In roughly another 2 weeks, it would be a year to the day I transitioned from the blue Zephyr to the AGL, nearing my 1st milestone in crossing over from the battlefield to the corporate boardroom. It has been an interesting journey so far and I look forward to the days ahead to unfold themselves and show me the path on which I would tread.
Contrary to what I had earlier thought, life on the ground isn't that bad after all. Rather, it is just an extension of the sheer cacophony and the sublimated bliss which exists in the cockpit miles above in the sky. Sounds too cocky, doesn't it? Well, this is actually how I feel! LOL!
Feels a trifle too unbelievable that I am going to complete a year in this world, a year sans starched uniform, iron nailed boots, the de rigeur of conforming to regulations and the impassiveness of getting swathed in the stifling heat or getting numbed in the dreary cold. Be it the Thar or Siachen, the icy wastes of Siberia or the bleak atmosphere of Darfur in Sudan, I loved it all. There always was a new thing to try out, a nouveu riche experience that etched itself forever in my memory. Whether it was the smooth skin of a Fighting Falcon as compared to the rough hide of a Fishbed-J or the ease with which the M-16 could be armed vis-a-vis the stoic nature of the 7.62 mm SLR, nothing ever ceased to take my interest.
I still travel the world but in somewhat different manner. I no longer need to plan out for the logistics of carrying my gear or plan out the safety of my team so that we do our job and come back in one piece. I travel the world now like an Adventurer, someone who is paid to do and love his job. I do what I like doing the best and the only thing I am keen on is improving myself and become better in doing what I do. The IAF motto says "Nabh Sparsh Deeptam". Translated from Sanskrit, it means "Touch the Sky with Glory". Nothing could be more apt.
I have always fancied what Ian Wright does in Globe Trekker. In my opinion, that is one of the best careers a person can have - get paid to travel and discover exotic new places and make a documentary about them. However, life is more than wishing for what you think is right and doing what makes you happy. Life is also about missed opportunities and golden handshakes, its about camaraderie of old pals and the josh of living to the fullest.
For the men and women in uniform, the name of Dunkirk evoke images of gallant bravery under overwhelming odds and as the following lines summarise, it is not about how you live your life but about how you touch others around you that makes life complete.
... We were alone, and hope had fled;
We loved our country and our dead,
And could not shame them; so we stayed
The course, and were not much afraid.
Dear God, that nightmare road! And then
That sea! We got there - we were men.
My eyes were blind, my feet were torn,
My soul sang like a bird at dawn!
I knew that death is but a door.
I knew what we were fighting for:
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed,
A kinder world, a cleaner breed ...
Signing off with a thought that I truely believe in...
Make the most of now!
