Army’s ‘Tour of Duty’ Proposal Is a Hare-Brained Idea; Won’t Be Good For India’s Frontline
There are bad ideas and then there’s the Army’s ‘Tour of Duty’ plan.
Editorial Staff
Army’s ‘Tour of Duty’ Proposal Is a Hare-Brained Idea; Won’t Be Good For India’s Frontline
There are ideas, damned ideas and then there’s the Indian Army’s ‘Tour of Duty’ proposal. An ill-conceived scheme to allow young ‘Agniveers’ (military tourists, apparently) to follow the ‘Agnipath’ (serve in the combat forces) and experience the thrill of action where it’s at, in uniform for three years before moving on to other walks of life. Those taken in by the call to arms can presumably re-enlist and continue in Service as per the laid down terms of engagement for regular soldiers (who are only Veers). The ostensible aim of such an exercise is manifold we are told; it will provide an opportunity to those youth fired by a desire to serve the nation but are unable to do so, because the current colour service norms for soldiers are too long; it will provide the Army (it may get extended to the Navy and Air Force as well) with the young personnel it needs on the borders, though for a very short time only, without any long-term financial burden, especially pension; and there would be …
