ARMY and CASTE?

What does it take to be in Army? Apart from physical and mental fitness, there is a core value that binds all men in green! The sole aim to serve their homeland; fight for her respect and dignity. This unity in ideas is what makes Army a unique institution. What if the unity we see is only skin deep? What if caste and regionalism raise its ugly head in this perfect world too?

Today Army is afflicted with many problems like dearth of officers, lack of latest equipments and technology upgradation as well as the most feared corrupt officials ‘here and there’. What is still a hidden problem is differentiation of troops by region and caste. The magnitude of the problem is small but it reminds me of the phrase; ‘Elephant passed through the needle but the tail still remained!’ Here the tail of the elephant includes two regiments; Sikhs and Marathas. They still seem to be living in typical manu’s society. SIKH Regiment is purely Jat Sikhs  (Jats being the upper caste) whereas SIKHLI  is the  fusion of all Majhabi sikhs (lower castes of the Sikh community). As a matter of fact, when Sikh religion was born, it had no place for any concept of caste. The very first five men, “Panj Pyaare’ who were decorated as Sikhs belonged to lower caste of Hindus. There was no discrimination against them and they were considered the pious ones!

Coming to the second one, MARATHA LI  Regiment, which is considered to be a pure regiment consists of all upper caste Marathas, whereas MAHAR  is a regiment  of all lower castes! Here again what seems important to notice is that Mahar is the name of the lowest of castes in Maharashtra who have the history of being  ‘wronged’ against.

The recruitment of soldiers (not officers) is done according to their caste in these two regiments. I wonder why this discrimination only in these two regiments when the whole of India suffers from the grunt of Castism? As we hand over  the reins of the country to our young well educated officers, we can never imagine that they would be differentiated in such a menial way! Then why our soldiers? It may be the fact that when Army was constituted,  Britishers allowed the ‘problem of caste’ to continue into the system.  but today,  if Army  insticates the differences due to caste in minds of soldiers, it may be dangerous for the strength of the institution.

The concept of regionalism in Army can still be understood as the warriors from different regions came together to form the great institution. But I still seek the answer to why a difference due to caste exists in a secular arm of the Defence forces even up to this day? Is there anyone to offer that logic to me? Or the answer still remains as hidden as why educated humans still believe in dehumanising caste traditions?

From the cradle!

From were I look,

I see a pretty face,

Full of love and grace,

I see strong hands,

Confident and tall, he stands!

From where I look,

I see no religion,

Nor any lines of division,

I see no caste or race,

Nor of human race, such disgrace!

From where I look,

I see now wars,

Nor any game of powers,

I see no violence,

Nor any shrewd politicians!

I am soaked in ultimate bliss,

Without hate or prejudice,

But  sooner or later,

I will be part of this world,

Lost in its own humdrum!

The trip 'Abroad'!

Ever since I read about Venice in my 5^th grade English reading class at school, I dreamt each day of going to Italy. But as for me, as near as I could get to going abroad was accidentally stepping to the other side of Indo-Pakistan border. How I got there is a story I hold close to my heart!

‘Wagah border’ is the border between India and Pakistan, near Amritsar. India and Pakistan being one entity before 1947, this majestic road led us directly to Lahore! Alas for us, who have been second generation ‘migrants’ to India, will perhaps never see the beauty of ‘that’ place! But I can feel its beauty in the moist eyes of my grandparents who recollect their ‘good old days’!

It was a hot late afternoon and few visitors were seen near the border. We walked up to the magnificent Wagah border gates, where security guards had lined up. Their uniforms were bright in colour. Indians wore green and Pakistan’s uniform was black in colour. I couldn’t help but notice that height of guards from both the sides was extraordinary and they held a serious expression all the time. Did they ever talk to each other? I wondered. There were two flags fluttering in the wind on either side of the gates. Is that how you differentiate between two countries?

As we moved up towards the point-zero pillar or No man’s land area, my eyes remained fixed on the people of the other side! I had to find out what they actually looked like! Today, there were not many to be seen even ‘that’ side.

Just as we were about to return, my grandmother who had been reminiscing her old days, suddenly slipped. I rushed to get to her side. But before that, a young lad of about 17, caught her from getting hurt. He was from the ‘other’ side. We together helped her stand and regain her balance. The very moment we heard a whistle and some guards approached us. Lo and behold I had crossed the line!

Immediately I returned to my side and muttered a ‘Thank You’ under my breath to the boy. ‘Dhanyavaad ki kya zarurat hai Humshira?” (What is the need of a Thank You sister?) He said. We exchanged smiles! It was a smile exactly like my brother’s.

The routine evening parade began. The thumping of the feet and smart march-past by Guards on both sides drove frenzy in the small crowd! The guards saluted each other; flags were brought down and folded neatly. The gates were then closed!

Late evening, I returned home with warmth in my heart. The gates might get closed but the hearts can never till we keep doing what we are best at-being Human!  

As for my travel ‘Abroad’, Venice might as well be my destination one day. Back then, it would have remained a dream, but today we have Expedia where a click on http://www.expedia.co.in/ would make my dream come true.

The Sugarcane hunt!

Summer holidays always came with their share of fun. Our father had spoiled us with visits to exotic locations every summer such as Shimla, Leh and Goa. So, when he told us we would be travelling to a village that summer; we both-brother and sister duo had a small heart attack! What would be the fun in the old undeveloped village? We were soon to find out! 

My grandmother’s elder brother along with his family stayed in a village known as ‘Malowaal’ in Punjab near Rajpura. There was a wedding in the family and hence our summer holidays would be ‘enjoyed’ there.
With no TV to watch and electricity hardly available for 6 hours a day, we got bored to the core! No attention was paid to our tantrums as we pleaded to be taken back to civilization; so we decided to make best of the situation! The duo slipped out of house early next morning to find some adventure.

The cold fresh air blew in our face as we rode the bicycle ‘borrowed’ from our ‘village cousins’. It was perhaps the first time that we had got up so early in the morning. We had finally become villagers! It was the time of the year when mustard flowers made all the fields yellow in colour; a perfect setting for shooting love scene of a bollywood movie! It was all out of a dream, nature could be so beautiful, we could never imagine! As we rode further, our eyes fell on the sugarcane crop at the side of the road. We exchanged glances!

Quickly getting down from the bicycle, and hiding it behind a nearby tree; we both entered the field. Just as we were about to pull out a ‘ganna’ (sugarcane), we saw a man with a ‘lathi’ (big wooden stick) coming towards us. He was tall, with only a dhoti tied to his waist. His large black moustache was curled up. Scared to death, we stood still. Even our limbs could not move; we prayed somehow we could fly! He approached us and asked our names. ‘We would be handed over to Police for stealing Gannas’ such thoughts crossed my mind! He held my brother’s hand and asked me to follow. Then at the other of the field, he stopped and pulled out two gannas. Handing them to us he said “Here, taste them, these would be ripe.” We both smiled confusingly! This man here was not handing us over to Police?

After we enjoyed fresh sugarcane early morning, he put our bicycle on his tractor and drove towards our home. The ride was nothing less than a royalty for us; we felt like King and Queen! In between we stopped over to get some freshly made ‘Gur’ (Jaggery) in the field. It was hot and so sweet; nothing like we had ever tasted before!

Till the time we reached home, our parents had gone berserk looking for us; while we had the time of our life in the lap of nature beautiful!

Rest of the holidays were spent jumping into the village pond every morning, plucking ripe sugarcane from the fields and listening to stories late at night! It was the best summer vacation we had; with the tall man with a moustache as our guide to all the wonderful secrets of the village!         

Kangaroo Mother Care!

Two tiny smiling faces greeted me, when I met my cousin in the Hospital after her delivery. She had twins! Both were pre-terms; unable to hold their excitement in the womb to see the world, I guess! It was a challenge to care for them; but the family supported completely. The concept of warmth to the baby was explained to her by the Doctor; and now both are doing well. The baby needs to be felt cared for!

Madhuri too had twin girls; one she had to bear the stigma of bearing girl child and two on top of that! She had completely no support and her children, although full terms were very weak. She failed to understand the reason and desperately wanted to find a remedy!

Skin To Skin Care is such a simple technique for weak infants to gain weight and be healthy! The message just needs to be shared.

There is no science in it, even YOU can help by simply joining “Million Moms Challenge” clicking at http://abcnews.go.com/millionmomschallenge/million-moms-challenge/story?id=14500272 .This would help Moms around the world to CONNECT, COMMUNICATE and CONTRIBUTE!!!  

Make a Change!

My closest friend is pregnant. So I am ears to her woes with each increasing day! Puking in the morning, late night hot flushes and craving Golgappas (fried puffed up wheat or semolina balls filled with a sweet-sour tangy water; one of the most popular street food in India) at odd hours; while her hubby dear keeps on lecturing her about unhealthiness of it. (But ends up bringing it for her at the same time; he doesn’t want a child who comes with a watering mouth!) She had wanted to keep quiet about it until her ‘stomach starts to bulge’ to ward off the evil eye as told by her mom.

At the same time, Bimla, 4 months pregnant in a remote village of one of the blocks of Patna district of Bihar gets her first shot of Tetanus Toxiod; two compulsory shots to be taken by pregnant women for her safety against the dreaded disease, Tetanus. She had swelling in her hands and feet. Too shy to talk, this 17 year old was in great pain when she reached the health care centre. Her reluctant mother-in-law accompanied her; who didn’t want to take her to a doctor lest people come to know about her pregnancy!

Is there any difference between the situations of these two? Yes there sure is!

My friend has got her regular check ups done right from the time of positive detection; where as some of the precious moments of pregnancy have been lost in the latter case. The most difficult as well as challenging time has been faced by the young mother alone; afraid even to talk to her husband. She has borne the pain and depression all by herself. She craves knowledge about her baby and herself; but chooses to keep quiet in order to maintain peace at home.

Both are currently based in Bihar, but their lives are poles apart! These poles need to be brought together for a better tomorrow. Can YOU help her?

Of course! You can spread awareness and make a difference in many lives simply by joining “Million Moms Challenge” clicking at http://abcnews.go.com/millionmomschallenge/million-moms-challenge/story?id=14500272 . CONNECT, COMMUNICATE and CONTRIBUTE!!!

Who saved the skin -Tongue or Heart?

“Train No-12526 Mumbai-Latur express is shortly arriving on Platform no-4”. A hustle finally started on the sleepy platform of otherwise vivacious Pune. I had gobbled up a whole pack of Kurkure imagining it to be ‘chicken legs’ from my favourite KFC and the train had still not arrived! It was a complete 2 hours late. Never in my life, I had such a chance to observe people on the platform. They are all the time incessantly eating or drinking while waiting for the train to come; may be one reason for rising obesity in India could be late running of the Indian Railways!

Even after the announcement, it took a complete 15 minutes (17 to be exact) for the train to reach the platform. Till that time I quite resembled a “Chocolate Brownie”, my hands and face had become as cold as the ice-cream, head hot as the cake and chocolate sweet feeling of finally getting into the train, phew!

“Excuse me, what seat number is yours?” I tried to be as ‘loudly polite’ as I could be. All the seats had already been pulled up, and half of the people were asleep. ‘This seat number 46 belongs to me’, I said with a temper which was just rising underneath my cool exterior. A sleepy teenager yawned at me and told me to check my seat number again. I pulled him up and asked him to show me his ticket. Surprisingly seat numbers on both our tickets was the same.

‘Lets go out and check the charts’ I suggested. ‘Are you traveling for the first time in a train? This is my seat; I am sure either your seat number is different or you are on the wrong train!’ was his curt reply.  That was it! I could no longer take any more non-sense from this kid at 3 at night! Then something struck me! 3:00 AM it was! Technically this would mean the next day; and I was supposed to board my train on 18 Nov, 12:45 AM whereas here I was holding a ticket of 17 Nov! The train had started to move and a TT came into the compartment. I was in a complete soup; and this one was going to be ‘HOT n SOUR’, I was sure! He checked my ticket, and looked puzzled. “How could I tick the seat number, when I am holding the ticket for the same berth now’? Then, he suddenly realized my folly.

TT: ‘Sir, do you know you are on the wrong train?’

Me: ‘Actually I think my ticket is wrong, not the train’ Just after I spoke this, I realized my cheekiness could land me in trouble today. ‘Being shocked’ would have been a better option, I guess! But how could I shut up?!!

But it was correctly the opposite reaction! He smiled at me and said ‘What do you expect me to do?’ I blurted out,‘How do I know? You are the one who had studied for it, you decide. I am NOT a ticket-less passenger, just a passenger with the wrong ticket! Such a rude yet straight-forward reply from my side was either going to kill me or make my day! ‘Your biological clock seems to work a day earlier than ours’ he joked. But the joke did not end there. He asked me to pay for the ticket which was a complete Rs 996. I looked at him with great guilt; the same expression as a child is caught eating chocolate cookies which Mummy told not to eat! ‘I have no money’ I told him. He laughed again. ‘Surely sir, you don’t want me to believe it’ He said pointing towards my laptop and Air-India tag still on it! I pulled out my wallet and showed him the last 150 bucks in it. ‘Sir the fact is that I don’t even have money to buy a general ticket in this train till my home’ His face got grim; and so did mine! ‘Sir, I ensure that as soon as I would reach Latur (my home-town), I would get the money back to you, please trust me.’ He laughed again, ‘Who in correct senses would get back the money once gone out of station. That too the nearest ATM is only 10 kms there. People in our country aren’t as honest. But I like your sense of humour, you can take my seat and continue the journey’ saying this he moved on. This was not the first time, my fiery tongue and presence of mind had helped me get off; it had always been on my side! Keeping my fingers crossed, I continued on my journey home but I could hardly get any wink of sleep.

A knock on the door of restroom for TT was answered with a puzzled look. . ‘Can I meet Mr Vishwanath Wagh?’ ‘The Look’ then turned into a smile then finally into ‘happy tears’!  ‘Sir, I came to give the ticket amount; all people are not dishonest in India still!’

After reaching the last station, Latur, I had taken the first auto and went to the nearest ATM (which was in fact more than 10 kms away). It was raining cats and dogs in the morning. By the time I was back with the money (Total Rs 996), train compartments were empty and I was totally drenched.

He could not speak for a while; hugged me hard and then turned towards his colleagues, ‘See I told you he would turn up!’ I was welcomed in the room with a towel, dry set of clothes and tea (and well Kurkure. Bet you can guess what I was still imagining them to be?)

My sharp mind and fiery tongue save me all the time, but my honesty is what always helps me to sleep peacefully at night. Now, with a pride on my tongue and a tale in my heart I continue cherishing life and KFC!