Adarsh Scam

Dear Veterans,

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Times Of India by this time, has changed tack ever so slightly in titling their articles on the subject to " - - - has Congress in a fix" etc. Yet their print & visual media are non-stop distinctively trying to paint the Services with the Tar Brush as far as possible. Even as late as yesterday the 31st Oct, when the talk was about the role of Chavan, Deshmukh etal in the deal was being discussed in Times Now Channel, the photo continueously exhibited on the TV screen with the scrolling msg repeatedly telling the viewers whose photo it is, was that of Maj Gen T K Kaul with an anti Services bias.

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My gripe is & always have been on the Indian Media & its renowned Authors and Anchors painting the Forces with Tar brush. The love & affection coupled with respect from the vast population of the nation are our only asset which is what is being undermined. That is what ought to make us see red. This could partially be handy work of our antagonists in other decision making agencis. BUT IN MY OPINION THE HAND OF OUR ADVERSRIES ACROSS THE BORDER MAY ALSO NOT BE RULED OUT. They surely would want demoralisation of our fighting Forces. The media is interested in hot,crispy currency notes which is what the adversaries can afford to issue in container loads and we cannot afford to offer.THAT IS MY POINT.

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A former Chief whose name figures both in Sukhna & Colaba cannot be made of driven snow. Similarly, Retired Chieves of Army & Navy disclaiming knowledge of War Widows' & Heroes' title to the said property is only trying to think they can fool all for all time.

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Regards

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Veteran K V C Nair

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Why do we see a conspiracy theory every time a military brass is suspected of misdemeanour.

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Why do we forget that military officers come from the same family whose other kith and kins could be a bureaucrat or police officer or politician. Military training teaches us discipline and warfare but not ethics or morality. That we learn in our homes and from our parents, family and faith.

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SRK's mother in 'My name is Khan and I'm not a terrorist' has rightly said that there are only 2 types of people - good and bad. It has nothing to do with being a fauji or not. The next important factor, of course, is opportunity.

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So let us hold our peace that is neither root this way nor that way. The jury is out and hope the guilty will be brought to justice.

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Our jawans / troops certainly expect from their Commanders what Luke 12:49 has said, 'to whom much is given, much is expected'.

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If this trend of corruption at our top levels continues, the day is not far when the high esteem our country holds for its Fauj will be eroded.

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As regards bashing the media or Gaurav Sawant, it is individual's call. I've nothing to add.

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Lastly, do excuse me if my views are at variance with some of the respected veterans. The intent is not to hurt but to share my humble views.

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Regards,

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B Bates

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Dear Balraj

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Enunciated and clarified so very correctly by you! Onya, mate!!

The red herring has worked brilliantly here!

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This case had been known for a while to the Army and MoD authorities now. It has been politically raked up just in time to make absolutely sure that people would stop asking about the horrendous CWG scam -- to which, in reality, the Government and Congress have no answer!

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That is the way they do it -- and the aam junta falls for it -- always!!

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CK Sharma

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Dear CK:

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You have a point. It may as well be true to an extent, if not wholly.

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However, the guilty (when and if proved) in both cases are from the same party / Govt. Only difference is that in the 2nd case our Top Brass is also involved and are the initiators / facilitators if not the decision makers. Recipients of spoils of office they certainly are.

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When and if will the the chickens come to roost? Your guess is as good as mine and that is our homeland.

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We all are part of it in some way or the other and can't absolve ourselves.

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Kind regards,

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B Bates

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Dear Veterans Bates, CKS & Nair,

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To talk of the conspiracy theory, has become the immediate defence pattern, in all such cases.

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I think you are absolutely right in your observations. However, as it happens many a times, that even though the cases of corrupt people in the forces may be miniscule, yet, the media in collusion, with at least the bureaucracy, ensures to focus, attention and lime light on them, so that their own guilt appears lesser or smaller. They invariably exaggerate the matter disproportionately and attempt to paint the defence forces black to appear themselves white. The public also gets hurt at such media attention, though they consider them comparatively spotless. Even in the Adarsh’s case, I do not under any circumstances defend or support the culprits including the top brass from defence forces, yet, if you see they are proportionately too few, as compared to the other big wigs.

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Over a period of time things have also changed tremendously, and the value system prevailing during earlier times say our times, has eroded so drastically, that such or small instances of corruption appear to be quite normal way of life. Though, it may still take some more time for defence personnel to catch up with the corruption level of politicians and the bureaucracy, which though, I very optimistically, hope that it never comes.

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Under the prevailing circumstances is our India still worth living or dying for.

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Regards

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Col LK Anand Retd

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Dear Veterans,

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By now, all are aware of this scam. The land used had CRZ restrictions due to which a five-storied building alonecould be officially built; Thus, with 3 to 4 houses per floor, maximum 20 houses would have come up - OR - not more than 30two bed-room houses. It was such a prime location. The land cost is around Rs 60,000/- per sq. ft.

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2. Heroes and widows of Kargil war are more than one thousand. Their life-time savings ( even if those martyrs been alive ) could not have enabled them to wish to posess a house at the above location. Hence they would never harbour such a thinking in 'India' , the country where the Armed Forces are just 'used and thrown after use'.It is un-natural for the Army to think of a welfare activity which could benefit a small fraction of deserving personnel. Even the most magnanimous Govt would have selected a location where the land is cheaper and available (a bit more) in abundance; also in places to which most of such heroes and widows would have belonged.

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3. In the light of the above, the project would never had any link to 'war veterans and wodows'. It must have been the brain child of a couple of top level Military authorities/ Bureaucrats / Netas; Unfortunately, project got extended from 5 stories to 31 stories due to the forced involvement of more big-wigsduringthe unexpected delay to such an extent that it became a glaring eye-sore.

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Regards,

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Gp Capt BV Rao, Veteran

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Dear Veteran Rao,

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Your contention seems 101% correct. Infact most people of your or my level cannot think of Adarsh Society, being for war widows or heroes. We have only been compelled by the media to think that way. Frankly, it has only lead to a game of manipulations and manoeuvring, which only big wigs can afford to play.

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Regards

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Col LK Anand Retd