A TALE OF TWO OFFICERS
WHO IS MORE INTELLIGENT AND WORLDLY WISE:
COLONEL RAJAN OR SHRI SWAMINATHAN?
YOU DECIDE
IC-15090 COLONEL SS RAJAN
Early Life
Shri SS Rajan son of IC-3398 Major MD Sambasivan (of Garhwal Rifles) passed his Intermediate Science (in 1st Division) from St. Edmund's College, Shillong (the then capital of Assam, now Meghalaya) in March 1961. His father in the meantime was posted to NCC at Tirupati, as he was due for retirement in July 1963. On passing Inter Science meritoriously, Rajan joined Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Tirupati. Since Army (and the Olive Green Uniform) was his first love, he soon appeared for the UPSC exam. Having got through the UPSC exam and the SSB interview, he quit the Engineering College and joined Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) on 30 June 1963, at the young age of 18 years and 8 months. Major MD Sambasivan retired on 13 July 1963, on attaining the age of 50, with two young children still to be cared for, with no house to live in and no job in hand; and with a meagre pension of Rs. 500/- per month. Well, that was the plight of an Infantry Soldier, commissioned in the British Indian Army, who spent his youth in service of the Country and had served in Kashmir in Tithwal- Thangdar Sector during the first Indo-Pak conflict.
Life in the Army
IC-15090, 2nd Lieutenant Rajan, on being commissioned on 30 June 1963 was paid Rs. 460/- per month (Rs. 400/- as pay, plus Kit maintenance allowance of Rs. 30/- and Disturbance allowance of Rs. 30/-, totaling Rs. 460/- per month). Rajan was a Subaltern for over two years in a peace station, paying on an average Rs.250/- to Rs. 300/- per month towards Mess Bill.
Promotion to the rank of Captain
Rajan was posted as Adjutant (Captain) 108 Engineer Regiment in the Bomdila- Sela- Tawang Sector in Kameng Division of NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh) during Sep 1965, when Indo-Pak war was raging in the WEST and the Chinese were threatening India across the Himalayan border in the EAST.
Promotion to the rank of Major
Rajan was promoted to the rank of Major in April 1970 and he had the privilege of taking part in the Indo-Pak War in 1971 in the East, culminating in the Liberation of Bangladesh. During the 1971 War, Major Rajan commanded 182 Engineer Construction Company (of 268 Engineer Regiment) and his Unit had the privilege of constructing the First Operational Krupmann Bridge (then only inducted in the Indian Army) on 19 Nov 1971 across River Boyra, the Second Operational Krupmann Bridge on the morning of 8 Dec 1971 across R. Kabadak at Jingergacha on the Bangaon- Jessore- Khulna axis; and then constructed a 220 feet Triple Single, Class 30 Bailey Bridge over the demolished road bridge at Jinngergacha in Dec 1971. (The road and rail bridges at Jingergacha were demolished by the retreating Pakistani Army on night 6/7 Dec 1971). During the 1971 War, Major Rajan while traveling in the leading vehicle of the Bridging column, tasked to construct the Kupmann Bridge at Jingergacha, had the unfortunate experience of being blown by an Anti tank mine; as result of which one boy died and nine sappers sustained injuries; and Major Rajan escaped injuries most fortuitously, as the mine struck the rear right wheel of the leading vehicle.
Report by BBC
On outbreak of the War on 3 Dec 1971, 9 Inf Div ably supported by 102 ER and 268 ER moved fast and Jessore fell on 7 Dec. With the construction of the Kruppman bridge by 182 ECC on R Kabadak at Jingergacha on the morning of 8 Dec, the Divisional main axis Bangaon- Jessore was made trafficable within 24 hours despite the demolition of the road bridge at Jingergacha. Foreign correspondents were highly impressed with the speed of execution of Sapper tasks. The BBC correspondent reported with surprise bordering on incredulity that while in the morning (of 8 Dec) he had to cross the river Kabadak by country boat, he could drive back on a bridge on his return in the evening. The electrical & water supply installations at Jessore Cantt too were restored within 24 hours by 102 ER (with the help of the E & M platoon of 182 ECC). Read para 2 on page 78 of the book: Tradition of Valour, History of the Bombay Sappers. In addition to construction of the two Kruppman bridges including construction & maintenance of tracks in very marshy ground leading to the Kruppman bridges and at their exit; and the 220 ft TS Bailey bridge, 182 ECC carried out FE tasks of demolitions and clearing mines.
Commendation by Chief Engineer 2 Corps on performance of 268 Engineer Regiment during the 1971 War
The performance of 268 ER and 182 ECC was highly commended by Brigadier HK Kapoor, the Chief Engineer 2 Corps; and this is what he said in his DO letter dated 17 Dec 1971 addressed to Lt Col KC Taneja, CO 268 ER: "This DO is a brief comment on your performance in battle during the 1971 operations. On taking over as Chief Engineer 2 Corps, I had my doubts about an Army Engineer Regiment giving effective Engineer support to an Infantry Division. I also thought that a Construction Company would not be able to tackle any field engineering tasks. The performance of yourself and your Regiment have proved me wrong. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that I have always found you as effective as any Divisional / Corps Engineer Regiment Commander and the performance of your Regiment and its sub-units including the Construction Company have been excellent at all times. The credit of it goes to you. Keep it up." (The DO letter has been reproduced on Page 79 of the book: Tradition of Valour, History of the Bombay Sappers).
Major achievements / highlights as Major
1. Commanded 182 Engineer Construction Company with distinction during the 1971 War.
2. Commanded 702 Engineer Plant Company with distinction during the period: 1974-78 and was recommended for the award of VSM in Dec 1976 for having retrieved three PT 76 tanks of 45 CAV, which were drowned in R Teesta during an Exercise in June 1976.
3. Commanded an NCC Unit and officiated as NCC Group Commander at Tirupati during the period June 79- Jan 80; during which time managed to get hold of ten acres of land from SV University for provision of married accommodation for the Officers, JCOs & NCOs posted to NCC at Tirupati.
4. As Deputy Director NCC at DG NCC, Delhi (Aug 80-Nov 82), was responsible for the issue of a special Govt. letter by the Min of Defence, for provision of an Officers Mess and married accommodation for Officers & PI staff posted to NCC at Tirupati.
5. Was put up for award of VSM, twice: the first time, for distinguished service during the ASIAD-1982 and the second time, for excellent performance & distinguished service in the NCC.
6. Went out blazing with two 'Outstanding' (9 point) reports from NCC before being promoted as Lt Col.
Promotion to the rank of Lt Col
After having slogged as Major for over 13 years, Rajan was promoted as Lt Col in Dec 1982, after having put in Nineteen years and a half of service. [Whereas, IAS officers automatically become Joint Secretary (equal to Maj Gen) on completion of 14 years service and IPS officers automatically become IG Police (wearing the badges of rank of a Maj Gen), on completion of 18 years service].
Highlights
1. Commanded an Engineer Unit with distinction during Ex-DIGVIJAY, the biggest large scale Exercise (with troops) of the Indian Army, held in the deserts of Rajasthan in Dec 82-Mar 83.
2. Commanded 24 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) with distinction in Mizoram. Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the then Hon'ble Prime Minister Of India on a visit to Mizoram, had breakfast in 24 BRTF Officers' Mess and on the very same day had lunch in the Officers' Mess of 74 RCC (a sub-unit of 24 BRTF). The Hon'ble PM was very happy to see the high standard of construction & maintenance of roads in Mizoram by the Border Roads Organisation. And no wonder, Shri NN Lama, the Chief Engineer, 'Project Pushpak' was soon awarded 'Padma Shri', an honour bestowed only the second time to a Chief Engineer of BRO. Shri NN Lama, the CE was however very gracious in saying that it was the hard work put in by 24 BRTF that resulted in his being bestowed with the honour.
Promotion to the rank of Colonel
Rajan was promoted in situ as Colonel in Aug 1986 when in command of 24 BRTF. After command of 24 BRTF, he was posted as Commanding Officer of a Training Battalion in BEG & Centre, Kirkee, in July 1987. Based on his 'Command' reports and his over all performance; he was amongst the top ten officers of his batch, and thus was nominated for Long Defence Management Course; and attended LDMC-19 at College Of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad during 1988-89.Thereafter he was posted as Col 'Q' HQ UP Area, then Col 'Q' HQ Delhi Area and finally as Additional Chief Engineer, HQ Training Command (IAF) Bangalore, from where he retired as the senior most Colonel of the Indian Army on 31 Oct 1996; after a glorious innings of over thirty three years, on attaining 52 years of age, when he had two small children to take care of: Daughter 15 years, just passed 10th Std and Son, aged 8 years.
Highlights
1. When posted as Additional Chief Engineer, HQ Trg Comd (IAF) Bangalore, Colonel Rajan was responsible for the vast improvement in Works services & enhanced User satisfaction, in all the fifteen Air Force stations under Air Force Training Command, which was acknowledged by one & all; so much so that Colonel Rajan was recommended for award of VSM, for the 4th time, in his career.
2. Colonel Rajan went out blazing with two 'Outstanding' (9 point) reports, when he retired.
Retirement benefits and Net worth
On retirement Colonel Rajan was sanctioned a pension of Rs.9125/- per month and got a little over Rs. Ten lakhs (comprising Rs. 3.5 lakhs on account of Gratuity, and various amounts on account of Provident Fund, Army Group Insurance Fund, eight months leave encashment and Commutation) not enough to buy even a small two bedroom flat, at Bangalore. Colonel Rajan was thus left high & dry on retirement, with no job in hand either. Well, that is the plight of a Soldier of the Indian Army, having retired after thirty three years service and a Veteran of the 1971 War.
To add salt to injury, the irony is, Colonel Rajan who had served as Colonel for over ten years and was in receipt of 'stagnation pay' having reached the maximum permissible pay scale applicable to Colonel as per the 4th pay commission; his pay on introduction of new pay scales as per 5th Pay Commission, was fixed at the 'starting pay' for a Colonel plus one increment; whereas, it should have been fixed at the maximum pay eligible for a Colonel, as per the new pay scale. With the result, Colonel Rajan who had served as a Colonel for over ten years and an Officer promoted as Colonel on 01 Jan 1996, draw the same pension. Is there any justification for that? Is it not unfair? Who bothers? Definitely not the Govt of India. Definitely not the IAS babus who rule the Country. And definitely not the Army top brass, who are oblivious as to what is in store for them, when they retire.
SHRI R SWAMINATHAN
Early Life
Shri R Swaminathan son of Mr S Rajagopalan (an Office Superintendent, in AG's Office), a college mate of Colonel Rajan, too passed his Intermediate from St. Edmund's College, Shillong, in 1961. On his father's posting from Shillong to Delhi, Shri R Swaminathan joined a Degree College at Delhi and passed his BA in March 1963. Soon thereafter, he joined Armed Forces Head Quarters (AFHQ) Cadre as a Lower Division Clerk (LDC) on 1st July 1963, at the age of 20 years. (Those days the minimum qualification to join AFHQ cadre as LDC, was only Matriculation, ie. 10th Std).
Life in AFHQ Cadre
AFHQ Cadre is a privileged set up, in that, Officers & sub-ordinate staff, are posted in turns, only to Directorates or Branches or offices of Army HQ, Naval HQ, Air HQ or Inter Service Organisations, all located within a few kilometers of each other, near South Block at Delhi. Happiness!! Shri Swaminathan started his career as an LDC in the QMG's Branch and after four years moved to the AG'S Branch, Army HQ, wherein he served for another three years. In the very first ten years of his service, Shri Swaminathan worked hard and passed the various Depatmental promotion examinations. And not only that, he managed to join evening classes and passed MA exam. Soon thereafter he did his Law (LLB) and PG Diploma in personnel management. He steadily rose up the ladder, with promotions at regular intervals and finally retired as Dy DG (Personnel) from DG NCC on 30 Jun 2003, on attaining the age of 60 years. Indeed creditable for a man who joined as LDC to retire as Dy DG, on par with senior Dy Secy (IAS). His career in AFHQ Cadre is summarized as under:
Ser Posted at Appointment From - To Duration Remarks
1. Army HQ LDC 1963 - 70: 7 years
2. Naval HQ UDC 1970 - 75: 5 years
3. Air HQ Assistant 1975 - 80: 5 years
4. DGQA ACSO* 1980 - 85: 5 years * Class II Gazetted
5. DRDO CSO** 1985 - 90: 5 years **Class I (considered equal
6. DG R&D SCSO($) 1990 - 95: 5 years ($)Equal to Dy Secy/Lt Col
7. CAO Director(#) 1995- 2000: 5 years (#) Considered equal to Col
7. DG NCC Dy DG(Pers)(@)2000- 2003: 3 years (@)Considered equal to Brig,
In 1968, Shri Swaminathan got married when he was 25 years of age and was soon blessed with a son & a daughter. His children studied in the local Kendriya Vidyalaya from 1st Std till the 12th Std, without a break. How lucky, compared to children of Service Officers who get pushed around and study in a number of schools, all over the Country, on postings of their father, every two to three years. Having had the privilege of studying in just one school, all through 1st Std to 12th Std, and with availability of a number of good coaching institutions for IIT & AIIMS Entrance Exams, Shri Swaminathan's son graduated as an Engineer from IIT Delhi and his daughter graduated as a Doctor from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
In his career with AFHQ Cadre, Shri R Swaminathan enjoyed a life of total peace, prosperity & happiness. And all through he stayed in Govt. married Accommodation. During his career and unbroken stay of 40 years in Delhi, Shri Swaminathan, over a period of time bought two flats, Five plots of land and a farm house on Delhi - Gurgaon Road. Mind you, Shri Swaminathan was not a dishonest man. He acquired these properties, over a period of time, when 'Real Estate' was cheap. And with the rent from the two flats, he wisely invested them in 'Stocks & Shares' of 'Blue Chip' companies; which needless to say, over a period of time fetched 'fabulous' returns. Not being subjected to postings & transfers as in the case of Service Officers; Shri Swaminathan could afford to save much more by way of contributions to his Provident fund. (With every posting & transfer, Service Officers incur huge losses by way of selling off unwanted goods, viz. 'Air coolers' bought for use during summers, in a place like Delhi, Meerut, Agra, etc and losses on account of breakages of crockery & cutlery and house hold articles; and huge expenditure on account of purchase of new curtains & other house hold articles in the new station; new books & school uniforms for children; and in addition, huge travel bills, while traveling on leave from North to South and from East to West, depending on your Home Town and your place of posting).
Retirement benefits and Net worth
On retirement, Shri Swaminathan was granted pension on par with Senior Dy Secy (IAS) and got Rs. Forty five lakhs in cash, by way of Gratuity, Provident fund, Leave encashment and Commutation. His net worth at the time of retirement was the tune of nearly Rs. 10 crores, considering the value of his property and Stocks & Shares.
And now the Question
Having gone through the life history of Colonel Rajan and Shri Swaminathan from the time they joined service and till their retirement, please ask your self as to who out of the two is more intelligent and worldly wise. Is it Colonel Rajan who started his career as a commissioned officer and retired as Colonel at the age of 52, with a net worth of Rs 10 lakhs; with no house, no job and responsibility to take care of two young children? Or is it Shri Swaminathan, who joined service as a LDC and retired at the age of 60 years as Dy DG with a pension on par with senior Dy Secy (IAS) and with a net worth of nearly Rs. 10 crores and his children well settled in life. YOU DECIDE.
Post script 1
Colonel Rajan, a 'blue blooded' Kshatriya (meaning, a soldier); on retirement, never writes 'Retired' after his name; for he says that he is on a 'long leave', waiting to be recalled by CO 268 ER, the regiment to which he belongs. You can still find his Uniform hanging in his cupboard, and he religiously keeps his metal badges of rank well polished & shining, every two weeks. Colonel Rajan, a proud soldier, always introduces himself, first, as son of an Infantryman and then, as A Bombay Sapper. He proudly shows his Dad's photograph, in uniform, which he always keeps in his pocket; and makes it a point to say, 'My Dad, an Infantry soldier, looked much smarter than what I look'. Well, that is loyalty to one's father & and a soldier. After retirement, he walks around the Country to spread the message of 'Ekta & Sadhbhavana'. And during his 'padayatras', he makes it a point to visit schools & colleges enroute and delivers talks motivating the youth to join the Services and tells them that life in the Army, Navy & Air Force is one of Challenge & Adventure; and he guides them as to how to join the Services. In his talks to students, he recalls what Lord Krishna told Arjuna before commencement of the Dharma Yudh at Kurukshetra: "Hey, Arjuna, let not your name go down in the annals of history, as the biggest coward of a Kshatriya (ie. a soldier). A Kshatriya's (ie. a soldier's) dharma (ie. duty) is to stand up and fight for DHARMA (ie. righteousness). To don the uniform, to command men and lead them in battle and to abide by Kshatriya Dharma is a great honour & privilege; and that is bestowed only on a chosen few, blessed by the Lord". Though having retired nearly a dozen years ago, he still carries the pain in his heart of having been left out for promotion to the rank of Brigadier, despite being a LDMC. However, even today he keeps himself young & fit, and is capable of walking 20 kilometres in five hours, any time of the day or night; and is willing to give a 'Demonstration' of climbing the 'Monkey rope' with packs on, even at this age(64!). Colonel Rajan, proudly says, "For most, Army is a profession; but for me, it is a PASSION".
Post script 2
Having read the comparative life sketches of Colonel Rajan and Shri Swaminathan, it should be crystal clear to the readers, the striking disparity in their net worth at the end of their careers and its telling effect on the morale of soldiers, in their lives post retirement and the de-motivating effects on their children when presented with an option to join the Army, Navy or Air Force. A soldier does not hanker or run after money, wealth or property; for that is his greatest virtue. A soldier whose intention is to amass money, wealth & property, no longer remains a Kshatriya (ie. a soldier) but turns a Bania (ie. a trader or businessman); and Banias have no place in the Army, Navy or Air Force. All that a soldier asks for is to be treated with Honour & Dignity and IZZAT (Pride). Is it too much to ask from the Nation to which he has given his sweat & blood and for which he has sacrificed his youth & life? And, is it too much to ask of a Nation to take care of its soldiers at the end of their careers; so that they too can lead their life peacefully, with Honour, Dignity & Pride. Let the Nation NOT throw its soldiers to the wolves; for it would be a sad day and the repercussions would be CATASTROPHIC. Beware, the rumblings can be heard in the dignified Memorial Service to the Martyrs held on 27 April 2008 and the FAST FOR JUSTICE by the Ex-servicemen fraternity led by Veteran Generals, Admirals & Air Marshals on 27 May 2008, at India Gate, New Delhi and at over 100 cities & towns all over India.
Postscript 3
It must be realized by the three Service Chiefs that the Govt. (needless to say, controlled & run by the IAS babus) would do nothing to ameliorate the sufferings or pay any heed to the urgent requirement of redressing grievances of the Defence Service personnel & Ex-servicemen (referred to with reverence as 'Veterans' in the West). The only way that would make the Govt. to take note of the Defence Services and welfare of Soldiers & Veterans, is to gently tap the table and put the fear of GOD in them that the Defence Services in India too, are capable of taking over the Country, just as what has been happening with predictable regularity in our neighbourhood! I am sure, the three Service Chiefs would have heard of the saying: "JIS KI LAATI, USKI BHAINS"!!
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