“When you join the Army, it is not a profession; it is a way of life.”
The Human Resource Development Cell, SRCC, had the absolute honor and privilege to host Lieutenant General Satish Dua, a retired General Officer of the Indian Army under The Shri Ram Red Bricks Summit. He has served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces.
Lt. Gen Satish Dua commenced the session by talking about how the 21st-century generation has been and continues to lead from the front.
Lt. Dua narrated a very heartwarming tale of Captain Pawan. He was at the base hospital, where he encountered an army officer refusing to go on sick leave. Upon asking him the reason for the same with “high josh,” as Lt. Dua calls it, he replied, “I want to be with the boys!” Lt. recalls being both impressed and amused by the fact that how could a 23-year-old “boy” himself call his fellow older soldiers “boys.” He then asked the hospital staff to allow the young officer to do as per his wish. 2 weeks later, he saluted Captain's dead body in a casket.
“No matter how many times I recite this incident, it still overwhelms me to this day.”
He then spoke about February 2016 incident where four suicide terrorists had taken 66 men and women in the biggest hostage situation in Kashmir. The army forces got all 66 of them out but with a price. Three of our soldiers, including Captain Pawan, lost their lives. He could have been safe and sound at home on sick leave, but he wasn’t. He was on the battlefield, a young boy leading from the front.
“You need to identify your passion, what is it exactly that drives you, makes you happy and satisfied because it is what will motivate you to work harder and give the best results.”
“If you can turn your passion into your profession, then nothing like it. If you can’t then, utilize your passion as a creative outlet.”
He then went on to talk about the need of having passion, commitment and camaraderie in order to have a life worth living.
“In dark depths of failure, we must always look for silver lightning.”
Lt. Gen also recalled URI being one of his “darkest” days where the army lost 18 young lives and channelizing that anger and agitation into something productive and implementing the surgical strike with zero casualties.
He also reminded everyone of how it isn't necessary to be in the army to serve the nation. One can essentially give back to the country in the way a person can best provide. It is so because each individual and their skill sets are required for the growth story of India. Lt. Gen’s talk ended with the real meaning of a good citizen and relating it to the on-going Coronavirus pandemic. In the end, he encouraged everyone to reach out and help each other during these difficult times and keep the agitation of the crisis alive in our hearts.
The session concluded with a few questions from the students of SRCC and a vote of thanks to Sir for an inspiring and enriching session.