Generally we, Army men don’t fight for some big cause like the pride of the nation. Big words and ideas are for the politicians and movies. Army men fight for some or all of the below given reasons:
- To preserve the pride, tradition, reputation and name of the platoon or company or battalion one belongs to.
- To inspire our juniors.
- To escape being branded a coward by colleagues in the unit and villagers back home.
- To preserve one’s self respect.
An average soldier is an ordinary person who lives in a culture and environment which keeps reminding him of the past glories and valor, which are often exaggerated. The soldier is unable to distinguish the exaggeration from the truth and believes it all to be true.
I commanded ‘Laungewala’ Battalion made famous by the movie, “Border”. I have met so many of the historic persons, including Brig Chandpuri. The heroes will hardly strike you as exceptional brave hearts or ‘Rambos’. They are ordinary people. The truth is that in the given circumstances they remained united, hid their inner fears , ( mind you, not overcame their fears!) and performed an extra-ordinary feat of valor!
India will ever remain indebted to people like Brigadier Chandpuri.
