"Won't give an inch in Mumbai for Navy housing", said Nitin Gadkari, the union minister of shipping.
He was speaking at a public event in Bombay in the presence of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. He's miffed over the fact that the Navy has objected to the setting up of a floating jetty at the Malabar Hill in south Bombay where a floating hotel and seaplane service are also planned. The Navy has taken its stand taking the security aspects into consideration.
The minister has rights to cross swords on decisions that he thinks are 'anti-development' but he shouldn't have vented his spleen under the circumstances. He should have discussed with the Navy further, found out about the seriousness of the perceived threats to security and jointly, arrived at an amicable and a win-win situation for all concerned parties!
His connecting remarks that he wouldn't give an inch of land for the Navy's housing for its personnel and that they, instead, should be patrolling on the Pakistan border was in bad taste. He even wondered as to why the the naval personnel insisted on staying in the 'posh area' of Bombay. Mr Minister, you seem to be forgetting the basics and may I take this occasion to remind you about the fundamentals:-
(a) The IN is an important part of the country's defence forces.
(b) The service personnel seek very little in return for the sacrifices that they make in the pursuit
of their profession. Not only does it have to defend the country but it also has to provide
support in aid to civil power. Many a time you politicians take wrong decisions and the
resultant strife needs to be brought under control by these forces - at that time, they don't ask
you as to why you've made a mess of things.
(c) The selfless service that the men in uniform provide for the country needs to be compensated.
He needs to be adequately motivated and one of the things that is a must is the knowledge
that his family and the near and dear ones are safe. Safe accommodation close to his working
environment is, therefore, no great thing that is provided by the government.
(d) The 'poshness' of south Bombay and its pristine environment have been carefully and painfully
nurtured, over the years, by the IN. You've begun to talk about 'swachch Bharat' now, the
service has always been practising it. You wouldn't have bothered about it even now but for
the thrust given by the Prime Minister.
(e) And if you plan to give space for naval accommodation at a faraway place, then do have the
decency to provide round-the-clock transport for conveying the service personnel to and fro.
It should be easy for you to do it since you're also the minister of transport, aren't you?
What these politicians don't realise is the paltry resources in the command of the senior naval officers to ensure sustenance of morale among their men. Accommodation is just one among them and that, too rightly so, under the government's control. Mr. Minster, do not bargain on it!
This reminds me about an ex-defence minister, recently, wondering aloud as to why the Naval Headquarters was at New Delhi. Just showed his ignorance on a very important aspect. Sad!
Tailpiece.
Mohanachandran's medical bulletin.
"Since his condition is improving, he's being tranferrred to CMC, Vellore for physical rehabilitation, by road in an ambulance, tomorrow". From our classmates' What'sApp group.
PS.
Lekha's credit card, that was missing for almost a month, was found when we'd just returned from the bank after reporting its loss and its consequent blocking. Its duplicate should reach us within the next five working days!
He was speaking at a public event in Bombay in the presence of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. He's miffed over the fact that the Navy has objected to the setting up of a floating jetty at the Malabar Hill in south Bombay where a floating hotel and seaplane service are also planned. The Navy has taken its stand taking the security aspects into consideration.
The minister has rights to cross swords on decisions that he thinks are 'anti-development' but he shouldn't have vented his spleen under the circumstances. He should have discussed with the Navy further, found out about the seriousness of the perceived threats to security and jointly, arrived at an amicable and a win-win situation for all concerned parties!
His connecting remarks that he wouldn't give an inch of land for the Navy's housing for its personnel and that they, instead, should be patrolling on the Pakistan border was in bad taste. He even wondered as to why the the naval personnel insisted on staying in the 'posh area' of Bombay. Mr Minister, you seem to be forgetting the basics and may I take this occasion to remind you about the fundamentals:-
(a) The IN is an important part of the country's defence forces.
(b) The service personnel seek very little in return for the sacrifices that they make in the pursuit
of their profession. Not only does it have to defend the country but it also has to provide
support in aid to civil power. Many a time you politicians take wrong decisions and the
resultant strife needs to be brought under control by these forces - at that time, they don't ask
you as to why you've made a mess of things.
(c) The selfless service that the men in uniform provide for the country needs to be compensated.
He needs to be adequately motivated and one of the things that is a must is the knowledge
that his family and the near and dear ones are safe. Safe accommodation close to his working
environment is, therefore, no great thing that is provided by the government.
(d) The 'poshness' of south Bombay and its pristine environment have been carefully and painfully
nurtured, over the years, by the IN. You've begun to talk about 'swachch Bharat' now, the
service has always been practising it. You wouldn't have bothered about it even now but for
the thrust given by the Prime Minister.
(e) And if you plan to give space for naval accommodation at a faraway place, then do have the
decency to provide round-the-clock transport for conveying the service personnel to and fro.
It should be easy for you to do it since you're also the minister of transport, aren't you?
What these politicians don't realise is the paltry resources in the command of the senior naval officers to ensure sustenance of morale among their men. Accommodation is just one among them and that, too rightly so, under the government's control. Mr. Minster, do not bargain on it!
This reminds me about an ex-defence minister, recently, wondering aloud as to why the Naval Headquarters was at New Delhi. Just showed his ignorance on a very important aspect. Sad!
Tailpiece.
Mohanachandran's medical bulletin.
"Since his condition is improving, he's being tranferrred to CMC, Vellore for physical rehabilitation, by road in an ambulance, tomorrow". From our classmates' What'sApp group.
PS.
Lekha's credit card, that was missing for almost a month, was found when we'd just returned from the bank after reporting its loss and its consequent blocking. Its duplicate should reach us within the next five working days!
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