HONOURING MARTYRS AND INCULCATING NATIONAL PRIDE
Anil Bhat
14 August 2015 will go down as the blackest day in
India’s post –Independence history and for India’s Armed Forces, whose veterans
peacefully agitating at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, for non-implementation
of One Rank One Pension, were assaulted
by Delhi Police. Military veterans, in the age group of 60 to 85 years at least, who fought and
survived some post-Independence wars and conflicts for maintaining that same
hard- won Independence, were on the 61st day of their peaceful relay
hunger strike, pounced upon by Delhi Police to evict them from Jantar Mantar
for-indeed most ironically-being a security risk to the anti-terrorist measures
being taken in the capital for Independence Day, in view of a declared threat by
Pakistani terrorist groups. This dastardly action by the police yet again ironically
amounts to adding injury to insult as firstly, why should our war
veterans need to agitate for their dues promised by the BJP government after
over 40 years of expecting for the same and secondly, getting roughed up by the
police despite agitating most peacefully.
India’s politico-bureaucratic establishment and
people must learn from some other countries how their armed force personnel are
paid and respected.
India Gate was made by the British as a tribute to
74,187 Indian soldiers, who were killed out of 1.5 million who participated in
World War (WW) I. The Teen Murti was a memorial to honour personnel of the
Indian Cavalry, who died in WW I. In WW II, 2.5 million Indian personnel were
the decisive factor for Allied victory, but the Brits left in too much of a
hurry to make another war memorial. Indian troops have been paid impressive tributes
by a number of Allied countries for their role in both WWs I and II, with
citations of their gallantry well recorded in museums and memorials . The
Indian Government since Independence
obviously had no time to even think about even one war memorial despite
being responsible for ordering the Armed Forces to fight several wars and
conflicts since then.
While USA entered both WW I and II late, it built
imposing memorials and/or museums for both. There is also a memorial for US Marine Corps in WW II, as well as veterans
memorials for those involved in Korea and Vietnam. And all of these are in
Washington DC. The Arlington cemetery spread over 624 acres in Virginia, is as
good as in Washington . There is a separate memorial for women soldiers.
Visiting the Arlington National Cemetery during this
visit to the US recently, was indeed a moving experience. And as I noticed, it is
an emotional exercise for not only American soldiers and veterans but civilians
too. The crowds that come to visit national war memorials in the US are a
testimony to the fact that no matter what the cause of deployment in any
conflict-even those publicly perceived as futile or unnecessary-the respect
that dead soldiers get is indeed wide and heartfelt. I am indeed sad to express
that the experience of visiting Washington DC and the war memorials as an
Indian, re-awoke utter disgust about how the Indian government since
Independence has failed in inculcating national pride and how shabbily it has
treated its Armed Forces. Republic Day parades, Independence Day flag-hoisting
ceremonies and broadcasting patriotic songs are certainly not anywhere near
what needs to be done for Indians to feel proud of their nation. Without being
an admirer of many aspects American, on the very important aspect of
nationalism, India needs to learn from
the US.
The Army National Military Cemeteries,
consisting of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and Soldiers’
and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, DC, are under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the Army. The Secretary of the Army
consolidated authorities and created the Executive Director of the Army
National Cemeteries Program to effectively and efficiently develop, operate
manage and administer the program. The grounds of Arlington National Cemetery
honor those who have served our nation by providing a sense of beauty and peace
for our guests. The rolling green hills are dotted with trees that are hundreds
of years in age and complement the gardens found throughout the 624 acres of
the cemetery. This impressive landscape serves as a tribute to the service and
sacrifice of every individual laid to rest within the hallowed grounds of
Arlington National Cemetery.The Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located in Arlington National Cemetery is a monument dedicated to American servicemen who died without their remains being identified. The World War I "Unknown" is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations' highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were interred are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who presided over their funerals.
Some details about the military guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are worth knowing. The guard takes 21 marches steps across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in keeping with the custom of the 21 gun salute given as the highest honor to any military or foreign dignitary. He hesitates for 21 seconds after his about -turn to begin his return march for the same reason. His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. He always carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about-turn and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
Applicants for guard duty at the tomb must
be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and with a waist size not exceeding
30 inches. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live
in barracks under the tomb, give up drinking any alcohol on or off duty
for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for
the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb
in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that
is worn on the lapel signifying his service as guard of the tomb.
There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these
rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath
pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the
heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to
the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to
a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards
dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The
first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people
laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize
who they are and where they are interred. Every guard spends five hours a
day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty In 2003, as
Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, the US
Senate/House took 2 days off in anticipation of the storm. Because of the
dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned
the duty of guarding the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.
They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!"
Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm,
they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the
highest honor that can be accorded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been
patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
With all that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke during
his pre-election rallies and after assuming charge, about the need for
nationalism/national pride and a sense of history, it is hoped that (a) a long overdue collation of post Independence
war history will be done and (b) a befitting national war memorial and a museum
to honour those who sacrificed their lives to maintain that independence and
integrity of India, will finally find a pride of place in the India’s capital. During
his interim tenure as Defence Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley had reportedly
announced that a war memorial will be made at the statue pedestal traffic
roundabout behind India Gate with a war museum at nearby Princess Park
connected to the war memorial by an underground tunnel.
