The last Refuge of the Scoundrel

For Starters:
Bravery, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder.
And again like beauty, bravery can launch a thousand ships/ warriors.

The Ashok Chakra is the highest arbitrator of patriotic bravery in this country while we may consider the 'Miss India' title, its equivalent, where judging physical beauty.


IMHO, if we discount the unfortunate loss of life at Mumbai, the award of AC to the three police officers, can be counted as an exercise in political expediency whose equivalent would be an award of 'Miss India' title to Kumari Mayavati.


Now talking of politics and patriotism, a few months ago- prior to the 6CPC award, there was a lot of hullaboo on the blogs about the people of this nation sitting in towns and cities, not appreciating the sacrifices and patriotic acts of the army personnel. There were angry retorts that the servicemen are not the only patriots in the "sare jahan se achha" .


There can be no denying that patriotism is NOT a sole preserve of the armed forces and a common citizen, what to say, the common politician can be equally patriotic. However, talking of the later, did Samuel Johnson state so wonderfully (and which has been so often misunderstood) that-

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"

Sirs, Samuel Johnson later clarified that what he meant by the above quote was that a vested show of patriotism by politicians is the last resort of the scoundrel.

http://www.samueljohnson.com/qotw02q2.html#0630

Make no mistake, these awards are motivated, not with any noble aim of promoting a cult of bravery but by petty ulterior motive to draw votes.

Can you believe 11 Ashok Chakras in an year when the nation is not even at a (declared) war?

For sake of comparison, during 1971 Ops, the armed forces received a grand total of 4 Param Vir Chakras. There were 4 others at Kargil 1999, but then there were 7 ACs at Delhi 2002.

For those interested in records-

http://www.rediff.com/republic/2000/jan/28param.htm

Does the colour of blood change in this country with the uniform you wear, the place you serve at and the media interest you generate?

If our media has been bought out by sundry awards, foreign jaunts and gifts, then who questions the misuse of gallantry awards and petty shenanigans of these scoundrels?

We all believe that, in 1991, a capable financial wizard, caused a turnaround in the Indian economy. If memory serves me right, Sh Manmohan Singh, used to accept only Re 1 as his salary as Finance Minister in the Govt of India. This was an indicator of his commitment. However his actions as a PM, in the wake of 6CPC and now the gallantry awards episode are troubling. Because two things matter to a soldier- Izzat and the value of the indicators of the Izzat.

Here is hoping that the recent bypass surgery at AIIMS would have put his heart back at the correct place.

Else let's help vote this government out.

AN ALBATROSS AROUND OUR NECK

Now, a number of times during the past few months, our friends from IDSE have complained that since the Lt Cols are being posted as GEs which is an appointment tenated by their EEs who are in pay band 3, thus Lt Cols should also be in PB3. Logical! But is it?

Imagine a scenario- India is involved in large scale, extended hostilities with its major adversary. There is a need to make up the deficient force level and raise and mobilise new units. What will the government do?

Recollect similar situation from the world wars. Circa 1942, Maj Charles Orde Wingate, a career soldier becomes Brig Wingate, almost overnight. And he was not an isolated case. Not by far. The combatant officers under him, were government employees from the other departments- freshly trained and equipped with a smart haircut. Maybe one of the Engineer Platoon Cdrs is a director from CPWD, and another is a Superintending Engineer of the transport department who may, after a crash course, is made the Tank Tp commander. Their peace time pay is protected while they don uniform of a lower rank.

Plausible and practical? Or would these gentlemen insist to be placed in command of a unit being equal in status to a full colonel?

Thus, the experience and continuity in a particular type of job, is also a contributing factor for placing the officer on a lower job profile while on posting to a works tenure or a deputation while his pay is protected. Hence a Lt Col, posted as GE, gets the pay of a Lt Col. How is the Govt standing to lose anything by this arrangement?

It is clear that the great Dr Kohli, gold Medal Economics, LSE, has been taken on a right royal ride.

Anyway, that time of reconciliation is now passe. I sincerely request the powers that be to rid ourselves of this millstone around our neck, but do not throw the bathtub along with this stillborn baby (IDSE). We can yet save this organization (MES).


For the uninitiated-
The issues with the IDSE lobby and the service officers of the Corps of Engineers in MES is a long standing and acrimonious one.

At various times in the past, the IDSE lot has approached the courts with their grievances, but have been returned suitably admonished. This has been amply elaborated by Navdeep over the past few months.

Therefore, this time around, they have 'reportedly' resorted to some serious gratification in the power circles with the AFHQCS acting as willing conduits.

Now, the kind of statement which has been reportedly issued by the PMO- seems to be a pitiful dictation by this IDSE/AFHQCS lobby, who were throwing words like "combat ready" during informal tea time banter, much prior to the actual release of the PMO's decision on 01 Jan .

It is now incumbent upon the fraternity of uniformed citizens to realise that this motivated act will not affect the Corps of Engineers officers in MES units, as such, since that department is directly under the E-in-C's Br. Further, officers regularly undergo battle field proficiency tests (BPET) and are appraised annually by at least one service officer (as IO/ RO/ SRO) on the same CR parameters as would an officer who is on combat duties. But on the other hand, feel for the unwitting infantarian who would have hoped for a bit of a chance to spend some quality time with his family at a DRDO/ DGQA/ Ordnance Factory campus after a grueling tenure with RR.

This makes this act of theirs unpardonable.

RISE- Sardar Manmohan Singh 'Rangeela'

It is often stated that those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.

Let me recollect for you what brought about the demise of the Mughal Empire- an empire which had 22% of the world's GDP at that time (Much greater fraction than the US has presently). Its coffers were full, its reputation of being the 'Sone ki Chiddiya' brought traders from across the world to seek their fortune here.

A seminal historical research by William Irvine, ICS- The Later Mughals,Vol -II- published by MC.Sircar & Sons-1922, elucidates that it was when famed mughal warriors became jobbers and 'izzat' became a hypothetical word laughed at by the courtiers of the Delhi fort.

This was the difference between the armies of Nadir Shah of Persia and our Mohammad Shah 'Rangeela' in 1739 when the Indian empire was routed inside a single day.

The Indian empire had the larger army but the foolish emperor was misled throughout by his ministers and the wholetime civil servants of Delhi. Finally he had no army loyal to himself and was left dependent on his ministers who had their own agendas.

Kohli - What you are doing is converting a whole generation of warriors into jobbers-
We had offered to forego part of our Military Service Pay in exchange of the correct Grade Pay, so that no one accuses us to be after money. An individual can chuck the Army career but can the Army chuck the Nation. No- Not even if you pay us nothing. But this you won't understand because we have seen you as a blatant politician lying through your teeth to save your government on more than one occasion.

Beware , Your folly may compel the future historian to judge you as another 'Rangeela'.

And those countrymen gloating in the new-found economic prosperity- Just remember- The Shah took everything in ransom.

The State Secretary's figures are of the highest authority :
Gold and silver plate and cash ... ... 30 krors
Jewels ... ... ... ... 25 ,,
The Peacock Throne and nine other thrones, also several weapons and utensils all garnished with precious stones ... 9 ,,
Rich manufactures ... ... ... 2 ,,
Cannon, stores, furniture ... 4 ,,
Total ... ... 70 krors
In addition to these, 300 elephants, 10,000 horses and the same number of camels were taken away.

Should I also mention that after Mohammad Shah Rangeela died in 1748, the next emperor, Ahmed Shah, was blinded and deposed by his own chief minister and his successor, Alamgir II, was used and then murdered by the same minister.

GOOD LUCK my beloved nation