Redefining Horizons

The Canvas The world is on COVID fire. Debatable claims and contestable data apart, death lurks around the corner. Expansionists and exclusionists alike, nations have sealed borders. Within borders, states, regions and provinces are erecting boundaries in desperate acts of self-preservation. Planes grounded, ships harboured, rails blocked, roads deserted, factories shut and shops emptied, world economy is covid-struck . While governance is stretched, hoarders, black marketers and speculators play havoc.   Richest to the poorest, mightiest to the meekest, technologically advanced to the technology untouched, humanity is under siege. Spread of infection, likely causalities and how it will end are mathematical models only time can validate. But for now, the deluge of patients overwhelms even advanced medical care systems forcing doctors and nurses to choose who should live. The pandemic has put every possible element of societal existence to test. People are locked-in amids...

Setting Stage A dozen articles in well subscribed newspapers, few in a magazine, an adequately followed blog, the two-star veteran tag, couple of television appearances, about four decades in olive green and benevolent acquaintances get me occasional invites to deliver ‘motivational-talks’ and key note addresses. My seemingly extempore speeches are deliberately audience -specific and well researched. At home on stage, I connect with the audience early into my talk. The post-talk interactive session normally runs longer than my talk. Long Q&A session indicates better audience participation. I feel rewarded. With Malice Towards None Ability to fan passions and stir emotions, an art, is essential for effective public speaking. Recreating battle scenes and crisis situations helps audience experience the otherwise un-experienceable. Stories of real-life heroes, commoners overcoming insurmountable personal adversities with sheer grit, narrated well, rain goose bumps....

The Incident It was just another day at the Institute where I was attending a training programme. Tea-break of the day provided welcome relief from intricacies associated with designing weapons. A group of young army officers visiting our institution were the guests for tea . As is the custom, few amongst us moved in to talk to the guests. I stayed put with my thoughts. I had this strange feeling that someone from that group was looking at me. As I panned the group, I found him and our eyes locked.  The way he looked at me, it seemed he knew me well. I too felt, I had met him somewhere, but could not recollect. As the elder, I took the first few steps. He reciprocated, almost running towards me, stopped, gave me a smart salute right from his heart. “Sir, you didn't recognise me. I am Captain Vijay [1] . I was a vehicle mechanic in your unit.” In a flash, everything fell in place. The warmth of the hug that followed and the sheen of those stars on his...