PK Pal says, "Few days back some one made a comment that Army men hold civilians in contempt...".Here is a piece of reasoned rebuttal for the above and trust all will agree with the logic behind these facts and figures.(contempt is disapproval tinged with disgust: to feel contempt for a weakling........concern or a disdain for crooked dealing.)
Every one is a civilian before he joins the Army and is destined to become one again once he hangs his uniform.....but in between he goes under a metamorphosis which tunes him to act and behave differently....he undergoes a tough training regimen and acquires a unshakable belief in his own and his organisations capability......Some call it attitude, even arrogance but we call it Pride and it should not be mistaken for contempt......
Now let us examine what contempt here is ?
Contempt is when due to a third rate Defence Minister who interfered so much with the Army that it had to suffer 1962 war humiliation.
Contempt is that immediately after a resounding victory of 71...Forces were rewarded with a cut of 20% in pensions.
Contempt is that widows, disabled soldiers and veterans have to go into prolonged litigation to get their dues.
Contempt is when 90 year old soldier has to sit on dharna to get OROP....his wait of 40 years is still some more way to go.
Contempt is when a Kargil Martyr father is asked to pay bribes to get the petrol pump promised to him.
Contempt is when we don't have a war memorial to pay our respects to our fallen.
Contempt is when we send our soldiers to war with critical deficiencies.
Contempt is when CAG points out that we have only 20 days worth of ammunition.
Contempt is when we are told that we have lavish life style when people don't have first idea of what we go through on the borders.
List is endless....but our brave and selfless forces carry on regardless, because the covenant of loyalty and sacrifice binds us to our flag......Of late civilians and Politicians alike have made pretty shallow comments about Armed Forces....To slight a soldier is easy....but making sacrifice of life to protect the nation is difficult .... hope they have a size good enough to fill his shoes....For one, India Honest suspects that the day is not far when he will say..... Enough, now no more.
