I beg to differ from all the general views expressed by everyone of you in stressing more financial packages for army men. Except for the skirmishes with Pakistan, who has got in to habit of fighting with us to ward off their internal strife, how many wars have we fought? As a matter of fact, world over unless the USA forced the Gulf war and Iraq, how many actual battles have taken place? None. We as human beings are in a progressive era wherein we must understand that unless we all unite and live in cohesion, most of the life resources will dry up in times to come. Can we then afford to keep spending on arms and armies, while the poor people starve to death? No. I believe that the government should systematically lessen the quantum of forces in Army, Navy & Air force. Instead, it should work on research and try and instill more sophisticated arms that can be used just as a deterrent against war mongers. Every year so much of national budget is wasted behind external security. Instead, our focus should be to train people to socially solve the internal strife in our country. There are hardly a few states left in India that are free from any internal fightings. We must put our priority on industry and create more and more work opportunities for the young. I always believe that a person contributing to peace & prosperity is much more valuable than someone who is being trained to remain aggressive towards fellow human beings. Sorry if you are hurt by my views!
RE:Army
by ROZUKURTHI on Jan 24, 2008 05:42 PM Permalink
I RECALL SOMEBODY IN THE PAST HAS SAID " WITHDRAW" ARMY FROM THE BORDERS, WE ARE PEACELOVING PEOPLE WE ARE NOT FOR WAR. GOOD WHAT IF WE WITHDREW OUR FORCES , WILL THE PEOPLE BEYND THE BORDERS WILL STILL SIT IN THEIR BOUNDERIES
RE:Army
by common sense on Jan 24, 2008 05:43 PM Permalink
fully agree with you my friend. But you will find few takers for your views. most of the countrymen wants to bomb pakistan and the stupid/childish educational system in the country has prepared the idiots to think that way. they listen to peanut brains like advani , modi and bal takere. very few like you realise the true side of it. nobody believes how luxurious the lives of the army chiefs. i know personally a company in india who does interior for military air crafts. they said the chiefs use these planes as personal property and they bring back the air crafts almos every year for gettig the latest design interior done. the bill running in to many lakhs paid by the govt any way. we all know the indian donkey army supported burmies military junta all these years and they now started talking against it when the whole world asked india to stop supporting these dictators. however the chiefs in the army never wanted to stop the support because they only know what all do they get each time they visit burma to extend their friendly support.
RE:Army
by on Jan 24, 2008 06:03 PM Permalink
Guys get real, We live in a region where most of our neigbours are having internal issues which spill into our land - Srilanka, Pak, Nepal, Bangaladesh. Security of the Land and it's people is number one priority, Armed forces act as deterrent. It's like saying why should i invest in a lock and security gate, police, we are all peace loving people. Just recall what happens when the police go on strike or look other way during riots - Chaos ! Army forces are essenstial , otherwise be ready to be slaved, mauled and ruled over.
Please respect the Armed Service and it's people they are an important part of the society just like Industry is.
RE:Army
by Srinivas Kasinathan on Jan 24, 2008 05:55 PM Permalink
No doubt most of your views expressed here are correct. There is one problem though in not spending on defense or not being vigilant enough to protect our country. Invasion! In your world only when ALL countries and ALL the people agree to live in peace will such a practice of beginning to cut down on defense spending start. Until then, we have to increase our spending on defense intensively and extensively. Only when you know that you are living in a safe environment (safe from external invasions that is) can industry and agriculture thrive. I keep seeing "poor people are starving to death" multiple times on this site. Where are they starving? And why? There are too many social, corporate, and religious organizations that are actively involved in feeding the have-nots and also in bringing about material and educational changes. This is besides the govt of India and the state govts as well. It is high time we Indians stopped going on and on about this poor people starving to death. If you feel so much then get out and do something about it instead of cribbing on print. India is not a poverty-stricken country any more! It may be in your imagination but not in reality. The ones that starve do so due to reasons only they know.
RE:RE:Army
by Rahul Oze on Jan 24, 2008 06:25 PM Permalink
My dear friend,
May I humbly suggest you to read the Speaker's Lecture Series: Parliament House, Sept, 6, 2007 report by P.Sainath, editor- Rural Affairs, The Hindu? Its an eye opener on what is the actual state of the poor in this country. I have the 12 page report which I can send it to you if you inform me on your email address.
RE:Army
by ram on Jan 24, 2008 05:50 PM Permalink
Rahul has missed the woods for the trees!! How can u look at lessening the spend on Army, with countries like China & Pakistan around us???
If everyone thinks like u it would b GR8 BUT then thats not the case - if China has strenghthend its military or Pak is doing so, its with a purpose( for agression or defense whatevr it might b) !!!AND if we really r a PROGRESSIVE human force, how come we have terrorist threats(read Islamic jehadis) looming lrage all over the world - is it bcoz Osama does not think like u??? Weapons r fine, but u still need personnel to man them or use them!!
Wat is happng in J&K, we r losing men to jehadis...best of weapons will not work in those situations,
RE:Army
by Ajith Kumar on Jan 24, 2008 05:58 PM Permalink
Dear Friend, What you have expressed is absolutely right. But that's the 'BEST CASE SCENARIO'. Unfortunately the world and more specifically we human beings have evolved in such a screwed up way that we always live in the 'WORST CASE SCENARIO'. Maintaining an army is a basic necessity in this scenario. For U and me to be blogging from some airconditioned office in some corner of a nation needs these courageous souls to watch our borders.
RE:RE:Army
by Rahul Sidharthan on Jan 24, 2008 05:34 PM Permalink
It was interesting to read your article about reducing the amount of money spent by the goverment for defence. Let me remind the learned writer that if today he is able to sit and write so much so freely, it is because of the presence of the defence forces who ensure that this great nation remains independent and free from external attacks. India has always been sorrounded by enemies ever willing to take a foot if given an inch (Pakistan, China). No amount of "good-will" can ever make them understand world peace. The Chinese incursions into our country immediately after the now infamous "indo-chini bhai bhai" clearly states that we cannot trust anyone. Wars do not come saying that they are coming. We have to be prepared for them and for that we need to ensure that our defence forces are the best and continue to be so.
RE:RE:RE:Army
by Rahul Oze on Jan 24, 2008 06:20 PM Permalink
I do not agree on your arguments. I feel that the general psyche of continuous threat from Pakistan and China, is in majority a handy work of the gutless politicians and population. I have clearly mentioned that a limited number of skillful persons as well as most sophisticated arms, may be maintained as a deterrent. But what is the point in spending huge amount of national resources in just anticipation of war threats? In recent years, India has lost more people to domestic terror and violence than to either Pakistan or China. Please note that 'Trust' and 'love' are the only two emotions that will win over the aggressors. An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.
RE:Army
by Ariel Katz on Jan 24, 2008 06:34 PM Permalink
This is exactly what Nehru had said in a different way. Please try to understand that the gutless politicians of this country are playing down the Chinese incursions. Hope you are aware that we do not have proper infrastructure for moving the armed forces to the China border in the event of an emergency.
Trust and love are terms alien to international relations and realpolitik.
RE:Army
by devarajan k on Jan 24, 2008 06:19 PM Permalink
I guess we should get Rahul Oze's, common sense's mother and sister to keep vigil on the borders of Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, J&K and also Naxal infested districts. Dear Rahul and Common sense - did your dad save the nation during Kargil,Chinese incursions, Islamic extremists and Naxals. I gues we should send ur families to borders since it is such a peaceful and safe heaven.
RE:Army
by Ariel Katz on Jan 24, 2008 05:34 PM Permalink
The views expressed are utopian. THe armed forces are not merely involved in fighting wars. They are called to assist the civil administration in times of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, tsunami, etc. Our army has so often been called to maintain peace during uncontrolled rioting. Please remember our politicial establishment is responsible for the poverty and deaths due to starvation. If resources are diverted for social causes it may very well end up in the pockets of politicians.
RE:Army
by Rahul Oze on Jan 24, 2008 06:12 PM Permalink
I must agree partly to your argument. But if such skillful people are used for every domestic social cause, do we need to spend so much on their training? Isn't the cost too exorbitant? Further, if some of the army is converted in to a social force, will it not be able to curb the domestic uprisings in a more better manner? We all know that politics and politicians are corrupt and spineless clan. But it is we who have made them as they are today. Is anyone a born politician or a doctor or a lawyer? No. The unfortunate state of politics mirrors the psyche of the majority of the populace of this country. We have left all responsibility to others and absolved ourselves of anything but self. History has shown that prosperity is achieved through social reforms and causes and not by fighting wars. If wars were so successful, Britain could have been a world ruler today. Look what is there state of affairs? I feel that is we need something urgently in this country, then it is a entity that can work towards development and nation building. Wars do not advertise their arrival, but then it is we humans that wage them. In fact, every time a life is lost on the border, the more is the farce revealed. Do we have to kill our own sons to live in peace? What is the point of living then?
