Leave the Army out of this...

It had to happen - when will it happen, was really the question..I refer to the decision of the Government to use the Armed Forces - the Army and the Air Force to combat the Maoists and the Naxals who have played havoc in various parts of the Country, in recent times.

Now here's where I think we are making a mistake. Once again. Like we have so many times in the past. We are once again asking the Army to do what is positively NOT its role, and to do something it has NOT been trained to do.

The role of the Army is primarily to guard the frontiers of India. Likewise, for the Air Force it is to guard India's air space.

Over the years, these forces have been used for a wide variety of purpose other than the one they are exclusively supposed to serve. The intervention of the Army or the Air Force in times of National calamities of various kinds - floods, drought, cyclones etc. cannot be questioned. Because saving the lives of thousands of human beings is the unquestionable purpose.

But the Army was inducted into large numbers in other roles like counter terrorism in the Punjab, North Eastern India and J&K. Take just one State - J&K - where large numbers of battalions comprising of hundreds of soldiers were removed from their critical role - defence of the land, and moved to the State, and have been operative since the last fifteen years or more, in counter insurgency operations.

And now, the Army might be moved to fight maoists.

The armed forces like the army and the air force, due to their very specific role are generally aloof and away from the civil population of the Country. During peace times, they are confined to their Cantonments away from the civilian world, where they continuously train. When there is no war, they train to be prepared for war.

There is enough historical evidence to prove that deploying the Army in roles where they interact with the population and the masses, has had its pitfalls. The average army jawan is not trained to control mobs during communal riots, to perform search and cordon operations in villages and small towns and similar activities, and to deal with the local population there. And when the jawans are forced to perform such roles, there are mistakes made, and allegations abound, of human rights violations.

And in all this, what we also tend to forget that we compromise our strength on the borders. Because there are that much less soldiers patrolling the border, as they are busy chasing militants, criminals and so on.

The question is - what good is the police? What I read, in this decision of the Government to use the Army for the maosists and Naxal issue, is that the State police and the Central forces together are not found good enough either in terms of number strength or capability, to perform these roles.

Take the Central Reserve Police Force. This along with its off shoot force - the Rapid Action Force are 2,00,000 soldiers, and that's a very large number, by any stretch of imagination. If these forces are not going to be used on occasions such as countering the maosits menace, then why do they exist?

The way to go is to train and equip forces like the CRPF, RAF and the NSG, much better than they are today. But the primary responsibility and accountability for countering terrorism has to lie with these forces.

Use them effectively or disband them and think of a newer more capable force.

In any case, it's time we stopped looking up to the Army for any and every civilian crisis...

First day at work

Today is the day we welcome new joinees to our Organization. And one of the Management Trainees is going to be a part of my team.

Takes me back to that specific day, when I started my own career as a Management Trainee. It was July 1, 1988 - about 22 years ago.

The three of us who joined were literally 'marched up' to the head of the Delhi Branch of Britannia Industries. To us rookies, the General Manager looked awesome, somewhat inspiring and I recall that to some extent intimidating.

A full training schedule was drawn up. What followed was a training regime that almost resembled School or College. One made notes of everything one observed on the shop floor. And there were 'on the spot' or 'surprise' vivas !

Trainees were assessed and progress reports were written based on these vivas, reports written by the trainee on every department where the training had been completed.

All reports were written on A4 size paper in neat handwriting and put togehter in a folder and presented within a set deadline.

During training we learnt the science - the chemistry and the entire theory of baking - of bread and biscuits. And then we had to work on the shop floor to actually bake !

The first 'practical' test was when I was asked to bake a loaf of bread. I proudly presented the fresh hot loaf to the Factory Manager, who had one look at it, and promptly asked me to 'trash' it. Reason? A loaf meant to be 800 gms in weight, was only 600 gms. !

Before we knew it, it was time for the final assessment and the big decision - confirmation which meant promotion to the covenanted cadre of the Company, or rejection which meant the trainee had to pack up and leave.

I was summoned to the General Manager -the same old strict looking Boss, for the final assessment interview. One question from him and the earth seemed to slip from under my feet. "What if we don't confirm you?" was the question he asked.

I didn't sleep for the next three or four days and when the suspense became unbearable, I decided to approach the HR Manager 'Harikrishna' or 'Hari' - an absolutely friendly and jovial young man. The types who would put everyone at ease within no time.

I related the jist of the interview to Hari. His facial expression turned to a frown, as I completed my story. When I asked him about what he made of the whole episode, he answered " It's strange he made this remark. Because only yesterday, I read the assessment that he wrote about you, and I found it to be one of the most positive and strong recommendations he has written for anyone..."

So GM had decided to basically derive some sadistic kind of pleasure at my expense....

A shade under 22 years have flown by. Roles are reversed. And now some of us might appear to the youngsters as so senior, serious, intimidating and so on. However unlike that Boss, I have always ensured that every 'fresher' joining a new Organisation and on the threshold of his or her career, is made absolutely comfortable...and that he or she finds friends all around...

The World has changed from what it was 22 years ago. Today, the management trainee has a designated work station, a computer a phone - all waiting for her as she walks in on her first day at work. When I came to work on my first day, personal computers were a thing no one knew, let alone use. Three of us shared one intercom in the Office. And there was one rarely used or almost discarded conference room in one corner of the Factory far away from the main Office, which the three of us called 'our' room.

Well at least we could sit there and smoke without running into the 'Boss' with a cigarette in our hand..!

Home - sweet home

And so ends my tour of the United States of America...What they call the 'land of milk and honey'

A Country that has offered unlimited opportunity for growth and prosperity to one and all. Where competency, perseverance and hard work - in other words 'merit' are the main criteria for success. Where countless number of people set foot on her shores and made a success of their lives.Indians and Chinese, who, by sheer dint of hard work, gave the Americans themselves a run for their money. And this Country provided them a fair chance to do that.

The US is two and a half times the size of India, but has a population that is roughly one fourth that of our Country. The result is - a thin population density. Translated to 'local' terms - lot of peace and quiet. Almost every experience is therefore enjoyable - driving, shopping, eating out and what have you. And as one goes through these experiences, there is a pang of remorse.....

As I landed in India, I was quickly transformed to reality. This is home ! This City - New Delhi is in fact home ! The heat, the bumpy taxi ride from the airport, which involves negotiating endless diversions, potholes and 'what have you'. And each bump, each diversion, and the endless dust flying around, makes us believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That our City will have its own Metro Rail, and will proudly and successfully host the Commonwealth Games.....

But you have to wait just a little bit longer. When your entire spinal column is of a new shape, after you have burnt thousands of litres of fuel in you car, sitting through never ending traffic jams, after your lungs cannot inhale any more dust, and after you and many other citizens of Delhi collectively represent enough material for a seminar on psychiatric disorders, it will happen. You WILL see the end of the tunnel - my friend !

And back home - there are lots of interesting stories to catch up with. The ones that interest one's mind, are the ones I pick up first.

Like the controversy about the Kargil war. And accusations on a senior general who commanded the Corps that virtually fought the entire war in Kargil. Accusations of having doctored the war records, reporting information that was factually incorrect, and misleading the Nation in general.

In all probability, these news items about the Armed forces do not surprise any one any more. But to me - I feel ashamed. To realize that an Institution proud to be one of the finest in the World, famed for discipline, values, known to produce leaders and build character, has actually failed the Nation. It has failed in its promise of delivering what it proudly claimed it could. And it has misled its people into believing everything that it in fact does NOT deliver. The Army continues to live in past glory.

One also feels sad for the huge number of lives lost -of innocent people. Just because of a handful of others who were irresponsible.

Innocent passengers perished in an air crash in Mangalore, just because the pilot was arrogant and didn't pay heed to his deputy's warning about a miscalculated approach for landing.

Innocent passengers died - yet again - in another train derailment caused by the Maoists, just because of an incompetent Government (who incidentally we, the people of India have elected) that lacks the will to take on these terrorists and deal with them firmly and decisively...

In India human life is very very cheap....

Friday May 14, 2010

The day comes to an end. It slowly dies out. Night comes to life.

It has been a long, eventful and tiring day. Full of feelings of happiness, disappointment, anxiety, then relief. A day full of travelling, meetings, formality, and gestures....

I return to my home. All energy is drained out. It seems that now there is no more strength....just no more....

But it isn't time to give up. Not just yet. Because there's a whole lot more to be done.....

And there's still miles to go - before I will finally sleep..

Thursday, May 13, 2010

News from all over the World and from all walks of life continues to hold our attention. Some sad, some that gives us a reason to smile or to be amused. But certainly most which can be ignored.

My heart goes out to the small boy who was the lone survivor in the plane crash at Libya yesterday. As we speak, he is barely conscious, and has just about managed to state the name of the Country he came from - Holland. There were about 60 Dutch passengers on that flight, along with this boy. In all probability he was with his parents who perished in the accident. No relatives from back home have made a contact yet. Has he even been able to grasp the full magnitude of this event - I wonder.

Dhoni's press conference remarks have got all kinds of people reacting. He admitted that players have been concentrating on too much cricket and as if that wasn't enough, there was a lot of partying....When I say 'admitted' I mean I suspected all along that this was a root cause of all the problems with the Indian team.. Senior retired players did not take his remarks very 'sportingly' stating that these wee excuses. And there are mixed opinions about the fact that players always have the choice of refusing to attend parties hosted by the Franchises that run into late nights and take a toll on their physical fitness.

Whatever be the case, the team and the management has a lot of thinking to do - about how to 'turn around' Meanwhile there is a reason to cheer that has to do with cricket. And that is the performance of our women's team. They have done well - even coming up thus far, and who know - they may spring a pleasant surprise.

A word also about the 1971 War records having been completely destroyed and not available anymore. Amongst many other mysterious happenings associated with that war which Indians will now never get to know, there is this mystery about the sinking of the Pakistani submarine 'Ghazi'. The Indian Navy had boasted about having destroyed it on the morning of 4th December, just a few hours after the war started on Dec 3 , 1971. The fact was that the submarine was destroyed by accident while laying mines. The Indian Navy had in fact nothing to do with its sinking

Lt. Gen. Jacob who was the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, and the main Officer who played a pivotal role in the execution of the war plans that led to the decisive victory in the Eastern theatre of the war, later went on to write a book "Surrender at Dacca' which was his won account of the war. He mentions in his book that on December 1, the remains of the 'Ghazi' were found floating on the waters of India' s eastern maritime border near Vishakhapatnam. Both the Army and the Navy got to know about it, and exchanged notes on December 1, 1971 to confirm the news. Apparently, the submarine had been destroyed by a mine explosion, its own doing. On December 3, 1971 Vice Admiral Krishnan called up Genl Jacob to ask whether the Army had reported the sinking of the 'Ghazi'. When Genl Jacob replied in the negative, a much relieved Admn. Krishnan requested the General to forget the incident.

The next morning, the official news released to the World through the Navy's press release was that the Indian Navy had attacked and sunk the Pakistani submarine.

So what's the truth? We will never get to know now. There records don't exist anymore. And while Lt. Genl. Jacob is around, I doubt whether he will spill the beans...

And finally, Big B and his family have been counted in the new Census. Obviously as residents of Mumbai. Wonder what Mr. Bal Thackeray and his nephew Raj Thackeray have to say. Do the Bachchans have their 'permission' to be called citizens of Mumbai?

Anand Vishwanathan - Congrats. But am I happy?

Yesterday was a day of mixed fortunes for Indian Sport. On the one hand you had Anand Vishwanathan being crowned the World Chess champion. And on the other hand, the Indian cricket team was knocked out of the T20 tournament, after all avenues and possibilities were closed.

All avenues - including relying on and hoping for other teams' failures. We hoped and prayed that West Indies loses to Australia and that Sri Lanka loses by a minimum margin to India.

Before the former case was decided, India's fate was sealed by its own doing or undoing. One last chance and it was squandered.

Sadly, an Indian getting crowned the World Champion is not a news worthy of more than a corner of the sports page in any leading newpaper. Because the game is Chess. It would have been the same situation had it been any game other than cricket. So Mr. Vishwanathan can never hope or expect to be given a huge reception on arrival in some City, then driven around in a long motorcade with people lined up on both sides of the road, and then felicitated by a team of 'Netas' on a dais in some stadium. Why not? He's a World Champion after all. The reason is he's not a cricketer.

If India were to focus equally on many other games, if lavish budgets were distributed among these games which would ensure better facilities, coaches and trainers etc. there would be many more World Champions. And India would not be left with just relying upon just one game which today is the source of all entertainment, joy, pride and disappointment.

Let's have variety. Let's have a choice !

And by India - I mean us Indians - each one of us, who seem to know about just one game. Let's look at other games and other sportsmen. Pay attention to them - glorify them too just like we do cricketers. Celebrate their success and also cry with them when they fail.

In short, let us own them too.

And what do we need to do, to achieve this? All we need to do is watch more of those sports. Go to the stadiums to watch which is even better, or even watch on television which is good enough.

It is the Indian viewer of TV is the King ! In the economics of sports, media and entertainment, he actually has the power to change the fortune of a game or a sport. He has to simply make a choice - to view a game or a sport or not to view it.

RIP Mac Mohan

Late last evening, I heard the news of the passing away of actor Mac Mohan. At 71 years of age, he finally lost the battle against cancer.

Many of our generation and undoubtedly almost all of the generation after us, will not be able to put a face to that name.But talk about 'Sambha' of Sholay and there's instant recognition ! Mac Mohan who performed the role of Sambha had only three words to say as a dialogue in the movie - "Poore pachaas hajaar" - when asked by his leader Gabbar Singh about the denomination of the reward the police had announced for the latter's capture. Decades after the release of the movie, this dialogue has a much higher recall than even the songs of the movie, and people continue to chant this dialogue again and again, to this day ! MacMohan would himself not have imagined that the three words that he spoke in Sholay would stick to him for life.

Mac Mohan acted in many many other films - always in roles relatively low profile compared to the heros and heroines he acted with. But those roles were certainly not insignificant by any stretch of imagination. In every such role Mac Mohan left behind an imprint in the sands of film art - a contribution that will hopefully be remembered by his acting and film making colleagues and his fans.

He was one of the many actors who as a team played his role in entertaining us. For this, we could do well to thank him and remember him for as long as we can.