Pillars of the Kashmir House

A few incidents, wherein senior army officers, in their official capacity, reportedly, ran foul of the majesty of law and were deemed to be in contempt of court, brings forth a long held apprehension that as the nation integrates the armed forces into the main stream, our senior functionaries will be blinded by intensity of the media glare and public scrutiny, akin to a rabbit, who tends to freeze to the spot, blinded by headlights of an incoming car .

In the recent incident, well not so recent, the DGBR (Not the incumbent) was found frozen to the spot for last 4 years. He has been found to have acted against the orders of the Gauhati High Court in not equating the SE(FG) with a full colonel. For those who have the opportunity to serve a tenure in the BRO as young subordinate officers, the strife and discord among the service and GREF oficers is amply evident as overbearing and invasive throughout the tenure.
A few naysayers would scoff, but rest assured they would be the ones who served in a Project headed by a service officer.

Coming back to the issue of the high court, (read the judgement here) or http://idse.org/judgement.pdf
(Do note the web address above- because this is from the other pillar of the corps of engineers, which may bring the (Kashmir) House down!)

You got to hand it to the hon'ble judge Roy at Gauhati. He was able to gather the intent behind the original govt notification of 2005 and sift through the ECM/ flares. Those officers who served in the BRO, circa 2005- did bring the issue of the Rajpatra (Gazette Notification) and the inner Shenanigans of the GREF clique to the attention of a few senior service officers. A layman could see the intent was to ensure that the GREF cadre officers were moved up one rank vis a vis their existing army equivalents without so much as 'by your leave' of the head of that organisation, the Director General.

The GREF officers could achieve this coup since they belong to the MoRT&H and not MoD. But the collective brasspot response was to put their heads into the ostriches’ nest. That the Notification was "only for the purpose of the Army Act", was obviously a lie floated for internal consumption. It would have been hilarious, if the matter was not this serious, that an order of the Government given in such clear language and adequately elaborated upon by the courts, could be handled such cavalierly.

IMHO, the release of this Gazette Notification in Feb 2005 was a watershed event in the history of disconnect between the armed forces and the civilian bureaucracy and along with the non compliance by the army in releasing the Muslim personnel data, (which alienated the politicians) should count as the two immediate precursors to the present 6CPC imbroglio, which has put armed forces at loggerheads with the executive.

Further, negligence of the kind exhibited in the above court case, sows sense of doubt amongst the judiciary and ultimately our masters, the common public! Surely we have a special army with bright, talented functionaries.

A Personal Aside-(From a verbal briefing by a BRO veteran!)
Remember, ye all youngsters
When under a GREF officer- the first rule of engagement is to make sure that you allow the colour of your uniform to morph into a dirty shade of khaki while at the same time scrub your inner-self so as to rid yourself of any vestige of Chatwodian principles and brotherhood of the armed forces. (Each one on his own, sir, and the most slimy, survives!).

Finally, as always-

'VOTE' to be relevent.Else continue on a wing and a prayer.

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

The New Promotion Policy- As tight a slap as can be

This is one positive outcome of the entire imbroglio since the govt dragged the 6CPC and its recommendations in.
http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-17/491798news.html

There are a number of people who have asked in recent times as to why our top generals did not protest as the babus went about downgrading the status of the forces- Now can you see why?

The brasso was afraid of someone opening the cupboard and the skeletons and the not_yet_completely_ dead officers stumbling out.

I will add on to this on getting to know further details

Shoes Speak Loud

Shoes Speak loud

One can block all logic and stubbornly resist common sense but only for a limited period of time - because one can't avoid listening when shoes speak.
http://www.blinkx.com/video/bush-shoe-attack/EjnYejD-kTAuZB-WH_wowg

We got to hand it to Mr Bush that his physical agility saved his face and that of the great nation. Wonder if Kohli Saab can show similar alertness!!

Anyway, " Mr President, the people of India love you", stated on behalf of this country by a person who cannot get the people of his constituency (in Assam) to vote him in, is perhaps the indicator that Kohli's understanding of India matches Bush's understanding of Iraq.

Size 10, was it?

Together- We Can

It will be foolish to assume that after the happenings of the last couple of months, the GOM will be not clear about any aspect of our pay status vis a vis any other service of the govt. These gents can sell ice to an eskimo and to think that they require any further explanation on this issue will be surely living in a fools paradise.
In the past two months here, we have shown varied emotions to a singular problem- bewildered, scandalised, sanguine, hopeful, in denial, flustered, desperate, rebellious, hapless and even resigned....
I hope, for the sake of our training, we do not approach an operation with this variety. Remember to Vote sensibly and vote together so that we stay relevent to safeguard the izzat and future of services

In the coming general elections service pers have options to

A) Vote at their native place or

B) vote at their place of service

Take a constituency such as Dehradun, Pune, Chandigarh where reasonable No of Sevice pers have settled. Also these stns host large services establishments. Take a station with 20000 service pers posted . All be requested to vote for one common candidate, say 'X'. Now if this major stn is also the native place/ place of settlement to another 20,000 service pers and their families, All to nominate one single Indl as the nominee for their proxy vote. The indl is further instructed to vote for the chosen candidate 'X'.

We shall have a bank of 40,000 votes at these places. This is adequate to make these people sit and listen. Isrealies do it all the time. The question is Can we look ahead together or we expect alms from the ungrateful