Jai Jawaan!

"What is the Finance Minister thinking, increasing defence personnel budgets? They do not do anything anyway?" 

"What? The Army? Its a wretched life, going from place to place. You study Engineering. Be a good boy."

"Why do you want to join the Armed Forces? To serve this corrupt country? You could do better."

Arguments I've heard time and again. 


Let me tell you a true story first. 

In a train a conversation ensued between a 8 year old precocious girl, her grandmother and a turbaned, really fit Sardar uncle. 

Girl: "Paati, why should the army go to great lengths to protect Kashmir? Always there is fighting there. Why do soldiers want to die? We should just give the other country the state and live with the rest of the country."

Grandmother: "No ma, the fighting is to protect it. It is our state. Why should we give it away? Our freedom fighters worked so hard to make it part of India."

Girl: "I think we should just do that. The Army is being silly trying to protect it."

Sardar uncle jumps up and snatches the girl's book and biscuit. The girl looks surprised, then starts crying. Grandma steps in and asks firmly, but menacingly, "Why did you do it? Its hers! Don't be rude, please return it now."

Sardar (returning the books) "See the anger you felt when your things were taken away, merely a biscuit and book. How would you feel your home was taken away? That is how Kashmiris feel. And the soldiers are like your grandma. Fighting for you was not her dharma, but she made it her karma. She stepped in and fought for you and so justice was done. She may have feared me, a hatta-katta burly man, but she still did what she had to do. Like a soldier."

That girl was me. In 1988. That uncle was a Lt. General in the Army, returning from an awards ceremony in OTA, Chennai to New Delhi. The Grandma, well RIP, she was heading to visit her daughter and was putting up with a never-ending stream of questions from me! 

I learnt a great lesson that day. A pride in our armed forces. I have always been fascinated by their clothes, their weapons and their special camaraderie (and these are not officers alone, jawans too). Years later, I'd notice their proud straight posture, ever-polite demeanor, fierce pride in their country and most of all, a liberal attitude having traveled around the country. 

When I traveled to Israel, I noticed how young (compulsory) military recruits were taken around the country, shown various Jewish historical spots and were initiated into a nationalistic fervor/pride mentality.  Even if half these kids continued to stay on, Israel would have a great defence force. 

In India, I notice slowly that pride in the Armed Forces is slowly dying. People do not want to join the Forces anymore. Arguments like the ones listed on top are true. My dear friend make it through the entrance exams and was emotionally blackmailed into an Engg degree. His eyes still light up when you talk of the new Rafaelle deal! 

Everybody wants a cushy sedentary job. Why? What can we do to instill pride in being a 'fauji' again? Why can't the Armed Forces be as envied as a role in a private Bank? Even a commercial Pilot possibly ranks higher as a career choice than flying a Defence bomber! Why? Is it merely a communication drive that is lacking? Are people frightened of the malaise in the system? Is it the pay? How can we fix it?

For sure, I will educate my kids of that option early on, so they make an educated choice. Will you? 

I propose a simple solution. Let there be compulsory 'National' service. All 12th graduates compulsorily do a 2 year stint. If you are fit and/or willing, the Armed Forces, need not be combat zone, could be in CRPF or OTA. If you are not fit, then Traffic Police or Judicial System... work towards the country in one way or the other. What do you think? 

This is my "J" post for the A-Z challenge.