L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Army’s honour cannot be compromised

To the article “Media going overboard” (Nov 18) by Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd) I would like to add that no one can deny the wish of the retired General to get even with the electronic media, given that he perceives it to be behind the humiliation suffered by the Indian Army because of the acts of a few morally-corrupt senior officers, including service chiefs. No one can deny the urge of the former Vice Chief of Army Staff to call the electronic media names in his quest for giving balance to so-called “Army bashing.” But “ass” (in the retired General’s words) or not, the electronic media and the print media have revealed the true extent of the rot among the senior ranks of the Army.

Lt-Gen Oberoi’s piece is a perfect example of the adage, “More loyal to the King than the King Himself.” Here is a serving Army Chief, Gen VK Singh, who has gone on record, in the electronic media, virtually castigating the role of the former Army Chiefs in the Adarsh scam and blaming them for bringing shame to the Army; yet all Lt-Gen Oberoi can do is to shoot the messenger.

His advice to journalists to go back to school and learn about “responsible reporting” is well taken. Everyone can do with a little re-education. He could have given a similar advice to the former Army Chiefs, Army Commanders and general officers involved in the Adarsh scam to re-visit the IMA and re-read the Chetwode credo which they once must have read, I presume, before they passed out from that hallowed institution. But Lt Gen Oberoi failed to give his sagacious advice to his fellow officers. So I take the liberty of reminding him, and them, of the same: “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

It’s all about honour. And much, much less about blaming the media for all the ills that plague the top hierarchy of the Indian Army.

MAN AMAN SINGH CHHINA, Chandigarh

II

Lt-Gen Vijay has used good phrases with excellent treatment of the language. It was a feast to read his article albeit sans the content. His defence of the defenceless top army brass, accusing and finding holes in the electronic media is frivolous.

In recent years (unlike the last century) many top brass army officers are reported to have been involved in land, army supply and other scams and irregularities.

That is causing serious concern to even the hoi polloi. The media is doing a yeoman’s service of exposing cases like the CWG, Adarsh and 2G scams, etc, little caring who and how big is the person/persons involved. Kudos to the media. But for their intervention, many big cases would have gone unnoticed.

B.M.SINGH, Amritsar

III

Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi is correct in his comments that the electronic media is doing incalculable harm. Repeated images of our Army officers as corrupt will only assist China and Pakistan in their designs. It is definitely demoralising for our Army’s rank and file.

No doubt corruption has crept in defence forces also. But fortunately the percentage is low. There is one segment of governance which is most corrupt and the media is keeping quiet about it.

These are our bureaucrats. Since Independence not even a single bureaucrat has been punished. They are shielded by the Article 311.

If our aim is to weed out corruption, the Article 311 must be amended. Otherwise, the media can remain happy showing uniform people as corrupt, even if it is at the cost of national security. Bureaucrats can keep on piling money in Swiss banks.

Brig NAWAB SINGH( retd), SAS Nagar

IV

I agree with the viewpoint that the media has blown things out of proportion and an unnecessary witch hunt seems to be going on to single out the defence personnel. May I remind the readers that the “corrupt” officials are drawn from the same fabric of civil society that works in the other arms of the government or in the private sector. Corruption in public places has come to stay and despite the media’s shrill campaign and brouhaha, nothing comes out of the campaign in public interest.

At best, the minions brought forward to shield the higher ups are taken as fall guys and probably adequately compensated. 

There exist adequate safeguards in the Army Act and other relevant provisions in the charter to deal with such institutional issues. The media could do well to restrict toning down its shrill reporting and instead focus on more pertinent issues.

I congratulate The Tribune for its intelligent and sombre reporting and analysis without resorting to playing to the gallery.

It has set high journalistic standards and carrying this opinion piece has added weight to the newspaper’s credibility.

Dr ABHISHEK PURI, Patiala

TV shows

There was a time when the entire family could watch television together, but not anymore. Both the serials and shows have become retrogressive as well as vulgar.

Television affects people, especially children, more than any other source of entertainment.  TV serials like  “Rakhi Ka Insaaf” and “Big Boss” should be banned. Otherwise also TV shows should be monitored.

  KSHITIJ GUPTA, Narwana 

Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, neatly hand-written or typed in double space, should not exceed the 150-word limit. These can be sent by post to the Letters Editor, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030. Letters can also be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com — Editor-in-Chief

Recognise his courage  Lance Naik Nawdinder Singh of 21 Punjab Regiment, hailing from Gillanwale village, tehsil Dera Baba Nanak of Gurdaspur district, was stabbed to death while helping a Railway Protection Force constable arrest four robbers, who had targeted a group of young women-travellers at Bangalore railway station (News report, Nov 9). Lance Naik Nawdinder Singh displayed outstanding courage and followed the Services’ motto of “Service before self” in letter and spirit. His act of sacrificing his life for a noble cause must be appreciated by all of us. We all must get motivated by this act and be always prepared to help anyone in distress. As Lance Naik Nawdinder Singh has done Punjab proud by his act of bravery, it is indeed expected from the Punjab Government that he is awarded posthumously and a financial grant given to his family. Besides, a government job should be given to his close family member. Maj-Gen (Dr) SBS BAINS (retd), SAS Nagar