OUR DEFENCE KIDS, WHERE ARE YOU? 

 

In our country, unfortunately, it is not the substance that matters, it is who said that matters the most, the gravity of the statement/issue notwithstanding. There are hundreds of Defence children who are shining in their chosen fields. Most of them in Bollywood and sports field, some in the media, some others in business and fashion industry. In our ongoing battle for OROP, we, the Veterans expected this breed at least to be with us. We thought, wrongly, that they will be on our side. Needless to say, when a renowned person (or celebrity, as they are called by the society all over the globe) issues a statement, it has more weight than what you and me say. Yes, sad state of affairs, but then that’s how the sea of humanity sees it.

Following is a list of Defence children (not exhaustive e.g. names of Maj Maroof Raza, an ex Major and one of the most respected journalists, Col Rajyavardhan Rathore and Ritu Beri’s names don’t appear, why talk of Gen VK Singh?). I ask the reader to go through the list, recollect if anyone of them has ever supported OROP in the media, see even if you can pin point one name.

They all are quiet. “You are either with us or against us. Your silence says it all.”

To my mind, there can be only two reasons for this silence:

Either they are too scared to antagonize the govt as govt issues titles (mostly meaningless, politicized) and awards and medals (again the same),

Or

They couldn’t care less.

Pick your choice.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Winston Churchill