One significant difference between the UK and India is perhaps the way we look upon our armed forces. Here in the UK those in service or those who were once in service are greatly respected and honoured. The veterans of the World Wars are often treated as heroes... atleast most of those whom I've met or seen. Back in India, those in the armed forces are barely acknowledged, leave alone celebrated. The memory of their bravery and sacrifice is perhaps commemorated on just a day or two, as today - Independence day. For the rest of the year, they are non-existent!
The soldiers in India are a sort of mascot for patriotism - that too when it is convenient for politics. They are basically 'used' or referred to when someone wants to whip up anti-Pakistan feelings. It is as if they have been handed over the task of being patriotic, and the rest are exempted - or rather, we exempt ourselves! Such is our attitude. Even the salary those in service receive is not something one can boast about. In comparison with the amount of time, energy and sacrifices they put up with, their wages are totally far less. I'm sure the middle men in our politics, leave alone the politicians themselves, earn far more than an army man.
And like the army man, the farmer too is the most under-appreciated person in our country. Perhaps the last person who actually highlighted these two persons in the progress of our country was Lal Bahadur Shastri, our second Prime Minister, especially when he coined the phrase जय जवान जय किसान (Hail soldier! Hai farmer!).
The soldiers in India are a sort of mascot for patriotism - that too when it is convenient for politics. They are basically 'used' or referred to when someone wants to whip up anti-Pakistan feelings. It is as if they have been handed over the task of being patriotic, and the rest are exempted - or rather, we exempt ourselves! Such is our attitude. Even the salary those in service receive is not something one can boast about. In comparison with the amount of time, energy and sacrifices they put up with, their wages are totally far less. I'm sure the middle men in our politics, leave alone the politicians themselves, earn far more than an army man.
And like the army man, the farmer too is the most under-appreciated person in our country. Perhaps the last person who actually highlighted these two persons in the progress of our country was Lal Bahadur Shastri, our second Prime Minister, especially when he coined the phrase जय जवान जय किसान (Hail soldier! Hai farmer!).
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