Let Parochialism not Afflict the Services

Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD

Parochialism is a commonly used term with wide-ranging definitions that are pejorative in connotation. Essentially, parochialism denotes narrowness of views both in substance and scope. It implies inability to consider issues in larger and wider perspective. In other words parochialism is a manifestation of narrow-mindedness and pettiness. As human beings are products of their environment, their attitude and disposition get moulded in the formative years, both at home and work place. Although the underlying reason for all types of parochialism is an attitude of insularity, they get manifested differently.

Parochialism is a human weakness. According supremacy to local and immediate interests over larger issues is a common trait and phenomenon. While parochialism remains harmless within acceptable limits, it becomes cancerous when allowed to proliferate to unhealthy intensity. It can afflict body politic of any nation, society or organization with fatal consequences. History stands testimony that a nation infested with the virus of parochialism has always been an easy prey for subjugation. No one knows this bitter truth better than India, whose centuries-long suffering under foreign rule was the direct fallout of the malaise of parochialism.

Unfortunately, India has learnt nothing from the past and similar trends are raising their vicious heads again all over the country. In this dismal scenario, the armed forces stand as the solitary bulwark against fissiparous forces. Being united India’s only hope, they cannot fail the nation. Therefore, it is vitally important that they be kept scrupulously free of the virus of parochialism lest it destroys organizational cohesion and degrades their fighting potential.

Regrettably, due to lack of progressive exposure, many service officers fail to acquire broader vision even while occupying higher ranks. They grow in career but fail to outgrow narrow mindsets. They remain weighed down with local issues. Their excessive deportment towards immediate affiliations is a result of their inability to grasp and fully appreciate criticality of larger issues.