The information sessions held back then were common across the entire student body and all of us participated with gusto. Almost four months down the line, as people have gotten used to the rigour and to life here, our interests and inclinations have diversified and it is becoming increasingly tough to cater to every demographic on campus.
However, on the evening of 26th July, when ISB commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Indian Army’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict by celebrating Vijay Diwas, the auditorium was packed. In this event, organized by the ISB Senior Executive Club, we played host to thirty officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force who were headed by Rear Admiral Batra, VSM, Commandant of the College of Defene Management (CDM).
Lt.General Aiyyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who is an expert in defence strategy was the speaker that evening, and he presented a talk on an introduction to the Indian Army and on leadership in the armed forces. One of the many things impressive and inspiring about his talk was the way in which he began, adhering to protocol by addressing each and every relevant group of people present (in the right order) and then going forth with his talk.
His talk was preceeded by a short film screening that showcased the valour of the Indian soldiers as they navigated through rough terrain in unforgiving weather to restore back to us what the enemy had taken away, and showed us how they had, in the process, given their lives up in battle.
He once again laid forth the motto of the Indian Armed Forces:
The Honour, Welfare and Comfort of the men you command Comes next.
Your own Ease, Comfort and Safety come last, always and every time.
When you hear about these brave soldiers laying down their lives unflinchingly so that you and I may sleep in peace the next day, you begin to think of how they believe in a cause so strongly and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for it. You begin to think of how the fact that you did badly in the exam last term that caused you so much trepidation is so miniscule and inconsequential in comparison. You think of how there are bigger and greater things worth living for and worth dying for.
However, once the talk was over, reality struck again and we all rushed back to work on our assignments and submissions and to the hectic pace of life on campus.
While it might have seemed on the surface that nothing has changed, I know that all of us who were present in the auditorium that day would’ve changed marginally from within to at least think of how they could contribute to society and to our nation in whatever small way possible.
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