A Captivating Smile: General Upendra
I received a picture from my friend, MSN, featuring Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. The image unmistakably portrays General Dwivedi as a devoted reader, and in his youthful days, his smile must have been truly enchanting. His philosophy seems to echo the notion that life never intended to make us perfect; perfection belongs in a museum.
The Books of Joy: Soldiers and Smiles
Inspired by General Dwivedi’s infectious smile, I rushed to my cluttered bookshelf. There, I retrieved three books, all revolving around the themes of happiness, joy, and satisfaction – qualities intrinsically tied to a soldier’s life. Soldiers, like children at heart, can achieve incredible feats when their leader wears a genuine smile.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” – Erich Maria Remarque*
In this World War I classic by Erich Maria Remarque, I found a passage that resonated deeply: “We are not youth any longer… We were forlorn like children and experienced like old men, we are crude and sorrowful and superficial—I believe we are lost.” This encapsulates the essence of a soldier’s journey.
“Three Comrades” – Erich Maria Remarque
My daughter, Aarti, who is a doctor, discovered a profound line in this book: “Nothing lasts. Nothing.” Soldiers understand this well, cherishing the fleeting moments when they can smile and laugh.
General Dwivedi: A Soldier with a Smile
General Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff , is a soldier by birth, a soldier at heart, and will forever embody the spirit of a soldier, with his infectious ‘SMILE’ being just one of his many remarkable qualities.
Silent Commitment: The Soldier’s Ethical Code
Often, we have much to say but choose to remain silent. However, our commitment to duty remains unwavering. As an unknown Indian soldier once said, “We will just do it.”
Teaching the Unknown: A Soldier’s Gesture
During my early morning commute, I encountered a lady teacher who regularly boarded the same bus. I use public transport to observe the psychology of different people, a subject I’ve mastered with Sigmund Freud as my favourite, she appeared troubled, engrossed in studying the French Revolution. Her curt response to my inquiry changed into gratitude when I offered to explain it to her. She has since become a close friend.
Soldiers extend such gestures even to strangers. This morning, she mentioned her troubles, and I shared my breakfast with her. This is the ethical code of the Indian Army.
General Dwivedi: The Smiling Contemplator
During his moments of relaxation, General Dwivedi might ponder, “I wandered through the streets thinking of all the things I might have said and might have done had I been other than I was.” Immediately after, a gentle smile graces his face, as the picture suggests. Great men rarely smile, but when they do, it reflects the beat of their hearts, and General Dwivedi certainly possesses eyes that convey that sentiment.
(The Writer Is a working Journalist Can be Mailed at [email protected]
