tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post2904806954911997205..comments2024-03-15T11:19:44.509+05:30Comments on NewsWarrior: The Soldier, the State and the MediaNitin A. Gokhalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-26637348312526164022013-10-06T14:49:59.797+05:302013-10-06T14:49:59.797+05:30Dear Nitin,
Your quote from Kautilya is incomplet...Dear Nitin,<br /><br />Your quote from Kautilya is incomplete. Trust an Army Veteran to add on the IMPORTANT parts..........<br /><br />Regards Brig (Retd) Ajit Nair<br /><br />"To this man, O Rajadhiraja, you owe a debt for that very guarantee which is the vital key-stone of our nationhood arch. Please, therefore, see to it, suo motu, that you are constantly alive and sensitive to the soldier’s legitimate dues in every form and respect, be those his needs or his wants, including his place in the social order. Do thereafter (‘tadanantara’) ensure that he receives these in time or preferably ahead of time, in full measure, for he is NOT likely to ask for them himself. <br /><br /> This is so because before getting so completely wrapped up in his onerous, harsh and exalted charge, the soldier has assumed with good reason that the State, in return for his extraordinary burden and services, has freed him from all responsibility towards his own present and future welfare as also that of his family back home in the hinterland. He is thus very clear in his mind when deployed at a distant border outpost, fighting lumpen groups within Magadha or when campaigning in far away lands that he need only look out in FRONT for the enemy of the State and concentrate only on his MILITARY ONUS and aim (‘shatrunjaya’), completely free of all temporal worries. This assumption is a holy sacrament and an unwritten covenant that exists between him and the State. And rightly so!<br /><br /> If ever things come to a sordid pass, O King, when, on a given day, the Mauryan soldier has to LOOK BACK over his shoulder (‘Simhawalokana’) prompted by even a single nagging worry about his and his family’s material, physical and social well being, it should cause you and your Council the greatest concern and distress! I beseech you to take instant note and act with uncommon dispatch to address the soldier’s anxiety. It could be on account of harsh living conditions, inequitable material compensation or asymmetric Court or societal dispensations affecting either his self respect or his family’s material welfare, or both. <br /><br /> If any in your household, in your Council or among your courtiers is/ are responsible for allowing matters to come to such a pass, punish him/ them exemplarily without loss of time and send him/ them to serve for four cycles of seasons (‘Chaturrutuchakre’) alongside the soldiers, on the border outposts. If they perish, those would be their just desserts. If they survive, they will return wiser and wizened, more responsive to and with greater empathy for the soldier’s cause. <br /><br /> If you first learn of your soldiers’ problems and needs from your own trusted informers (‘gupt doota’) and NOT from the Commander-in-Chief (‘Senapati’) himself, relieve him of his charge and retain him not for another day. No matter how good a horseman (‘Ashwarohi’), a swordsman (‘Khadgaveera’), a wrestler (‘Malla’), an archer (Dhanurdhara) or a tactician (‘Rana neetigya’) he is, dismiss him (‘ardha chandra prayoga’) for failing to keep his ear close to the military ground. Dismiss him also for not having the gumption and courage to be the first to tell you of the soldiers’ anxiety and needs before the others do. The Senapati owes a downward loyalty and sensitivity to his troops in much the same way and measure as he owes these upwards to you, for this is a unique and age-old essential feature of sound military leadership and an article of faith between the troops and the General! <br /><br /> It is my bounden duty to caution you, My Lord, that the day when the Mauryan soldier has to demand his dues or, worse, plead for them, will neither have arrived suddenly, overnight nor in vain. It will also bode ill for Magadha. <br /><br /> For then, on that day, you, My Lord, will have lost all moral sanction to be Rajadhiraja ! It will also mark the beginning of the end of the Mauryan Empire!!” StraightFromTheShoulderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16679630366293250527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-73574129559820372392012-05-04T19:38:13.366+05:302012-05-04T19:38:13.366+05:30Dear Nitin,
An excellent piece. And there are sti...Dear Nitin,<br /><br />An excellent piece. And there are still lower depths for the Army, nay, the Armed Forces to plumb; they have the most powerful enemies in the land. I shudder to think what will happen in the years ahead.Maneesh Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02382678667634536989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-60684403503349986812012-04-18T10:26:20.133+05:302012-04-18T10:26:20.133+05:30Thank you! Here is the link http://speakingupforun...Thank you! Here is the link http://speakingupforunsungheroes.blogspot.in/2012/04/soldier-state-and-media-nitin-gokhale.htmlSandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00991465064368201337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-12063605380147951502012-04-18T10:10:40.826+05:302012-04-18T10:10:40.826+05:30This is such an important message! Can I please sh...This is such an important message! Can I please share it on my blog? Need your permission!Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00991465064368201337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-37710244662088084312012-04-09T16:11:54.115+05:302012-04-09T16:11:54.115+05:30Well, no space to go down any further, I guess. It...Well, no space to go down any further, I guess. It has to be only up here afterNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-69643230948040553232012-04-09T16:11:05.962+05:302012-04-09T16:11:05.962+05:30Thanks AshutoshThanks AshutoshNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-86558835975155280092012-04-09T12:26:56.500+05:302012-04-09T12:26:56.500+05:30Brilliantly put forth! And your pain comes through...Brilliantly put forth! And your pain comes through stark and clear. <br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Best regards.<br />AshutoshAshutosh Malikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12235197023920374498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-12121184138066089252012-04-08T18:00:00.453+05:302012-04-08T18:00:00.453+05:30This is very well written. Unfortunately, (I think...This is very well written. Unfortunately, (I think) the situation will get worse, before it gets better for the Armed Forces. <br />As for Shekar Gupta and IE - They have undermined their credibility and judgment for everKrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359344235524876199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-10591174451680672272012-04-08T15:22:14.104+05:302012-04-08T15:22:14.104+05:30Dear Zahl and Zubin,
Thanks very much.Dear Zahl and Zubin,<br /><br />Thanks very much.Nitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-26441653286486211772012-04-08T15:21:38.284+05:302012-04-08T15:21:38.284+05:30Dear Biswajit,
Thanks very much. I wrote it more ...Dear Biswajit,<br /><br />Thanks very much. I wrote it more in anguish than anger. I am increasingly disillussioned by some of my professional collegues and their attitude.<br /><br /> I know who you are talking about. <br /><br />Keep doing your job. Despite these opportunists, the majority fully supports our military.<br /><br />Thanks for your support.<br /><br />Take care<br /><br />NitinNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-64014595896551388412012-04-08T12:51:21.942+05:302012-04-08T12:51:21.942+05:30Dear Nitin...well written...I think this time Indi...Dear Nitin...well written...I think this time Indian Express has gone just too far...I have completely lost respect for Shekhar Gupta and his cronies who are responsible for the mischief...the IE coverage only goes to show that these people belong to the category of journalists who will sensationalise at any cost...what a shame to have senior editors of our national media doing such damage to the country...there are many others as well...wolves in sheeps' clothing...you know the people I am alluding to...<br /><br />Anyway, continue the good work...we need patriotism everywhere...not just in the Armed Forces...<br /><br />Best... Biswajit..Dasuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11667699076765577917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-54236152745660581382012-04-08T12:26:12.761+05:302012-04-08T12:26:12.761+05:30Mr Nitin, an excellent article which definitely ne...Mr Nitin, an excellent article which definitely needs more circulation. When will people realise that India is ours to build and protect.....and that whichever job one is entrusted with, at the end of the day we are all on the same team! kautilya....oh how we need you today! regards.zubin4949https://www.blogger.com/profile/02005142601127493351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-40411580124623052412012-04-08T09:05:47.119+05:302012-04-08T09:05:47.119+05:30As always - superbly written Sir !As always - superbly written Sir !Zahl Tantrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08541854693592211222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-9679874108136300912012-04-07T09:44:15.520+05:302012-04-07T09:44:15.520+05:30Thanks very muchThanks very muchNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-41645745882069456922012-04-07T09:43:29.611+05:302012-04-07T09:43:29.611+05:30Hi Ajay,
To be honest your angry and passionate a...Hi Ajay,<br /><br />To be honest your angry and passionate arguments and missives to some of my esteemed colleagues in the profession inspired me to look within and come up with this. Unfortunately, as Adm Vishnu Bhagwat said in the reply to my piece: "Kautilya’s Senapati met the Mauryan King morning and evening ….now all those who are running us down sup with him and fill his ears…"Nitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-15597692892209208812012-04-07T09:39:40.732+05:302012-04-07T09:39:40.732+05:30Raja,
Thanks for the support. I have always gone ...Raja,<br /><br />Thanks for the support. I have always gone with my heart even if some times it means going against the established conventionNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-84127333288796780672012-04-07T09:38:34.889+05:302012-04-07T09:38:34.889+05:30Thanks Kamal. You have already circulated it and p...Thanks Kamal. You have already circulated it and put up on your website.<br /><br />I will not be true to myself, if I can't be critical of myself and my professionNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-52992891919856073652012-04-07T09:37:27.236+05:302012-04-07T09:37:27.236+05:30Ajay,
Thanks very much. I wrote what I thought wa...Ajay,<br /><br />Thanks very much. I wrote what I thought was right. Many people may not agree though.Nitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-9185240261126498722012-04-07T09:36:50.232+05:302012-04-07T09:36:50.232+05:30Thanks very much JagmohanThanks very much JagmohanNitin A. Gokhalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04632054380553596730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-63132949423349407532012-04-07T07:52:38.275+05:302012-04-07T07:52:38.275+05:30Every Patriotic Indian subscribes to your view.mor...Every Patriotic Indian subscribes to your view.more power to your pen my friend!nri2008https://www.blogger.com/profile/08367155383068279886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-87432686310960469252012-04-06T18:24:25.200+05:302012-04-06T18:24:25.200+05:30Superb thoughts. Hope Karan Thapars, Shekhar Gupta...Superb thoughts. Hope Karan Thapars, Shekhar Guptas, the Mishievous Babus and others of their ilk read and comprehend.<br />Nation building is driven through synergy in thought and actions of 'visionary leader' and 'intellectual strategist'. Chandragupta Maurya and Kautilya together made such a team. Where is that team now? Can anyone from the current political class claim to be donning the mantle of Chandragupta? Or for that matter, anyone from bureaucratic class compare Kautilya? These, the politico-bureaucratic class have all tended to become 'mercenaries' who treat India as a 'bottomless gold mine' to be plundered, and even competitively scrape at the pillars which prevent the mine from caving in. They are not 'philosophers' nor 'visionaries' nor 'leaders' nor 'intellectuals' nor 'strategists' though frequently they do attempt to don either of these mantles, not to act the role but simply to hide behind the most convenient one to seek 'respectability' and evade accountability. They are a bunch of 'gold diggers' and their 'paid employees - mercenaries' perpetually seeking 'return on investment' in form of power and pelf. The media, which frequently displayed a propensity to challenge the status quo and periodically made feeble attempts to pull the nation out of the morass and hold the institutions of leadership & governance accountable, have finally exposed its soft underbelly too - that it, either out of ineptitude, gullibility, unprofessional competitiveness or sheer lure of commercial viability through govt doles, is more than ready to sell its soul and its core purpose.<br />The military is not a 'pillar of democracy'. It is an 'instrument of democratic state'. The 'pillars of democracy' seem to be working on most convoluted assumption that while the 'pillars' chip at their own steel and mortar, it is the onus of the military to uphold and promote democratic values, national integration and national interests. A surely disgusting state of affairs which calls for major awakening and overhaul.ajayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07142268420371653064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-47062064056345390582012-04-06T17:27:32.925+05:302012-04-06T17:27:32.925+05:30A thought-provoking piece indeed! Because you need...A thought-provoking piece indeed! Because you need courage to call a spade a spade - clearly understanding the fallacies of present-day media and asking for sanity to prevail at the most basic level, is what this piece is all about. It is high-time our media & its atrocious anchors realized the sanctity of some institutions...Raja Pundalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17130074081657912050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-22856023359778353182012-04-06T17:27:11.619+05:302012-04-06T17:27:11.619+05:30It is one sane piece on the subject read in the la...It is one sane piece on the subject read in the last three months. The rot in journalistic ethos at the top echelons is more disturbing. You don't need to fight cases in PCI to kill the nation's last institution standing - the damage is done.<br /><br />Your story needs wider circulation and be carried in the MSM. Sure you can swing that so that the common people don't lose faith in the military.Kamal Kapoorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00905059055796332715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-81864556210373631852012-04-06T16:45:39.315+05:302012-04-06T16:45:39.315+05:30superb in one word.superb in one word.Ajay Tiwarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517526442837602687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4017910838017424020.post-22585403343019731022012-04-06T13:46:54.380+05:302012-04-06T13:46:54.380+05:30great and sane thoughts in these trying times........great and sane thoughts in these trying times.....well written sirjagmohanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08866570041009789630noreply@blogger.com