%3Cstrong%3EConcept%20of%20National%20Security%20and%20Nation%20Building%3C/strong%3E

National%20Security%20and%20Nation%20Building%20are%20two%20sides%20of%20the%20same%20coin%20wherein%20one%20cannot%20exist%20without%20the%20other.%20Yet%20unless%20you%20have%20strong%20national%20security%2C%20you%20cannot%20build%20a%20strong%20nation.

Thus%2C%20national%20security%20is%20a%20nation%u2019s%20insurance%20that%20empowers%20its%20democratic%20institution%20to%20pursue%20its%20national%20interest%20without%20fear%20or%20favour%20thereby%20providing%20an%20environment%20for%20the%20development%20of%20the%20state%20and%20for%20its%20citizens%20to%20live%20in%20peace%20and%20prosperity.

The%2021st%20century%20looks%20towards%20security%2C%20justice%2C%20economic%20development%20and%20a%20democratic%20polity%20as%20the%20pillars%20of%20nation-building.%20Security%20comes%20first%20in%20the%20pecking%20order%20because%20the%20other%20three%20pillars%20function%20effectively%20only%20if%20the%20security%20threshold%20on%20the%20nation%2C%20both%20internal%20and%20external%2C%20remains%20intact.%20This%20in%20turn%20facilitates%20smooth%20functioning%20of%20democracy%20and%20brings%20in%20its%20wake%20social%20justice%2C%20economic%20development%20and%20prosperity%20for%20its%20people.

The%20rationale%20for%20the%20existence%20of%20the%20military%20thus%20lies%20in%20the%20concept%20of%20a%20nation-state%20where%20there%20are%20harmony%20and%20balance%20between%20defence%20and%20development.%20This%20underlines%20the%20importance%20of%20a%20motivated%2C%20modern%2C%20ready%20and%20relevant%20military%20to%20a%20nation-state%20and%20its%20quest%20for%20nation-building.

%3Cstrong%3EIndia%u2019s%20Security%20Paradigm%20Needs%20a%20Strong%20Military%26nbsp%3B%3C/strong%3E

The%20world%20is%20living%20in%20a%20COVID-19%20transformed%20era%20of%20geopolitical%20flux%20and%20re-balancing%20of%20traditional%20relationships%2Cwith%20multiple%20friction%20points%20and%20security%20threats.%20The%20emerging%20world%20order%20will%20remain%20one%20where%20the%20military%20and%20economic%20resilience%20will%20continue%20to%20dominate%20the%20global%20system%20and%20in%20which%20nation-building%20will%20become%20ever%20more%20relevant.%26nbsp%3B

In%20a%20turbulent%20world%20such%20as%20ours%2C%20the%20need%20to%20grow%20in%20a%20stable%20and%20peaceful%20environment%20thus%20demands%20the%20necessity%20of%20a%20force%20which%20would%20ensure%20its%20national%20security%20against%20both%20internal%20and%20external%20challenges.

%3Cstrong%3ERead%20more%3C/strong%3E%3A%20%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/operation-vijay-the-forgotten-tri-service-liberation-of-goa-19-dec-1961%22%3EOperation%20Vijay%3A%20The%20forgotten%20tri-service%20liberation%20of%20Goa%20in%20Dec%2C%201961%3C/a%3E

In%20today%u2019s%20security%20paradigm%2C%20as%20India%20gains%20respect%20and%20finds%20its%20rightful%20trajectory%20in%20the%20comity%20of%20nations%20so%20do%20the%20challenges%20to%20its%20national%20security%20multiply.%20The%20twin%20challenges%20oftwoC%u2019s%20-Chinese%20incursions%20and%20Wuhan%20originated%20COVID-19%u2019s%20striking%20simultaneously%20and%20poses%20the%20biggest%20threat%20to%20the%20nation.While%20the%20vaccine%20will%20overcome%20the%20pandemic%2C%20the%20greatest%20challenge%20of%202021%20remains%20the%20Chinese%20threat%20along%20with%20the%20collusion%20of%20Pakistan%20to%20our%20territorial%20integrity.%20Adding%20to%20the%20woes%20is%20the%20ongoing%20challenge%20of%20proxy%20war%20and%20terrorism.

There%20are%20no%20signs%20of%20disengagement%20in%20Eastern%20Ladakh%2C%20as%20on%20date.%20Even%20with%20a%20limited%20conflagration%2C%20we%20will%20need%20defence%20forces%20that%20are%20combat-ready%20to%20fight%20against%20a%20technologically%20superior%20force%20that%20is%20served%20by%20better%20infrastructure.%20We%20may%20hope%20for%20the%20best%20yet%20we%20need%20to%20be%20prepared%20for%20the%20worst.%26nbsp%3B

To%20face%20the%20challenge%20we%20need%20to%20hasten%20our%20defence%20modernisation%2C%20border%20infrastructure%20development%20and%20defence%20preparedness%20by%20matching%20budgetary%20support%20all%20in%20quick%20time%20addressing%20our%20present%20voids%20and%20vulnerabilities.%20The%20sovereignty%20and%20territorial%20integrity%20of%20a%20nation%20come%20at%20a%20cost%2C%20and%20the%20nation%20will%20do%20well%20to%20acknowledge%20this%20and%20take%20action.%20Remember%20the%20reality%20that%20capability%20building%20takes%20time%20and%20intentions%20of%20our%20adversaries%20can%20change%20fast.

%3Cstrong%3EIndian%20Army%20Ethos%20-%20%u2018Nation%20Above%20All%u2019%3C/strong%3E

Indian%20Army%20has%20been%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20ensuring%20the%20safety%20and%20security%20of%20the%20nation%2C%20yet%20it%20has%20come%20at%20a%20high%20cost%20to%20precious%20lives%20of%20our%20gallant%20soldiers.%20The%20strength%20of%20the%20Indian%20Army%20lies%20in%20its%20high%20standards%20of%20discipline%2C%20professionalism%2C%20patriotism%20and%20selfless%20service%20to%20the%20nation.

The%20soldier%20epitomises%20the%20secular%20outlook%20and%20an%20apolitical%20demeanor%20owing%20allegiance%20only%20to%20the%20constitution%20and%20not%20any%20political%20party.From%20minus%2055%20degree%20centigrade%20white-out%20in%20Siachen%20to%20plus%2055%20degree%20centigrade%20blazing%20heat%20of%20Thar%20Deserts%2C%20the%20Indian%20Army%20soldier%20stands%20tall%20protecting%20our%20motherland%20and%20you.%20The%20soldier%20goes%20to%20the%20battlefield%20in%20honour%20of%20the%20tricolour%20flag%2C%20fully%20conscious%20of%20the%20fact%20that%20it%20may%20well%20be%20that%20he%20returns%20home%20wrapped%20up%20in%20it%2C%20and%20yet%20serves%20his%20motherland%20with%20pride.%20For%20him%2C%20duty%20is%20the%20most%20supreme%20religion%20%u2013%20the%20only%20one%20he%20professes%20%28Seva%20Parmo%20Dharma%29.%26nbsp%3B

The%20Indian%20Army%20culture%20and%20ethos%20of%20%u201CUnity%20in%20Diversity%u201D%2C%20acts%20as%20a%20shining%20example%20to%20all%20others%2C%20bedevilled%20by%20communalism%2C%20corruption%2C%20petty%20politics%20and%20personal%20agendas.%20Our%20flag%20thus%20does%20not%20flutter%20because%20of%20the%20wind%2C%20it%20flutters%20with%20the%20last%20breath%20of%20each%20gallant%20soldier%20who%20sacrificed%20his%20life%20protecting%20it.%26nbsp%3B

The%20soldier%20epitomises%20the%20concept%20of%20%u2018Being%20Indian%u2019defined%20NOT%20by%20colour%2C%20caste%2C%20gender%2C%20creed%20or%20religion%20but%20by%20an%20Indian%20defined%20by%205%20C%u2019s%20-%20Character%2C%20Competence%2C%20Courage%2C%20Commitment%20and%20Camaraderie.%20For%20him%20Army%20is%20not%20a%20corporate%20or%20just%20a%20profession%2C%20it%20is%20a%20way%20of%20life%20and%20a%20family.%20His%20blood%20is%20%u2018olive%20green%u2019%20and%20blood%20group%20%u2018Be%20Positive%u2019%2C%20and%20so%20he%20is%20the%20best%20of%20a%20friend%20to%20the%20friends%20and%20worst%20of%20an%20enemy%20to%20the%20enemies.%20His%20religion%20is%20defined%20by%20the%20religion%20of%20the%20soldier%20which%20is%20%u2018INDIAN%u2019%2C%20and%20the%20worship%20place%20%u201CSARV%20DHARAM%20STHAL%u201D.%20His%20DNA%20is%u2018IMANDARI%2C%20WAFADARI%20AUR%20EKTA%u2019%20and%20his%20belief%20lies%20in%20%u201CNAAM%2C%20NAMAK%20AUR%20NISHAN%u201D.%26nbsp%3B

Today%20very%20proudly%2C%20the%20gender%20%u2018He%u2019%20is%20only%20a%20metaphor%20because%20the%20Indian%20army%20is%20proud%20of%20its%20women%20warriors%20who%20have%20done%20the%20nation%20and%20Indian%20Army%20proud.

%3Cstrong%3EIndian%20Army%20And%20Nation%20Building%26nbsp%3B%3C/strong%3E

The%20role%20and%20responsibility%20of%20the%20Indian%20Army%20are%20not%20limited%20to%20the%20national%20borders%20but%20also%20to%20be%20the%20strongest%20pillar%20of%20nation-building.%20In%20India%2C%20democracy%2C%20however%2C%20tenuous%20has%20managed%20to%20hold%20and%20the%20basics%20of%20the%20constitution%20as%20initially%20introduced%20continues%20to%20be%20sacrosanct.%20This%20has%20been%20facilitated%2C%20by%20no%20small%20measure%2C%20by%20the%20armed%20forces%20who%20have%20maintained%2C%20most%20scrupulously%2C%20the%20ideals%20enshrined%20in%20the%20constitution%20and%20have%20made%20a%20great%20contribution%20towards%20the%20nourishment%20of%20democracy%20in%20the%20nation.

While%20being%20operationally%20committed%2C%20the%20Army%20continues%20to%20be%20the%20ultimate%20responder%20in%20times%20of%20natural%20or%20manmade%20calamities%20and%20chaos%2C%20a%20sheet%20anchor%20during%20the%20national%20crisis%20when%20all%20other%20organs%20of%20the%20nation%20appear%20helpless.%20Intervention%20operations%20in%20the%20Maldives%20and%20Sri%20Lanka%20at%20the%20behest%20of%20their%20governments%20and%20evacuation%20of%20beleaguered%20Indian%20citizens%20from%20the%20war%20zones%20are%20examples%20of%20out%20of%20area%20contingencies.

To%20support%20India%u2019s%20efforts%20for%20world%20peace%20as%20a%20responsible%20member%20of%20the%20global%20community%2C%20the%20Indian%20Army%20as%20the%20nation%u2019s%20Ambassador%20is%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20troop-contributing%20force%20to%20United%20Nations%20peacekeeping.%20Defence%20diplomacy%20and%20military%20to%20military%20cooperation%20between%20India%20and%20other%20friendly%20countries%20is%20another%20facet%20that%20has%20helped%20in%20strengthening%20bilateral%20cooperation%20enhancing%20India%u2019s%20international%20image.%20Besides%2C%20the%20other%20allied%20organs%20manned%20by%20Indian%20Army%20like%20the%20BRO%2C%20TA%2C%20NCC%2C%20MES%20and%20DGQA%20have%20done%20yeoman%20service%20to%20the%20nation%20in%20diverse%20fields%20from%20infrastructure%20development%20to%20restoring%20ecological%20balance%20and%20beyond.%26nbsp%3B

Even%20in%20a%20health%20crisis%2C%20the%20Indian%20Army%20stands%20tall%20providing%20succour%20to%20its%20citizens%20in%20far-flung%20remote%20areas.The%20military%20is%20thus%20an%20unyielding%20bastion%20to%20protect%20the%20nation%20and%20project%20the%20country%u2019s%20image%20contributing%20effectively%20to%20nation-building.

%3Cstrong%3EA%20Soldier%u2019s%20Expectations%20from%20the%20Nation%3C/strong%3E

As%20the%20Indian%20Army%20proudly%20celebrates%20its%20seventy-third%20Army%20Day%2C%20it%u2019s%20also%20time%20for%20introspection%20by%20the%20nation-state%2C%20its%20people%20and%20society%20at%20large%20including%20media%2C%20politicians%20and%20bureaucrats.%20The%20need%20is%20to%20reflect%20upon%20the%20outlook%20of%20the%20nation%20to%20this%20most%20respected%20institution%20and%20systemic%20erosion%20in%20its%20stature%20over%20the%20years.

%3Cstrong%3ERead%20more%3A%20%3C/strong%3E%3Ca%20target%3D%22_blank%22%20rel%3D%22noopener%20noreferrer%22%20href%3D%22https%3A//opoyi.com/indias-security-challenges-how-to-build-a-strong-military-and-learn-from-past-mistakes%22%3EIndia%27s%20security%20challenges%3A%20How%20to%20build%20a%20strong%20military%20and%20learn%20from%20past%20mistakes%3C/a%3E

So%2C%20what%20a%20soldier%20expect%20from%20the%20nation%20and%20those%20in%20power%3F%26nbsp%3B%20These%20are%20five%20basic%20aspects%20yet%20often%20neglected%20or%20overlooked%20as%20under%3A-

%3Cstrong%3E1.%20Arm%20him%20to%20Fight%2C%20Win%20and%20Live%20to%20Fight%20yet%20Again%3C/strong%3E%20-%20A%20soldiers%20life%20must%20be%20valued%20by%20the%20nation.%26nbsp%3BWhile%20the%20spirit%20to%20fight%20of%20a%20soldier%20is%20infinite%2C%20inadequate%20fiscal%20support%20and%20sluggish%20modernisation%20have%20failed%20to%20arm%20him%20adequately%20for%20the%20assigned%20tasks.%26nbsp%3B

%3Cstrong%3E2.%20Ensure%20his%20Status%20and%20Dignity%20in%20the%20Society%20-%3C/strong%3E%26nbsp%3BThe%20systemic%20erosion%20of%20status%20by%20successive%20dispensations%20has%20adversely%20affected%20civil-military%20equivalence%20and%20dignity%20of%20the%20uniformed%20fraternity.%20The%20need%20is%20to%20reflect%20and%20arrest%20policies%20which%20dilute%20and%20tarnish%20the%20image%20of%20defence%20services%20resulting%20in%20a%20sense%20of%20victim-hood.%26nbsp%3B

%3Cstrong%3E3.%20Keep%20the%20Institution%20Apolitical%20and%20curb%20detrimental%20policies%20to%20its%20brave%20human%20capital%3C/strong%3E%20-%20The%20systemic%20attempts%20to%20politicise%20the%20uniform%2C%20its%20exploitation%20for%20political%20mileage%20and%20enunciating%20policies%20which%20adversely%20impact%20both%20the%20organization%20and%20morale%20of%20human%20capital%20by%20ambitious%20few%20in%20high%20places%20must%20be%20ruthlessly%20curbed.%26nbsp%3B

%3Cstrong%3E4.%20Defence%20Reforms%20to%20be%20Ready%20and%20Relevant%20for%20the%20Future%20-%20%3C/strong%3EReforms%20must%20be%20pragmatic%2C%20joint%20service%20integration%20driven%20and%20driven%20by%20the%20felt%20needs%20of%20the%20organization%20based%20on%20present%20shortcomings%20and%20desired%20future%20capabilities.%26nbsp%3B

%3Cstrong%3E5.%20Respect%2C%20Care%20and%20Well%20being%20of%20Veterans%20and%20Families%20of%20our%20Fallen%20Soldiers%20/%20Disabled%20Warriors%20-%3C/strong%3E%20Possibly%20this%20is%20the%20nation%u2019s%20weakest%20point%20because%20it%20does%20not%20impact%20the%20vote%20banks%2C%20yet%20remains%20the%20moral%20measurementof%20the%20nation%u2019s%20duty%20and%20responsibility%20to%20its%20soldiers.%20There%20is%20a%20need%20fora%20better%20outreach%20model%20with%20greater%20compassion%2C%20respect%2C%20empowerment%20and%20assured%20lifetime%20connectivity%20to%20address%20all%20concerns%20expeditiously%2C%20than%20just%20release%20of%20paltry%20monetary%20dues.%20The%20evolution%20of%20a%20large%20number%20of%20NGO%u2019s%20supporting%20this%20noble%20cause%20is%20welcome%2C%20but%20also%20reflective%20of%20the%20state%20failing%20to%20meet%20their%20vital%20obligation.%20The%20mantra%20should%20be%20to%20connect%2C%20show%20compassion%2C%20take%20care%2C%20and%20empower%20our%20veterans%20and%20the%20families%20of%20our%20fallen%20soldiers.

%3Cstrong%3EConclusion%3C/strong%3E

As%20India%20emerges%20to%20find%20its%20rightful%20place%20in%20the%20world%2C%20the%20Indian%20Army%20will%20continue%20to%20be%20foundational%20towards%20building%20a%20strong%2C%20modern%20and%20resurgent%20India.%20The%20Indian%20Army%20as%20an%20institution%20and%20its%20soldiers%20will%20never%20be%20found%20wanting%20by%20the%20nation%20and%20its%20citizens%20irrespective%20of%20the%20adversities%20they%20may%20face.%26nbsp%3B

Yet%20the%20reciprocity%20by%20the%20nation%20and%20its%20citizens%20to%20empower%20them%20to%20fight%20and%20show%20compassion%20for%20their%20basic%20well-being%20is%20only%20a%20righteous%20responsibility.Is%20this%20asking%20for%20too%20much%3F%20I%20leave%20the%20judgement%20to%20the%20citizens%20in%20whom%20I%20have%20complete%20faith.%20They%20too%20have%20a%20responsibility%20to%20the%20soldier%20who%20protects%20them%20and%20the%20family%20who%20they%20leave%20behind%20while%20making%20the%20supreme%20sacrifice%20for%20the%20nation.

%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Army%22%20data-user-id%3D%22EhJBnPPw7kfe%22%20href%3D%22/topic/army%22%3E%23Army%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23IndianArmy%22%20data-user-id%3D%22JFCaXasNDaLt%22%20href%3D%22/topic/indian-army%22%3E%23IndianArmy%3C/a%3E%20%3Ca%20class%3D%22mention%22%20data-mention%3D%22%23Defence%22%20data-user-id%3D%22ihNKmXrAhTKN%22%20href%3D%22/topic/defence%22%3E%23Defence%3C/a%3E%26nbsp%3B

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