(30 Oct ’11)
A Mig-29 was 'missing'
in Himachal Pradesh. I take heed of these headings in the newspapers. I didn't
know who the pilot was, nor what his haalat might be. His injuries, or even death would
matter only to his family and close friends. But I follow up on such topics if
I can because I’m a fan of the Indian Defence Forces. They who suffer terrible
discomfort and often give up their lives, so I can earn a living, live in
respect, not bother about enemy occupation. We Goans, who've lived under
conquerors, know what a miserable existence that can be.
I believe, quite
contrary to what the human rights activists and peacemakers say, that there is
a difference between what should be and what is. Students and scholars
of history and psychology might be able to explain why humans have always been
quarreling with each other and that we can't really live in peace after all.
What is a fact is that I can write and speak what I want, walk on the streets
knowing that no one can throw me out of my land (we take this privilege for
granted – ask those who've lived in Saudi Arabia what it feels like to not
'belong' to a place), demand my rights, crib about our politicians thanks to a
minority that's known as the Indian Armed Forces.
This is the one and
only minority that doesn’t get pampered because it isn't a vote bank. The only
community that won't destroy national property to get shown on tv. This is the
institution I thank every diwali for keeping me safe and secure. The cold of
Siachen, where each breath gets frozen into tiny icicles that destroy the lungs
and kill the man... there they stand, not fretting because the politicians goofed up, just
doing their job so I can sit at my computer and go on with my work.
Arundhati Roy rant
about the bad behaviour of a handful. I wonder why she differentiates between
criminals in uniform and those not in uniform. Bad elements must be punished...
civilians as much as those who represent the government. If she she's into
statistics, she would note that those not in uniform are an overwhelming
majority. The one's in uniform are really a small number... and even these are
dealt with severely and speedily. And
they get a lot of publicity, too!! She herself must know that... the very
people she maligns are the ones that she must thank for the freedom she
enjoys. And that comes at a price: they
can't (nor unlike in our neighbouring countries do they) retaliate and shut
writers like her up. Why isn't she complaining against all killers, rapists,
looters?
So, as always, at the
dawn of the miserable winter of the Himalayan heights, at Diwali time, I mumble
a grateful thanks to the anonymous jawan. Dear readers, I hope you join me in
saluting him.
Last week, a lawyers
apprentice, in her twenties, I’d guess, was doing a job for an acquiantance. We
all had to go to the sub-registrar's office and thought we'd go in a single
car. The gentleman with us asked her if she'd like to be dropped back,
wondering if she'd have to stay on to do other work at the sub-registrar's. She
snapped: “It's your work I’m going for.” Sounded like she was doing a favour
rather than a job she was paid for. Decent folk don't snap back, so there was a
silence. Then, because the long wait at that office made everyone thirsty, it
was decided to walk across to a restaurant for a drink. She was invited to come
along. A simple 'bar' wouldn't do, she made that clear, it had to be a hotel of
some 'standing'. There, before being asked by the host, she placed the order
and informed the host later. Later, we saw our friend giving her a thousand
rupees. Why, we asked, since there was no need to bribe, the work had gone
smoothly and was nearly over. He didn't know for she hadn't told him. If it was
for her efforts for that morning, we wondered whether her boss, the lawyer
knew. If it was for paying speed money, then she was encouraging bribery when
there was no need. Our Defence Forces can't protect us from the likes of her.
We need to deal with them ourselves.
Lastly, a word about B.
Daughter of an hospital-attendant, with a background far removed from the
lawyer mentioned above, she has acquired proficiency in computers, designs
pages for a publication, and is greedy for knowledge. She has made photography
her passion and takes much trouble and effort to learn the craft. Fitness has
come into her life via what she reads and hears, so she joined bollywood and
zumba dance classes. Hers is a daily struggle against superstition and social
hardships but she will steadfastly do only what is correct. She's balancing her
life well. Like I’m proud of our soldiers, I’m proud of her ilk for it is they
who will take India forward. I remember Vishal, from a previous job, a computer
whiz whose mother mopped floors and father was a guard, or Dr Ganesh and Dr
Jaya, or Dr Kishore and Dr Deepak, all from backward castes, who used their
reserved seats to become doctors and worked hard to be really good at their
professions. (All had shyly approached me to better their English so they could
present papers at conferences). They are the ones that bring hope to the future
of our country. I’m thankful at Diwali
to them as well, as I am to postmen and courier boys, the distant farmers, the
railway staff, the municipal cleaners, most cops, grocers, hawkers.... who make
our lives easy in spite of the trouble our politicians and we ourselves give
them. Thank you all.
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