Were you opposed to the cease fire in Kashmir?

There is some misunderstanding. I was not opposed to the cease fire per se. All that I advised the Prime Minister was to accept the ceasefire only after driving out all raiders and Pakistan's army from Kashmir and said it would take about two weeks. I only wanted two weeks period to liberate Kashmir and only then the cease fire could be accepted, only after liberating Kashmir. This advice was not accepted because I "lacked brains".

Let me repeat that I am only a soldier, but I have read some gems from Vedas. The value of true education is not realised in our country nor is it given the importance it deserves.

What do you mean by true education?

The motive of true education is to make you think independently. Education should enable our people to make our land more fertile, the minds more productive, the trade more flourishing, the bodies more active, the minds more original, the hearts more pure, the industries more varied and our nation more disciplined and united. It is better to have "no brains" than destructive brains.

How could one succeed in life?

Success does not mean the absence of failures. It means the attainment of ultimate objectives. It means winning the war and not every battle.

One must unlock one's potential for success. Most people fall in life not because of the lack of ability and intelligence, but because of the lack of desire, direction, dedication, discipline and devotion to one's duties. A right decision at the wrong time becomes a wrong decision.  

What is the difference between intellectual education and value-based education?

The former influences the head while the latter influences the heart. What is needed is education which builds character and integrity such as honesty, compassion, courage, persistence and responsibility.

Moral bankruptcy  will make even our excellent academic qualifications useless and destructive. It will make them highly skilled barbarians and maniacs. True education should train both head and heart. Knowledge is potential power while wisdom is real power. Intelligence, ability, skill, commitment, conviction, character, integrity, courtesy and courage should work in harmony for the benefit of our Nation. Walking encyclopedias often degenerate into living failures!  

Why are only some winners and the rest losers?

Winners stand firm on values and compromise on petty things. Losers stand firm on petty things and compromise on values.

My dear young man, live, feel, observe, absorb, listen and understand, and your success is certain. This is what I have learnt from Vedas. It does not matter if I don't have brains.

Vedas say that you cannot bring prosperity by discouraging the right, you cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong, you cannot enrich the poor by impoverishing the rich, you cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. There is no magic wand for success. In the real world, success comes to doers and not to observers.

Vedas also say that you cannot promote the brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they should do for themselves. 

Is not ability a road to success?

Yes and no. Mere ability without dependability, responsibility and flexibility may be even a liability sometimes. Furthermore, character, integrity and discipline are also necessary for your ability to succeed.

Let me also tell you that in life, we cannot have instant answers like instant coffee. There are no quick fixes.

Finally, needs can be satisfied, but not greed.

Let me tell you one gem from our Vedas. You sow a thought, you reap an action. You sow an action, you reap a benefit, you sow a habit, you reap a character, you sow a character and you reap a destiny. It all starts with thoughts. Vedas also say that a fool is a person who makes the same mistake twice, perhaps a bigger one. People who do not learn lessons from history, although a student of history, and past mistakes are doomed.

A swollen head gives a big headache to others while a swollen heart gives humility.

Vedic wisdom teaches us that our first responsibilities are to the Nation, second to the public and third to ourselves. This hierarchy has been reversed by our politicians. Moral obligation and freedom go hand in hand.

A society is often destroyed not so much by the activities of rascals but by the inactivity of good people without backbone. Talk less, listen more and do more. Understood?

Vedas also say that a closed mind tries to prove who is right rather than what is right. Arguments throw heat while discussions throw light. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge and logic. Discussion tries to prove what is right and not who is right.

Another gem from Vedas is "prosperity brings friends while adversity reveals them. Great minds have purposes while others have only wishes. The pursuit of money without any goal, neglecting your social and moral responsibilities is bound to cause your down fall. Inheriting wealth without values is a curse. Loyalty cannot be bought but can only be earned. A purposeless life is a living death. Wise people learn from their mistakes. Wiser people learn from the mistakes of others. Our life is not long enough to make all mistakes and then learn. In absence of justice and morality, a Nation becomes a land of dacoits." I hope I have not bored you.   

Well, General Saab, I have learnt a lot from you today. You have not only brains but wisdom too.

Is it so? Thank you. 

(Interviewed by S.S. Bankeshwar in the early fifties, source: Hindu Voice, September 2004)

On China

In 1951, General Cariappa, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army warned the Minister of Defence of a possible Chinese threat to India, after the Chinese had taken over Tibet. Cariappa argued that defensive action be taken in the Northeast. On Defence Minister’s recommendation Cariappa also briefed the Prime Minister, on these recommended measures. Nehru asked why these measures were needed. Cariappa replied that the Chinese might have designs on this region of India. At this point Nehru said, “It is not the business of the Commander-in-Chief to tell the Prime Minister, who is going to attack us where. In fact, the Chinese will defend our Eastern frontiers. You mind only Kashmir and Pakistan."

After the Indian Army's defeat in the China war in October 1962 General Cariappa had said: "Had India listened to Savarkar and adopted his policy of militarisation and prepared herself, she would not have been placed in this predicament."

On RSS

In 1959, General Cariappa told the Mangalore Shakha: "RSS work is my heart's work.....If Muslims can sing the praises of Islam, what wrong is there if RSS sings the praises of Hinduism?......My dear young men, don't be disturbed by uncharitable comments of interested persons. Dr. Hedgewar, the revered founder of this great organisation, has set before you a bright example of selfless devotion to the service of the motherland. Look ahead! Go ahead! This country is standing in need of your services alone."

On Muslim Problem

General K.M. Cariappa wrote in the Organiser dated August 15, 1964, "Muslim loyalty seems to be primarily to Pakistan. This is a crime unpardonable. This is also the impression of a large percentage of non-Muslim intellectuals in India. Here is the root cause for there being a none-too-happy feeling towards Muslims by a large percentage of the majority....This is understandable."