Half Boy, Half Man
OK, this post has surfaced because of a comment that was left on my previous post. I had asked the girls to choose army men over IT guys after reading a piece of news. The comment was as casual as my post. 
Well, while I should treat all the professions equally which I normally do, I also do not shy away from the fact that defense personnel have a special place in my heart.
One of the major difference of our lives is we all live for ourselves and they live for others. While we, the selfish ones dream of building a house for our own family, they dream of giving a protected cover to the whole nation… a safe and secured house for the ultimate family.
I do not want to say anything but share an e-mail forward which landed in my inbox yesterday. It is called Half Boy Half Man.
While the average age of the army man is around 30 years, at the time of enrolling / commissioning he is around 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He’s a recent school/college graduate; he was probably an average student from one of the Kendriya Vidyalayas, is mama’s doted son, pursued some form of sport activities, rides an old mo’bike / scooter, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to bollywood music or ghazals or rock & roll or hip-hop or country or swing …. ………. and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 5 or 7 kilos lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting insurgents or standing guard on the icy Himalayas or the jungles of the North East from before dawn to well after dusk or he is in Mumbai engaging the terrorists. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs trenches and weapon-pits and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. His pride and self-respect, he does not lack. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of combat dress: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry… He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humour in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the Jana Gana Mana vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ’square-away’ those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hands from their pockets, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is your nation’s Fighting Man that has kept this country free and defended your right to Freedom. He has experienced deprivation and adversity, and has seen his buddies falling to bullets and maimed and blown.
But, he has asked nothing in return, except our acknowledgment of his existence and understanding of his human needs.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
Current Song:- Shama Jalaye Rakhna Jab Tak Ki Main Na AauN – Bhupinder & Mitali
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Prax said,
December 18, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Interesting indeed!!
--xh-- said,
December 18, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. - true, so true…
Celine said,
December 18, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Cuckoo,
Now that I’m back from India, it’s good to catch up on your blog.
The words of the Email are touching, and true for the most part.
Indian military, the third largest in the world, is admirable. In the past I’ve had pleasure of association to some extent when I lived in Jamnagar. I’ve spent time as much as I could with some of these personnel during my travels, whether at the Tibetan border, or Leh airport, or Hundar in Nubra Valley, or at Panamik or the highest road on Khardung-La.
I acknowledge, respect and look up to the brave “Half Boy, Half Man.”
Vamsee said,
December 18, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Very well written piece on the army.
Abhi said,
December 18, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Half boys..Half men… Complete Heroes !!!
*Salutes*
Vijay said,
December 18, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Isnt it a pity that the politicos and babus deny them a pay increase while they themselves feather their nests?
Tarun said,
December 19, 2008 @ 12:03 am
Young or not Indian soldier shall always remain jawan …
I, like u and all other Indians have great respect for our army. I think it is perhaps one of the few institutions in India that remains pure from all thats has gone wrong with India.
~vagabond~ said,
December 19, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
I loved the last line …”Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.”
The post is well written…and half boy half man sounds apt and fitting.
Raghu said,
December 20, 2008 @ 12:38 am
Salute to our brave soldiers……..
very Well written……
Harish Krishnan said,
December 20, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Hi,
A Superb Post as always, It is my pleasure to follow your blog. Would learn a lot from someone like you. and thanks for visiting my blog. would appreciate your suggestions for the same
Arvind said,
December 20, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Helo Cuckoo,
Once again a very Nice and Professional insight into the life/concept of a Soldier..!! Guess, its very apt for us to consider imbibing the “Spirit of Soldier” in each one of us whatever we are (Citizens, Govt, Police, Military,etc ).. in these times of terror threats,hatred,etc… that’s plaguing our society on a very massive scale..Cuckoo ..so what you say !
ashes said,
December 21, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Oh I had read that Half-Boy-Half-Man piece earlier on a blog by a well-known someone who boasts it was written by her Dad…and later apologizes people saying he only edited it… http://threedrinksahead.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/outrage/ is the link…go have a dekko…
ashraf said,
December 21, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
WOW…i m speechless
Cuckoo said,
December 21, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Prax,
Hee Hee… Thank you.
Vijay,
Of course, it’s shameful.
Tarun,
You are so very right.
Cuckoo said,
December 21, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Vagabond,
Whoever has written, makes me emotional.
Harish,
Welcome to my blog. And for leaving a comment on my article.
Keep coming.
Cuckoo said,
December 21, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Arvind,
Whoever has written it, has done a good job. Makes me proud & emotional.
Yes, I fully agree with you.
Ashes,
Saw that link. Thanks.
I got in e-mail from a blogger friend, was touched and wanted to share it.
Rahi said,
December 22, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
the particular line about the army jawans seeing a large number of deaths and crying privately reminds me of the movie Tango Charlie. I hope you have seen it. Although it wasn’t able to make as much noise as Border (of the same league), i like the movie. it has always made me respect the defence personnels for all that our army, navy and air force does for us, without expecting anything from us.
kanagu said,
December 22, 2008 @ 11:44 pm
This one is a great article about our soldiers. Its very hard to see someone of my age saves me and all of us in our country. I always have my respect for them..
Shrinky said,
December 26, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
It is not the soldiers we should blame for any wars, these are started by politicians. Yes, I am grateful for the protection the military provides us, but selfishly I would still be mortified should any of my children wish to pursue a career there.
Cuckoo said,
December 27, 2008 @ 2:24 am
Rahi,
No, I haven’t seen the movie.
I think they are the only selfless people left in out country.
Kanagu,
Its very hard to see someone of my age saves me and all of us in our country….… Glad you realized that..
Shrinky,
Oh, as a mother you are bound to do that but just think of those brave mothers.
Vands said,
January 29, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
WOW i have no other words…
I can’t even picture Dad in the 1971 war… thats the problem with having led a protected life all along.
priya said,
November 5, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
well… i visit your blog first time and found this blog very useful and interesting !
well… you guys doing nice work and i just want to say that keep rocking and keep it up !!!!
Regards
priya
http://www.jobsmama.com