Best of the Brats

I must confess I simply love them!! And who doesn’t? Their style, mannerisms, and that little wild streak is something to die for. Ever been to 9 different states, 11 different schools, moved umpteen times, and seen some of the greatest things in the country before you even turned 18? Well, pick any army kid and I am sure you would have a mini encyclopedia in your hands.

Although one feels that this continuous moving around would make them a little unstable but it actually makes them more flexible and determined. I know some of my friend’s children who do have trouble adjusting in a new environment but most of them sailed through these phases comfortably. They generally move with their parents to the stations which already have other kids like them and friendships are formed very quickly. Social evenings and swimming pool sessions do play a large part in these bonds. Kids going through the same transitions tend to gravitate towards each other anyway. And some of the best friendships are formed during those years. With daddy gone most of the time our kids actually bond with each other beautifully. Right across my home some 7-8 kids use a garage for their music sessions. They have formed a rock band which is in fact quite soulful. They say they want be this century’s Beatles. Wow! I must say.

I feel their rich traveling experiences make them flexible, stronger, well read, well traveled, more thoughtful and most importantly smarter and mature adults, raring to go. How many kids do you think know of a place called Bumla which actually is the meeting point of Indo China border or Tawang which has few of the best monasteries in the world or for that matter Palchan, the most beautiful part of Himachal. Our kids do…..
A young girl I met the other day said, “Auntie am struggling to find a place to call home. When people ask me where I am from? I ask them "Do you want to know where I was born, where I went to high school, or where I went to college? I really don’t have one place I belong to. This makes a little sad, I want some stability in my life, some anchor.” These words actually set me thinking. This feeling does come in once in a while, I wanted to know whether this feeling is common A few days later I bumped into my best friend’s teenage son so I popped up the question whether he likes life as an army kid? And I must tell you his reply put me completely at ease, Auntie! Only we are able to do such exciting things! Moving from one place to another and saying, hey, I have a friend that lives there. I wouldn't trade my experiences for the anything. Plus I am so proud of my Dad. I look up to him, and know that he has done the right thing. My parents have raised me to be a strong individual and I wouldn't change my life for anything.” Good going son!!!
But one thing I am sure is that when our super duper dapper kids stand to honour the flag they stand in honour of all soldiers and most of all their daddies and uncles who are serving the country from far off fields.

World of Wonderful Wives

It is a legend, that the God almighty handpicks very special girls to be the army wives. ARMYWIVES! A word that instantly brings to mind varied images of independent, self assured, self confident, savvy and strong ladies, members of that sisterhood of women who have had the courage to watch their men go into battle, courses or long exercises. We women of steel have the strength to carry on with our duties and responsibilities until they return. We are often left behind like I am these days but surely never forgotten, we just carry on with our duties to which we must abide as a result of our marriage to the soldiers of the soil.

I am not being presumptuous but it’s a fact that within days we turn a desolate and deserted looking place into something liking a beautiful abode. Something that the family proudly calls a home. Nicely decorating it, with the treasures of our travels through the length and breadth of the country and abroad. Using hammer and nail, we tack the paintings to the wall, and the roots to the floor as firmly as if we have been living there for a lifetime. We are the breed which holds the family together and raise the best of the brats with best of the brains. No wonder that we have Karan Thapar, Sushmita Sen, JJ Vallaya, Priyanka Chopra etc all coming from the army background.

Unlike the our civilian counterparts, our time is measured not by years, but by postings for example we were married at Tezpur, our first baby came in Mhow, a special promotion in Udhampur, our second baby came in Jodhpur. Our husbands are often on the road, at the border, on a field, or on a course leaving us behind for weeks, months, and sometimes years. During these times we guard the home front and are always ready to help those around them, be it a friend in need, a sick child, an OR family, aging parents or in-laws.
But the sad part is that just at the moment we start calling a place our own its time to go to a newer place. What you never know is that it might be a big metro or the jungles of Assam. All through my married life what I have realized is that we area an ever optimistic lot thinking of the good, and forgetting the bad, cherishing yesterday, while anticipating tomorrow. Regardless of monetary pleasures and pay commissions our hearts overflow with a wealth of experiences common only to those united by the special tradition of military life. Often called the “luckiest ones” I salute these ladies and wish they all could read this and know; How thankful the country is to have you and be loved by you, and how proud it is for all that you have done then, now, and later. Thanks and God Bless all of you and me !!