A Forgotten Soldier at Taj

An email regarding Capt AK Singh was forwarded to me and the shocking incident goaded me to take some tangible action. On 27 Nov, Capt AK Singh was one of these NSG commandos sent to Mumbai to deal with the terrorists he was one of those sent to Mumbai for dealing with the terrorists. Launched straight away into the operations at the Oberoi Hotel, he quickly established contact with one of the terrorists on the 18th floor at 1800 hr that day. Since the terrorist was holed up inside a room, they blasted the door open. However before Capt AK Singh and his men could throw a grenade inside, the terrorist threw a grenade at them. The grenade burst right in front of the Capt Singh and with splinter injuries all over, he fell unconscious. He was the only offr to be injured in the complete operation.


Later Capt AK Singh was operated upon in a hospital in Mumbai and all splinters
removed from his body barring one. That splinter had pierced the left
eye and destroyed it completely. Sadly the loss is irreparable which cannot even be replaced with a donor eye. What is more shocking that this incident was no where in news, no media coverage plus there was not even a mention in the press statements

The officer quietly fought a lonely battle in the in ‘Bombay Hospital’, while the whole country was grieving for the dead soldiers his family didn’t know whom to turn to for help. For Capt Singh it is a perfect case of Better to Die in a war than be Injured. Though the army stood by its soldier it was the sheer grit of another fellow officer Col IS Gill, a commanding officer who left no stone unturned in helping his brother officer. I was able to get Col Gill’s number after a long and tiring search and when I did speak to him he was one thrilled human being. He told me that Capt Singh is in a much better shape and is presently on sick leave in his hometown of Lucknow.

But the question is if this can happen to an officer, a soldier, what must be happening to a common man? I have forwarded the mail to all my colleagues in media, some of them have already jumped the gun and hopefully Capt Singh’s act of bravery won’t go unnoticed. Amen

Strength to carry on……

Photographs like this always tear your heart apart. A departing soldier, who is also a father, a son, a husband, a friend. Though this is a photograph of an American soldier leaving for Iraq but it nevertheless invokes the same dreadful feeling of uncertainty.

We all know that the job of a soldier is not an easy one there is always a certain level of risk involved. But the training imparted to them prepares them to face any given situation. Sometimes these trainings closely resemble what they might experience in a war. But what about the wives and the situations at home? Separations and field postings are the real test of an army wife. And it's not an easy task I must say. Husband's separation along with an emotionally fragile child it is suddenly too much to handle.

Two years is a long time to manage. So I decided to stay at a place where I have a bunch of good friends. This decision helped me immensely because I know the shoulders I can lean on. I already had a steady job and it actually keeps me distracted. There are few friends who are finding it extremely difficult to do even the smallest of tasks in their husband’s absence. To them I would say plan some activities, get involved in your children or join some new courses. It really helps, brooding wont!!
As army wives we must bear in mind that we will have to sooner or later face separation. And what more can husbands ask for than having a strong pillar of strength for wife. I know there are times when you feel too overwhelmed by emotions, I too feel the same most of the times, but there’s nothing I can do. On the other hand it makes the children more vulnerable. They are very emotionally susceptible when father is away and a depressed mom makes them more psychologically fragile. Although it’s just been few months but this is one main lesson I have learnt, because its anytime better than to handle a upset and troubled child.

I am trying to be strong with some great friends and great books but lets see how long I manage. Sometimes I am not too sure myself……..

A Tiger Never Cries

When was the last time you witnessed a male army officer cry his heart out in front of the full media glare? Never! True! For them it is erroneous and sinful to pronounce the stress and strain faced infront of anyone, let alone the media. It’s just that our men don’t snivel and sob or let public their troubles, just as a tiger never cries. They are a breed apart, positive to the core even in the most downbeat circumstances. Its only when you do a peek-a-boo you realize that our army is plagued by something commonly known as PAS i.e. Pressure, Anxiety and Stress syndrome. It’s not only about the pays, perks and promotions; there are a number of issues which on a day- today basis take a heavy toll on an army officer and his family mentally as well as emotionally.

Indian army boasts of giving the country maximum number of beauty queens but what about the boys? Just how many Karan Thapars can you think of?

• Majority of stations do not have good schools and one is left with only two choices- either the family stays separated or compromises on the child’s school. A third option would be of sending the child to a boarding school. But!! Think boarding school, think money, where again an army officers’ child takes a beating. Children are given high-class exposure right from the beginning like horse riding, swimming, tennis, basketball golf etc. Hence, an extremely good schooling is just a natural extension which sadly is not in many cases. A better salary might help to some extent.
  


• There are instances of couples staying together only for 3-4 years in their 11-12 years of marriage. Rest goes into the field tenures. An oft repeated incident is of children calling their dads, Uncles, who come home after a long period. By the time they get used to their brand new papas its time to say goodbye again. Field tenures should not be very often.
  


• When an army officer goes on a posting he along with his family has to stay for 3-4 months in a room provided by the officer mess, since a temporary accommodation is allotted only after a waiting period of 3-4 months. The temporary accommodations though comfortable stay can be nightmarish if stay over guests land up. By the time a nice and spacious permanent accommodation is allotted the posting is due again. Marriage Accommodation Project(MAP) should be started in all the stations
  


• A lot of army officers are these days facing rejection in marriage proposals since girls are becoming more and more career oriented and the only job possible for an army wife is that of teaching which not many opt for.
  

These things though ostensibly trivial do become core issues in a soldier’s life. Something needs to be done immediately rather than merely politicising the issue or else this tribe of jubilant jolly good fellows will be an endangered one.