(RAISING HAND) IDHAR UDHAR KI BAAT

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"Mom, what was so great about you that they made you the school captain?" Asked my niece to my sister. 

I was wondering what all qualities my sister will boast of. But I was surprised when she said, "I raised my hand."

I remembered that raising hand is of great value in a fauji environment where you are brought up with the gyan, "Never Volunteer."

But  people forget this gyan in the JC Course, where they not only raise their hands but sometimes  jump on to sand model to be seen. And yes, it helps. These people do get a little extra marks in the DS Assessment. These people are called 'Keen Kumars'.

Similarly for advancement in the career one needs to raise hand. How the hell will the Commanding officer know which company commander wants to shoulder the responsibility of being a commanding officer? How will the Brigade Commander know which commanding officer is willing to shoulder the responsibility of being a Brigade commander and so on...........

Now the problem is how do you raise your hand as a Commanding Officer? This can be in the form of writing military papers, better conduct of sand model discussions and so on. I mean the acts which can project your boss while at the same time not allowing things in your command which can put your boss in a tight spot. But the smarter ones go a little further.  

They organise great parties, organise inauguration of guest rooms or whatever thing where they can put a stone with the boss's name engraved. Still smarter ones shower some thoughtful  gifts on their bosses.

I never raised my hand and I do not hold anything against those who do it. Because the best among the equals should go up. But I get a little skeptical of the people who raise their hands in front of the politicians. That I feel can be dangerous for the organization, for obvious reasons. 

The Govt has not announced the successor of the present chief who is to retire six days later. I wonder what the dilemma is. Is it that no one has raised the hand? Is it that everyone has done it. Or is it that the one who has raised has some drawbacks.

 Anyway saanu ki.

While I was discussing all this, a friend, maybe to pull my leg said, "Sir, I raised my hand by doing all the above. Why then, I couldn't make it to the next rank?"

"Don't tell this to anybody, because it proves that your bosses  found you to be charlie beyond doubt. It also proves that your bosses knew their job. So you should be happy in whatever rank you achieved."

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