Open Letter to Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, India

Dear Shri Manohar Parrikar,

During a recent TV programme, `DNA: Zee News Conclave’, in reply to a question regarding shortage/ poor quality of `Winter Clothing in the Army’, you had said, “There is no shortage of winter clothing in the army otherwise there would have been deaths due to cold” or words to that effect.

Since I have every reason to believe that you are an exceptionally intelligence and hands-on minister, I don’t want to accept that you would have given such a reply! But sad fact is that you did! To me this answer is apiece with the attitude of MoD bureaucrat. They specialize in such seemingly smart one-liners which at the face of it sound so profound, but a deeper inspection exposes their hollowness. But real eye-opener is ability of bureaucracy to gain quick control over minister’s mind-space and also reflects rather poorly on persuasive skills of military.   

Coming to issue at hand, winter clothing, forms part of what is termed as `Personal Kit of a Soldier Employed in Extremely Cold Climates’. Every soldier should be fully kited up before being asked to work in such areas and every unit should have some reserve quantity of such clothing to cater for new arrivals and to replace normal wear and tear. Just because there has been no report of death of soldier due to lack of winter clothing does not mean that these items are available in adequate quantity and quality. Because shortage of quality personal kit does not kill soldiers per se! It has a more profound impact! It results in disaffection resulting in poor morale which leads to poor performance.

Let me explain with an example. Say there is an army post in high mountains manned by 20 soldiers and this post has 15 winter clothing kits of acceptable quality and five of used, but repaired/ recycled variety (this is normal condition on posts). To me combat effectiveness of this post is reduced to 80 per cent solely on account of shortage/ poor quality of five sets of winter clothing out of total 20. But a bureaucrat in MoD may tell you that I am being alarmist because all 20 soldiers are, normally, not on duty at a given time and hence 15 kits are adequate and in any case there are five used-but-repaired/ recycled kits available for emergency. Such a nice and reasonable argument goes down really well in salubrious environments of Delhi. My response is simple, please find five individuals from bureaucracy or from elsewhere, who would be willing to go for a hike lasting seven days in high Himalayas wearing used-but-repaired/ recycled winter clothing.

It is my considered view that those in Government of India and particularly MoD develop L1 Mind-set which results in procurement of substandard items and depletion of war reserves, and have no qualms in putting lives in grave danger by procuring substandard items at lowest bid. But when it comes to their own or their master’s use, nothing but the best equipped Augusta Westland helicopter will do! Furthermore I also detect a hint of anti-soldier attitude which is reflected in statements like a soldier knew, at the time of enrollment, as to what he was getting into. This is specious. Yes, at the time of enrollment knew that he may die in line of duty but he also expected that the State, called Union of India, will not send him to war ill-equipped or ill-prepared.

I am sanguine that your Government in general and you in particular will recognise the fact that while a soldier does need a job and that is one of the reason why he joined the army but more importantly a soldier is an outstanding citizen, who has volunteered to go in the harm’s way to safeguard all that we hold dear! Please do not allow the system to become soulless when responding to his basic needs of quality Personal Kit and Personal Weapons and adequate compensation to his family if needed. I do not ask the MoD to show compassion for the soldiers; I want it to show respect!