LOOKING BACK - OR LOOKING AHEAD??

The newsworthiness of the following poem merits its inclusion here. It has been composed by a fourth generation, 24 year old career officer in the Indian Armed Forces, spurred by the report of the Sixth Pay Commission and an insensitive article written by a 'respectable' denizen of the country in a national daily on the armed forces and the pertinence of the Sixth Pay Commission therein. This free-flowing verse is reproduced here in its original format, to ensure the originality of angst is maintained. After all, when you are in pain, the language of expression is the last thing in your mind.

  

How you play with us, did you ever see?

At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;

I would serve you to the end,

All these boundaries I would defend.

          

Now you make me look like a fool,

When at Seventeen and just out of school;

Went to the place where they made "men out of boys"

Lived a tough life .... sacrificed a few joys ....

In those days, I would see my civilian friends,

Living a life with the fashion trends;

Enjoying their so called "Collage Days"

While I sweated and bled in the sun and the haze....

But I never thought twice about what, where, or why

All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.

           

At 21 and with my commission in hand,

Under the glory of the parade and the band;

I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,

And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.

                         

I stood there with a sense of recognition,

But on that day I never had the premonition,

that when the time came to give me my due,

You would just say, "What is so great that you do?'

       

Long back you promised a well to do life,

And when I am away, take care of my wife.

You came and saw the hardships I live through,

And I saw you make a note or two,

And I hoped you would realize the worth of me;

but now I know you will never be able to see,

Because you only see the glorified life of mine,

Did you see the place where death looms all the time?

Did you meet the man standing guard in the snow?

The name of his newborn he does not know....

Did you meet the man whose father breathed his last?

While the sailor patrolled our seas so vast?

 
      

 

       

You still know I will not be the one to raise my voice,

I will stand tall and protect you in Punjab, Himachal;

But that is just me you have in the sun and rain,

For at Twenty Four, you make me think again;

About the decision I made, Seven years back,

Should I have chosen another life, some other track?

              

Will I tell my son to follow my lead?

Will I tell my son, you will get all that you need?

This is the Country you will serve

This Country will give you all that you deserve?

    

I heard you tell the world "India is shining"

I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling

This is the India you and I will defend!

But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?

You go promising all that you may?

But it is the soul of your own men you betray.

         

Did you read how some of our eminent citizens

Write about me and ridicule my very existence?

I ask you to please come and see what I do,

Come and have a look at what I go throguh

Live my life just for a day

May be you will have something else to say?

            

      

I will still risk my life without a sigh

To keep your flag flying high

But today I ask myself a question or two ....

Oh India .... Why do I still serve you?