I am a member of a yahoo group, "ex-iaf". Recently there was a discussion on taking up the case for allowing ex-airmen to wear uniform on selected occasion. I wrote so -
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Regarding wearing uniform after retirement - first of all, let me place on record my appreciation for people like Sri. BVR Murthy who just dont keep talking but take up the initiative in going about knocking the doors and fighting for rights. It is because of people like Murthy that we aall are left with one or two privileges. Having said that, I think, NOT allowing the non-officer community to wear uniform or medals after retirement is nothing but hypocrisy and smacks of "British" attitude towards "Indian sepoys".
We all have seen and witnessed such things during our Service life. I dont have to elaborate. The situation got far worser after 1996. They started taking the best of everything, leaving the bone pieces to us. Starting from medical facilities and extending upto canteen facilities - it can be witnessed everywhere. Once, I had been to MH for a courtesy call on one of my station officer admitted (one of a few gentleman officer). He had a spacious two room facility + TV + everything. While walking back, I saw many soldiers lying on floors in verandah (as beds were not available). Why this disparity ?? Why separate Qs for Officer in Canteen ?? Why separate doctors for Officers and their "more-than-precious -families" even in ECHS ?? How come their "sickness" more serious than yours and mine ??? The worst case is allotment of higher allowances for officers in hard terrain areas - Is the terrain more difficult for officers than men?? Does the snow bite them harder than the 'jawans'?? I can and we all can quote thousands of such hypocratical rules, regulations, activities, orders, facilities and everything. Thats the way it has been and that is the way it will be.
This "Saab" community took all that suited them from the Britishers and never allowed Independence to reach the "Soldier" community !! Do you all know that last month the Defence Minsitry (meaning on strong recommendation from Officer community) refused to accept the Parlimanentary Committees recommendation to abolish "Bat Man" in Army ??? Many soldiers languish in the houses of "Saabs" as "Batman" washing their clothes, watering their gardens and taking their dogs on evening walks. If you do not agree with me - just take a evening walk in Delhi cantonment area and see for yourself !! (Lucky, we didnt have that in Air Force!). Even today, you can witness "jawans" stading as 'ceremonial guards' during evening time parties in Officers mess, as their "Saabs" dance to soulful music with their beloveds. The "jawan" would be standing in full ceremonial dress (in peak summer) at the gates to enhance the "status" of his boss having a tot inside!! If you dont believe, go and see those things for yourself happening even today as you read this mail.
Well, why am I stating all this here now ??? - It is because, we all should realise that "Officers" will NOT allow us the priviliges that they enjoy !! They will NOT allow us to be treated at par with them even after retirement - for, they live in an illusionary world, thinking that they served the nation more harder than what you and I did !!! It is on these lines that they will NOT allow men to wear uniform after retirement, but they will continue wearing it. It is on these lines that they will NOT allow oursleves to be called as JWO ABC (Retd) - but only as Ex-JWO Sepoy!!! They will remain as Gp Capt/Major/Admiral. Kings (Retd). ("Ex" means, you are OUT of it, while they are still "IN" it)!! The decorations that you earned is not higher or more valuable than what your "Saab" earned and hence YOU CANT WEAR IT after retirement!! ! All our claims to earn the rightful privileges will be taken up at "appropriatelevel" - and rest assured, at the "appropriate level" - it ALL WILL BE struck down. Leave Groups as like ours, even Parliamentary Committee recommendations can NOT stand in front of this "ego" wall !! Let us accept such realities.
Jai Hind !!
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Regarding wearing uniform after retirement - first of all, let me place on record my appreciation for people like Sri. BVR Murthy who just dont keep talking but take up the initiative in going about knocking the doors and fighting for rights. It is because of people like Murthy that we aall are left with one or two privileges. Having said that, I think, NOT allowing the non-officer community to wear uniform or medals after retirement is nothing but hypocrisy and smacks of "British" attitude towards "Indian sepoys".
We all have seen and witnessed such things during our Service life. I dont have to elaborate. The situation got far worser after 1996. They started taking the best of everything, leaving the bone pieces to us. Starting from medical facilities and extending upto canteen facilities - it can be witnessed everywhere. Once, I had been to MH for a courtesy call on one of my station officer admitted (one of a few gentleman officer). He had a spacious two room facility + TV + everything. While walking back, I saw many soldiers lying on floors in verandah (as beds were not available). Why this disparity ?? Why separate Qs for Officer in Canteen ?? Why separate doctors for Officers and their "more-than-precious -families" even in ECHS ?? How come their "sickness" more serious than yours and mine ??? The worst case is allotment of higher allowances for officers in hard terrain areas - Is the terrain more difficult for officers than men?? Does the snow bite them harder than the 'jawans'?? I can and we all can quote thousands of such hypocratical rules, regulations, activities, orders, facilities and everything. Thats the way it has been and that is the way it will be.
This "Saab" community took all that suited them from the Britishers and never allowed Independence to reach the "Soldier" community !! Do you all know that last month the Defence Minsitry (meaning on strong recommendation from Officer community) refused to accept the Parlimanentary Committees recommendation to abolish "Bat Man" in Army ??? Many soldiers languish in the houses of "Saabs" as "Batman" washing their clothes, watering their gardens and taking their dogs on evening walks. If you do not agree with me - just take a evening walk in Delhi cantonment area and see for yourself !! (Lucky, we didnt have that in Air Force!). Even today, you can witness "jawans" stading as 'ceremonial guards' during evening time parties in Officers mess, as their "Saabs" dance to soulful music with their beloveds. The "jawan" would be standing in full ceremonial dress (in peak summer) at the gates to enhance the "status" of his boss having a tot inside!! If you dont believe, go and see those things for yourself happening even today as you read this mail.
Well, why am I stating all this here now ??? - It is because, we all should realise that "Officers" will NOT allow us the priviliges that they enjoy !! They will NOT allow us to be treated at par with them even after retirement - for, they live in an illusionary world, thinking that they served the nation more harder than what you and I did !!! It is on these lines that they will NOT allow men to wear uniform after retirement, but they will continue wearing it. It is on these lines that they will NOT allow oursleves to be called as JWO ABC (Retd) - but only as Ex-JWO Sepoy!!! They will remain as Gp Capt/Major/Admiral. Kings (Retd). ("Ex" means, you are OUT of it, while they are still "IN" it)!! The decorations that you earned is not higher or more valuable than what your "Saab" earned and hence YOU CANT WEAR IT after retirement!! ! All our claims to earn the rightful privileges will be taken up at "appropriatelevel" - and rest assured, at the "appropriate level" - it ALL WILL BE struck down. Leave Groups as like ours, even Parliamentary Committee recommendations can NOT stand in front of this "ego" wall !! Let us accept such realities.
Jai Hind !!
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