Page 370 - Leadership in the Indian Army

the discussion, saying that: ‘So long as I am the GOC, this is how I will
fight the defensive battle.’ And that was that.
During his visits to the forward defences, Hanut found the officers and

men living under appalling conditions. The men were in sheds that had no
insulation, and had to huddle around bukharie s (stoves used for heating), as
the shed never really got warm. Once the bukhari was put out, it became
unbearably cold inside. The tin roofs of the sheds had holes, letting in rain
and melted snow, causing permanent slush inside. There were no toilets and
bathrooms—just a hessian cloth enclosure, flapping in the wind. There was
no lighting, so the day ended as soon as the sun went down. Hanut thought

it was shameful that even after spending 20 years in the same locations, the
troops were being made to suffer in this manner. He berated the officers for
timidly accepting this state of affairs, and told them that unless they insisted
on certain minimum standards in facilities for troops, no one would do
anything about it.
Hanut raised the issue at the next Operational Works Conference. He

pointed out that they already had surplus defence works in almost all
defended localities, and suggested that for the next few years, the funds for
operational works be used for providing decent living accommodation for
troops. To his surprise, Brar replied that he too, had visited the forward
defences, and found the state of accommodation to be quite satisfactory.
Obviously, either the standards used by the Corps Commander were very
low, or he was deliberately trying to snub Hanut.

When Hanut realised that he would get no help from Corps HQ in the
form of funds, he requested some engineer effort. However, even this was
refused. Hanut then decided to procure the necessary material using the
funds and engineer resources of the division. Wood was locally available at
cheap rates, and this was used for insulating the living accommodation.
When the Corps HQ objected on the ground that it would increase the risk

of fire, Hanut said that he would take the responsibility. Bathrooms were
made using hollow cement blocks, and each post was provided with a
generator for lighting, as well as a radio, so that their day did not end at
sunset. Naturally, the troops were delighted, and when Hanut left after a
year, the ‘Water Shed Brigade’ recorded their appreciation and thanks by
presenting to him a memento inscribed with the words: ‘You have done
more for improving our operational preparedness, administrative facilities