Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Admiral L Ramdas, former Chief of the Indian Navy on India and the Covid-19 pandemic

By Dilip -
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Admiral L Ramdas, former Chief of the Indian Navy, pens this EXCLUSIVE piece expressing anguish over how India, and particularly her defence forces are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic
We have just watched on television some excerpts from the Press Conference (without any press!) held by our Chief of Defence Staff – General Bipin Rawat, along with the serving Chiefs from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. 

Since then, we have received several calls and messages from friends and colleagues who shared their disappointment, surprise, even shock, at the nature of the remarks made by our senior most military leader on national television. We are witnessing this at a time when the nation and our people are facing one of the most critical situations since partition. This is a matter of concern, especially for me as one of the senior most former Naval Chiefs alive today. The situation brought on by the Corona Virus pandemic has undoubtedly hit countries and peoples across the globe in various ways – economic, social, psychological, political and several dimensions too many to name. But my concern here is with how this might impact our country and our people.

Let me first of all commend the CDS and Chiefs of Staff for having taken the initiative of addressing a Press Conference on the subject of COVID 19 and the role of our Armed Forces in these circumstances. When the first notification about talking to the press popped up on our phones and computer screens, around 4:45 to 5 pm, we were full of anticipation. I was sure that our top Brass would announce some additional plans by the Armed Forces to meet the current challenge.  This would include relief, rehabilitation and assistance in handling and managing the huge exodus taking place across the country.

I had addressed two letters to the Prime Minister, copied to the RM, as also the CDS and Heads of the three Services. My first letter was dated March 27, and the second one on April 14, Ambedkar Jayanthi. I had suggested in both letters that the considerable resources of the Armed Forces might be tapped in a number of ways to deal with the unprecedented situation, brought on by the manner in which Lockdown was announced and executed. I had specifically mentioned the organizing and running of Community Kitchens and food distribution in the first letter. By the time of my second letter, the situation with respect to the farm and migrant workers and large numbers walking home for thousands of miles had grown much worse.  

My letter had flagged the fact that from all accounts, there was more than enough rice and wheat available in our reserves with the FCI, and that these should be released without further delay to feed our people. Some reports that sanction had been given by the Cabinet to diverting grains for the manufacture of ethanol and hand sanitizers was truly alarming! read more: https://sabrangindia.in/article/mayday-mayday-mayday




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