New Delhi: Army chief General M.M. Naravane Friday took a stern stand on elaborate military functions and protocols, saying the Army needs to be more professional in its approach and not get “carried away by ceremonials”.
He said the chiefs of all the three armed forces — Army, Navy and Air Force — are on the same page in this regard.
“Definitely, there is a lot of scope for cutting down on ceremonials. The ceremonials have their own place and role in military ethos and traditions. There are days meant for pomp and pageantry like Army Day, Republic Day,” Naravane said, while speaking to a group of journalists at the Army headquarters in the national capital.
Naravane, who took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff on 31 December, said there is no need for red carpet and flags during a military exercise.
“We need to be more professional in our approach and not be carried away by these ceremonials,” he said.
“All the three service chiefs are on the common page on this and feel strongly that ceremonials and pomp are meant only for special occasions,” Naravane added.
‘Army has a special bond with its veterans’
Naravane also said the Army shares a special bond with its veterans and that there is no friction between them.
“One or two random incidents should not skew the relations,” he said, when asked about the veterans being unhappy with the Army over the issues of proposed code of conduct for retired personnel and taxing disability pension.
Naravane mentioned that his first commanding officer came to meet him on 31 December, the day he took office.
“Imagine, my commanding officer came. He was proud that his second lieutenant had become the Army chief. This is the bond that the Army has with the veterans,” he said.
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