Indian navy chief demands end to ‘fawning’ colonial-era practices
THE Indian navy’s new chief of staff has called for an end to obsequious behaviour and other colonial-style practices in the service that have persisted more than 70 years after independence.
In his official “signal” immediately after taking charge of the world’s fifthlargest navy on May 31, Admiral Karambir Singh called on all senior officers to be “disciplined and respectful, but not subservient” in their conduct.
In a set of 26 instructions Adml Singh called for greater equality within the navy by ending the “VIP culture” in a service that promotes a high degree of servility and sycophancy towards senior ranks.
“As a modern fighting force, it is important that we imbibe contemporary social and ceremonial procedures towards optimal utilisation of manpower and resources,” the admiral’s signal stated.
He called for an end to the colonial practice of deploying “multiple/ standby” cars for a visiting navy chief to any station and standardising drinks, food and cutlery for all officers and naval ratings at official functions.
The lining up of naval wives and children to receive dignitaries has also been stopped, as has the presentation of bouquets to luminaries.
The instructions called for a “reduction” in “unnecessary ostentation” during official events, which over decades have become hugely lavish and extravagant.
There was no need, it decreed, for “clapping, cheering or applause” or making “fawning gestures” on such occasions.
Several serving and retired naval officers have welcomed Adml Singh’s measures.
“Many of these embarrassing and anachronistic measures… that date back to the colonial era should have been scrapped ages ago,” said a threestar officer, who declined to be named.
The Indian navy came into existence in January 1950, when India officially became a republic, three years after independence from Britain in 1947. Before that it had been known as the Royal Indian Navy and was commanded by the British flag and senior officers, many of whom continued in service until 11 years after independence, when India installed its first native naval commander-in-chief in 1958.
Of all the three Indian services, the Indian navy has retained the closest links to Royal Navy traditions, customs and superstitions.
Meanwhile, numerous serving and retired service personnel hope that Adml Singh’s proclamation will have a knock-on effect on the Indian army, which continues with the colonial practice of senior officers having batmen or orderlies.
The term batman evolved in the British Army during the inter-war years, before which they were known as soldier-servants.
In the British and Indian armies around the time of independence, when officers typically came from the privileged classes, it was not unknown for batmen to follow their masters into civilian life as a domestic servant.