There was a time where a soldier's job was considered to be one of great honour and prestige but 21st century media has torn down facades of honorable behaviour that are supposed to uphold and protect the highest interests of personal freedom and security. Crimes ranging from War Room leaks to War crimes behind closed doors and more have brought to us the new face of our military prowess.
In a period of global chaos, a country's army is supposed to rise above petty issues and stand for the honour of its motherland. Which they do. But these not so isolated incidents force us to shed a large amount of faith instilled by slogans of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Wars, even when necessary, are being fought in our backyards rather than in the battle feilds and this further fuels the inner rage. It is time the men gaurding our borders and those commanding them to do so, begin to clean up their records before its too late.
Afterthought (5th Sep):
I don't think the root of the issue could be the various problems that the soldiers face. It's more about the amount of power yeilded by a man with a gun and the responsibility that entails it. Military, in any land or age, is always glorified because the country needs them to lay down their lives for us. Had it been a cheaper commodity like money or clothes, the powers that be would just ask for them. But here you are asking more from a man. To die for his land and for a cause that is not his. This, obviously, as any PR expert would agree, requires incentives and motivation which come in the form of sentiments of dying for their motherland. As laymen citizens, we are highly inspired and respect these sentiments but those within the system clearly see through whats actually happening. The result? They lose that necessary motivation and seek other pleasures and means necessary to survive which come in the form of access to forbidden sins of greed, lust and sadism.
Ken falco, in this piece, gives evidence that warfare is more about mindgames than one would have thought.
And I see no Bravery in your eyes any more - James Blunt
Monday, September 04, 2006
For Honour and Glory
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4 comments:
:-) Somebody had to say it.
Very true but to get to the root of the problems, the long standing problems of the soldiers should also be addressed.
Very true but to get to the root of the problems, the long standing problems of the soldiers should also be addressed.
@pollyanna: yup.. someone has to! Thanks for being the first as usual :)!
@hiren: I have answered your question in an update in the post.
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