For many strange and entirely unjustified reasons, the Indian political establishment for years has shown reluctance to enthusiastically remember and commemorate the important victories of the Armed Forces
The pictures of a tearful, mournful and angry Alka Rai, 11-year old daughter of Col MN Rai, who was killed by terrorists last month while India was commemorating its 66th Republic Day, have gone viral. Her father belonged to 2/9 Gorkha Rifles with a rich tradition of martial valour. As her father’s funeral pyre went ablaze, she cried out: “2/9 GR ho ki hoi na.” Thousands of Gorkhas present, including Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh responded with clenched fists, leaping into the air: “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
let me explain the poignancy of the Alka moment. “Ho ki hoi na” asks: Is 2/9 GR the greatest unit of allIJ Chanting ‘ho’ thrice means it is, it certainly is. It is not a battle cry, as the media has represented. It is invoked both in joy and grief. Alka was simply emulating the best of military customs and traditions, Gorkhali style.
January encapsulates India’s rich military traditions with a spectacular demonstration of the power of its Armed Forces, paramilitary, para-police, police, NCC and other subsidiary civil defence forces, besides facets of India. It is the most power-packed month consisting of the Republic Day parade, the NCC parade, the Beating Retreat and the Martyrs’ Day, recalling the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The Army Day parade and the Army Chief’s reception also figure. If you ever manage to witness all the events, you have done your seven dhams.
India has been loath to commemorate the few epochal events enabled by its Armed Forces at huge costs. The Ministry of Defence has dragged its feet, taking years to acknowledge Vijay Divas as a day of remembrance and thanksgiving. Reflecting the thinking of the Government, our babus would ask: ‘Hey, what will Pakistan sayIJ”— meaning, why rub salt into Pakistani wounds.
The commemoration on December 16 of the defeat of the Pakistan Army and the creation of Bangladesh is a day of reckoning when a swift and decisive military campaign rectified the tyranny of geography and deceit of history. This is one war where the three Armed Forces fought in synergy to ensure the early capitulation of enemy forces in Dacca which included the Air Force buzzing the Governor’s Palace in Dacca and the attack on the Karachi Harbour by the Navy.
Kargil Divas is lukewarmly commemorated on July 26. Why not combine the two and celebrate Vijay Divas on a grand scale, showcasing India’s first military triumph in 1,000 yearsIJ And why not give the Bharat Ratna to the architect of that victory, Sam ManecksawIJ
Forgotten are World Wars I and II, in which the contribution of the Indian soldier is enshrined not just in the empire’ capital, london, but across Europe, West Asia and the Far East. Nearly four million Indians took part, of which nearly half a million became casualties. In addition, the Indians bagged the largest number of 18 Victoria Crosses, the highest military award for valour for which Indians became eligible in the closing stages of World War I. Until recently, the Government of India treated these wars as foreign wars.
Grateful foreign Governments, though, were commemorating the valour and courage of the indomitable Indian soldier in liberating Europe, West Asia, North Africa and the Far East. The Grand Atonement is happening on March 9 this year, when the President of India, the ceremonial Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will lay a wreath, starting a year-long commemoration of the centenary of World War I.
The British not only dignify and respect their soldiers — dead and living — but are also beholden to non-Brits like the Indians and others who helped Britain carve out the Empire. Once a year, an entire week is dedicated for remembrance, when every Briton in his country and abroad will wear a poppy. In the heart of london are two iconic monuments to commemorate the epic sea and land battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo. The Wellington Arch displays the triumph and glory of the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo and myriad other places, including India.
The Trafalgar Square is an indescribable collection of monuments —central amongst these being Nelson’s column. There is much to learn from the British about conceiving, designing and maintaining monuments and memorials. Wreaths and flowers are laid throughout the year, and almost all the upkeep and maintenance money comes from donations. For example, a new Commonwealth canopy (chhatri) was raised five years ago near Buckingham Palace, east of the Wellington Arch, where names of all Indian George Cross and Victoria Cross winners have been engraved.
In 1986, one of our Victoria Cross winners, Honorary Captain Umrao Singh, was invited to a parade to honour the winners in london. After the parade, Umrao was walking back to the car park when Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine’s car drove up, stopped and allowed the VC awardee to cross the road while he doffed his hat. Would any Indian Defence Minister ever do thatIJ
India’s military pomp and pageantry and supreme military values and culture that are embedded in the Army’s regimental systems, are British. The Brits who visit the battalions and units which their forbears helped create are amazed at the preservation of the military ethos as also of soldierly virtues. lacking even the basic grooming in military culture, India’s political class and bureaucracy have been niggardly in advancing full praise and respect for the military except in times of crisis and catastrophe. Fast-track capsules on military traditions and ethos for Members of Parliament ought to be run at the National Defence College periodically.
After a three-decade long struggle led by Service Chiefs that nearly ran into a revolt, the Government has finally agreed to the construction of a War Memorial in the lawns behind India Gate and a war museum in nearby Princess Park. India Gate, under whose canopy the unknown soldier’s memorial was constructed after the Bangladesh War, contains the names of the World War I dead only.
There is no place to etch the names of the brave who fought in Kashmir in 1947, the 1965 war, the 1971 war, in the Indian Peace-Keeping Force in 1987, and countless other martyrs. The correction of this injustice will be another atonement. Meanwhile, our Prime Minister and Defence Minister in particular should observe the dress and procedural protocol to maintain the sanctity of organised military functions. Wearing casual clothes for Beating Retreat, Army House reception and NCC parade, as if they were less ceremonial, must be avoided. Meanwhile, Alka Rai was honouring her father in the best traditions of military service. No sacrilegious hand dare tinker with it.