Former Indian Army Chief General V P Malik addresses MDI

According to General (Retired) V P Malik former Chief of the Indian Army, India won the 1999 Kargil War irrespective of geographical and other disadvantages mainly because of the unwavering commitment of its young soldiers highly motivated to win the war and a foolproof strategy chalked out by the senior officers.

General Malik speaking before civil servants and power-management trainees at MDI said India had always been lucky in having dedicated young soldiers for whom the goal at the particular moment was only to win war. The former Indian Army Chief, recalling his days as a young soldier during the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971 said, Though it was the enemy who always started the war, it was only the Indian soldiers who fired the last shot and scored a decisive win. This was mainly on account of the discipline, high level of morale, and determination of our soldiers.

General Malik felt that Indian civil administration too needed high level of integrity, dedication, and political non-interference in order to make a mark for peoples welfare. Bureaucrats he said had a pious duty to perform as their actions had a far-reaching impact on mens lives. They had to be sensitive to peoples needs and aspirations and act as per a well-implemented strategy. Referring to various disturbances and demonstrations, he said peoples aspirations level had gone high and therefore their tolerance level against inefficiency and corruption had also registered a low. Bureaucrats have to deliver the goods before people became restive and took law in their own hands, he warned.

Professor (Dr) Atmanand, Dean Public Policy and Governance agreed with General Malik that efficiency and good administration were the need of the day. Dr. Atmanand who is also Dean of the School of Energy Management, gave the example of power shortage in the country and warned that the administrators in different fields had to improve their work making it welfare oriented. Good governance he said was the need of the hour and Indian bureaucracy had no choice but to become people oriented.

Earlier, welcoming General Malik Dr Atmanand recalled the days of Kargil when the Chiefs speeches inspired the countrymen. It was largely because of the astounding leadership that India scored a decisive victory in 1999 Kargil War against Pakistan irrespective of the heavy odds of an unfriendly terrain and hostile weather.He alluded to the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the British army days when a handful of Light Brigade British soldiers defeated big Russian and Kossak armies.