National Geographic: “Join the Indian Army”

You can’t make this stuff up:

“After grilling 30,000 enthusiastic and patriotic youth applicants across the country, Nat Geo has selected the final five who will embark on a journey to win themselves a never before opportunity to experience the life of an Indian Army Officer, said Keertan Adyanthaya, Managing Director, Fox International Channel and National Geographic Network India.  ….

“I firmly believe that in the age of scripted reality shows, a docu-reality programme like Mission Army will attract millions of people from different age groups across the country. We firmly believe that this programme will showcase the Grit, the Valour & the Glory of the Indian Army and encourage brave young men & women to join the Indian Army,” added Keertan Adyanthaya.

Using the good name of National Geographic is essential to that recruiting effort:

“We are very happy and proud to partner with National Geographic Channel for Mission Army, as we feel that the values and authenticity the channel brings, will enhance and bring forward the true spirit and grit of the Indian Army.”

—  General Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff

Wow.

The National Geographic Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity. Which begs two key questions:

Why are U.S. taxpayers effectively subsidizing
an organization that helps
recruit soldiers for India’s Army?

What prevents National Geographic’s partners in
Russia, China, and the Middle East
from using our Society’s good name
to expand their armed forces?

And just in case you think Mission Army is a one-time aberration, check out:

_____

Dear John: Let’s Talk.

_____

Tagged as: army, Dear John, Fox International, India, John Fahey, Keertan Adyanthaya, military, navy, NG Channel, recruiting, tax-exempt, video