I am used to reading about hare-brained schemes coming from the current Indian Govt but I fail to see the logic in the argument about the two tiered armed force that you, João, are trying to make.
Here are reasons why this short service soldier recruitment makes sense: 1. The Govt needs to reduce the huge pension and payroll bill that the current permanent force entails. 2. Other countries’ armed forces employ this strategy as a matter of course. The Israeli army for example. This might be a copycat example taken from their playbook. 3. This is a good opening to do away with the British Raj method of caste and regional based recruitment to make it all-India opportunity accessible like in a modern army as opposed to a colonial one. 4. There will be turnover every 4 years ensuring a younger and more technology trained force. 5. The pay, benefits and life insurance offered to program recruits is quite decent in my opinion, reflecting the wider Indian job market and they will obtain lifeskills that will be in demand after they leave. 6. A section of those who have proven their worth are bound to be offered a permanent regular 20 year cadre if they opt for it. 7. The only downside I see is that these boys will be in the forefront of action on the ground and there is a risk of general society being in danger of a horde of PTSD afflicted men trained for violence who may get frustrated with lesser job opportunities, no source of income and likelihood of being recruited by political parties and criminal organizations. 8 There is bound to be condescension shown to these “temps” by the regular recruited force but that will eventually disappear. All in all, a strategy that was overdue. Smooth implementation of course is another thing with the corruption, laxity and nepotism that co-exists with politics and administration in India. Roland. > On Jun 17, 2022, at 7:46 PM, Joao Barros-Pereira > <[email protected]> wrote: > > India is burning and it is something no Indian wants to see! > > Please do not create two armies: one for First Class Indians and the > other for Second Class Indians. > > The Constitution is the same constitution for all Indians irrespective > of caste, class, gender. > > Please do not destroy the values enshrined in the constitution. > > The British discriminated against Indians in a hundred and one ways. > All Indians fought against this discrimination to attain our freedom. > > After becoming a free and independent nation we do not want to fight > our own elected government. > > All Indians want a committed army. > > The Indian army has fought wars against the Chinese and Pakistanis. > > Our is a loyal and committed army. > > We cannot have two armies - one with great terms of employment and the > other part-time or limited contract workers who have a half hearted > commitment and loyalty to the nation. > > Our government is showing disrespect to the armed forces after they > have made great sacrifices for the nation including laying down their > lives for the nation. > > The people of India will not and cannot accept this discrimination and > ingratitude to the armed forces. > > They die so we can sleep peacefully at night.
