11-18-2011, 09:32 PM
Nareshji,
There is nothing spectacular in Pakistan President anticipating a Coup. You will agree that US unilateral military action within Pakistan, on the face of it is spoiling the public image of the Pakistan Army. You will recall since its birth, Pakistan leadership has always projected that its Army is the best in the world. Although the propaganda was directed against India, as years passed by it became the general public perception in the Pakistani mind.
You must be aware, that school text books of Pakistan contain a very glorified and distorted account of the great deeds of the Pakistan Army, in its conflict with India in 1948 and 1965. Only in the case of 1971, the distortion of facts is rather hollow, as the story has to end with the creation of Bangladesh. In this case also, Pakistan gives more credit to the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini and the failure of the than political leadership of Pakistan as the real cause for the breakup of the country. They grossly downplay the role that India played in the creation of Bangladesh.
On the contrary, the Indian historians and the media never fail to remind the people that we performed poorly against the Chinese during the 1962 conflict. We do not shy away to admit the failure of our political leadership which resulted into this military disaster. Out of the ashes of defeat and humiliation, came the awakening of what needs to be done. This has yielded good result and today we are much more self confident in facing the realities of the present day world. The confidence of a nation cannot be built on falsehood and self glorification.
Despite the impressive stride that India has made in different fields during the last six decades of its existence as a nation, we still have a long way to go. India continues to be one of the fastest growing economies of the world, yet it still remains the home for the largest number of poorest of the poor in the world. Our child mortality rate is the same as that of sub Saharan Africa. Over 40 percent of our people are still illiterate. We do not run away from admitting these facts.
In the above background we have to analyse the action of the Pakistan President. His fear of a Coup may have been genuine, as such an action by the Army could not have been ruled out. The Coup may have restored the prestige of the Armed forces before a major section of the public although its long term benefit may have been negligible. In such a situation if the Pakistan President had sought the help of the US leadership, to ensure the safety of the civilian government there is nothing sensational or unexpected. The Coup did not take place, perhaps because wiser sense prevailed amongst the Corps Commanders. They have perhaps become much wisher than their illustrious predecessors.
There is nothing spectacular in Pakistan President anticipating a Coup. You will agree that US unilateral military action within Pakistan, on the face of it is spoiling the public image of the Pakistan Army. You will recall since its birth, Pakistan leadership has always projected that its Army is the best in the world. Although the propaganda was directed against India, as years passed by it became the general public perception in the Pakistani mind.
You must be aware, that school text books of Pakistan contain a very glorified and distorted account of the great deeds of the Pakistan Army, in its conflict with India in 1948 and 1965. Only in the case of 1971, the distortion of facts is rather hollow, as the story has to end with the creation of Bangladesh. In this case also, Pakistan gives more credit to the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini and the failure of the than political leadership of Pakistan as the real cause for the breakup of the country. They grossly downplay the role that India played in the creation of Bangladesh.
On the contrary, the Indian historians and the media never fail to remind the people that we performed poorly against the Chinese during the 1962 conflict. We do not shy away to admit the failure of our political leadership which resulted into this military disaster. Out of the ashes of defeat and humiliation, came the awakening of what needs to be done. This has yielded good result and today we are much more self confident in facing the realities of the present day world. The confidence of a nation cannot be built on falsehood and self glorification.
Despite the impressive stride that India has made in different fields during the last six decades of its existence as a nation, we still have a long way to go. India continues to be one of the fastest growing economies of the world, yet it still remains the home for the largest number of poorest of the poor in the world. Our child mortality rate is the same as that of sub Saharan Africa. Over 40 percent of our people are still illiterate. We do not run away from admitting these facts.
In the above background we have to analyse the action of the Pakistan President. His fear of a Coup may have been genuine, as such an action by the Army could not have been ruled out. The Coup may have restored the prestige of the Armed forces before a major section of the public although its long term benefit may have been negligible. In such a situation if the Pakistan President had sought the help of the US leadership, to ensure the safety of the civilian government there is nothing sensational or unexpected. The Coup did not take place, perhaps because wiser sense prevailed amongst the Corps Commanders. They have perhaps become much wisher than their illustrious predecessors.