I really never wanted to write now. But it is the startling revelations that came across compelled me to ventilate my strong indignation towards the things that surfaced. It just looked like a logical epilogue to my "How strong are we?" written in November08. I advise people to watch "Battle Ready?" in CNN IBN, to have a glimpse of our ability to face any eventuality given the present context of mounting tensions across the borders.
Precisely it is about our war preparedness. It is not exhaustive nevertheless fit enough to send chills to spine. We have to hang our heads in shame while going through the details of our military capabilities. A nation of 1.2 billions need to know the pathetic condition of our defence infrastructure. A classic illustration of mismanagement and inefficiency coupled with corrupt mindset. A colossal political apathy. .It is hard to belive that any country could be so callous about the security of the nation. Perhaps all our netas are in mistaken belief that some God will save the nation in the face dangerous wars.
Do our boastful challenges, loud noises about war are genuinely supported by a superior combative power? Most of our equipment dates back to second world war II, only 7 out of 16 submarines are operational, 97% of our defence equipment is vintage, L 70 Battle guns are 34 years old, we do not have full scale fire power, shortage of air fighters and remaining Mirage 2000 very badly needs upgrading. With existing committed and loyal cadres reaching retirement age, there is a shortage of 11000 officers with only 50% seats in NDA are being taken by freshers. Repleting forces due to low morale and no suitable financial rewards, so on and so forth. I did not say it, these are media findings supported by retired army senior officers. What are we doing? What is our feel good factor? Poor is happy with it's subsidies, middle class is happy with its celebrities, rich is happy with it's Dubai shopping, politicians are happy with their power games. Every body is happy in this country. Some may brand me as overtly obsessed with these opinions, but I can not but feel sad about my country which is so ill equipped to face any eventuality.
Naipaul!! Where are you? when I saw your "India: A wounded civilization" I thought you are not connected with India as your identity was lost in Trinidad. You wrote "No civilization is so little equipped to cope with the out side world. No country was so easily raided and plundered, and learnt so little from it's disasters". Taliya !! Underline the words 'learnt so little from it's disasters' . Have we learnt any lessons from your humiliating defeat in 62 war in the hands of China? How can you ignore a fact that our gaint hostile neighbour China, an all weather-friend to Pakistan, is all set to become second larget economy and beeming with largest army in the world. We were too complacent with our19 71 win over Pakistan and subsequent chota mota war likes. Our leaders hyped the Kargil over looking Jawan's need for suitable boots in a hostile terrain. To day our bullet proof jackets are hardly bullet proofs, our guns are hardly fire power. We must pat our own shoulders for showing exemplary patience with this rotten system which can hardly take care of it's citizen's fundamental need for security . I think this is ultimate. No other country in the world in my opinion is so casual about it's defence.
Poverty, stunned growth, population, illiteracy, communalism, stupidity, any thing can be forgiven, but not this crime.
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