Long time ago on a Saturday morning, I pinned on my shoulders, the stars shining, I wore the lanyard of tradition, the beret of duty, without any inhibitions.
I knew no rights or wrongs, just fulfilled a dream I longed. I had no biases to colour me , Only the tricolours fluttering along.
10 yrs, 20, 30 ?? What do you choose? , they asked. I said, “Why count years? Is loving your mother land a task?” “See your responsibilities then you decide,”. I choose my flag always, there’s no need to hide.
They said, Oh, so you must have been a rebel, to leave at ten? Yes, no one stops me from serving my nation. Said some , What’s outside? Money and breaking rules? Said others,”Oh, your CV is plain, what was your pay level? I laughed, “Don’t stress my friend , You will not get it, My experiences lie on silent mountains , I don’t wear these medals as a jewel.” -Major Nithi CJ
“They symbolise innocence, purity , and positivity.” – Web
The world outside his or her olive greens is overwhelming for the soldier whether he or she walks into the world either as a mortal or simply as a bodiless soul. The world looks so new, like a new leaf.
When I stepped out of the boots , I felt I was in some time machine. Everyone was so in their hustle , and me scuttling to catch up with them in vain. CoVID came as a rescue (yes seriously!).
When I was making attempts to hold the sand in my hand, the world had to come to a standstill. This might sound so selfish but it was not just my wish but heart of heart of every soul on this planet. Everything was fast, and that made it senseless, just like a fast driven car repelling all the breeze that could have been felt by you, but the speed fades away your senses… or May be like a bottle of spirit that distances you from yours…You forget to feel.
The numbness of ourselves was the most dangerous thing that had happened to the mankind because of the gadgets. We preferred touching screens then souls..
But lockdown came as a blessing in disguise (though the most horrific one, almost a lesson learnt in the hardest possible way). We realised (at-least few of us) that the gadgets can’t appease you for long. You need people !! Real people! And this was something we Soldiers are good at handling ,people vis-a-vis Facebook pages.
When you speak it’s not just words , it’s your eyes that talk.. and when that’s not happening, the conversation is just another boring chat. The satiation comes only when the soulful self of two people connect and this depends on the depth of your eyes and your thoughts. Just like the purity of the daisies.
Our uniform takes through numerous moments of life and death few mortal and few mental. And in these moments we learn to touch people with utmost purity , innocence and optimism so that all that the other person receives is humaneness in its purest state. Soldiers connect not to be forgotten but at some point of life be remembered as a beautiful flower that brought smiles!
When was the last you walked to the top of hill and screamed in the valley that lay below, only to find your voice as an echo?
Resonance is a very interesting phenomenon… if you read the concept you would realise. It’s more than just sound…
“It is defined as the reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighbouring object.”
– Definition from the Internet
The interesting part is the synchronised vibration with the neighbouring object is not possible until both commensurate with each other..
In the world of virtual bonding , and the increasing desire for approval, we are somehow losing on connecting with people whom we relate to. Likes, dislikes in the virtual world may give momentary happiness but what about eternal solace?
“The one who socialises mindlessly , is the most lonely person.”
-Nithi CJ
With socialising becoming a trend more on our devices, we have forgotten to connect with anyone on an aim beyond few drinks and few bites. In just few minutes of any gathering, we see the dissipation of focus into individual handsets. What about the conversations and the connections you desire to create with the like minded?
It is important to select your company in such a manner… and express only to them who understand and relate; and are sensitive to your thoughts. Casual hangouts can only ‘hang’ you ‘out’ momentarily from your actual self, but the question is how long can you keep hanging?
Won’t it be better if you could resonate with someone whom you relate?
Whenever someone shows the desire to explore the fountain pen world, people pose me with this question. Can you suggest me a good pen ? And my answer is yes and no. Yes, because there are certain pens which have kind of worked for all but still it’s a very personal bond you create with.
I often refer to these lines by Mr. Zaim Kamal, the creative director of Mont Blanc (Luxury Pen Company), in one of his interviews on the writing instrument, where he states that the uniqueness doesn’t come from the Pen, It comes from the user, so each writing instrument is different, as each person uses it in a different way. He also adds that each writing instrument becomes more unique as the bond between the user and the instrument becomes closer each day until one day when your Pen uniquely defines you!
Listen to this candid and fun filled conversation where Dr Fountain Pen deciphers questions like What makes a Fountain pen good or bad ? How to combat being a penaddict or becoming penvious? Tips for those who want to explore fountain pen collection as a hobby and much more!!!
Join me in this interesting conversation with Dr Kochar, a surgeon by profession and a Fountain pen critic by passion.
Nithi CJ 