Already a ratna in uniform!

Lt-Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd)

Former Lt-Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands & Puducherry

BHARAT Ratna, the highest civilian award of the land is awarded `in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order'. Since its inception in 1954, 45 recipients have been bestowed the peepal-leaf-shaped medallion and a sanad (certificate): philosopher S Radhakrishnan, scientist CV Raman and politician C Rajagopalachari were the first to be honoured.

Initially, the criteria was restricted to 'achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services'. The government later expanded the scope to include 'any field of human endeavour'. Like all awards, it has been subjected to accusations of biases, emanating from the choices, timing and most importantly, the deserving omissions. Yet, when the present Army Chief alluded to the suitability of 'Bharat Ratna' to the late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE, it echoed the silent sentiments of many who had the honour of wearing the 'Uniform'. 

In the practice and politics of awards, there is an unsaid bias and traction towards the 'First' in any field of governance or position (eg the 'First' President, the 'First' Prime Minister etc) — herein, the statistical fact of the 'First' Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Army would be a grossly insufficient recognition of the contribution and impact of 'Kipper'. 

It is no one's case that Field Marshal KM Cariappa was the most decorated, brilliant field-commander, tactician or strategist who ought to be nominated for those attributes, singularly — in fact, besides the two other equally illustrious five-star officers, Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw and Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. The real contribution of Field Marshal KM Cariappa lies in the shaping, nurturing and institutionalising of the character, culture and instincts of the Armed Forces at the delicate time of independence, that warranted an apolitical and professional entity, when compared to the trajectory in Pakistan. 

His ascendancy to the post of C-in-C was after he exhibited successful leadership in the first Indo-Pak war of 1948 and during the uneasy equation with the politicians, who essentially viewed the Armed Forces as a legacy of the British Raj. These chaotic times necessitated the handholding and the tight-reigning of the institutional value systems, which could have swerved in any direction. A thorough professional, he put his foot down on the political plans to integrate the INA elements into the regular forces, whilst the patriot in him easily adopted the INA's 'Jai Hind' as the logical salutation. Unabashedly apolitical with a heightened sense of professional rectitude, military correctness and moral uprightness, he set the base standards for the 'officer and a gentleman' template. Though anglicised in demeanour, he was well aware of the ``wounded' nation's need to promote 'inclusivity', without seeming to destroy the existing frameworks of the Armed Forces —his visionary introduction of the concept of "All India" and "All Class" recruitments with the Brigade of the Guards was a subtle nudge towards 'inclusivity' without the political theatrics. Similarly, the introduction of National Cadet Corps as an engagement with the youth into discipline and patriotism, or the concept of Territorial Army as a second line of defence were profound in their import. He is also credited with the expansion of the three Parachute battalions into a full-fledged regiment, filling a functional gap. With these crucial inputs and moulding, the Army emerged a more robust and kinetic force, the political disinterest notwithstanding. 

However, it was his impeccable integrity that engrained the institutional ethos with the highest standards — his insistence on dismissing three senior officers for 'un-officer-like' conduct was unquestionable due to his characteristic fairness: he refused the offer to have his own son released from the Pakistani jail (a fighter pilot who was shot in 1965) by President Ayub Khan with, "My many thanks for your kind gesture, but I request you to release all or release none. Give him no special treatment!" 

After retirement, the 'Pucca Sahib' remained an epitome of unmatched grace, poise and nobility as he continued championing the rights of ex-servicemen and frequently visited the 'forward' areas to pep up the men. The poignant photo of an 87-year-young soldier, standing ramrod straight in his beloved uniform at his investiture to the rank of Field Marshal, is a lesson in class and stateliness.  

Today, 'Jangi Laat' (as he was affectionately called by his beloved Rajput troops owing his classic warrior-like mannerism), the fine soldier lives on in the predominant DNA of the Indian soldier, and much of the dash, respect and élan of the soldier owes its genesis to the likes of Field Marshal Cariappa. Whether the 'Bharat Ratna' is officially bestowed or not, he is already the priceless ratna of the Indian Armed Forces, that could only add further lustre and credibility to the legion of former awardees.