Can we insulate soldiers from society?
By Pritam Bhullar

A LOT has been said and written about the late General K. Sundarji, after his passing away on February 8. But his concern about the deteriorating standards of officers finds no mention anywhere.

General Sundarji was the only Army Chief who wrote to all officers on taking over as Chief of the Army Staff on February 1, 1986. His long letter, which covered various aspects of Army service, inter-alia mentioned: "As a whole, the corps of officers has lost much of its self-esteem, pride and elan; it is becoming increasingly careerist, opportunist and sycophantic; standards of integrity have fallen and honour and patriotism are becoming unfashionable".

This brilliant and flamboyant General, who topped in his course at the Defence Services Staff College Wellington, also wrote in his letter: "I am very concerned about the increasing sycophancy towards seniors, which unless checked will corrode the entire system. Much of this, I realise, is due to the pernicious system of recompense and final advancement being totally linked to higher ranks. And finally prospects of promotion in rank, being totally dependent on the reports of the seniors".

General Sundarji’s concern about the officers developing materialistic attitude and forsaking their integrity was correct. Sadly, since then the standards have fallen further. What cannot, however, be denied is that an officer is caught in a web created by the society in which integrity has become a casualty.

The lure to become rich has given rise to many unethical practices. The question that arises is: Can we insulate an officer from a society where people make fortunes overnight?

The bias remains

In 1993, when entry for women was opened in the Indian Air Force (IAF), 12 women were selected for a short service commission (SSC) for five years. Rather than granting permanent commission (PC) to those of them whose performance has justified it, they have been given six years extension in service. This is unfair.

When women, like men, opt for service, their intention is to seek a permanent career. The grouse of the IAF women officers is that after 11 years in the IAF it would be too late for them to start a new career.

In the case of men, on completion of five years in the SSC, those who are found suitable are granted PC while the others are sent out. Why then, this stepmotherly treatment for women, especially when their performance has been rated as good as that of the men who are granted PC? In fact, as per the reports some of them have performed much better than men.

Leave alone the much-trumpeted equality of women with men, there is a deep-rooted bias against women in "men’s India".

Granted that their biological disadvantage prevents them from becoming combat soldiers and this is the opinion held by most armies of the world. But there is nothing against their joining the administrative wings of the three services. And when we have taken this decision after due deliberations, we should give them what they deserve without any prejudice.

Much-needed cantonment

That a new cantonment to house a brigade-level formation will be established at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is a welcome news.

Though there is a large number of cantonments in Punjab, the Ropar district, especially the area bordering Himachal Pradesh, which provides an ideal location for a cantonment has skipped the attention so far. The establishment of a cantonment at Anandpur Sahib will go a long way in the development of this area. Besides, the formation located there will get the advantage of having excellent training areas which the semi-hilly and undulating terrain of this region offers.

No where in Punjab are the ex-servicemen so neglected as in this area because of the absence of a military formation there. The nearest military hospital for them is at Chandimandir. Imagine an old man in his eighties and with failing health, travelling all the way from Ropar or Anandpur Sahib to Chandigarh or Chandimandir for a medical check-up and medicines. For canteen facilities, the ex-servicemen have to go to Ropar which again is at a considerable distance from Anandpur Sahib.

For all these reasons, the new cantonment should come up on priority basis in the next three to four years. Since the present day cantonments (called military stations) do not have cantonment boards or civil areas, they are easier to set up and administer. Several such cantonments have come up in the Eastern sector and three more are now coming up in Doda district in the Jammu region.

An occasion to reminisce

Seventy Armoured Regiment which celebrated its raising day on February 11, deserves a special mention. For, it was the first and the only armoured regiment in the Indian Army which was raised as an anti-tank missile regiment.

Now located in the northern sector, the regiment was raised at Ahmadnagar on February 11, 1968, by Lt Col R. Christian (now a retired Brigadier), after he had done a course on missiles in France. Brigadier Christian has also had the rare distinction of having graduated from Staff College Camberly in the U.K.

The regiment took part in the 1971 war and fought in Jaisalmer/Kutch, Fazilka and Ganganagar sectors. Unfortunately, Lt Col R.K. Dewan, the then Commndant of the regiment, was killed in the 1971 war. The Colonel of the regiment Maj-Gen Kapil Vij (then a Captain) was also wounded in this war. According to a change in the policy, the regiment was converted from missiles to tanks in 1975.

A large number of retired officers, JCOs and other ranks visited the regiment at the time of its reunion last year. The notable among them was its first Commandant — Brigadier Christian.

Maj-Gen Kapil Vij who takes keen interest in the regiment attended its raising day in February and reunion last year. Those are the occasions when the serving and the retired soldiers reminisce about their heydays when they were in uniform.