Who moved my Chief?

July 24, 2019, 12:17 PM IST Ambreen Zaidi in Barracks and Beyond | India | TOI

Those of us, who have a connect with the Indian armed forces, have grown up on tales of valor and bravado of the men who led us. Men like Field Marshal Cariappa, Field Marshal Manekshaw, General Thimayya, General Rodrigues, General Sundarji and many more. Our libraries are full of literature on them and their heroism which makes our hearts full of pride.

These were the soldiers who led from the front, stood up for the men they commanded, their families and their rights. The life, the policies, the perks and so-called privileges that we have today are the hard work of these chiefs who wanted nothing but the best for their soldiers. Where most would give up, these officers and subsequent Chiefs of the Army staff pushed the boundaries beyond the predictable skylines to make what the Indian Army is today. This is why they are still revered. They strengthened the roots of this massive organization with their compassion, strategic command skills, and foresightedness. Everyone’s needs, concern areas, families, education, training, after retirement benefits were all well thought of, planned and executed. To question them or to discontinue any of the benefits without a logical course of action is to doubt the intention and integrity of these decorated and illustrious men.

In recent years, there has been a gigantic shift, the polices are being reframed, the perks are being restricted and the so-called privileges are being restructured. Restriction on ECHS facilities, reduction of CSD, no NFU, downgrading of army officers vis a vis AFHQ cadre. The list is getting longer and longer. Much has been written about these issues and many more, by the experts in the field so I am not even venturing there. The soldiers and the veterans now have to face and fight issues they didn’t have to worry about earlier. Isn’t that disheartening? What actually has happened? Why do the recent Chiefs have this gross change of heart that they no longer fight for their troops but kowtow with people and politicians who may or may not give them cushy post-retirement jobs? Isn’t the COAS a repository of faith and trust of 1.4 million men and women he commands? Why this step-motherly treatment towards your very own? What changed? Who moved? Why is there no protest when Defence to GDP ratio nosedived? There have been budgetary cuts, which should have come from somewhere else in the

nation’s financial plan and not from the pensions of the soldiers who safeguard our nation. Why can’t we honour those who served and severed their limbs, in action, anymore? Why is disability pension even an issue, here? Why are the ones who lead us are the ones axing us, is a question often put up by veterans on social media. It breaks my heart to see our veterans being denied the honour they so richly deserve. Tossing away old policies and practices is good if it benefits the organization, but wouldn’t it be nice to have feedback from the grassroots? Curtailing the rights and limiting the benefits will adversely affect the morale of the soldiers, serving and retired both. We celebrate Vijay Diwas and Kargil Diwas with stately display and magnificence, but on the ground, we are depriving these very soldiers of their basic rights and entitlements. Where have the men like Carriappa and Manekshaw gone, who used to fight with the establishment for the rights of their troops?

We all are very well aware that army life is not for everyone. Those who have served and still are will be heroes forever and we must remember that without our men and women in the uniform, India wouldn’t be where it is today.

Leaving you with this thought.

Jai Hind.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

AUTHOR

Ambreen Zaidi

Ambreen is a well-known journalist and blogger. She has won several awards for her work. She has also worked with UNICEF and NASSCOM Foundation. As an Army wife, Ambreen has been involved in the welfare of retired soldiers, war widows, orphans and disabled soldiers. Ambreen, is the founder of an organisation called The Changemakers where she and her team identifies, mentors and guides the ex-servicemen, war widows war orphans, till they are firmly placed and secure in the professions of their choice.