archive: War against babudom
War against babudom
Lt. Col. M.M. Walia (Retd.)
Asian Age
July 15, 1999
Title: War against babudom
Author: Lt. Col. M.M. Walia (Retd.)
Publication: Asian Age
Date: July 15, 1999
Sir, Apropos your report Army Chief meets PM on supplies (July 10), it
shows the stark contrast in the approach and psyche of India and
Pakistan. The military commanders of Pakistan just pick up their
"shopping bags" and buy the latest hi-tech weaponry and equipment for
their forces, unmindful of the funds. The scenario in India is just
the opposite, as is evident from your above report. An attitude like
this should be a cause of national shame especially when our jawans
are dying by the dozens every day in the most inhospitable terrains in
the world. Our hapless Service chiefs have to wait in "the corridors
of power" with their long-awaited "shopping list" just because the
"babus" are either awaiting the nod from their political masters or
playing "hide-and-seek" in the name of civilian supremacy. Indians
have been watching these "games" ever since Independence. Everytime it
is the same story - armed forces "starve" for lack of funds. Will
India ever be able to break free of this babudom ever? It is not
difficult to imagine the expression of the Indian soldiers after
seeing the latest weapons and equipment available with the
infiltrators. The hurried purchase of weaponry and equipment had more
to do with the immediacy of the problem and a cover up of acts of
"omission an commission." The case of snowboots is an example of how
our system works. All this talk of paying homage to our the "brave
heroes" of Kargil is hollow. God only knows how many Kargils we
require to shake off from this slumber. Let us not consider the
soldier an expendable commodity only to be used as a cannon fodder.
Lt. Col. M.M. Walia (Retd.)
Andheri(W), Mumbai
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