------Sachin Tendulkar in uniform reflect the crisis----- The photo of Sachin inadvertently reflects the crisis bedevilling not only the IAF, but also the navy and the army. Officer-like qualities? For one, in making Sachin honorary Group Captain (equivalent to colonel in the army), the IAF conveyed it values brawn over brain, or achievements arising from physical prowess rather than mental acuity. Undoubtedly, Sachin possesses tremendous mental resilience judging from several long innings he played and the manner in which he overcame injuries to build a career spanning over more than two decades. But intelligence, as we know it, remains an unproven aspect of Sachin. This is why the IAF’s choice of Sachin as brand ambassador is extremely puzzling. It is puzzling because the defence forces have been worried over the dipping quality of new recruits. Talk to senior defence officers and they inevitably complain about their inability to attract bright sparks, who are lured to other professions because of higher salaries and status. From Sachins photos, you could easily fall for the stereotypical image that portrays intelligence having little value in a defence career. Physical prowess and endurance are qualities required of footsoldiers and junior officers, not as much of those who are in positions of command or responsible for evolving security strategy. They need to know war histories as much as technology, require socio-psychological empathy in dealing with the civilian population as much as skills in handling their weaponry. Add to this the changing complexion of modern warfare – missiles dispatched miles away with a press of the button or figuring out images despatched from drones hovering over the enemy territory. Inferior talent Indeed, candidates wishing to join the defence forces are now increasingly deemed to be of inferior quality, unable as they are to clear the entry tests which are nowhere as difficult as, say, as that of the Indian Institute of Technology. Despite the deliberate lowering of standards for entry tests, the defence forces continue to face grim shortage of officers. According to one estimate, 10,500 posts in the army, 1,100 in the IAF, and 1400 in the navy remain vacant, as against the combined sanctioned strength of 46600 officers. A few years ago, the National Defence Academy (NDA) admitted a little over 100 cadets, as against the strength of 320, presaging a future you shudder at. As one serving officer said, “As you go up the hierarchy, there are complexities of knowledge you need to master. The defence forces are not just about brawn.” Perhaps the IAF’s motivation was to use Sachin to tempt intelligent teenagers to take the test for the National Defence Academy on completion of their school education. But this suggests the defence forces are caught in a time-warp, completely clueless about the changing socio-cultural trends among the young. A schoolboy may be an ardent Sachin fan, but his exultation over the great cricketer is confined to the sports realm. Sachin doesn’t necessarily become a model for the schoolboy to exercise his career choices. The efficacy of Sachin advertising, say, a brand of potato chips works differently from his endorsement of a defence career. Changing set of choices The dynamics of making a career choice range from interests, aptitude, talent, money and status. India’s defence forces need to understand that sensibilities of schoolboys have changed over the last three decades. Earlier, the paucity of career choices and economic insecurities of parents prompted schoolboy to opt for a life in the armed forces. Today’s school student is willing to postpone his or her choice to later years. Then again, a secure career is no longer a predominant factor in determining the choices he or she makes. It is now more about letting innate qualities and aptitude flower, about deriving joy and satisfaction from engaging intelligently with work. This is why Sachin in the uniform of Group Captain is a sight to behold and click, but not an inspiration for the young to wear one themselves. Might not the defence forces conduct surveys among schoolchildren to find out role models who could sway their career choices? They might discover it isn’t Sachin but a young internet entrepreneur, a creator of mobile app, a popular writer, a scientist or lawyer or TV journalist who is a role model for schoolchildren. It perhaps makes greater sense to have former President APJ Abdul Kalam, a veritable legend among schoolchildren, extol the defence forces for attracting young talent than to have pictures of Sachin in uniform advertising them. To lure intelligent talent to their fold, the defence forces have to shift the focus from brawn to brain, and distance themselves from the celebrity-driven media coverage. A retired army officer told me, “I tell you they would have served the cause of defence forces better by making chess grandmaster V Anand as their ambassador. He symbolises both intelligence and achievement. Take him to school, ask him to speak for you. But then, Sachin gets you media coverage.” He paused and added, “We still have the World War II mindset.”
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 03:40:23 +0000
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