Could not understand what the author is trying to convey in this article.
Is it the author's case that the media should not highlight the cases of corruption, groupism and other ills which have slowly yet progressively started degrading the professionalism and efficiency of the armed forces.
There is no doubt that the political and bureaucratic classes have lacked vision and tried to keep the armed forces in check.
However, the senior military brass have not covered themselves with glory. Except for the current chief, most of them have adapted to the status quo and showed more interest in post retirement benefits like governor, ambassador or representatives of foreign arms companies.
Today the toppers at the NDA and IMA want to join the Army Service Corps as the first choice. No takers for Infantry or Armoured Corps.
Stating the truth and exposing the rot which have crept into any institution(whether it is the military or ISRO) does not weaken it or demoralize it. In fact, they get strengthened.
Institutions take birth, grow, stabilize, degrade, weaken, achieve excellence depending on the top man. After a long time, the current chief has squarely taken the bull by the horn and tried to stem the rot. Expectedly he has only got criticism in return.
Re: Could not understand the article...
by challa anand on Apr 18, 2012 12:56 PM
does the author have guts to dig out the corruption that has taken place in the last 3 decades? the corruption levels in defence are too much high, uncomparable with even Municipal corportion of Delhi.The author of this article have guts to prove anyone of those? it is the fundamental right of Indian citizen to express his views, but it shd sound sensible. obsurdity has got no room in this kind of forums.
The entire execise is to discredit Mr. Anthony a south India, by the north Indian refugee dominated Nueracrecy. The RSS is also a party tothis. When Goerge Fernaendees was the Defence minister he tried to control corruption in Defence procurement. He also sent the Babus i Dfence ministry to Siachen Glaciers to dee to themselves the hardship the soldiers are facing there. The result is he was framed by Tehelka at the behest of RSS in defence ministry. After NDA came to power the enteir BUeracracy is filled with refugee dominated RSS cadre. Why the Media is not talking about K.K. sharmas the Defence Secretary, without whose knowledgenothing could have happened. The Media is also filled with Refugee RSS. These poeple are bent on showing that South Indian are Corrupt & North Indians Dudh se Dhule.
Re: army
by sri on Apr 18, 2012 10:24 PM
Rubbish! Your gripe against the North Indians and RSS and everybody else shows that you are either an ISI agent or a mad man.
The current troubles cannot be explained by non-involvement of the services in higher level decision making. Their petulant behaviour is not going to make it easier to get involved in higher level decision making. the senior staff have to first display their aptitude for a comprehensive understanding of geopolitics. Their writings in the recent past have only shown their unsuitability for such responsibilities.
Author of this article is having totally wrong notions about patriotism. By concealing EVIL is are not doing any good to country of to the society. On 2nd July 1998 - world history is created when one admiral started legal proceedings agiast his Naval chief at Calcutta high court. The plea is wife of naval chief being born in a muslim family. Daily reports of corruption of army is appearing in media. Even some defence officers themselves started legal suits and writing article. Example on fellow disputed the official stand of army in 1971 war about the sinking of Kurke ship. The doubt is expressed by a retired officer . thus two things are clear (1) controversies in the media is started not only by media but ALSO by retired and serving defense officer. Eg the current legal proceedings between current army chief and retired officer tejender. (2). No benefit will be derived by self censorship or concealing the facts but by opening the debate in media where issues are discussed on OPEn and Unbiased manner
Giving away Tibet, half of J&K on platter, and allowing Arunachal to be encroached slowly at the cost of Army with no cause of worry to the political class of the country, is really a pity. Can't the Parliament pass a resolution to rule the country for at least five years - may be on lease. The nett loss to the political class will be that they will be forfeoiting their luxrious life at the cost of public exchequer i.e. salary and allowancews, travel as u like facilities and much more. In act, this action willbe a tribute to the martyres of the country and savings of billions o rupees of the public exchequer. Can the public hope for this future? Better, it be a allowed peaceful process. Let us not forget that harsher times are ahead and the ever-increasing boldness of the enemies is casting shadow on this country. Let us not downgrade the status of the army/air/navy by directing them to appear before a experts, who may hapopen to consist some corrupt politician. Let every matter be solved amicably with due respect. We should never, repeat never, undermine the role of the army, air or navy.
This post seems to be behaving just the way Mamta is. Yes, the Media may be a bit more circumspect. But, the issue is that they have reported the truth. It is the Govt which must be ashamed and the Media. Truth cannot be covered up by not reporting. As the COAS's letter to PM got leaked, the Govt has started acting. One of the biggest lacunae is the Civil Control on the Defense Forces. Surely a Civil bureaucrat cannot know and should not be allowed to decide what the Army wants. The MOD must be headed by a person from the Defense. Infact, it will be better if even the Raksha Manthri has a Defense background.
The Indian people do not have a problem with the ordinary Indian soldier and are not likely to have any problem in the future. The problem will be with the well fed generals. Their brazenness has reached worrying proportions. They are not supporting genuine national aspirations like indigenisation. They are challenging elected governments. The army particularly is unable to procure any worthwhile equipment because of it arcane processes and extremely corrupt retired officers.
Re: Indian Army
by BharatDesh on Apr 18, 2012 11:59 AM
krishna rao any ordinary indian will not have any issue with any of the generals. coming to being corrupt and inefficient majority of indians will agree that army generals are any day much etter than politicians in honesty and integrity
Re: Indian Army
by siranak on Apr 18, 2012 12:46 PM
They do not pursue indigenisation because time and again they have been given substandard indian weapon systems like INSAS, LCA and Arjun, when they could have gotten better equipment much cheaper from global players. As for the weapon procurement systems, they are made and executed by the def ministry babus and not by the generals. Get your facts straight first and then open your mouth.
Biggest tragedy is Babus have become masters without any accountability. All govt. servants must also retire at army pattern till we control our population to give chance to youngis and reduce corruption.
Accept, media has a great role in socio, economic, cultural growth of the country. It will add more in the advancement of science & technology. It will educate, update the people about the governane. But the ruthless investigative journalism throw dangerous questions to the disappointed public. We are aware that more than 50% of the people are not concerned about what is happening in politics and it's gimmics. But Defence is not such an area. Here every one needs to keep extra vigil. Ill informed people belive the Information comming through media are true and start meaning less dicussion in their circle. Other nations, even if they are not enimical with our internal matters, will prefer getting vital informations from the loose ends of the chain. When we have more enimies with in India, It is but necessary to keep control on press & medida from unwanted debates on national security related issues. A patriotic Indian cannot discuss & debate the national security issues to the disadvantage of the country. Who is a TRUE PATRIOT? That is a difficult question !!!!!!!!. Neverthless, a proper and necessary control on reports on National security related issues shall save us from internal & external threats. Poor Indian soldiers, they are the most condemned lot - in social life and family life. His rehabilitation is a serious problem for some state govt. No one think of his lost youth. He has to fight for his pension, benefits & so on. Can the govt/ public suppor
