Indianise Indian Army!

By Indian army , I mean all the three wings of the Indian armed defence forces. Despite Indian becoming free and independent, the army appears as a vestige of everything British. Sadly the many Prime Ministers  and Generals have ensured that the Army remains a vestige of British in culture and practices thereby undermining the glorious unheard and unseen desi soldiers of the past.

The pointed rebuttal and refusal to make Indian Army Indian was that as India was no single nation before British arrived, it suits better Indian army to remain a vestige of British colonial rule. The glorious invasions of Chozhas in the South Asia with about a thousand ships across the seas or the bravery of soldiers fighting Alexander or the Moghuls have not been incorporated into the history of India as it ought to have been. So also were the sacrifice of millions of Indian soldiers in world war #2 at the behest of the British. 

There still continues this British culture or habits as you may call in Indian Army. At parties or in Army pubs which are imitation of more of western practice than Indian, western dress for men has been made compulsory. Strictly Only black shoes are allowed. And men ought to wear pant and shirt. Of course Defence Minister George Fernandes had to be accepted with pyjama, kurta and Hawai slippers as he was the boss. Yet even now Pyjama, kurta or dhoti remain banned. Women are encouraged to wear any dress even the scantiest. It’s compulsory for young gentlemen officers to bring their young wives to parties while senior officers can attend as stags. The usual excuse for this practice to acclimatise young officer- families about army culture. But it’s well known that senior officers in the name of social practice get opportunity to practice and pry their eyes on women. Often the young officers’ innocent wives’ are forced into the practice of consuming alcohol and exemptions to this are rare and few. 

Another vestige is Etiquette which is a British or a western habit. Fork, knives and spoons. A compulsory requirement in Army parties and functions. So much focus on etiquette as if these practices make a man cultured and a gentlemen. Eating with hands are prohibited, even Indian food like rice and roti. Classes are held on this in training academies treating this an essential requisite for a soldier. Why determined hateful decry Indian culture of dressing and eating? The only reason is the British contempt for Indian culture continues to rule the Indian Army which calls itself Indian! And we say Indian army is patriotic. Patriotism without respect for roots, culture, traditions of Hindusthan?

If you had watched the parades of soldiers in China, North Korea or even USA, you will notice they have singularities unique to themselves. Their swag, the lifting of knees, the swinging of arms and the salute will be unique because they were developed using indigenous creativity. Lifts the mood of the audience. In India, except for the change to commands to Hindi, the process is a drab imitation of what the British taught the slavish soldiers during their occupation. The Republic Day parade in New Delhi and in State capitals are more mechanical in movements. Not just the army and the other wings of the defence forces..but all armed forces and even police are a drab repetition of each other. No creativity or anything that represents the soil. It haunts that despite devouring lakhs of crores, India has failed and was unable to create her own army culture but remains a poor third rate imitation of the British forces. 

Give the devil it’s due. We are not doubting the ability of our soldiers to fight wars and defend people and land. Its soothing to find the habit in Indian Army and in all armed forces the practice of greeting officers with a Jai Hind. Maybe greeting with a Vande Mataram could be made a practice too. All the state polices should be ordered to imitate this practice as this is not in vogue now. So state police are inspired to be patriotic and not regional. 

Indian army apparently in dire need of reforms. Most practices are outdated. The habit of alcohol consumption has been highly subsidised and there exists no incentive to a non alcoholic soldier. Believe me, I personally knew some soldiers who don’t consume alcohol or never smoke. Indian army ought to encourage deaddiction and hold training and camps on this. It would be fair to withdraw subsidies to alcohol through CSDs except probably in Siachen. Am sure sadly every alcoholic soldier will resist this move.

The process of promotion by ACR needs to be done away with and a better system found in its place. If there was a nasty officer who hated a honest and efficient officer, he could easily screw the future of the honest officer. There are instances of seniors demanding time with the wives of junior officers for providing a positive ACR. This may appear scandalous but the ACR system gives rise to such opportunities. A pliable immoral corrupt pleasant clever officer stands chance of reaching positions in the Army than a honest, straight forward, no nonsense, patriotic and intelligent officer.

The position of JCOs were created as a go between Indian soldiers and British officers to help translate orders into actions because of the difficulties in communication. Why does Indian officers need JCOs to connect with soldiers now is a crore rupee dilemma. 

Lastly, cyber security in defence in India is limited to cutting off access to mobile phones, internet and physical frisking. Even costly jammers were rendered useless by corrupt soldiers.  These protective measures are cosmetic, definitely not fool proof and have proved a failure repeatedly.  Fact is some of our soldiers treat their service as a career and not as an excercise in patriotism. So, trading on secret documents gets easier. A random verification on the credibility of soldiers ought to be done surreptiously to ensure that a soldier doesn’t turn a criminal against his motherland. Am not an expert on cyber security but I think Israel can help India on this. Those who act treacherous should be punished in public instantly instead of through longish process of army tribunals.

Time to incorporate in soldiers and officers a pride in India by incorporating compulsory subjects on our achievements, heritage, culture and traditions. A respect for other states other than one’s place of birth must be developed. Not just a sense of belonging to motherland punya bhoomi India but a pride in the sense of belonging must to make Indian Army, Indian.

Time for change! Indianise Indian Army! Jai Hind!