The Indian Armed Forces are a class apart. Their lifestyle and ethics are different than the rest of the population. The officers of the Forces are admired and respected, their values are considered to be ideal. If we are this proud of our soldiers, why shouldn’t we aspire to follow their footsteps? There are certain life lessons to be learnt from the Indian Armed Forces that can help us nourish our minds, bodies, and souls.
Observations of the choicest seven follow:
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CAMARADERIE BEYOND CONDITIONS
Our soldiers possess inherent qualities of absolute loyalty and integrity. Their affections and attachments remain undeterred against the harshest of conditions and even in face of death. Friendships between soldiers of the Forces are not guided by time or space; they are not dictated by race, caste, class, or religion. Unity and fidelity are their strongest virtues. This open- mindedness and unconditional camaraderie must exist amongst all countrymen.
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DISCIPLINE IN ALL FORMS
To live a life of valour, you have to sacrifice a few bad habits. Armed forces personnel are known to be disciplined and well- mannered. They follow proper routines, are punctual, behave in accordance with basic civic sense, and stand up for what is right. Laziness, gluttony, addictions- you must escape from all these vices and maintain a disciplined, healthy lifestyle. Our soldiers follow this cardinal rule and hence command the respect of one and all.
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FLEXIBILITY- OF MIND AND BODY
As much as the defence life may sound adventurous, it is not always so. While thrill and adventure are a part of the soldier’s life, he/she battles with many challenging terrains and separation from those he/she holds dear to the heart. In harsh conditions, the soldier stays away from family. Every two years, the soldier and his/her family move to a new city, starting afresh. It isn’t easy to maintain one’s physique and sanity when challenged with so much turbulence after every few months. Yet, they adjust and settle well, owing to the flexibility of mind and body. We too, must learn from this exceptional characteristic.
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ALL- ROUNDERS
Indian Armed Forces has produced some phenomenal officers. Soldiers like Milkha Singh and Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore have made us proud in sports on an international platform. Stories of brave hearts like Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw and Captain Vikram Batra still give us goose bumps. The Armed Forces give a lot of value to extra- curricular activities, sports, and social service. Apart from excelling in their respective line of work, Indian Armed Forces personnel are also good with additional challenges. They are intelligent and brave, but are also driven by a zeal to grow into well- rounded personalities. Let this zeal drive you too.
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OPTIMISM AND RESOURCEFULNESS
A soldier of the Indian Armed Forces knows how to make the most of any situation, and how to live life to the fullest. Having seen death and destruction so closely, they learn to appreciate life and its little joys like no other. They have a tendency to look for the best in every opportunity that comes their way, and are well equipped with optimism in case of any upheaval. In even the worst- case scenarios, a soldier is always ready to mitigate the damage and improve the situation. This positive attitude and enthusiasm is inspiring and commendable.
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THINKING BEYOND SELF
A soldier shows us how to be selfless in all sincerity, and let another’s need come before your own. They fight and sacrifice for people they don’t even know; selflessness of this sort is hard to come by. They believe in working for the greater good, irrespective or the gains/losses he/she may encounter. We can all stand to be a lot more like these soldiers, for sure.
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RESPECT FOR ALL
Soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces treat everyone with respect, whether it is a child, a fellow officer, a soldier of the other ranks, or a woman. They do not discriminate on the basis of rank and gender. They believe that every individual is worthy of respect since each contributes to the Indian Armed Forces fraternity in one way or the other, through his/her respective role. This beautiful attitude should be adopted by all organisations and all individuals. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
“Remember to aspire to inspire”.
