A Few Good Men

In Wellington , for us Fauji kids having just learnt to ride the bicycle , words like 'Manekshaw Marg' , meant another lane, another 'little world' to be explored on our little bicycles(I say little because I have a 'not-so-little' set of wheels now ;)). Vaguely, but nevertheless fondly remember the pentagon shaped, white washed landmark reading in red the 'Manekshaw Marg'.We would merrily ride down down the undulating slope and then puff uphill till we could go no further. That was sometime back.

With the news of passing of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw trickling in, couldnt help feeling a little somber. If at all you didnt know, a quick glance at the Times paper would tell you that he was the chief architect of our glorious '71 victory over Pakistan. For a man who was the first ever Field Marshall, you would have thought this should have been the frontline news in the television media. Instead, just a mention was made . More' important' was ofcourse the match between India and Bangladesh, or what did a certain actress wear at a certain function. Even though a state funeral was arranged, our Defence Minster found reasons to not attend the great man's funeral. We are talking about a man here who orchestrated the nation's finest hour-1971 war. Why, he took 18 bullets from an LMG in the stomach and told the doctor -' i was kicked by a mule'. That was in the Second world war. His unparalleled skill in strategm in synergizing the army, the airforce and the navy was the decisive factor in our routing the Pakistanis inside two weeks. Just before retiring in '73, he was given the rank of Field Marshall. Post retirement he settled down in Wellington.
The general was truly the nation's soldier. This is saluting him and all the martyrs of this nation.

Restive in Bangalore

" Move you , ******. The signal has turned green", the motorist bellows at the car in front, amidst a lot of honking. The poor old man at the wheel can't get his car started. Happens all the time dont you think. Too often actually.There is a feeling gaining ground that we as a society have got less and less considerate of others. What with the tight schedules that everyone seems to be on , such incidents are not suprising. You and I would have probably done no different from what the motorist did, maybe would have got in a few more colourful expletives :)

Things are no different elsewhere -be it the microcosm of a train, or at the workplace. How many of us actually engage in a conversation with the person sitting adjacent? You would think as neighbours things would be different, but no. Infact there are people,who have never spoken to those in staying in the same apartment!

Just when you mutter to yourself- it's a cold, indifferent world, you would be surprised how quickly you can be proven wrong. Just the other day I had a blown fuse on my Bullet, courtesy some 'great' work done by the mechanic(turned out that a wire was getting grounded). Luckily I did have a replacement and started to change the fuse when a guy stopped by to help -had to be another Bulleter ofcourse :). I politely declined his help as I had a spare. But such gestures do tell you that all is not wrong with this society. Anyway went back to work feeling surprisingly lighter and I hardly honked that day!