INDIAN ARMY EPITOME OF VALOUR AND VALUES

Leadership is an art and not a science because leaders convert defeat into victory. Military Leadership is at the highest pedestal of leadership because leading men into battle is a privilege given to a select few. From times immemorial, Indian Armed Forces have had a saga of finest military ethos and values, so essential for victory in battle. It’s an awesome responsibility to train, motivate and lead your men to victory. Military service to the nation is, therefore, a tradition of bravest of brave. The country, proud of it’s soldiers, certainly appreciates their basic values like discipline, integrity, loyalty, patriotism, selfless service and courage.

UNCHANGED ETHOS OF SOLDIERING
Ethics, Values and Moral are the binding force of a soldier. The best example of leadership values comes from the great epic ‘Mahabharata’. Great warrior ‘Bhishma Pitamah’, lying on a bed of arrows, gave these three lessons in ‘Rashtra Dharma’ and ’Principles of Leadership’ to victorious pandavas-

• “First, the conduct of a leader at all times must act in a righteous manner to perform ‘Rashtra Dharma’.
• Second, a leader must subordinate his own interest to the cause and to the welfare of the men, he is leading.
• Third, a leader must not be too indulgent and harsh.

Fast forward, 5000 years to Indian Military Academy where the Gentlemen cadets complete their training and take the oath as Officers. The Chetwode motto which remains the guiding principle throughout their military career is as under-

“The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.
The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

There are striking similarities between what ‘Bhisma Pitamah’ said and what ‘General Phillips Chetwode’ has laid down. The ethos and value system of military leadership remains same from Mahabharat till date.

THE MILITARY ECOSYSTEM
The Army reflects the character of the nation’s heritage, values and culture. The army ecosystem has to be in harmony with the society to co-exist and yet be the beacon of hope for all. The concept of duty, service, and self-sacrifice has always been associated with military leadership. Three golden words - Ethics, Moral and Values are the binding force of a military man. Over the years, the Army has repeatedly examined and articulated institutional values and working ethos in the rapidly changing socioeconomic environment of the country.

The Warrior Ethos.
The Indian soldier is amongst the best in the world because he is imbued with the qualities of ‘Nation First’. The warrior ethos form the heart of the military profession inspires them to carry out extraordinary acts of courage. There are certain qualities of head and heart that separate the man in ‘Olive Greens’ from the rest of the world. Some of these are flagged as under-

• ‘Nation First’ attitude
• Last hope of the nation therefore have to win all the time
• Follow Rastra Dharm overcoming own affiliations.
• Secular Credentials
• Apolitical Nature.
• Role Model for the Society
• Passion to do and die for the country unmindful of own feelings, emotions and hardships
• Exemplary personal conduct.

The Army Values.
The defining character of Armed Forces; entrusted with the security of our nation, is built upon an intrinsic value-based system. Essential qualities of professional commitment, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honour, integrity and personal courage emanate from this ecosystem and ethical conduct of soldiers is driven by this value system. Soldiers learn these values during training and then live with them, every day.

CHALLENGES OF 21ST CENTURY
The 21st century, is being labeled as the information age. The changing nature of warfare, equipped with ‘Robots’, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning have placed fresh challenges on soldiering. The recent killing of Al-Qaeda Chief Ayman alJawahiri by a drone fired missile, is a technology demonstrator. The strategic aim in future conflicts will be to subdue the enemy without fighting. Thus, the context of Ethics, Morale, and Values of military leaders and soldiers will be defined in a new dimension.

CONCLUSION
As India emerges to find its rightful place in the world, the Indian Army will continue to be pivotal towards building a strong, modern and resurgent India. Its ‘Nation First’ ecosystem built upon the ethos of a secular, motivated, apolitical and professional force remain the pedestal of national security, growth and prosperity. The Indian Army has a long and illustrious record; it has excelled both in war and peace. The future will demand increasingly higher levels of professionalism. Human resource is precious in Army because it’s the man behind the machine that wins war. The respect, dignity, wellbeing and stature of its soldier in turn must, thus, be preserved and garnered by the nation. The nation salutes the Valour and Values of Indian Army on 75th Army Day.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

MAJ GEN CP SINGH (RETD) The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)