Conclave of Defence Services Veterans, members of Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad and Sainik Kalyan Manch express their anguish and anxiety over the UPA Government's directions to Service HQ to undertake a Survey of serving Muslim soldiers, sailors and airmen of all ranks, being undertaken by the Prime Minister's Office on the behest of a committee appointed by the government under the chairmanship of Shri Rajender Sachar, a retired high court judge.
A large gathering of Ex-Servicemen from Delhi and surrounding areas collected in Delhi to register their protest with the supreme commander of the Armed Forces of India. They included all ranks of the services, including some very senior retired officers of the rank of Generals, Air Marshals and Admirals. The programme commenced with the laying of wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and paying homage to the brave hearts "who gave their today for our tomorrow." It was the most nostalgic moment when wreaths were laid on behalf of the three services veterans. Thereafter, a meeting was held at Jantar Mantar, addressed by the veterans. They emphasised the importance of maintaining the secular, and apolitical character of the armed forces. It was brought out by the speakers that the army gives equal chance to everyone aspiring to serve in the organisation and that the entry system is based on merit and capability to perform different duties. Armed forces do not discriminate on grounds of religion, caste, creed, region or language. All ranks live, eat, play and work as a well knit and highly motivated family without a thought given to each other's religious faiths. Our armed forces attract volunteers; there are no quotas in the services for enrolment or promotion on religious basis. Collection of such data would send wrong signals to the soldier and can be the divisive force in the long run.
The assertion by the aforesaid Sachar Committee that "the military is no different from any other central government organisation" could not be farther from the truth, considering the following:-
A soldier lays down his life unhesitatingly to defend the honour, integrity and security of the country. His devotion to duty and obedience of orders even in the face of death differentiates him from his compatriots hailing from other walks of life.
It was vividly brought out that the greatest motivating factor for the soldier is the "Paltan ki Izzat" and the pride in not letting his comrades down. That is what, in a broad sense, is the 'Regimental spirit' that the army is so proud of. It is this spirit that inspires a soldier to willingly assault up the icy slopes of a rugged mountain, unmindful of the hail of bullets. It is not that he is highly paid, so money cannot be the motive. And, believe it or not, it is neither merely patriotism which propels him.
The gathering of Ex-servicemen from Delhi and surrounding areas was addressed by Lt Gen NS Malik, Chairman Conclave of Defence Veterans, Lt Gen KK Nanda, President Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad, Maj Gen IC Malhotra, President Sainik Kalyan Manch. Others who spoke, attended and laid wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti are Gen VN Sharma, Mej. Gen. B.C. Khanduri, Lt Gen SK Sharma, Air Marshal MS Bawa, Lt Gen RP Agarwal, Brig Kr Narinder Singh, Lt Gen RN Chadha, Col AR Khan, Lt Gen RK Sawheny, Subedar Bhati, Sgt BC Banwal & many others.
Date: February 15, 2006
Place: New Delhi
A large gathering of Ex-Servicemen from Delhi and surrounding areas collected in Delhi to register their protest with the supreme commander of the Armed Forces of India. They included all ranks of the services, including some very senior retired officers of the rank of Generals, Air Marshals and Admirals. The programme commenced with the laying of wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and paying homage to the brave hearts "who gave their today for our tomorrow." It was the most nostalgic moment when wreaths were laid on behalf of the three services veterans. Thereafter, a meeting was held at Jantar Mantar, addressed by the veterans. They emphasised the importance of maintaining the secular, and apolitical character of the armed forces. It was brought out by the speakers that the army gives equal chance to everyone aspiring to serve in the organisation and that the entry system is based on merit and capability to perform different duties. Armed forces do not discriminate on grounds of religion, caste, creed, region or language. All ranks live, eat, play and work as a well knit and highly motivated family without a thought given to each other's religious faiths. Our armed forces attract volunteers; there are no quotas in the services for enrolment or promotion on religious basis. Collection of such data would send wrong signals to the soldier and can be the divisive force in the long run.
The assertion by the aforesaid Sachar Committee that "the military is no different from any other central government organisation" could not be farther from the truth, considering the following:-
A soldier lays down his life unhesitatingly to defend the honour, integrity and security of the country. His devotion to duty and obedience of orders even in the face of death differentiates him from his compatriots hailing from other walks of life.
It was vividly brought out that the greatest motivating factor for the soldier is the "Paltan ki Izzat" and the pride in not letting his comrades down. That is what, in a broad sense, is the 'Regimental spirit' that the army is so proud of. It is this spirit that inspires a soldier to willingly assault up the icy slopes of a rugged mountain, unmindful of the hail of bullets. It is not that he is highly paid, so money cannot be the motive. And, believe it or not, it is neither merely patriotism which propels him.
The gathering of Ex-servicemen from Delhi and surrounding areas was addressed by Lt Gen NS Malik, Chairman Conclave of Defence Veterans, Lt Gen KK Nanda, President Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad, Maj Gen IC Malhotra, President Sainik Kalyan Manch. Others who spoke, attended and laid wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti are Gen VN Sharma, Mej. Gen. B.C. Khanduri, Lt Gen SK Sharma, Air Marshal MS Bawa, Lt Gen RP Agarwal, Brig Kr Narinder Singh, Lt Gen RN Chadha, Col AR Khan, Lt Gen RK Sawheny, Subedar Bhati, Sgt BC Banwal & many others.
Date: February 15, 2006
Place: New Delhi
(Niranjan Singh Malik)
Lt Gen, IA (Retd.)
Lt Gen, IA (Retd.)
To Write Comment Please Login
.gif)
