dahiyarules
June 19th, 2007, 06:24 AM
Hey All!
The other day, I got a letter from the United States Marne Corps. Briefly, it said that upon recommendation from my now ex-University's Marine ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) they would like to extend an offer to me.
As much as I hate the government, I shredded the letter even before I finished reading it. But, as the shredder cranked through the letter, a million thoughts flashed through my mind.
My great grandfather served in the British Army and then retired after being shot in Egypt during the First World War. He went back to his village to become a farmer. My Grandfather (Maternal) served in the British Army and then later on in the Indian army. He too upon retirement as a Colonel, returned to his village to resume Jamindari. My father died prematurely as a Major in the Indian army. Throughout his entire life, he maintained strong connections with his village. Later on my brother who was very anxious to join the Army, could not clear the SSB. So, he went to engineering school and moved to the US.
And now it is my turn. I have issues with the military because it has become just another Government Department. It used to be an institution of Pride, Honesty and Integrity. It used to be an institution that formed the bulwark between foreign invaders and our citizens. But, now it operates as a proxy of the government.
The Army seemed to retain its DNA as long as it was largely staffed with people who came from traditional Warrior classes like Jats, Rajputs and Sikhs. These people connected to the rest of our country because in times of Peace they were largely farmers and understood the ground realities of our society. That played a large factor that shaped their dedication and patriotism.
But, with secularization and the dismantling of the caste system in India, just everyone is encouraged to Join the military. People from SC/ST/OBS get special incentives from the government to join the military.
I believe that just because the recruitment and enlistment in the Indian military works like the recruitment of a government department, the military has been plagued with attitudes that do not have any place in it.
It is not a matter of injustice or unfairness to encourage the traditional warrior classes to enlist in the military. I am not speaking rocket science. Even the British realized this 400 years ago despite of their classical European liberal thoughts.
I am sure that my family tree mirrors the family tree of nearly everyone on this forum since we come from the same community. Tell me what you think about it.
Disclaimer: I do not wish to promote the idea of restricting recruitment in the Military to any particular community. I believe that all opportunities must be open to everyone in our country as long as they qualify the litmus test of being a true warrior. Being in the military is not just another job that could be treated as a source of a regular income and thus the ensuing financial security. It is a responsibility that is entrusted upon a warrior by the people he is intended to protect and serve. It is the warrior's responsibility to see the difference between serving the people and serving the government.
The other day, I got a letter from the United States Marne Corps. Briefly, it said that upon recommendation from my now ex-University's Marine ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) they would like to extend an offer to me.
As much as I hate the government, I shredded the letter even before I finished reading it. But, as the shredder cranked through the letter, a million thoughts flashed through my mind.
My great grandfather served in the British Army and then retired after being shot in Egypt during the First World War. He went back to his village to become a farmer. My Grandfather (Maternal) served in the British Army and then later on in the Indian army. He too upon retirement as a Colonel, returned to his village to resume Jamindari. My father died prematurely as a Major in the Indian army. Throughout his entire life, he maintained strong connections with his village. Later on my brother who was very anxious to join the Army, could not clear the SSB. So, he went to engineering school and moved to the US.
And now it is my turn. I have issues with the military because it has become just another Government Department. It used to be an institution of Pride, Honesty and Integrity. It used to be an institution that formed the bulwark between foreign invaders and our citizens. But, now it operates as a proxy of the government.
The Army seemed to retain its DNA as long as it was largely staffed with people who came from traditional Warrior classes like Jats, Rajputs and Sikhs. These people connected to the rest of our country because in times of Peace they were largely farmers and understood the ground realities of our society. That played a large factor that shaped their dedication and patriotism.
But, with secularization and the dismantling of the caste system in India, just everyone is encouraged to Join the military. People from SC/ST/OBS get special incentives from the government to join the military.
I believe that just because the recruitment and enlistment in the Indian military works like the recruitment of a government department, the military has been plagued with attitudes that do not have any place in it.
It is not a matter of injustice or unfairness to encourage the traditional warrior classes to enlist in the military. I am not speaking rocket science. Even the British realized this 400 years ago despite of their classical European liberal thoughts.
I am sure that my family tree mirrors the family tree of nearly everyone on this forum since we come from the same community. Tell me what you think about it.
Disclaimer: I do not wish to promote the idea of restricting recruitment in the Military to any particular community. I believe that all opportunities must be open to everyone in our country as long as they qualify the litmus test of being a true warrior. Being in the military is not just another job that could be treated as a source of a regular income and thus the ensuing financial security. It is a responsibility that is entrusted upon a warrior by the people he is intended to protect and serve. It is the warrior's responsibility to see the difference between serving the people and serving the government.