‘Join the navy, see the world!’ I was very fascinated by this ad with images of an Indian naval ship and a sailor in a white uniform in the local newspapers in the year 1986. Those days, there was no internet and we would get to know about recruitment in the armed forces through recruitment rallies or ads. The selection process was robust; only the physically, mentally, medically and academically fit could get through.

Joining the Indian Navy was a dream come true for me. At first, my parents were against the idea as they knew that joining the armed forces was a risky affair and soldiers get killed during encounters and wars. Somehow I managed to convince them and I went for the recruitment rally and got selected.

Youngsters join the armed forces for different reasons; attracted by the uniform, promising career, the pay and perks, opportunities of travelling, the social prestige, to support their family, etc. But from the day we wear that prestigious uniform we all have just one reason; Service before Self. We forget all our differences of religion, caste, creed, language, state and we proudly call ourselves the Indian Armed Forces (IAF). We learn to embrace the differences and live in harmony to serve our nation.

Of course, it requires a lot of sacrifice on our part as we join the armed forces at a very young age; service becomes our priority and everything else becomes secondary. While those of our age enjoy college life, we are getting grilled during our training. Of course, the rigorous training made us disciplined, courageous, confident, gritty and agile.

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The love they have for the country is so pure, so selfless and yet irrevocable. The sacrifices that they make are unimaginable and that’s what makes them so distinguished and special. For me, they are the perfect epitome of courage, discipline, loyalty, patience, intelligence and respect. In spite of their altruistic contributions to the nation, they are extremely down-to-earth people and never consider themselves superior to others.

Thinking of joining the Indian army is itself a brave thing. It means that you are ready to devote yourself fully to the country and are willing to cross any obstacles, however hard they may be. I have always wondered what kind of fire they have burning in their hearts that drives them to fight so relentlessly against the enemies of the land, and endure so much pain beyond what we can imagine. The spirit possessed by these brave hearts is commendable.

The army has always upheld the honour of the nation. “Our flag does not sway because the wind moves it, it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” The Indian army will remain my idol, forever.

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Where the deprived hold their heads high,
Where little eyes think of the sky,
Where man-made barriers do not segregate,
United and prosperous, the nation’s trait.

No matter to whom you pray, warm hearts welcome,
Where mutual help thrives, narrow clutches overcome,
Where trust is not adventitious,
Where people are not lethargic, ambitious.

Where the fair sex need not worry about the length of her dress,
No matter the time, she can walk,
No matter the sex, she can talk.

My dreamy eyes opened to dust,
In a land where brothers don’t trust,
Today we sit free yet enslaved,
For true ‘freedom’ this nation has for long craved!

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