I have addressed a detailed letter to the Defence Minister enclosing copies of the causes contributing to frequent suicides in the Indian Army.It is not the stress of the duty or the seperation from family that causes these tragic national loss but the vestiges of colonial power that still hangs in the administration of justice in the Army.The un-bridled power vested on the Army commanders combined with the total lack of concern for the welfare of the troops contributes to this sordid happenings which in the past 5 years have repeated with regular frequency.Even among the officer cadre the more than thousand officers who have applied for voluntary retirement were not inclined to take this decision out of monetary consideration but the administration in the Army leaves one in doubt whether the structure will ever recover from the fatal disease it has been infected with.Recently a retiring Lt.Gen. implicated a senior colonel commanding a batallion slapping serious charges on him and had him court-martialed to escape from being accused in a more serious case of diversion of Government funds for construction of a Golf Course in Bhopal. Even after the Colonel was not found guilty of the charges preferred against him, the Army has not proceeded to arrest the General who had engineered the whole frame up.This is the state of the army and if a Colonel could be handed down this treatment,one could visualise as to how a lowly Jawan will be treated. The MOD bears a heavey responsibilty
RE:SUICIDES IN THE ARMY.
by mehdi raza on Jun 01, 2008 08:13 PM Permalink
The unnecessary death of these soldiers is sad. I agree with the sentiment of the author. Our army's morale has been eroded over the years by government policies. There is no doubt when there is a war they fight bravely and lay down their lives for their country. But in light of the new and emerging powers our army needs to be geared to fight and more importantly win the new challenges. Our only enemy is not Pakistan, which is a relatively small threat, our army and our counttry faces much bigger and real threats. But I wish we the people of India will act ( because the governments and parties wont for anything other than power or money) and force the governments to modernise our army and its administration before it is compromised like our other institutions like our universities and educational institutions, our medical and technical training and healthcare, sports, police, civil administration etc. Maybe there is something to learn from the captains of business and industry which is the only thing which seems to be flourishing. I think it is about time when the people of India come together in a movement against the various inept governments, whatever their political colours and force them to act.
RE:SUICIDES IN THE ARMY.
by manmauji on Jun 01, 2008 08:29 PM Permalink
You are some what right Mr.Bala,But problem in armed foces for jawans are the colonial culture that effectivly prevails in armed forces.Some of the the coomunal duties assigned to jawans by thier officers are truly embrassing.I agree maintaining discpline is most important factor in armed forces,but it is so acute in armed forces that it gives a feeling of untouchability between officers and jawan.And the worst part in armed forces is PPP culture.That needs to be done away at once.Sadly our armed foces are still following the guidelines made for Indian soldies by their british commaders.But in those days too there were all togather differnt rules and regulations applicable for British soldiers.I have been of late keenly observing the relations between a British soldiers and their officers in their armed forces it is purely professional.The working atmosphere between their men and officers is very cordial be it in battle field or at a gathering.The "sir" culture in british armed forces is the thing of past.Instead british soldiers call thier superiors by their ranks and name.I feel the training method in force for jawans need swweping changes with a toch of respectivility for the jawans. Officers in Indian armed forces are talking and are very concerned about their detoriating self esteem.What about a soldier who some times is dealt by civilian authorities in such a bad manners that the jawan immediately get depressed and take extreme steps.
