** Indian Army & Batman Policy **

The Government has decided not to implement the Parliamentary Committee's recommendation on doing away with the practice of batman (sahayak) in Indian Army. The 'Batman' were the invention of Britishers who employed Indian soldiers to polish their shoes and medals. The Indian Army officers who took over from the British did not do away with the 'Batman' - as it suited them very well. Batman has now become synonyms with "unpaid servant" (or) "slaves" of officers!! Why does the Officers and their family need Batman ?? Why should a Soldier be made to wash clothes, clean house, take care of Officer's kids and dogs ?? (Oh YES, he IS being made to do all such jobs and even worse than those that I have mentioned!!). The poor Soldier suffers all such indignation in silence !!

The articles linked below talks more on the subject :-

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mocking-Bird/entry/join-the-army-be-a

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Govt-rejects-panels-advice-to-do-away-with-Army-orderlies/articleshow/4827855.cms