IDHAR UDHAR KI BAAT 87 -INTEGRATION
Recently, I attended the last rites of a Fauji friend. What
stood out—rather painfully—was the absence of course mates from other entries.
Only those from the deceased's own entry showed up. It was a stark reminder of
how deep the divisions based on entry type still run.
On the way back, my mind went to an incident in Sri Lanka where a helicopter pilot refused to evacuate a casualty who had died just five minutes earlier. The rules were clear—no mortal remains could be airlifted without Ministry of Defence approval. But a conversation between the commanding officer and his old school buddy in the Air Force changed everything. Protocols were bent, if not broken, on the strength of a personal connection.
This isn’t an isolated case. The military continues to suffer from the clutches of various "types"—school type, squadron type, place type, entry type, community type, regiment type…... I speak from experience in the Army, though I can’t say if the other services are any different.
That said, there have been steps in the right direction. The recent decision to standardize uniforms for officers of Brigadier rank and above is a welcome one. It’s a symbolic yet significant move. The tri-service selection of ADCs by the Chiefs is another positive gesture—a low-hanging fruit perhaps, but still worth appreciating.
There’s also optimism brewing. I heard a young Navy officer’s wife—herself the daughter of an Army man—say, “We’ll also get sahayaks once theatre commands come in.” Her tone was hopeful, hinting at the possibilities that integration could bring.
But while changes at the top are encouraging, the ground reality tells a different story. The grassroots remain entrenched in legacy mindsets. The strength of any chain, after all, is judged by its weakest link.
I wonder—will this piece prompt the banning of 'type' get-to-gethers? Or at least push for safeguards against 'type'-based bias in confidential reports? It’s no secret that many officers from Arms like Armoured, Mech, and AD bore the brunt of such biases two decades ago.
If integration is truly the future, then the real work must begin at the base.
Note:- Your suggestions requested in comments.
Absolutely agree with you. Integration of the defence forces—whether it’s through joint commands, unified training, or a common approach to operations—is essential for modern warfare. The biases based on service (Army, Navy, Air Force), branch, or even type of entry (NDA, CDS, ACC, etc.) can hinder cohesion and operational efficiency.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, once someone wears the uniform, their entry route should become irrelevant. What should matter is competence, commitment, and performance. A culture of mutual respect and shared goals across all ranks and branches would truly strengthen the forces from within.
I m no great fan of the ‘Type’ mindset. But then , this should happen, that should be like this does not hold any ground.
DeleteThe Best (most competent) man (not marketing babbla boo type) should be the prime minister, party/ alliance with more than 50 % votes should be in governance. It should be called Governance and not rule because British were also rulers. So, simply to just wish for something is not adequate. Humans should be respected. This damn’Should’ is a treacherous word.
Let’s just leave it at that
Very well written Bhai. These compartmentalisation has been felt since inception yet, I consider myself so very lucky that- wherever or whenever interacted- it was as if BELONGING to. No hassles so far. We speak loud about harmony, oneness and togetherness but when time comes, we are judgemental. Regards VZ.
ReplyDeletePainful yet true. This comes from our upbringing within our country. We are divided by culture and hence the need to be recognised in small bunches. In a place like Delhi the national integration is not real, it remains in various colonies, for e.g. you go to Kalkaji or Chitranjan park and the focus is Bengal, you go to RK Puram and the focus is south the Madrasi.
ReplyDeleteSo the country has to evolve and will take time as a nation.
Till then a well pointed issue at least for fauj.
Absolutely correct PS. The divisions run further through the Arms and Services. Various cliques exist which are constantly at work to promote and protect their own. Pure merit and hard work gets slaughtered at their alter everyday.
ReplyDeleteYes sir that's the fact of Armed Forces. To take it a step forward - in case one is initially a Short Service Commissioned officer who takes Permanent Commission later with his hard work ( only 30 odd percent get it) he has to be ready to bear brunt at all stages...may it be important career courses or promotions. Similarly the qualitative requirement for most of the Delhi postings or lucrative positions are reserved for Staff Course qualified persons because all policy makers are qualified on that course and interest of these officers is to be preserved. In case we really want to progress in true sense, we need to break these shackles and make the armed forces more competitive at each stage... But nobody seems to be ready to bell the cat
ReplyDeleteAlways Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteVery well brought out the hard truth bro..It will take time to adopt the mature attitude.
ReplyDeleteWell written. There is plenty of work to be done to achieve inter operability
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteBut, in my view, no amount of integration can resolve the most basic problem - the one stemming from the ingrained divisions in our broader society.
We as a country are beset by caste, community, religion, tribalism, regionalism, etc - and we actively differentiate & discriminate on this basis.Just look at what’s happening in the country - literally, a neighbour is at his/her neighbour’s throat!
And, we draw our officers, PBOR from the same society / populace. So, when they sense a potential division, they intrinsically go for it & start to exploit it. Till that mindset goes, there’s no hope.
While what you have written has some truth in it, I don't think the various joint affiliations that we celebrate in anyway decreases jointness or cohesion in any way. They are not mutually exclusive. In fact they are mutually inclusive. You can be any particular type arm, entry,school or country cousin but that in no way effects the smooth functioning in a joint operation. It is like telling that you can never be a nationalist unless you disown your family. Infact one is motivated more towards nationalism by the family, and the village or group. Hence I feel group and type affiliations only tend to improve functioning, unless ofcourse we tend towards parochialism. In my experience all these affiliations have only resulted only in greater cohesion. Like they said the battle of Waterloo was won the sports fields of Eaton.
ReplyDeleteI would drink to that.
DeleteIndeed it was true ,felt like an outsider on a number of occasions,to say the least.
ReplyDeleteVery pertinent observation. Many of Us have molted off from entry & other distinctions/divisions, long back and even more at this age & stage. It doesn't occur at all. But few prop it up, every now & then. May be difference lies in जोङ की सोच यॉ तोड की सोच ।
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that the bonding of ex - NDAs, 10+2 and ACC goes on for 4 years. For RIMCOs, Georgians etc add 6 years more. That makes an impact. Rest of the entries never reach that level of 'being close' to one another. These networks involving old boys associations, are how even mediocre guys tend to become exceptional.
ReplyDeleteNow - there are downsides to these strong bonding too... especially in well known paltans. It leads to group-think!! And results in stunted growth of the Organization. We lag badly without the regular bursts of candor...
Very emotive and pertinent point brought into focus. Jai Ho!
ReplyDeleteVery sad but a harsh reality on ground..
ReplyDeleteIntegration is very good at working level from my experience of ANC day's just after tsunami. However at top it's all farce and eyewash. Jointness is need of the hour
ReplyDeleteVery Well articulated. Integration of OP, lgs, tech interoperability definitely are need of future battles. These would foster bonhomie and togetherness in personnel and social matters too in due course. However, entry, school, arm/service type divisions may still exists and may not vanish so easily.
ReplyDeleteSahayaks in Agniveer times may be a wishful thinking. Kudos PSG.
Well said. Affiliation is in the human psyche. Compared to western societies which are more individualstic, we are more family/ tribe based. We find more security in these. Overall this hampers individual competence and overall org effeciency hence these various types need to be diluted.
ReplyDeleteI agree in totality. There is need to rise above these petty divisions. Recently in a party in Pune I was shocked to hear a retired general from EME saying that we have a retd generals subgroup. How sad??? रस्सी जल गई बल नहीं गया।
ReplyDeleteI shall only comment on division based on entry type. Without naming the obvious get togethers are held mostly of one type of entry, no denying there is very strong bonding which is commendable. What is worrying is that their own coursemates from other entries are not welcome. Should this not be corrected, easier said than done.
ReplyDelete"Everything is about Attitude and Mindset". Humans are made to apply disparity and when above two are adequate then there will be no disparity.
ReplyDeleteYour observations are Very true Sir. As always, you have originated a very thought provoking article and the comments on the same amply prove it.
ReplyDeleteInformal groupism, may be based on any rational, works for a very short duration, achieving short-term spectacular/ unthinkable successes; but in the long-term becomes cause of most of the ills in the organisation. Reserving, Pappies and Japhies (पप्पी ऐंड ज़फी) to own clan/ tribe/ types is not uncommon in the organisation. This does demoralise many. But once one learns to overlook/ ignore this behaviour of by the otherwise mature people, life becomes easier in any organisation.
Thanks for sharing the post Sir.
Regards,
KK