AFVOA Newletters of Year 2005

Page 39 of 75 we learn a lot from ‘Tradition’, we must not forget that ‘Tradition’ relies on the past. We must therefore endeavour for a change that will bring in a whiff of fresh air. With this in view we seek your constructive suggestions to interact, improve and to become effective disseminators of information through this medium. 6. We have, amidst us, a variety of talents an J experience. The regrettable part however is that consequent to our retirement from active Service Life, we have perhaps gone into a shell with the result we have adopted the Punjabi slang, “ CHADDO – PARE ” attitude. The President has broken this impression by giving out his thoughts on the present trend of the new generation in the ‘rat race’ for achieving success. The same is included in this Newsletter. 7. Under the heading, “Matters-Military” we have included some information that would be of interest to our readers. It may be appreciated that “inputs” for this column should largely come from the readers as all of us have access to a variety of information that is disseminated through the media. Information, which is Service specific, may please be forwarded by the concerned representatives for inclusion in this Newsletter - Happy reading. “He indeed is blessed in whom all the qualities of head and heart are fully developed and evenly balanced” ~ Sri Ramakrishna Thoughts From the President 8. The dog days are here. The oppressive heat and humidity of summer saps us Chennaites of our energy during the months of May and June. Whilst in service most of us landlubbers were out on collective training and outdoor exercises at this time of the year in the hot dusty plains and deserts of the Northern and Central plains. Some were in the thick of it in the humid and hot plains and jungles of the East and North-East. The Navy too had their “Summer-Ex” during this period with beaching exercises and the like to foster Inter-Services integration, and all returned sun-tanned. Many of our Air Force friends were operating their Flying Machines under extreme weather conditions. Few of the families left on vacation to their home towns. Many however stayed back in the rear locations leading an organized life as part of a closed knit community. Weather was not a major issue in those days. There were no air-conditioners in the home, office or vehicles. (A wag remarks that the vehicles were always “air-conditioned” as most officers possessed only scooters or mobikes!!) But nowadays, A/Cs are the order of the day in Officers’ houses, Messes and cars!! A clear result of the combined effects of the march of technology and the increased disposable income available to all! 9. This brings us to two important, albeit, paradoxical questions. One is whether we as a nation are turning softer? The other is whether we drive our future generations to the point of hoping to turn them into Gladiators, a clearly unachievable goal in most cases. 10. Coming to the second question first, there is a degree of over-drive on the part of parents of their wards. Most parents are worried about the performance of their children in the plus 2 stage in getting marks in order to ensure future academic attainments at the college level. At the same time there is peer pressure for extra-curricular activities in the field of arts, games and other pursuits. So there is an overwhelming time-table set for the child along-with at least one of the parents involved fully – for tuitions, special pursuits and memory training classes, music, dance classes with some time reserved for tennis, cricket and swimming coaching. The child has no time to behave like a child playing with other children of the same age! Also the middle & higher middle classes spend a lot of money on teachers, coaches, audio-video aids, clothing and gear in bringing up their wards. Never mind, if Bunty or Babli does not have the aptitude or attitude for the pursuit of a pastime. If the neighbour’s child is doing something it is considered infra-dig, if our child does not indulge in it.