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Did career in defense lose it’s attraction for youth during Nehru years?

Did this discourage youth from joining armed forces? Did career in defense lose it's attraction for youth during Nehru years?

Interesting question - and one I have sometimes thought about , though not solely in a pre/post 1962 perspective.

I think of my grandfather's youngest brother - he was commissioned in 1959 (Gen Malik - later COAS was also commissioned with him). He used to say the only other job he considered seriously was that of a doctor (he had started an MBBS course in Bombay at the time he joined the army). My recollection of his service batchmates and friends were that they were middle to upper class, educated at the best schools, low profile and embarrassed at receiving much attention. I do not ever recall him criticising Nehru for making the armed forces unattractive and would go so far as to say the Nehruvian years (especially pre-1962) attracted good people at a time when the job offered far fewer benefits, was not especially in the public eye and working conditions were hard due to [relatively] poor infrastructure.

In comparison today the forces are greatly pampered in the name of patriotism, almost immune to criticism or critical review and pay / promotions are excellent compared to 1959. Facilities are a lot better and internet / mobiles has reduced the pain of frontline postings. Yet none of the best students from any of the top schools or universities seriously consider a career in the armed forces. The few that too are usually those with a family history of military service. The demographic and class composition has also changed and smaller town and rural backgrounds dominate the officer corps. Once in, many are looking out for a private sector or civilian government job and I believe the attraction of the services is way less today than in pre-1962 (or even post-1962).
 
You must tell me about this wonderful place , where was it?
We call it the Sialkot working boundary

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You guys should also clamp down on the alcohol issue - each one of them smelled like deep vodka, maybe explained their poor discipline. The only 'okay' guy was the Sikh soldier, but he looked sleepy as hell.
 
No hero is false, as per prospective.
This is unbelievable stuff. This is your first post and what a comment. This is akin to an opener in test match hitting first ball for six.
Let me learn that by heart so that if I need to impress upon someone, this is what I would say :

"No hero is false, as per prospective"

Wah bhai Wah !
 
We call it the Sialkot working boundary

ee1f542aad814f22923455f36d5aa9ce.png

2d04bec1f1a04f3680b1383e9919324a.png

b3892b9b87a845419504b138d62cb258.png


You guys should also clamp down on the alcohol issue - each one of them smelled like deep vodka, maybe explained their poor discipline. The only 'okay' guy was the Sikh soldier, but he looked sleepy as hell.


Thank you for your valuable feedback.We shall forward this to our local MP & demand an inquiry in Parliament .By the time, we have the results of it which should be in a decade or 2, may we request you not to seize J&K from us.

You see, given your war like Punjabis & Pashtuns ( who ruled over the entire Eurasia given the fact that you have more Khans in your midst than the Mongols had in their entire history ) , we know for a fact that Pakistan can take J&K from us anyt8ne they want .They don't do so out of the goodness of their heart .That's what we admire about the Pakistanis .Their sense of honour & fair play - all of which is still in evidence .

Thank you in advance .
 
We call it the Sialkot working boundary

ee1f542aad814f22923455f36d5aa9ce.png

2d04bec1f1a04f3680b1383e9919324a.png

b3892b9b87a845419504b138d62cb258.png


You guys should also clamp down on the alcohol issue - each one of them smelled like deep vodka, maybe explained their poor discipline. The only 'okay' guy was the Sikh soldier, but he looked sleepy as hell.
I see !!!
so is it your contention that you , went past the rangers , across the no man land and crossed the fense which has been there for the past 15 odd yrs and met these jawans , (according to you army) but only the BSF is posted there, Shook their hands and observed all of this While being a baby in your parents arms?
 
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