1. I write more to assuage my angst and probably only to reassure myself that GOD is in his Heaven and all is well with the world. I refer to current state of intense racial division/ vituperative rhetoric and the excruciatingly hurtful verbiage which finds presence in the social media and their consequential effect on the social and political environment.
2. I look back on the manner in which the entire gamut of interpersonal relationships has undergone such an amazing/ drastic upheaval over the years. Let me attempt to look at the nuances over my approximately 36 years in uniform in the Indian Army.
3. The Services are the ultimate and the last resort that the government of the day has in whatsoever assails/ plagues the country and in the event of any major calamitous or catastrophic happening, the ‘Brahamastra’ is dutifully released and by the grace of the Almighty, they(the Services) have delivered. Let me begin by analysing this one unassailable truth about the Armed Forces of the country.
4. The very bedrock and the strength of the Armed Forces and especially the Army lies in and is based on the belief in the transparent justness of our cause and the profound trust and camaraderie in the relationship between the leaders(read officers) and those who follow and fight alongside.
5. Since the days of yore and especially after independence, any and every conflict that the Indian Army(IA) has been drawn into has either been forced upon us or has been largely reactive, taken to help out those in the neighbourhood, in trouble. It is therefore axiomatic that that the foundation of our belief system stems from the fact that the IA does not undertake operations aimed at oppression of countries/ peoples, or are persecuted for reasons which militate against the established world order/ the justice system prevalent. The IA therefore does not indulge in forays into other’s territories in attempts to annexe land/ regime change/ has religious undertones or is hegemonistic in design. I attempt to purely put forward the fact that one of the endearing pillars of our psyche is the clear understanding that all of us in uniform have, that whatever we do or that whenever we undertake operations we do so with truth and integrity on our side. This is therefore the framework of our belief system.
6. That having been said, all of us in uniform, have a very solid foundation which is built on the truth and years of regimental tradition and culture. When we join the training establishments ie NDA/IMA/OTA/Regimental Centres (I will concentrate purely on the IA tradition), no one is really concerned about the fact of one’s religion/race/caste/ creed/denomination or any other facet which ostensibly defines your ‘social standing’. One is put through the grind of training with the same fervour and zeal and one is expected to pass the test of fire and emerge as burnished gold. Once the individual reaches the Unit, again there is no investigation into one’s social credentials/ denomination and one is accepted as part of the larger family. As far as officers are concerned, the religion of the majority of the men in the unit becomes their religion and one bows down to the Regimental deity and follows the traditional method of worship, be you in a Sikh/ Hindu/ Christian/Muslim unit. Religion is never worn on your sleeve, but the faith in the Regimental deity reigns supreme and it is that which powers one into battle and when contact occurs it is that which generates the strength for combat and the ultimate sacrifice.
7. I am at pains to bring out the ethos of the IA because of the adverse reactions in the social media to reports of the Iftar party hosted by a section of the IA in J and K. This was followed up by pictures of the Commander of the Chinar Corps leading officers and men in offering ‘Namaz’ during the holy Ramzan.
8. It has to be clearly understood that this is the strength of the basic value system inculcated in the officers and men of the IA, which distinguishes us from those not in the know of our core values and ethics. It is the trust in the strength of our purpose and the justness of our cause and actions, and it is here that unity in diversity is displayed in all it’s magnificence, which has stood the test of time. We therefore rise above pettiness and truly embody these values which epitomises oneness. It is this strength which also helps us to weather the slings and arrows of the innuendo/misinformation, without being overly affected.
9. I am sanguine that last bastion and the Citadel of Bharat will remain forever strong and by the power of its example will inculcate in all, the will to emulate.
The writer is a veteran of the Indian Army with almost 36 years in uniform. He has commanded an armoured regiment and has held important command, staff and instructional appointment in the Army.
