Brig Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman
iijsajammu@gmail.com
“Going through hell… Keep going,” read a piece of desk graffiti in one of the classrooms at the National Defence Academy. I am sure it’s still there, the etchings deepened by those who came later. Tired fingers seeking solace in tradition, in the words of a nameless cadet, and in the knowledge that those who came before sweated, bled, cried and triumphed the same way. In many ways, these five words bring out the simple truth of the Indian soldier.
Of the man who left home as a boy, with his fears and insecurities, holding the pain of his lost love or pining for someone, holding dear everything that a teenager holds dear. Wanting to win the world, like every adolescent, but unsure where to start.
In the military academies, you’re guided to begin with self-reflection and growth. While it can be a challenging journey to shed old layers and adopt new ones, it ultimately shapes the soldier into an improved person. The uniform becomes a lifelong symbol, carrying with it all the dirt, mud, blood, sweat and pride that come with the journey.
Sadly, these days, it’s often the small, shocking stories that grab everyone’s attention. A staged encounter in Kashmir, a woman assaulted in the northeast, an officer caught spying, or a soldier acting out in frustration- such events seem to dominate the headlines. In a society craving sensational news, unusual incidents tend to be mistaken for the whole truth. It feels like, finally, some of us are seeing through the hero myths, realising the Indian soldier is just an ordinary person, no different or nobler than you or me. Is it so? Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The only thing truly certain here is that the soldier is just an ordinary man. An ordinary man who has made remarkable sacrifices, displayed courage that goes beyond what is expected, pushed himself farther than he imagined possible, and had the bravery to stand tall every time he was called upon. How many of us can honestly say we’ve experienced that while working comfortably in our plush, air-conditioned offices every day?
A soldier’s courage isn’t just shown in battles or rescue missions-it’s there every day. The real reward? It’s not about fancy bonuses or huge salaries. It’s the pride of putting on his uniform again tomorrow. Surviving just one day of training at the academies or handling the day-to-day life in the regiment takes immense courage and strength. It’s a sacrifice only a brave few are willing to make.
To understand how challenging it is to get into the olive-green uniform, consider this simple comparison. For IIT-JEE – which many see as the ultimate entrance exam – about 15,00,000 candidates compete for just 6,000 IIT seats. Similarly, for NDA, the same number of hopefuls compete for only 320 seats. Just do the math! It’s not that NDA “rangruts” are necessarily more talented. In fact, the most dedicated students often get more opportunities to excel and keep up with others. It’s simply that they are truly unique in their own way.
There are truly special individuals who, when they join at age 17-18, understand they’re committing to a life filled with immense challenges, silent sacrifices, less-than-adequate pay, and separation from loved ones. Yet, they find immense pride in knowing their spine will always stay straight and strong. Ordinary boys like Arun Khetrapal, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Manoj Pandey, Yogender Singh Yadav, Nirmaljit Singh Shaikhon, and Vijayant Thapar turned into legends. (Can’t recall many of the names? I’ll tell you later.)
Just to illustrate, one of them even ran cross-country with a fractured leg – yes, a fractured leg – at the NDA because he didn’t want to let his squadron down. I find it hard to believe that the brave boys showing such spirit, conviction, and courage at such a young age would be involved in harming women and children. It’s far more believable that the sun revolves around the Earth.
These brave soldiers don’t seek special favours, just a little understanding. Every officer I talk to feels a bit shy when mentioning their heroism, saying, “It’s no big deal,” because that’s what they signed up for. For example, a Paramvir Chakra winner went home to treat his multiple bullet wounds, casually telling his mother, “Ek medal mila, Ma,” without mentioning that he singlehandedly took over a Pakistani position. His mother only found out when the village heard it on the radio and gathered around his hut, proud and amazed.
Let’s remember not to make broad assumptions based on rare exceptions. The Indian soldier is just like anyone else, coming from a family, part of our society, and influenced by everyday challenges. He feels the pinch of inflation, cares for his elderly parents, and worries about his child’s education. Like all of us, he has his own concerns and insecurities. And yes, there are a few bad apples, but honestly, how many of these incidents have you actually heard of over the past decade? Probably just a handful, out of the millions who have proudly worn the uniform during this time.
The dirty ones are hauled up and thrown out faster than you pick a fly out of your soup. Justice in the forces is swift, certain and ruthless.
Armchair judgments, they don’t need……
Compounding is the eighth wonder of the world.
—Albert Einstein
(The author is an Ex NDA Veteran)
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