Let us bust few myths. Top US Generals are selected by political dispensation unlike the institutional mechanisms in India where uniformed collegiate takes decision till the rank of Lt General after which age and residual service becomes criteria.
The process of selection can never be more transparent. It is not election by vote or popularity, it is about professionalism. Lt Gen Subramani, if voted, by professionals would get highest votes. He is a professional, intelligent, intellectual and decisive. He is my coursemate and I know most people in competition. He was best choice.
Retirement is not a curse. It allows certain degree of seniority in military environment to smoothen ruffles, manage vertical structures that seek relevance in an highly competitive service where winning is only choice. Having retired gets an advantage.
As regards CDS from Army. Two points. One is don't ever think the political bureaucratic military combine is dumb and Irresponsible. They know something much more than the armchair strategists or tactically brilliant military professionals. Because they are responsible for National Security. Having retired or sitting as observers we can have views and express it intelligently but will never be responsible. Second is that India will remain Continental. How much the Air, Drone, Seas become strategically important. It is civilizational. It is geography. And the vertical systems have not guranteed success to the best military and economic power of US. See Iran. Will love to know one example wherein US, UK, France, Israel, China or anyother power have won a comprehensive war without land forces. India has with or without full force of Airforce and Navy as that would have escalated to different levels. And lost in 1962 when Airforce was not applied. Nowhere in the world the CDS has complete power. They are all symbolic with true power with political dispensation.
Lastly, he is a General. To earn the title of Sepoy one has to go through a process that no connection or money can buy. It is through selection and through service in career. Gen Subramani has earned it through Glacier, through extremely tough times in Kashmir, in East, opposite the Chinese. Not by writing books or lecturing or giving sensational bites or sitting on chair mulling over files.
He has earned it through firefights, challenging terrains, enemies outside and survived haters of Indian Armed Forces within country. And the President has allowed him to keep the rank. Respect it please.
@TinyDhillon
He is ‘General’ and he has earned his rank and Mr
@Chellaney you know it fully well that a military officer’s rank is always used with his name. Unless of course you did it deliberately!
Would appreciate if you correct the mistake sir.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳