M A I L B A G

Pilferage in Army must be tackled

The editorial, “Army pilferage” (Aug 20) is a shame on both serving and retired soldiers whose welfare has always been the main concern of the country. When I joined the Indian Navy 55 years ago, soldiers, sailors and airmen were considered the most disciplined defenders of the nation and the people. Even during train journey, women and young girls preferred to travel with a soldier for their safety and security. But today, the position has changed.

No soldier dare commit crime against the service without direct or indirect involvement of an officer who has the tag of being a gentleman officer. Such pilferage of highly costly items take place in the “Q” section (Supply branch of the Army). Before such scams are detected, the stolen parachutes, jackets and boots are either written off, auctioned, condemned or even destroyed. Generally, the in-charge of such auction panel is a JCO rank officer.

Since officers are rarely checked at the gate, they get away easily while carrying items in excess of their entitlement. No General Officer, Flag Officer or Air Marshal can control such misuse unless he is ready to earn the displeasure of the politicians and risk his promotion. Why blame officers? The system itself is corrupt and needs to be cured on priority.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari (Hamirpur)

Falling standards

The Passing Out Parade is an important event in the career of an officer and his parents. Indeed the Indian Military Academy is known for making this a memorable event. However, this time one came back with a sense of remorse.

The invitation cards were not sent to parents directly. Instead these were given to gentlemen cadets (GC). During the parents’ lunch, while the staff enjoyed hard drinks, parents were served small glasses of cold drinks with peanuts. A separate table was laid for the staff while the parents had to contend with the general public.

At the Chetwood Drill Square, front rows were occupied by others while parents were given last rows in the scorching sun. Chairs were dirty and there was total traffic chaos on the roads.

While tea stands for others were full of eatables, parents had to contend with leftovers. The piping ceremony at the Nizam Pavillion was no better. Surely, if this is the standard, why crib about the youth not joining the Army?

Col MAHESH CHADHA (retd) Panchkula

Honest teacher

Dr Harkrishan Singh’s letter, “Men of strong moral fibre” (Aug 16) was timely. He too belongs to the class of Gorak Prasad Srivastva and Mukesh Kumar Sharma. In my opinion, a man is judged by the people he admires.

I was a student of Biochemistry Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, during 1966-70 when Dr H. K. Singh was a teacher there. I found him to be hard working, honest and humble.

K. J. S. AHLUWALIA, Amritsar