Saturday, December 22, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Sukkhi my buddy, my shadow, my man.
Today the 06 Dec 2007 sitting in the AMCEDP hostel of IIT Kharagpur when I look back at my life as to what I was before 5 years and what I had then and what i have lost, post 06 Dec 2002 my eyes have nothing to see, heart nothing to feel or complain, yea I am just thankful that I am alive. Alive to see my wife and see my kid grow up. Yea it is a miracle that I have survived the injury when even doctors had very little hope, may be God has something in store for me or may be that was not my day to die, may be.
Looking at the incidents that happened with me like everybody I too want to have some changes in the past to make if I can. Let me take you all to some Seven years back when I was commanding a company in one of the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. My company location was not that bad. It was located on the fringe of forest and there was a road some 1 KM to the south of my company location. My company was always on threat cause being on the fringe of forest it was always a likely target for the militants to fire and then run away. Hence it was always a herculean task to keep such incidents from taking place though I was successful most of the time but luck could not be always kind to me and I had my share of bad luck bad timing bad day and of course a decision which afterwards proved to be a wrong one. Well that is life and that is how one learns.I was posted in this Battalion in Oct 2000. Sukhvinder must have come to my company some where in month of Aug/ Sept of 2001. His parent unit was Mahar Regt.
The convoy bringing the men to my company location use to come at around 1600hrs or these men use to stay in battalion headquarters for the night and then use to reach my company location next day or at times after 3 to 4 days depending upon the situation in battalion headquarters. Rfn Sukhwinder came along with me to the company location. A young boy of hardly 20-21 years. Thin but very fit and smartly turned out sardar came and saluted me with the precision of book. I spoke to him for a min and walked with the column to my company location some 12 KM from the battalion headquarters.
Next day morning along with other men who had come back from leave and temporary duty he too was marched for my interview called as the company commander's interview. When he spoke to me there was some thing which had said to me that he is the man that will be best for the role I was looking. My old QRT was soon to be disintegrated cause the men were due for their posting and were soon to be returned to their parent units. Sukhi was teased by his parent unit boys and use to call him a coward and all. That evening I called my QRT NCO and asked him as to why all this is going on and the answer he gave left me astonished. Once in his native village some boys were teasing him and instead of fighting, this chap ran away from that place which was very uncharacteristic of an infantry soldier.
So once on firing range I met Sukhi and gave him some hard targets to fire at and I was surprised with the accuracy of his fire. Over a period of time I tested him by sending on LP and stay back parties and was following his performance record very closely and was happy to find that he was really doing fine. So once after Company commander's darbar I called him for a ch at and asked him as to why the boys are teasing him and he shyly narrated the incidence and concluded by saying that he did not want to get into fight cause he did not want to have trouble for his family after he left for his duties so at times it is better to just avoid confrontation and let the things take its own course. That very moment I decided that he will be the lead man of my QRT and I started to train him myself and started taking him on operations where i use to select the best amongst the best.
In due course Rfn Rawat my no 1 guide went back to his unit and Sukhi took his place to the surprise of many boys as to why I gave him that position. As days went by Sukhi and I became very close and use to understand each other very well. Over a period of time I understood his walking style and use to sense his apprehension about some place by the change in his walking speed and the pauses which he use to make. He was so loyal to his duties as a buddy that he use to not leave me alone even for a minute when i was outside the company locations. I use to go to many civilians houses for tea and all or to meet my sources, this person use to scan the room first see every thing personally and then use to stand outside the door as a guard to me. So much was his devotion that even in battalion headquarters when i use to go to meet the commanding officer he use to keep his weapon and my weapon with him and use to stand out side the CO's office. Many a times my CO said to him to not stand there but he use to just smile move out and again use to come and stand for me there. CO gave up and said Rahul you have a boy who will stand by you in all times. The wise old man would never have been more correct.
Days became week, weeks into month and time flew away to see the second snow fall together. In the month of November 2002, Delta company killed three militants and one of them was from my area of responsibility. On o6 of DEC 2002 was Ramzan Eid and there was a general alert in whole of J&K state and also whole of India cause this date coincides with Babri Majjid issue too. Usually on the day of Eid army is busy keeping the area under surveillance and almost all the convoy and all planned moves are stopped. It was around 1000hrs that I received a call on my radio set from one of intelligence corps that a militant was seen a night before in a village called Yankee and that he was seen in a house of one Hassan Dar. I thought over it and concluded that the militant must have had dinner and must have gone by now cause my experience said that no matter what happens the militants never stay in the same village for more time. Moreover I had no man power to launch any operation against it. As it can happen I recieved another call at around 1200hr that the same militant was seen again in the morning in the same village.
Then I spoke to the adjutant of the battalion and was told to speak to CO who was not in the battalion headquarter and presently is out so I can speak with him on radio set. I spoke to him and told him about the same. He did not seemed much interested for obvious reason that the area was not in our territory and if militant is there then why are they telling us to operate why cant the responsible unit do something about it. I convinced my CO to let me go, and if the information is true then we will get the militants or other wise our presence will become a deterrent for the militants to come freely in the village. CO got convinced and permitted me to go. It was 1245hr now and I did not have manpower also cause my men were already deployed at places. I was still at a place far off from my company location and I was on foot doing patrolling. It was 1330hr when I reached my company location. There I finally got the man power tally and I was not able to pull out more then 14 men for the operation.
Gave 10 min for my men to have there lunch and I spent the time in planning the operation. The problem was that the village was not in my Area of Responsibility hence I had no records of the village. No records of the militants nor any surrendered militants in that village. Being the day of Eid the brigade under which the village came was busy in its adm work and all cause the main troops were on LC and only handful for guard duties and adm work were present. This village was bang on the road with its southern boundary touching the road and the north was the dense forest. So if I would have approached the village from the south i.e the road the militants if present would have time and they would have run away in the forest. Hence I planned to approach the village from the north i.e the forest side and have the element of surprise with me.
The village was some 5km west from my location. We were say about 1 km short of it in another village by about 1430hr. There we took some students who knew about out target house and agreed to escort us. So from that village short of 1km from the target village we started our climb Northward into the forest and were in the thick of it about 500 mtr and then changed our course towards West to approach the target village from the north at a distance of 500 mtr towards north of the target village. From a vantage point the students showed us the target house and the final briefing I gave to the men from the vantage point indicating not only the group commanders but also the individual men so that there is no confusion and no collateral damage considering the sanctity of that day. Our move was so swift that no one came to know as to when did we entered the village and it was only when we cordoned the house and made the announcement that the village people came to know that army is in side there village. That was the level of surprise which we as as team were able to achieve which took a long time and lot of rigorous long hours of practice which we as a team of 15 men use to do a requirement in Rashtriya Rifles if you have to be successful in this hostile and unfriendly terrain. The last stop was at position at around 1610hr that means we had only 45min for complete checking because the visibility of 10 mtr is only till 1700hr in month of Dec in Kashmir Valley. Sukkhi was with me checking the stops and also planning and reading my mind.
My team was so much use to my way of functioning that our total communication was in terms of field signal and also few which we had modified and invented ourself.
They use to know what exactly is expected of them and Sukkhi use to keep a mental account of everything cause when I was on the radio set he use to be protecting me with his cover fire and also taking care of the field communication if some one of my team wanted to communicate with me. That level of understanding we had which requires lot and lot of practice and mutual faith and understanding which we had amongst us.
At around 1620 our search started. I took three men with me. Only one was the old timer Sukkhi, one was a bit exp Rfn Giri and the third was new, I took him cause I had to train him and since this information was not that reliable so I wanted him to have the feel of it.The fear of facing death and the fear of caught alive by the militants haunts every one which makes you more cautious and caution makes you serious in training. So in we went to find the basement empty, the ground floor empty , the first floor nothing, second floor nothing.
Here now only the roof was remaining. I and Sukkhi were buddies and Giri and fourth Kartara were the buddies. We finished our part and were moving with cover and fire drill and was approaching the steps to move up when I called for Giri and he took his time to answer which was normal as men are more quit due to fear of unknown.
Then he's reply came ' Sabji aa rahae hai '. Sukkhi was getting impatient by the delay cause we were being exposed and were in open cause we needed them to cover our move as we to go up the stair case. The moment Sukkhi heard this he stepped on the stair case with a slight whistle to catch my attention and i was giving the cover fire. As Giri came out of the room he and Kartara gave us the fire cover and i started up the stair case.
The moment I was on the second step a militant popped from behind the drum and we shot at each other. The moment the firing started Sukkhi as a trained soldier jumped out on the roof and in no time there was firing every where. I was badly hit and i saw the militants gun coming down the steps sliding. I was thrown up like a ball I still remember and I use to laugh as to how they show it in the movies but believe me it happens in reality cause i too was in the air for short duration. Then it started every thing. I asked the radio operator Gnr Jhonson to confirm to Adjt that contact established. likely hood of more militants in the house require reinforcement which i had earmarked in my company just in case required and also told them that I have been hit.
After some time I took control of the situation and was calling for Sukkhi. But no reply. As i was telling the men outside what to do I was told that the other two men who were there have come out of the house due too no protection for them and they moved out cause the bullets were flying every where. As I was looking out of the window I caught some movement by the side of my eye and by the natural reflex, pressed the trigger and I was able to shoot the militant who must have come to check about my well being. This was the second militant that I was able to kill. But this increased the confusion as to from where has this militant come . Every thing was searched then from where did this militant has come. So the cruel thought came to mind that may be he has come from top and probably Sukkhi has attained martyrdom.
By now there was lot of blood loss from my body and my eyes were getting blurred that was the indication that my happy birthday was near. But I did not wanted to die cause the training teaches you that you are not dead till you decide that you are dead. So ......hey wait this is for Sukkhi not for me. Enough of what has happened to me that has got enough awards and accolades from the press and govt so here is what is Sukkhi's role.
OK I will tell you how i came out of that room, it was easy, with my complete blood soaked body I jumped from a height of 50 feet on the hard ground.
Then I was admitted to hospital for two years almost for some or the other thing. I was operated 4 times on my stomach so I said to the doctor why dont he put a zipper on my stomach it will save him the trouble of tearing and stitching me always.
I asked about Sukkhi and I was told that he is fine and has been saved with minor cuts and abrasion. I was still in the critical stage being shifted to one place to other. I was sinking with days. Sheetal was with me in the hospital. She saw me in the worst condition and it was mess.
After almost 8 months when I was mentally stable and my continuous asking about Sukkhi's where about and why has he not come to see me cause my ward was like someplace where every one came to meet me, any body who is going on leave or coming back they use to meet me. I still remember my clerk had come to see me and get the bonds and other documents to be signed he started to cry and was not able to control himself. Sheetal had to control him and what he said I still remember. He had said that when Maj sahab use to come to battalion head quarter we use to see him smiling and whistling and today seeing him in this condition was not bearable.
Finally in 8th month i was told that Sukkhi attained the martyrdom that very night at around 2000hr -2030hr. He had a radio set with which he was able to speak to my CO. The militants were able to catch him and he was killed. He was so badly killed not even a inch on his body was not there where they did not fired at.His whole body had bullet holes and this is why the doctors did not want me to hear about Sukkhi's end.
The boy whom I trained and made the man out of him was no more was like losing a younger brother for me. That is my Sukkhi the man I lost and may be his unknown deeds helped me to jump form the house otherwise i would have been killed by them.
Lot has happened but i thing this is dedicated to my Sukkhi so you will be able to read about me some time else cause I believe he deserves this blog.
SUKKHI MY FRIEND AND BUDDY. YOU WILL ALWAYS LIVE WITH ME . YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY INSPIRATION TO MOVE ON IN LIFE.
May you rest in peace. Will meet some day and will do soldiering there too.
Friends daily many Sukkhi's die so when ever you see a soldier dont feel pity if he is using a crutch but feel proud of him that he has done his job well and he deserves a little bit of respect. JAIHIND and my salutation to all Sukhhies of the Indian Army.
Looking at the incidents that happened with me like everybody I too want to have some changes in the past to make if I can. Let me take you all to some Seven years back when I was commanding a company in one of the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. My company location was not that bad. It was located on the fringe of forest and there was a road some 1 KM to the south of my company location. My company was always on threat cause being on the fringe of forest it was always a likely target for the militants to fire and then run away. Hence it was always a herculean task to keep such incidents from taking place though I was successful most of the time but luck could not be always kind to me and I had my share of bad luck bad timing bad day and of course a decision which afterwards proved to be a wrong one. Well that is life and that is how one learns.I was posted in this Battalion in Oct 2000. Sukhvinder must have come to my company some where in month of Aug/ Sept of 2001. His parent unit was Mahar Regt.
The convoy bringing the men to my company location use to come at around 1600hrs or these men use to stay in battalion headquarters for the night and then use to reach my company location next day or at times after 3 to 4 days depending upon the situation in battalion headquarters. Rfn Sukhwinder came along with me to the company location. A young boy of hardly 20-21 years. Thin but very fit and smartly turned out sardar came and saluted me with the precision of book. I spoke to him for a min and walked with the column to my company location some 12 KM from the battalion headquarters.
Next day morning along with other men who had come back from leave and temporary duty he too was marched for my interview called as the company commander's interview. When he spoke to me there was some thing which had said to me that he is the man that will be best for the role I was looking. My old QRT was soon to be disintegrated cause the men were due for their posting and were soon to be returned to their parent units. Sukhi was teased by his parent unit boys and use to call him a coward and all. That evening I called my QRT NCO and asked him as to why all this is going on and the answer he gave left me astonished. Once in his native village some boys were teasing him and instead of fighting, this chap ran away from that place which was very uncharacteristic of an infantry soldier.
So once on firing range I met Sukhi and gave him some hard targets to fire at and I was surprised with the accuracy of his fire. Over a period of time I tested him by sending on LP and stay back parties and was following his performance record very closely and was happy to find that he was really doing fine. So once after Company commander's darbar I called him for a ch at and asked him as to why the boys are teasing him and he shyly narrated the incidence and concluded by saying that he did not want to get into fight cause he did not want to have trouble for his family after he left for his duties so at times it is better to just avoid confrontation and let the things take its own course. That very moment I decided that he will be the lead man of my QRT and I started to train him myself and started taking him on operations where i use to select the best amongst the best.
In due course Rfn Rawat my no 1 guide went back to his unit and Sukhi took his place to the surprise of many boys as to why I gave him that position. As days went by Sukhi and I became very close and use to understand each other very well. Over a period of time I understood his walking style and use to sense his apprehension about some place by the change in his walking speed and the pauses which he use to make. He was so loyal to his duties as a buddy that he use to not leave me alone even for a minute when i was outside the company locations. I use to go to many civilians houses for tea and all or to meet my sources, this person use to scan the room first see every thing personally and then use to stand outside the door as a guard to me. So much was his devotion that even in battalion headquarters when i use to go to meet the commanding officer he use to keep his weapon and my weapon with him and use to stand out side the CO's office. Many a times my CO said to him to not stand there but he use to just smile move out and again use to come and stand for me there. CO gave up and said Rahul you have a boy who will stand by you in all times. The wise old man would never have been more correct.
Days became week, weeks into month and time flew away to see the second snow fall together. In the month of November 2002, Delta company killed three militants and one of them was from my area of responsibility. On o6 of DEC 2002 was Ramzan Eid and there was a general alert in whole of J&K state and also whole of India cause this date coincides with Babri Majjid issue too. Usually on the day of Eid army is busy keeping the area under surveillance and almost all the convoy and all planned moves are stopped. It was around 1000hrs that I received a call on my radio set from one of intelligence corps that a militant was seen a night before in a village called Yankee and that he was seen in a house of one Hassan Dar. I thought over it and concluded that the militant must have had dinner and must have gone by now cause my experience said that no matter what happens the militants never stay in the same village for more time. Moreover I had no man power to launch any operation against it. As it can happen I recieved another call at around 1200hr that the same militant was seen again in the morning in the same village.
Then I spoke to the adjutant of the battalion and was told to speak to CO who was not in the battalion headquarter and presently is out so I can speak with him on radio set. I spoke to him and told him about the same. He did not seemed much interested for obvious reason that the area was not in our territory and if militant is there then why are they telling us to operate why cant the responsible unit do something about it. I convinced my CO to let me go, and if the information is true then we will get the militants or other wise our presence will become a deterrent for the militants to come freely in the village. CO got convinced and permitted me to go. It was 1245hr now and I did not have manpower also cause my men were already deployed at places. I was still at a place far off from my company location and I was on foot doing patrolling. It was 1330hr when I reached my company location. There I finally got the man power tally and I was not able to pull out more then 14 men for the operation.
Gave 10 min for my men to have there lunch and I spent the time in planning the operation. The problem was that the village was not in my Area of Responsibility hence I had no records of the village. No records of the militants nor any surrendered militants in that village. Being the day of Eid the brigade under which the village came was busy in its adm work and all cause the main troops were on LC and only handful for guard duties and adm work were present. This village was bang on the road with its southern boundary touching the road and the north was the dense forest. So if I would have approached the village from the south i.e the road the militants if present would have time and they would have run away in the forest. Hence I planned to approach the village from the north i.e the forest side and have the element of surprise with me.
The village was some 5km west from my location. We were say about 1 km short of it in another village by about 1430hr. There we took some students who knew about out target house and agreed to escort us. So from that village short of 1km from the target village we started our climb Northward into the forest and were in the thick of it about 500 mtr and then changed our course towards West to approach the target village from the north at a distance of 500 mtr towards north of the target village. From a vantage point the students showed us the target house and the final briefing I gave to the men from the vantage point indicating not only the group commanders but also the individual men so that there is no confusion and no collateral damage considering the sanctity of that day. Our move was so swift that no one came to know as to when did we entered the village and it was only when we cordoned the house and made the announcement that the village people came to know that army is in side there village. That was the level of surprise which we as as team were able to achieve which took a long time and lot of rigorous long hours of practice which we as a team of 15 men use to do a requirement in Rashtriya Rifles if you have to be successful in this hostile and unfriendly terrain. The last stop was at position at around 1610hr that means we had only 45min for complete checking because the visibility of 10 mtr is only till 1700hr in month of Dec in Kashmir Valley. Sukkhi was with me checking the stops and also planning and reading my mind.
My team was so much use to my way of functioning that our total communication was in terms of field signal and also few which we had modified and invented ourself.
They use to know what exactly is expected of them and Sukkhi use to keep a mental account of everything cause when I was on the radio set he use to be protecting me with his cover fire and also taking care of the field communication if some one of my team wanted to communicate with me. That level of understanding we had which requires lot and lot of practice and mutual faith and understanding which we had amongst us.
At around 1620 our search started. I took three men with me. Only one was the old timer Sukkhi, one was a bit exp Rfn Giri and the third was new, I took him cause I had to train him and since this information was not that reliable so I wanted him to have the feel of it.The fear of facing death and the fear of caught alive by the militants haunts every one which makes you more cautious and caution makes you serious in training. So in we went to find the basement empty, the ground floor empty , the first floor nothing, second floor nothing.
Here now only the roof was remaining. I and Sukkhi were buddies and Giri and fourth Kartara were the buddies. We finished our part and were moving with cover and fire drill and was approaching the steps to move up when I called for Giri and he took his time to answer which was normal as men are more quit due to fear of unknown.
Then he's reply came ' Sabji aa rahae hai '. Sukkhi was getting impatient by the delay cause we were being exposed and were in open cause we needed them to cover our move as we to go up the stair case. The moment Sukkhi heard this he stepped on the stair case with a slight whistle to catch my attention and i was giving the cover fire. As Giri came out of the room he and Kartara gave us the fire cover and i started up the stair case.
The moment I was on the second step a militant popped from behind the drum and we shot at each other. The moment the firing started Sukkhi as a trained soldier jumped out on the roof and in no time there was firing every where. I was badly hit and i saw the militants gun coming down the steps sliding. I was thrown up like a ball I still remember and I use to laugh as to how they show it in the movies but believe me it happens in reality cause i too was in the air for short duration. Then it started every thing. I asked the radio operator Gnr Jhonson to confirm to Adjt that contact established. likely hood of more militants in the house require reinforcement which i had earmarked in my company just in case required and also told them that I have been hit.
After some time I took control of the situation and was calling for Sukkhi. But no reply. As i was telling the men outside what to do I was told that the other two men who were there have come out of the house due too no protection for them and they moved out cause the bullets were flying every where. As I was looking out of the window I caught some movement by the side of my eye and by the natural reflex, pressed the trigger and I was able to shoot the militant who must have come to check about my well being. This was the second militant that I was able to kill. But this increased the confusion as to from where has this militant come . Every thing was searched then from where did this militant has come. So the cruel thought came to mind that may be he has come from top and probably Sukkhi has attained martyrdom.
By now there was lot of blood loss from my body and my eyes were getting blurred that was the indication that my happy birthday was near. But I did not wanted to die cause the training teaches you that you are not dead till you decide that you are dead. So ......hey wait this is for Sukkhi not for me. Enough of what has happened to me that has got enough awards and accolades from the press and govt so here is what is Sukkhi's role.
OK I will tell you how i came out of that room, it was easy, with my complete blood soaked body I jumped from a height of 50 feet on the hard ground.
Then I was admitted to hospital for two years almost for some or the other thing. I was operated 4 times on my stomach so I said to the doctor why dont he put a zipper on my stomach it will save him the trouble of tearing and stitching me always.
I asked about Sukkhi and I was told that he is fine and has been saved with minor cuts and abrasion. I was still in the critical stage being shifted to one place to other. I was sinking with days. Sheetal was with me in the hospital. She saw me in the worst condition and it was mess.
After almost 8 months when I was mentally stable and my continuous asking about Sukkhi's where about and why has he not come to see me cause my ward was like someplace where every one came to meet me, any body who is going on leave or coming back they use to meet me. I still remember my clerk had come to see me and get the bonds and other documents to be signed he started to cry and was not able to control himself. Sheetal had to control him and what he said I still remember. He had said that when Maj sahab use to come to battalion head quarter we use to see him smiling and whistling and today seeing him in this condition was not bearable.
Finally in 8th month i was told that Sukkhi attained the martyrdom that very night at around 2000hr -2030hr. He had a radio set with which he was able to speak to my CO. The militants were able to catch him and he was killed. He was so badly killed not even a inch on his body was not there where they did not fired at.His whole body had bullet holes and this is why the doctors did not want me to hear about Sukkhi's end.
The boy whom I trained and made the man out of him was no more was like losing a younger brother for me. That is my Sukkhi the man I lost and may be his unknown deeds helped me to jump form the house otherwise i would have been killed by them.
Lot has happened but i thing this is dedicated to my Sukkhi so you will be able to read about me some time else cause I believe he deserves this blog.
SUKKHI MY FRIEND AND BUDDY. YOU WILL ALWAYS LIVE WITH ME . YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY INSPIRATION TO MOVE ON IN LIFE.
May you rest in peace. Will meet some day and will do soldiering there too.
Friends daily many Sukkhi's die so when ever you see a soldier dont feel pity if he is using a crutch but feel proud of him that he has done his job well and he deserves a little bit of respect. JAIHIND and my salutation to all Sukhhies of the Indian Army.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Why are we so apprehensive ??
Why do we fight? Why do we have grudges against the people with whom we are so close? The people on whom we have so much confidence, why suddenly we become so suspicious about the intentions or about the words used by the other. Why are we so much defensive? Why cant we be more tolerant why not wait for the next move by the person rather then jumping the gun and shooting down the person without a fair chance to the other guy.
I fail to understand why are we so intolerant why cant we listen to the other person listen to him/her find out what is it that's bugging. Why can’t we spend some time over the issue then just rushing into our decisions? This we do day in day out and wont you agree with me that this will be our second nature and will be seen even in our professional life and won’t we be then losing a good employee because of the defensive nature of ours. May be I may be wrong in saying this cause some people must be expert in understanding the complex organism, the human being, but still I believe understanding a human being is complex enough and if you value some one you don’t want to lose and when if you don’t want to lose some one you don’t take harsh decision at the drop of hat. May be I am biased may be, may be not.
Give and take man, I follow one principle and I never faltered on. It is worth giving a second thought on this before a harsh decision is taken cause the person we have we know the person that person knows us. Moreover if the harsh decision has to be taken it can be taken at any time but to mend things gone wrong is next to impossible. Finally to restart it with a fresh person takes time and things are still uncertain so it is better to give a second thought. Being a HR aspirant person I believe it is important yea it is important to think twice before ……...
I fail to understand why are we so intolerant why cant we listen to the other person listen to him/her find out what is it that's bugging. Why can’t we spend some time over the issue then just rushing into our decisions? This we do day in day out and wont you agree with me that this will be our second nature and will be seen even in our professional life and won’t we be then losing a good employee because of the defensive nature of ours. May be I may be wrong in saying this cause some people must be expert in understanding the complex organism, the human being, but still I believe understanding a human being is complex enough and if you value some one you don’t want to lose and when if you don’t want to lose some one you don’t take harsh decision at the drop of hat. May be I am biased may be, may be not.
Give and take man, I follow one principle and I never faltered on. It is worth giving a second thought on this before a harsh decision is taken cause the person we have we know the person that person knows us. Moreover if the harsh decision has to be taken it can be taken at any time but to mend things gone wrong is next to impossible. Finally to restart it with a fresh person takes time and things are still uncertain so it is better to give a second thought. Being a HR aspirant person I believe it is important yea it is important to think twice before ……...
Monday, October 22, 2007
WHAT ARE WE UPTO
Today the Times of India on it’s very first page featured a article that one of the very prominent school in Pune did not allow the kids to enter the school. Reason they had applied mehendi on their hands. The school authorities quoted the rules which prohibits the students from putting nail polish, lipstick and other make up and all. This is all good not only good but really very thought full too. But was the reason good enough for the day when most of the girls of whose parents/ guardian were interviewed seemed to be muslims and the Ramzan Id just over, was it not the duty of the school authorities to use the rules a little bit more judiciously and gave a second thought about the circumstances in which it all happened. Don’t we allow Sikhs to carry kirpan, then was the crime so big that the girls are now debarred from attending the school for a week. The girls are from primary school ie class 1 to V.
In this period when there is enough communal tension every where wasn’t it the duty of the school authorities to use their nuts more carefully. What will the little minds of the girls think? When the ISI of Pakistan is looking for hurt, disturbed and soft targets won’t such students be the potential targets for the enemy of our country. Who is to be blamed? I just wish some strict action is taken against the administration of the school and firm action taken against those involved in this. What is need of hour is teaching the young mind more tolerance and more acceptances of each others culture and not hatred and not at all the feelings that only punishments are the cure of all the misdeeds.
On a normal day this action would not have been that serious but when there is a special day like marriages and festival the school must give special permission and the class teacher should inform the class that due to a particular reason the student has been permitted the concession. No way have I thought the school authorities showed any maturity or any wisdom of what their actions might cause the young minds to think.
If this is how the school are planning to shape up the future of India ……… God alone can help us then.
May the school authorities be more tolerant, Wise, and judicious in following their rules.
In this period when there is enough communal tension every where wasn’t it the duty of the school authorities to use their nuts more carefully. What will the little minds of the girls think? When the ISI of Pakistan is looking for hurt, disturbed and soft targets won’t such students be the potential targets for the enemy of our country. Who is to be blamed? I just wish some strict action is taken against the administration of the school and firm action taken against those involved in this. What is need of hour is teaching the young mind more tolerance and more acceptances of each others culture and not hatred and not at all the feelings that only punishments are the cure of all the misdeeds.
On a normal day this action would not have been that serious but when there is a special day like marriages and festival the school must give special permission and the class teacher should inform the class that due to a particular reason the student has been permitted the concession. No way have I thought the school authorities showed any maturity or any wisdom of what their actions might cause the young minds to think.
If this is how the school are planning to shape up the future of India ……… God alone can help us then.
May the school authorities be more tolerant, Wise, and judicious in following their rules.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Who is to take care of India ?
This question comes to me always when ever my vehicle jumps in a pot hole or when ever I see the poor naked children of the construction worker near my house or any time when I feel helpless cause I dont have much resources to help the citizens of India or may I say citizens of my country (I feel shy to say so cause I feel that I am not doing enough for this country).
Recently in our society there was collection of money for Navratri celebration. As a customary gesture they had a meeting or shall i say a brain storming session in which they wanted to have ideas as to how the function should be celebrated. So I too gave my two penny worth idea which was neither appreciated so forget its application.
So what was the idea. My idea was that what ever money is collected should be used for some constructive work which will be there for ever in the society and we will also be teaching the children the sense of joy in giving and doing something for this nation of ours. So the blue print was that all the fun and frolics should continue but the aim should be to do good for the society at large.
So i suggested that what ever prizes we will give should be in cash and nothing to be bought for the winners. This money should be then collected in a central booty from where the development work should be carried out like painting of some walls,making shade for the security person, making a trolley for the safai wala cause he carries all the waste of all the society on his head which is criminal. Second stage will be what ever money is spent on that small project,on that the names of the winners should be written mentioning that this part of the project has been sponsored by so and so winners in the Navratri 2008 and so on, so that other kids too have a look at it and the kids can see it, feel proud of the same.
But then whose country is this to do some good or to think good of it. Forget other things atleast the safaiwala cart that too they dont want to give . Most of our society members are IT and ITES and bankers who will take up to arms and fight with the HR if some thing is not good at there work place terming it as bad practice for working conditions but they will have no time to think about the security person standing in sun and rain, will not see the safai wala carry the stinking waste on his head .................. where are we heading . To which country we belong . Working for MNCs has made our minds also to think like them send all shit work to India cause they take it . Give them money and they will grab it . Pat them and they will love it. That is what we do with them.
But I think I do belong to this country and India is my country so I will do for it what ever i can do and if possible more then my share cause I want it to make it a better place for the future generation and want to instill in them the sense of pride and the confidence that they and only they can make this country a better place and if they wish they can do wonders and miracles too.
SO HELP US GOD !!!
AMEN
Recently in our society there was collection of money for Navratri celebration. As a customary gesture they had a meeting or shall i say a brain storming session in which they wanted to have ideas as to how the function should be celebrated. So I too gave my two penny worth idea which was neither appreciated so forget its application.
So what was the idea. My idea was that what ever money is collected should be used for some constructive work which will be there for ever in the society and we will also be teaching the children the sense of joy in giving and doing something for this nation of ours. So the blue print was that all the fun and frolics should continue but the aim should be to do good for the society at large.
So i suggested that what ever prizes we will give should be in cash and nothing to be bought for the winners. This money should be then collected in a central booty from where the development work should be carried out like painting of some walls,making shade for the security person, making a trolley for the safai wala cause he carries all the waste of all the society on his head which is criminal. Second stage will be what ever money is spent on that small project,on that the names of the winners should be written mentioning that this part of the project has been sponsored by so and so winners in the Navratri 2008 and so on, so that other kids too have a look at it and the kids can see it, feel proud of the same.
But then whose country is this to do some good or to think good of it. Forget other things atleast the safaiwala cart that too they dont want to give . Most of our society members are IT and ITES and bankers who will take up to arms and fight with the HR if some thing is not good at there work place terming it as bad practice for working conditions but they will have no time to think about the security person standing in sun and rain, will not see the safai wala carry the stinking waste on his head .................. where are we heading . To which country we belong . Working for MNCs has made our minds also to think like them send all shit work to India cause they take it . Give them money and they will grab it . Pat them and they will love it. That is what we do with them.
But I think I do belong to this country and India is my country so I will do for it what ever i can do and if possible more then my share cause I want it to make it a better place for the future generation and want to instill in them the sense of pride and the confidence that they and only they can make this country a better place and if they wish they can do wonders and miracles too.
SO HELP US GOD !!!
AMEN
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Death of a budding Mohd Ali : Cadet DK Jha of Oscar Squadron, NDA,
Today I came late to the office so my friend asked me as to how Major is late to work today. How many times this major comes late to office when does he go every thing she knows. She even keeps the track as to with whom I am chatting and if it had been possible she would have kept other records of me also. She is the girl who sits next to me in my office. A chatterbox wants to know every thing that is going on in this world.
So I had to tell her as to why I came late to office today. She is from services background so I too don’t take her comments seriously. She is so young to me in age that she would not have dared to take my name if she hadn’t been in this office. Neways so I had to tell her as to why I came late to office.
How many times do we read about the heroic deeds about the Indian Army or for that matter any security agency. Today in news paper The Times of India edition dated 03 Sept 07 there was a article on a famous footballer Ronaldo having fun with 5 call girls in his house in England with his fellow club players. But this press of ours will never highlight the diminishing lights from our society who faded from this face of earth doing good deeds. Today morning when I was having my shower the maid banged the bathroom door, which is very rare. So I knew it has to be a very important call cause I don’t take any calls during my morning bathroom ritual. It was a call from Command hospital ward no 21 i.e the ward for Officers and at times cadets of NDA and OTA. So I came out on my bathing gown to find the unstable and breaking voice. It dint took me long to know who was on the line. It was cadet DK Jha of National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla. He called me up to tell that he was leaving Pune.
This cadet is being boarded out of Academy that means he will never become an officer. He will never march again on the drill square. He will never taste the sweat and blood on battlefield. That news hit me like any thing and I immediately finished my morning thing and was ready. Sheetal my wife was really surprised to see me ready so soon. But she knew about the phone call and knew I must be going to Command hospital. There in the hospital Cadet Jha was sitting on the chair in the garden waiting for me. The moment I saw him I was not able to believe my eyes. For the first time I saw him with his hair on his head. He is the case of a boxing accident. The josh and courage which makes the cadet into gentleman cadet and then the gentleman cadet into officer and then the officer into the think tank of the battle field. I first time met him some six months back when I was admitted in Command Hospital for my intestine operation. He then had a clean-shaven head and his skull was stitched and the blue stains of the dye still very prominent.
This cadet for his Sqn’s championship accepted the challenge of a 2nd termer cadet in boxing in the inter Sqn boxing championship and fought valiantly for his Sqn. The team spirit and the will to do more then the body can take for our team and our nation is instilled in the cadets. He received heavy blows on his head but was not ready to quit cause Sqn spirit and championship was at stake. Blow after blow he took but this young Mohd Ali of Oscar Sqn still was reining blows on the Alpha Sqn opponent.
In bloody state this valiant son of Bihar was brought to hospital and the future war hero was in a critical stage.
Today after 14 months of hospitalization in which this cadet must have lived and died a thousand times, with the hope that one day he will be able to wear the uniform, one day he will be back in the boxing ring, one day he will be running again on the NDA grounds again he will be in the greens of Khadakwasla. All the dreams came crashing when he was told that he will never be able to go back again to Academy.
The cadet who cleared the JEE for 2005 has now no place to go. He has to restart the career from scratch. His smiling face could not hide his pain from me. As I was about to leave he embraced me and cried like a baby. I too was not able to hide my tears but being a Sr officer to him I could not cry in front of him. He was standing on the porch and was there till we could see each other.
I never felt so helpless but then this is life. A soldier in making will no longer be remembered nor we pay any respect to them. Our press is more interested in as to who has slept with whom; the news has to be glamorous. They are ready to high light that a ex model who use to rein the ramp once is on roads giving the details of all the men she was with and also the details for the reason she was with them, but the press does not have space to report the young ignited souls of India diminishing in the dust of time.
It reminds me of a movie of 2nd world war in which the Russians were being crushed and some one had the bright idea that the nation requires heroes. So once one of the Russian army officer sees a soldier shooting few German Officers and there it strikes him the idea and then and there that soldier is portrayed as the hero and a hope for them and they portrays his heroic deeds every where so that the other soldiers too get motivated and are able to stop the Germans. We too require this before it becomes too late and some terrorist group in some bomb explosion kills us all.
Think India think and better wake the Kumbhakaran of today i.e. our Journalists and press and make them under stand their role and the importance of their involvement in building India.
Jha you will always be a hero and will be remembered always as the young bright spark of this nation, which will never die and will never go waste. May God bless you always and as they say “ May the Force be with you”.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Lt Sourabh Kalia My Buddy
Lt Saurabh Kalia or shall I write the hero Lt Saurabh Kalia. He was my neighbour in the Indian military academy, Dehradun. Nice days they were, we all were students or the GCs as we were called meaning Gentleman Cadets.
Saurabh was a very quiet and fun loving person. Always smiling and ready to help others in need. I learnt a lot from him specially he taught having patience to me.
It was in last semester we went for a Chindits camp. As all the camps end this camp was also to end with a run back. Run back, is a competition as to which training company reaches first back to the Academy. In this we are in the battle dress with big back pack with ration the first line ammunition weapon and all the clothes and what ever we carry with us. This camp is of five days and these are the worst days one can have. Our DS were the worst when it came to screwing some ones happiness and they knew exactly as to where and how it pains the most. All nights were a session worth every dogs life on this earth.
On the 3rd and 4th night we had training for the whole night with the art of survival in the jungle covering the major part of the training schedule.
With no sleep for two nights the day of run back came and at around 1230 after lunch our DS gave 1 hour of rest and we were like logs for that one hour. 1500hr our company was lined up for the run back. I was no 1 mortar man and Saurabh the no 2. Tired we all were at around mid night while we were negotiating one of the check point waiting for the complete party to close in, me and Saurabh had enough time to touch our fundamentals on the mother earth. Time flew and before we realized the company came together, control items were checked and we were off for the next checkpoint. We were feeling something light and soon we realized that the mortar bombs were left on the last check point and we have to run back to reach the place were the bombs were left and the whole company was after our blood. There after reaching again the DS at that check point had a nice session of the complete company and then the mortar bombs were returned. From that check point to the next check point I had to carry LMG and that was a real pain but then those were the orders and orders are meant to be obeyed in Army.
Early morning we were to hit the Sheetala mata mandir but it was not traceable. Frustration was high cause precious time was being lost and all were in search of it all and soon there was the cry of joy. Kadam found it and also the check point. The DS was very smart he had camouflaged the place so well that we were unable to see the mandir as well as the place were he was sitting was well concealed. After that then we just ran down like mad dogs. The jungle was still very dark but there was light on the horizon and that was good enough for us to show the general line of direction and we all dead souls were now fully awake cause victory was few check point away and some 20 KM ahead. Finally we reached the long range at around 0930 and were on the battle obstacle course at around 1015. I thing that was the fastest climb I ever did of the Cariappa Bn slope with Mohanty and the SUO giving all the josh and cheering up.
Finished our battle obstacle course then came to long range did our firing and believe me the arms were so tired that it was difficult to even hold the rifle. Soon was the welcome sight the juniors were there they took our weapon to return in the Kote (the only day we were allowed by the kote NCO). Then there was the hero's welcome in the company lines. All our rooms seemed like heaven to us. The table was full of eatables pastry. rum ball . pepsi coke samosa wafers. It is the final camp of the course and after this there is more courteous relationship between the DS and the GCs and the dreaded Bn Adjutant.
Saurabh came to my room and just embraced me and said congrats YO you have done it and I said yes we have done it. Our company came first in the run back and not only this Kohima Company also bagged the best Company Banner on the passing out day. Soon there was a announcement ‘Yos Yos Yos Yos Yos all are requested to be present for Co Co talk and high tea at 1700 at the ante room’.
Our chest was filled with pride now we were soon to be officers of the Indian Army and will lead the best fighting machines in war.
Yea we lead them in war, lost many, many lost limbs, many lost there near and dear ones but we stuck to our aim and brought home the sweet victory. We lived to the tradition of our great Army and brought laurels for our country and the citizens of it. We took bullets and that too on chest and not on our back and are proud of it that we were lucky to have got the chance to shed blood for our mother land.May be some where my great great........ grand fathers who fought along with Shivaji Maharaj must have felt proud of me and must have a hearty time with their friends.
As they say
‘To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
and how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods.’
You have done it Sourabh we all are proud of you . some day when I will join you we will have the same old days again . you will always be remembered.
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