Civil Defence and Home Guard institutions were conceptualized after the 1962 war. But only half-hearted attempt was made to build them to their capacity. Actually both of these should have developed and grown to make a good chunk of county’s civilian population. That has not happened. It is generally believed that the people in white collar jobs are hesitant to be part of these organizations. Unfortunately, the Government has not thought of launching a campaign to bring awareness to the people about the need of disciplining them in a way that they become an asset in times of need such as facing the effects of natural or man made calamities. In most of the countries of the world there is the system of compulsory military training and service so that every citizen is given elementary training in defence methodology if the need arises. As against this, in our country the above mentioned two institutions were set up on voluntary basis meaning that there is no compulsion on anybody whether he or she joins them or not. That is a clear sign of how much personal freedom we in this country are enjoying.
But at the same time, there has to be a sense of responsibility among the citizens of India as well. In the first place by and large ordinary citizens have to be disciplined persons physically and mentally. We are of the opinion that lack of discipline tempts the youth to aberrations and thus we have crimes and anti-national activities. Essentially, civil defence and home guards are raised to help civilian and military authorities in meeting challenges thrown up by natural or man made calamities. In instances of floods, fires, cyclones, epidemics, mass mobilization etc. these organizations are supposed to render crucial role in helping people out of danger.
Civil Defence is not placed under military control nor is it to be considered a wing of the army or defence forces. But of course, it is expected to work in collaboration with the army in certain situations where the army is called in to restore normalcy after a calamity has struck. The Home Guards are given training of how to defend public property and mount guard on public institutions by way of playing complimentary role for the police or the army in times of need. This subject has come to limelight after the Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde addressed the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Civil Defence and Home Guards in the capital. In his address, he impressed upon the top officers that a home guard was supposed to look sturdy and strong and adept in his profession. His physical bearing should not give the impression that he is a wreck and shorn of agility and sharpness of a soldier as he is required to perform duty in tough circumstances and situations. The idea of the Home Minister to bring at least one per cent of country’s total population within the ambit of civil defence is to be appreciated. Once things are set in motion, more and more people will volunteer for admission to these two organizations and these will not remain confined to poorer segments of civil society.
We have noticed with keen interest that the Home Ministry is now alive to the need of reinforcing and expanding the scope of civil defence and home guards. The Home Minister has announced that provision of 600 crore rupees has been made in the current year’s budget for revamping of these schemes. This is a right step and at right time. The Government has to learn from past experience as to what went wrong and where in allowing these institutions grow according tot the purpose for which these were created more than half a centaury ago. Security environment today has become more precarious than what it was two or three decades ago. We have terrorists, militants, insurgents, subversives and others fighting the might of the State in the name of autonomy, freedom, self-rule, identity recognition and other pretexts but actually aiming at the disintegration of Indian State on the behest of their foreign mentors. While security and paramilitary forces in the country are fighting this menace, much remains to be done on the front of civil society. Our borders are being threatened in the east and in the west. A proxy war has been unleashed by Pakistani intelligence agency in J&K and elsewhere. China is casting her eyes on Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore it is necessary that the people in this country are brought awareness of their responsibility in meeting these threats. We need a large youth force trained in elementary defence activity and social service to remain handy and ready for deployment if and when a situation arises. Targeting just one per cent of our total population is too small a number. It should be at least 5 per cent to begin with. Then a special drive needs to be made in schools and colleges and universities throughout the country for voluntary enrolment in thee organizations. Even if some incentive is also offered, that would be added attraction for the youth to join the ranks of civil defence and home guards.
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