MAKE A CHALLENGE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY

 While in service, I was always distrustful of senior officers who preached, sermonized and spoke patronizingly at us. The brass on their shoulders and the rank they wore was seldom an affirmation of their caliber as an officer, because hypocrisy and double speak defined their personality. Their, condescending arrogance was born of their official status and positional authority, which they wielded in the institutional hierarchy. Even at the cost of  being cynical in the matter, my presumption has withstood the litmus test of fidelity, which is sustained by the plethora of outrageous instances involving senior and general rank officers. Time caught up with many but not most, even as they were exposed “better late than never”.

Emerging India with a robust and incremental economy, fuelled the desire and greed of those who were engulfed and consumed in the emerging whirlpool of its material wealth and ostentation. Corruption got institutionalized and politics criminalized in a representative democracy, premised on the principle of ‘first past the post’ getting elected. Probity and rectitude in public life went missing, only to be replaced by venality, dishonesty and duplicity. The Armed Forces not being an island in the ocean of brazen improbity were similarly affected and impacted by the menace of debauchery, obtaining in the country’s environment. Market forces and the prevalent culture of means to an end being irrespective, washed off on our person and got a tacit acceptance in the social reality of the Military. But, Tehelka, a sting operation by the media on the corruption existing in the Army, was a startling expose on its magnitude which echoed in South Block and shook the faith of the majority within the organization, in its own leadership and hierarchy. The then Chief of Army Staff, General Padmanabhan (Paddy) was quick to take a fire fighting action against the involved officers, by prosecuting and punishing them in accordance with the Army Act.

However, the seduction and lure of lucre is so intense that, the shame and ignominy of being discovered and punished is made hostage to the machinations of the mind and the power of money. The loopholes in the System are cleverly manipulated and exploited for serving the ulterior motives of those in authority. Compliant and willing personnel are inveigled into the deal, with a trade off or else a quid pro quo and the act is unabashedly committed. Nowadays, as the availability of revenue grants and money for public and official use in the Army is not a matter of anxiety, and Corporate extravagance has replaced Military frugality, opportunities to indulge in small/big acts of corruption are rampant. The moral fabric of the Military/Army has been treacherously and severely tattered. Unfortunately, corruption now is only a matter of opportunity as against a core value of personal and collective integrity, which underlines character and is a counterpoint to the  depravity.

The demographic dividend of the Military is between 20 to 35 years, where the majority of its officers and men belong to. Between 75% to 85% of the officers, who are in the non empanelled category (Lt Cols and below and equivalent ranks in the navy and air force) must not take counsel of their fears and show courage of their convictions to confront any perceived or otherwise wrongdoing of their seniors. Questioning and standing up against a wrong cannot be interpreted as being a Rebel. From what has been repeatedly emerging, it is fair to assume that the financial improprieties and mischief is mostly hatched and given finality to, in the minds and offices of Senior and General rank officers. The guardian becomes the perpetrator. A seemingly complex and difficult situation to address, by any stretch of imagination.

Engendered by the bold and upright statement of the present Chief, to take on the wrong doers in their own turf, by standing up to wrong, will demand of this demographic dividend varied forms of sacrifices . But, unlike the ultimate sacrifice which a soldier may be called upon to make in the call of his duty, this is more difficult of the two. For, morally inspired and motivated acts of righteousness are deliberate and well thought out and its consequences lucid and professionally devastating. In an environment, which questions the prerogative of an officer/soldier to speak the truth and virtually ostracize him, is not conducive to elicit such acts of ‘showing spine’. Therefore, the System has of necessity, to be supportive and collaborative, to enthuse one to display moral courage. I, do not think that General Singh will have an answer to this, because the intrinsic design of the structure and hierarchy of the Army, will not validate this mindset.

The answer to this predicament of leadership and management, probably lies in the willingness of the demographic dividend to outnumber and overpower the venal and grotesque Dragon, to bring about the change that they wish to see. A clean,upright and courageous officership---where role models and heroes also abound in the higher echelons of the hierarchy.

Brigadier(retd) S D Dangwal

Dehra Dun-248001

07895131861