Thoughts in Words

I was still wet behind the ears in the Army in 1971. That was an eventful year. The world came to know a Niazi. Lt Gen AAK Niazi, East Pakistan Army Commander, who ignominiously surrendered to the Indian Army. Usually, when an Army surrenders to its opponents, there is some dignity and respect. In this case, it was not so. But that is a matter of serious study and essay, and that is not my realm. Much later, rather recently, the world and I come to know about another Niazi, who was referred as such by Vidisha Maitra, First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN. She was hauling the Pakistan PM over the coals in the UNGA. Till then he was known only as Imran Khan. She reminded Imran Khan Niazi about the shamed General and his atrocious activities. She ominously connected the two Niazis. Underneath her soft feminine tones was a solid menacing undercurrent. But that story too is another serious matter and hence not in my domain. I do not have any connection to the lat...

In this evening years of my existence, I realise that loyalty is a one-way street. In contrast, while in my subaltern years, I spent my days nonchalantly. Army looked after me and my perks, CDA (Officers) took care of my pay and allowances, numerous play grounds and swimming pools saw that I could sweat and laugh to my heart's content. Once the CDA himself in person, as our "provider" and hence a God-like figure, had addressed us in one station and admonished us for being ignorant of claiming our dues. Because of which, he lamented that Lakhs of Rupees due to us were being surrendered to the Government annually! There was loyalty both ways. The authorities to us and we to them. What about the MNCs? They have their "leadership", which in their parlance is just selling the most. Customer is at the lowest rung, though posters proclaiming him to be their God would be hanging on the walls of the Corporates. They talk ad nauseam about loyalty to customers, someth...