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Let me begin by sharing the names of and honorary ranks of some of the more known personalities who have been honoured this way:
Territorial ArmyHonorary Lieutenant Colonel – Kapil Dev Mohan Lal Mahendra Singh Dhoni Abhinav Bindra Mary Kom
Indian Air ForceHonorary Air Vice Marshal – J. R. D. TataHonorary Air Commodore – Vijaypat SinghaniaHonorary Group Captain – Sachin Tendulkar
Now, I have nothing against these truly great Indians who have made this country proud in their respective fields, but all this rank-giving led me to think if all this is really necessary?
I mean most of these people have already received awards both, at the national as well as international stage so why give them ‘Honorary’ ranks in the military force of the country?
There is an explanation that I kept running into while researching on this topic. The reason apparently is that when the youth of the country will see their idols get ranks in the military of the country for performing in their own field (read: serving the nation), they will also feel the urge to join the in the nation’s service. It was apparently used as a public relations tactic to recruit more men and women to fill up the vacancies in the military ranks. I know not if this tactic has succeeded.
On the other hand there is the reasoning that dishing out stars on the shoulders of those who have not earned them the right way is an insult to all the soldiers who have given up the better part of their lives for the defence of the nation. An insult to those brave souls who stand guard at the gates of our nation, letting us sleep in peace while they lay down life and limb to prevent any harm this great country.
There is also the point of everyone being good in their own field. Reward and honor them as they deserve but restricted to their field. Why shower these unnecessary trappings, uniforms and prefixes on those who, first of all have no need of them and secondly, probably makes no great statement other than earning the adjective of being pompous and grandiose when there is no need of the same.
These are the two sides of the argument which I've tried to put across as objectively as I could manage to. Now, I’d like to know your opinion on the same.
Oh, and yes, the following is an article by a retired Brigadier on the same issue. I highly recommend you go through it. 'All Gentlemen can't be Officers.'
