EVERY PROFESSION SERVES THE NATION

 



“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives;

I like to see a man live

so that his place will be proud of him.”

Abraham Lincoln

 

I really admire the young men and women who burn with the ideal of serving in the armed forced. Similarly, I admire the young men and women who burn with ideal of serving the nation through Civil Services, such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS etc. There is an inherent charm around these professions, and most of us look up to these professions with a lot of respect…

A young boy, by the name Akshat Ghosh, wanted to be an Air Force pilot. He will be concluding his training at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy, this December. I know this boy and his family. Right since he was a little boy, he dreamt of being there – and, as he grew young, he did. His NDA journey and training saga are brilliantly narrated by his dad, Purushottam, in our latest book – ‘Follow Your True North’.

It has not been an easy journey… It’s extremely tough. That’s why, perhaps, you and I have great admiration and respect for these young men and women in uniform. I think, that holds true for the young men and women who get into other Civil Services, too.

While this is so, I, often, wonder: Is not every other profession – every service – in this world equally nation-building? The security men, who guard our societies and the maids who work at our homes – yes, in what way do they serve less this nation? Businessmen and women, doctors, engineers, scientist, teachers, actors, singers, media people, sports people, politicians, and even roadside vendors – don’t they all desire to ‘serve’ this nation?




Two days ago, another young man had come to see me. He sounded highly motivated with the idea of defending our nation and, hence, was keen to get into NDA (Army). Now, that’s really admirable. I really wished him well…

But, then, again, am I not equally passionate about defending my nation? Can’t I serve my nation through my own profession and passion – this writing, for example?

Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Everyone can be great; because, everyone can serve.” He was a clergy who fought passionately – and fiercely – for the civil rights of his Black fellow-citizens…

If you and I can do our respective services with all our hearts and souls – with dedication and a giving spirit… I think, that’s enough to build and defend our nation. Yes, we all can serve – just as the men and women in uniform or those in other Civil Services. That’s why Lincoln said this:

 “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives; I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”




GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic’s: 1. Alikaan Cay  2. Soumyojit Snha

Video: Gaur Gopal Das/Motivation Ivons

 

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