Did career in defense lose it’s attraction for youth during Nehru years?

[Kamikaze Pilot]

I read somewhere that the strength of armed forces was cut down greatly when Nehru was the PM of India.

Did this discourage youth from joining armed forces? Did career in defense lose it's attraction for youth during Nehru years?

If yes, what circumstances restored the aura linked to this profession?

Lest anybody misunderstands the question. Let me tell I am talking about the period BEFORE 1962 war, not during 1962 war. Everybody knows that Chinese aggression was wake-up call and the government rapidly began the army expansion. But what happened during the twilight years of 1950-1962?

I will put it explicitly in layman's jargon. Imagine what Indian youngsters think during/after school/college. They have ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, IAS officers, civilian pilots etc. What did they think of career in military during Nehru years, 1950-1962, BEFORE the war? I didn't ask about recruitment policies. I asked what the population pool of potential candidates thought.

If 'Haqeeqat' movie is any authentic indication, then at least Punjab's youth was very enthusiastic about joining army even during that period.

 

[Kamikaze Pilot]

It would be good if someone posts interesting links to this topic.

 

[Counterpunch]

Not sure what links would make it interesting for you But, generally speaking, the attraction depends on many factors like social, cultural and religious to name a few. Economic benefits in terms of access to free education is another factor in US and some other countries

For Pakistan and India it is an automatic thought/choice for many and might be based largely on the historic enmity between the two. So long as the enmity remains more and more youth will stay interested. If the links to history are cut and more modern education is imparted, we might see a declining trend in number of aspirants, and this might have been the case in India after Nehru broke the follow-the-herd trend

In addition, Nationalism plays a key role in making armed forces a career of choice

 

[PlugnPlay]

I read somewhere that the strength of armed forces was cut down greatly when Nehru was the PM of India.

Did this discourage youth from joining armed forces? Did career in defense lose it's attraction for youth during Nehru years?

If yes, what circumstances restored the aura linked to this profession?

The "Armed forces" during british time was a force of Oppression. Remember Jallianwalla Bhag ?

It's primary reason for existence was to retain the British rule over Indians.

It is WW2 and Netaji Subash chandra Bose with this INA that changed the mind set of the IA, IN and made them less inclined to shoot Indians.

It took a few wars and a defeat to china to change this mind set.

 

[T90TankGuy]

Nothing like that , other than Pakistan we did not have an enemy and it did not figure in our military doctrine that we may have to face a belligerent china , in fact two years before the Chinese invasion we had actually invited the Chinese army to watch IA wargames in 59.
As for the youth not joining , the army was up to its roster in manpower. My father was one of those ECO who joined during the 62 war , there was a wave of people who joined up . there has never been a shortage of people volunteering to join , just the army is picky .

 

[Radio Mirchi]

I dont think so. Except for boys from Mumbai who travel beyond Bandra only to get to the airport, there is still craze about joining the armed forces as commissioned officers. But still IAS and allied services are the top choices for youngsters in the heartland.

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

The soldiers I've seen at the working boundary were worn out and depressed looking - the officers were chubby, the soldiers were near-malnutritioned - i've never seen a 'youth' ( in terms of the characteristics of youth).

 

[PRC]

My maternal grandfather had the distinction of serving both Army as well as Airforce. He was laid off from the Army in the dark ages of independent India i.e. Nehruvian era. I still remember he used to tell us how all the armymen who were laid off were frantically contacted once 1962 war commenced.

Yes my grandfather was utterly disappointed. His family was hand to mouth at that time and loosing a job with 3 children to support was a nightmarish scenario. Yes he did think that joining Army was a mistake but luckily for him Indian Airforce came to his rescue and he was hired under the Administrative department of IAF.

One thing which my grandfather told me which is of significance here is that the IAF was more professional and sophisticated than the Indian Army.

People should also read the first reaction that came from Kennedy when Nehru contacted him for help. it was the most humiliating insulting but truthful reaction. Strategically, Nehru was a fool of gargantuan dimension. He was the founder of NAM but took no time to ask for help from the US. At that time his 5 year soviet styled plan were also financed by US. He started the reduction in Indian army while continuing his forward policy. The whole point of carving pakistan was to create buffer zone between India and Central Asia (USSR) and he had the means to correct this mistake in 1947 itself but this fool went to UN. Till now we are reeling under the blunders manufactured by this gentleman. Some say India had the capacity of going nuclear after 1962 but Nehru was not keen. Although here I also must confess that the land reforms by Nehru was something which was very far sighted and in general good for the Indian populace.

Nehru's refusal of Kennedy's offer of nuclear detonation kept India out of the NSG

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[T90TankGuy]

The soldiers I've seen at the working boundary were worn out and depressed looking - the officers were chubby, the soldiers were near-malnutritioned - i've never seen a 'youth' ( in terms of the characteristics of youth).

Since i doubt you travelled to India , which country soldiers are you talking about?

 

[Tea addict]

You can find millions of volunteers any given day,just go and see any recruitment rally..its just that the army can choose from a pool of 600 million and it is picky.

 

[Kamikaze Pilot]

Nothing like that , other than Pakistan we did not have an enemy and it did not figure in our military doctrine that we may have to face a belligerent china , in fact two years before the Chinese invasion we had actually invited the Chinese army to watch IA wargames in 59.
As for the youth not joining , the army was up to its roster in manpower. My father was one of those ECO who joined during the 62 war , there was a wave of people who joined up . there has never been a shortage of people volunteering to join , just the army is picky .

You didn't get my question sir. I am talking about the period BEFORE 1962 war, not during 1962 war. Everybody knows that Chinese aggression was wake-up call and the government rapidly began the army expansion. But what happened during the twilight years of 1950-1962?

I will put it explicitly in layman's jargon. Imagine what Indian youngsters think during/after school/college. They have ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, IAS officers, civilian pilots etc. What did they think of career in military during Nehru years, 1950-1962, BEFORE the war? I didn't ask about recruitment policies. I asked what the population pool of potential candidates thought.

If 'Haqeeqat' movie is any authentic indication, then at least Punjab's youth was very enthusiastic about joining army even during that period.

 

[T90TankGuy]

You didn't get my question sir. I am talking about the period BEFORE 1962 war, not during 1962 war. Everybody knows that Chinese aggression was wake-up call and the government rapidly began the army expansion. But what happened during the twilight years of 1950-1962?

I will put it explicitly in layman's jargon. Imagine what Indian youngsters think during/after school/college. They have ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, IAS officers, civilian pilots etc. What did they think of career in military during Nehru years, 1950-1962, BEFORE the war? I didn't ask about recruitment policies. I asked what the population pool of potential candidates thought.

If 'Haqeeqat' movie is any authentic indication, then at least Punjab's youth was very enthusiastic about joining army even during that period.

I did get your question and answered it in the first sentence of my post you quoted. India did not think we would have or need a large army , hindsight is 20-20 and one should not judge history by today's standards. if you wish to learn more then may i suggest you read the books "slender was the thread" and "indian army after Independence" the latter delves a lot on the questions you asked , and gives a detailed account of the political and military thought process of the time .

 

[Tea addict]

You didn't get my question sir. I am talking about the period BEFORE 1962 war, not during 1962 war. Everybody knows that Chinese aggression was wake-up call and the government rapidly began the army expansion. But what happened during the twilight years of 1950-1962?

I will put it explicitly in layman's jargon. Imagine what Indian youngsters think during/after school/college. They have ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, IAS officers, civilian pilots etc. What did they think of career in military during Nehru years, 1950-1962, BEFORE the war? I didn't ask about recruitment policies. I asked what the population pool of potential candidates thought.

If 'Haqeeqat' movie is any authentic indication, then at least Punjab's youth was very enthusiastic about joining army even during that period.

They still are, punjab,haryan and himachal ( punjab that time) makes 25℅ of indian army..with 5℅ of population.

 

[Kamikaze Pilot]

My maternal grandfather had the distinction of serving both Army as well as Airforce. He was laid off from the Army in the dark ages of independent India i.e. Nehruvian era. I still remember he used to tell us how all the armymen who were laid off were frantically contacted once 1962 war commenced.

Yes my grandfather was utterly disappointed. His family was hand to mouth at that time and loosing a job with 3 children to support was a nightmarish scenario. Yes he did think that joining Army was a mistake but luckily for him Indian Airforce came to his rescue and he was hired under the Administrative department of IAF.

One thing which my grandfather told me which is of significance here is that the IAF was more professional and sophisticated than the Indian Army.

People should also read the first reaction that came from Kennedy when Nehru contacted him for help. it was the most humiliating insulting but truthful reaction. Strategically, Nehru was a fool of gargantuan dimension. He was the founder of NAM but took no time to ask for help from the US. At that time his 5 year soviet styled plan were also financed by US. He started the reduction in Indian army while continuing his forward policy. The whole point of carving pakistan was to create buffer zone between India and Central Asia (USSR) and he had the means to correct this mistake in 1947 itself but this fool went to UN. Till now we are reeling under the blunders manufactured by this gentleman. Some say India had the capacity of going nuclear after 1962 but Nehru was not keen. Although here I also must confess that the land reforms by Nehru was something which was very far sighted and in general good for the Indian populace.

Nehru's refusal of Kennedy's offer of nuclear detonation kept India out of the NSG

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Hey PRC! Are you Chinese by any chance? Your name sounds Chinese. PRC: People's Republic of China.

 

[cloud4000]

I read somewhere that the strength of armed forces was cut down greatly when Nehru was the PM of India.

Did this discourage youth from joining armed forces? Did career in defense lose it's attraction for youth during Nehru years?

If yes, what circumstances restored the aura linked to this profession?

Lest anybody misunderstands the question. Let me tell I am talking about the period BEFORE 1962 war, not during 1962 war. Everybody knows that Chinese aggression was wake-up call and the government rapidly began the army expansion. But what happened during the twilight years of 1950-1962?

I will put it explicitly in layman's jargon. Imagine what Indian youngsters think during/after school/college. They have ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, IAS officers, civilian pilots etc. What did they think of career in military during Nehru years, 1950-1962, BEFORE the war? I didn't ask about recruitment policies. I asked what the population pool of potential candidates thought.

If 'Haqeeqat' movie is any authentic indication, then at least Punjab's youth was very enthusiastic about joining army even during that period.

The short answer is yes. Nehru was a socialist who believed everything could be solved diplomatically, that every country was India's friend. He didn't really believe in the maxim "peace through strength." India has been paying for his idealism ever since.

We all know the Indian military is in the need of a massive re-haul, across the board. The massive orders of defense equipment is just one step. Another is personnel. India is facing a shortage of officers at almost all levels. India is competing with private industry for the best minds and Indian government needs to provide better salary and benefits in order to attract them.

It didn't start with Modi, but I believe India is entering a different mindset and realizes that defense cannot be ignored.