RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VETERAN AND SERVING SOLDIER: ALTURISTIC OR OPPORTUNISTIC

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VETERAN AND SERVING SOLDIER: ALTURISTIC OR OPPORTUNISTIC
In closed world of service messes and clubs, it is common to hear gin- guffawing oldies talk of unbreakable bond which is supposed to exist between the serving and veterans. This refrain reaches crescendo during the regimental reunions, where the veterans congregate from far and wide for a three to five day, all-expense paid, sojourn and go back after lecturing the serving on their duty to look after the veteran.
Nearly all of the veterans of this variety have moved far away from their root to settle in colonies and AWHO complexes which have mushroomed all around major cantonments. These ghettos (yes, all are walled and gated) are the sinecure from where these pensioners to sally forth into nearest military area for a game of golf or round of drinks at Club, both maintained through a net of subsidies from ventures run by various military establishments.
These so-called veterans, are today one of the well-off segment of citizenry. Their old age related issues are reasonably well looked after. Children have moved on and are making a life of their own. This state of bliss leaves a whole lot of time in the hands of the veteran, which is utilised in inside the cantonment, visiting offices, golfing and so on. To indulge in his degenerative pass-time the veterans demands unrestricted right to enter the military areas at will with no consideration for genuine military needs of security and training or respect for office work. If some military officer shows a disinclination to allow the military area as a playground to these worthy-veterans, a chain reaction sets-in. The sequence of even runs as follows:-
• Remind the serving that one day they will also become veteran and need all the subsidised goodies and privileges now being enjoyed by the present set of veterans. If this lure does not work;
• Hit the serving at emotional plane by accusing him of attempting to break the `unbreakable bond’. In other word being `unfaithful’. If this also does not work;
• Work the network by contacting some high and mighty, who may be asked to put the serving in their place. If that also fails;
• Threaten to approach the media and other such agencies and expose the serving for being unlawful and undemocratic. If that also does not work;
• Use the contacts in civil world to approach the local politicians to pressurise the serving.
Seeing such selfish conduct of so-called veterans who demand all sorts of privileges in name of their past sacrifices (mostly imaginary) some of you may wonder as to how can these oldies brought-up in old-army value system can behave in such selfish manner. My answer is that actually there are no old-army values for these parasites and they have a track record of selfish behaviour.
• First they ditched their near and dear ones early in life by delinking from the `family’ early in life and later sealed the divorce by settling far away from their native place.
• Second every `reunion’ is a reminder of their selfishness. They never contribute anything positive. Sole aim of their coming to the bash is to have a holiday.
• Third, their loyalty to the military station they are latching-on is solely based on the facilities and subsidies they can get.
Do not be taken-in by glib talk of these self-serving. Real veterans are those who are giving back to society through self-less social work.