Author: Captain Ranbir Singh Rathaur, 11 Garhwal Rifles
Book Name: The Price of Loyalty
"It is a popular belief among the Indian public that its army is a very clean and honest organisation. They look at the army with awe and reverence. But paradoxically the amount of corruption prevalent in this so-called clean organisation if allowed to be exposed fully, would make the `mafias' hang their heads in shame. However, an iron curtain is drawn to keep the army affairs secret from the public. Of course, in the army some of the people are very honest, upright and clean but exceptions cannot be termed as rules; corruption stems from the top and percolates to the lowest echelons. The best use is however, made by those who belong to its technical branches where there is plenty of scope to reveal the Indian character. To quote an instance: who does not know about the Indian General a GOC of an infantry division, who was removed from service along with many of his technical advisors, a couple of years ago. He was accused of misappropriation and misuse of vast public funds meant for the improvement of India's defence work in the Northern Sector. He is alleged to have made a glass-house on the banks of the fames Chenab river, and indulged in sprees of naked dances. But one thing clearly goes in his favour, that he did it not for himself alone but made the others share the joys equally, and that he had the guts to do so openly, in defiance of any danger from the government. Many dare not do that. Anyway there is a popular saying in the army: an elephant may pass undetected and instead a needle may get stuck. But in most cases how dare even a needle get stuck! The saying goes: When the beloved is incharge of the police station then who is there to be afraid of ?"
This is what we as a nation are dealing with since 70 odd years. A cheap & coward enemy.
