sir. Asked by: Deepak Desai

A. Mr Narendra Modi is a politician with a purpose and aim. In all fairness he must be given a chance to prove his credentials at the National level now that he has done so in Gujarat.

Haha Journalist foot in the mouth, epic backfire

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Re: Indian govt does not care for its armed forces: Col (retd) Anil Ka

X2 .............

then comes the bureacracy, which ferociously protects their status and superiority over the army, to the extent they'd rather lose a war than allow any measures to increase the standing of the army officers.