The Buddy or Sahayak system in the Indian Army refers to a practice where each officer or Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) is assigned a personal assistant or buddy who is usually a soldier from a lower rank.
The buddy or sahayak is responsible for performing various administrative and domestic duties for the officer, such as cleaning the officer’s living quarters, polishing shoes, running errands, and helping with other personal tasks.
The buddy or sahayak is also expected to assist the officer in the field during exercises or operations, carrying equipment, setting up tents, and performing other tasks as directed. While the buddy or sahayak is not required to accompany the officer into combat, they may do so voluntarily.
The Buddy or Sahayak system has been a long-standing tradition in the Indian Army, but it has also been the subject of controversy and criticism.
Some argue that the system perpetuates a class-based hierarchy and can be a form of exploitation of lower-ranking soldiers, while others defend the system as an important aspect of military culture and camaraderie. In recent years, there have been efforts to reduce the reliance on the Buddy or Sahayak system and to provide more professional training and support for soldiers in administrative and other roles.
