Army-man talks

Not so long ago, I was travelling from my hometown to Delhi. My boss had called me back in the midst of Diwali celebrations. I had no option but to relent and attend the client.

I was relaxing in the train compartment, reading a business magazine. A BSF personnel arrived with a cellphone in his hand. He greeted me and confirmed if he could charge his phone using the socket installed there. Interaction with these people is a luxury for us civilians. I thought it will be a good learning peeking into his psyche. I obliged him and then our conversation started.

"Are you studying ?", he enquired. "No, I am working at a Software Services company", I replied.

I asked him, "Are you going to Kashmir?". "Jammu", he replied.

He continued, "I am coming from North-East. The situation is really bad there. Politicians are aiding the terrorists to play havoc. We are restricted to take any counter-offensive action. It's not that the situation is out of control. Sometimes, terrorists walk freely in front of us and we can't do anything."

I was apalled though many would have agreed with him.

I tried to apply little knowledge. "What about the Sixth Pay Commission ?"

"We can't accept lesser salary as compared to civilians whose govt. job involve minimal risk. We have to travel extensively at such a short notice. Though we enjoy on the whole, the destinations are too strange sometimes. But, it involves sacrifices on the personal front.
The department is refusing this month's salary in protest. Soon, we will be granted the wishes."

He retorted candidly to my questions. Really, an armyman speaks out the truth.