"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." – Norman Schwarzkopf
Keep your powder dryIf there is one institution that has performed and delivered to the hilt in India- it is the armed forces- Army, Navy and Air Force put together. Totally apolitical- (thank God, the men in uniform, now women too, for that). Though our national leadership has never measured up to it- they cajoled, pushed, been even unreasonable at times (when in Kashmir Soldiers had their hands tied as stones were pelted at them almost every day) to this sterling institution which takes pride in its pride and patriotism.
The weakness and at the same time strength of Indian army is that it is ‘far too obedient’. Politicians and bureaucrats have seemingly taken advantage of this ‘gentlemanly’ behavior and on several occasions taken things for granted and even pushed around. Even today if you ask any Indian of any color caste or religion, they unconditionally repose faith in this finest organization.
Armed forces are quick to respond in any situation, a natural or manmade calamity. They are dependable and reach the spot immediately when called for action in comparison to other uniformed organizations who are notoriously famous for abject lethargy.
Of late our own political system has tried to sow seeds of discontent in their own ‘saviors’. Ridiculously ridiculed a good initiative like ‘agniveer’ cast aspersions on its very core fiber of unity in diversity. Imagine some so-called responsible person saying “Narendra Modi has made two types of Jawans. One is the son of a poor, Dalit, Backward Class, minority community, and the other, is the son of a rich family. The son of a poor family has been given a new name: Agniveer,”. Nothing can be more derogatory to let down a fine, fully dependable organization than this.
One cannot even call these as brownie points as it is plain unpatriotic conduct unbecoming of any Hindustani. We were taught in school- only fools cut the branch of the tree on which they are sitting! So don’t do it please.
Don’t forget when ‘they come’ they don’t look at opposition or the ruling party- they smash every one- so take heart and don’t fiddle around the uniformed fraternity- ever. You will not get time to fly away to any other country without their help.
"There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country." – Nick Lampson
Enemy at the gates
The world is celebrating chaos it seems. One doesn’t know who is fighting who and for what? But fighting they are. Today lethality index of weapons has gone up exponentially since the last few decades. Conventional weapons are so lethal that they can be and are being used as a killing machine- A meat grinder also called a "meat mincer". The world is mincing itself- tens of thousands dyeing so rapidly- day on day.
One watches wars in Gaza and Ukraine as if you are watching a video game! You switch channels to watch buildings crumbling, bridges being blown up, body parts flying around as in a Hollywood movie- but hold on- this is for real. Towns are ghost town- miles and miles of concrete boulders and rubble- dust and death- thank god you can’t smell the stench of the dead bodies on your TV. Even ghosts will be scared to be in this situation.
Till now for Indians, it was ‘a bridge too far’. Now it has come knocking on your door. Yes, it is cleaning its shoes on your door mat on the east! Pressing the silent door bells giving signals that he could make a landing like a cyclone even the IMD cannot predict.
Enemy withinMore dangerous is the Trojan horse which is our own horse within. We have people who will sell their mothers- at least motherland- for a fistful of dollars. The woke culture, deep states, the left wingers and opportunist sitting on every branch of the tree are like vultures praying for dead bodies to appear so they could feast and these will be your dead bodies, your flesh they will feast on.
Every citizen worth his salt must understand that the entire world including our own country is going through a very difficult if not dangerous times. When a business man or a film star becomes rich and famous he starts getting threat calls and calls for ransom. India is on a similar success and fame trajectory. Therefore, this is not surprising that we are being arm twisted by those who are jealous of this progress. Unfortunately, the outside forces have enough ‘jaichands’ or traitors within to make their job simpler. As the administration fights the enemy on the gates, every patriotic Indian needs to remain alert to identify and call out ‘traitors within’.
Remember, if your country becomes unstable like several around us, your property, gold, savings, stocks, diamonds, cars and bonds will become a big zero- nation comes first because – ‘you need your nation more than the nation needs you’.
Stress levels of top leadership is unimaginable Don’t justle babble against your country- after all you need it more than any one else- be selfish to save your nation. Remember there are more than 100 million refugees who are living in refugee camps across the world in 170 countries. Today as per UN estimates one out of every 125 people is a refugee in the world. life in these camps is pretty bad bordering on hell. Pray hard and work hard to preserve your nation- if you don’t want to land up in a tent or in rubble praying for the sun rising the next day for you.
For India we have trouble on the west, east and north and we have legacy of the past burdening our culture and existence from within. The powers that be, who we have elected are well meaning nationalists- they are under tremendous stress. Instead of criticizing, be a part of the solution by your clear support.
Last but not the least respect your soldiers- that’s the least you can do. Let the nation collectively look after those who guarantee your freedom. They give their today for your tomorrow.
"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation." – General Douglas MacArthur