Just a civil gesture

The Padma awards list disappointed some former defence officials, whose names are recommended for accomplishments during service and after retirement. Some of these retired officers were former DGMO and now director of Delhi Policy Group Lt Gen V R Raghavan, India8217;s best-known face in the world of UN Peacekeeping and USI Director Lt Gen Satish Nambiar, former Army Commander Lt Gen Aditya Singh and J038;K specialist Maj Gen Afsar Karim. But they drew a nil before a jury that was, perhaps, of the view that these awards were not meant for people with military background. While the military world seems to have taken this with a pinch of salt, there is now a suggestion to make it explicit that retired military officials are not eligible for these awards.