To Air ..with Love

I always wanted to be a Cadet. Vessels till date, draw out the maximum passion in me. I jump off my couch the moment I see a warship on TV, I am damn fascinated by the marvellous huge pieces of engineering floating so simply over the oceans.
Ended up being a Software Engineer, who writes some blog whenever the boss is not around. Life can be funny, and ironically you won't laugh at it, thinking whom are you laughing at. Your own life? or on yourself.

Dad wanted me to take Computers, while I aimed for Defence Services. Life played its card again, my entrance exam to National Defence Academy and Computer Engineering fell on the same day, same time :P
No rewards in guessing which one I attempted. Result!! I now know how to surf net. To do something for the country was a passion since school days, and still very much ALIVE!!!

Three of us applied for Defence post High School, two attempted and one got selected. Was not able to meet him since then.

Few days ago, I met my old friend who is now India's youngest fighter Pilot flying Sukhoi - 30s. Imagine being with your school friend, with whom you dreamt of coming this far and then realizing he achieved it and you are still a typist.

En route to his Air Base, I saw a MIG-21 on display , pointing high in the air... about to take off. I saw AIRBASE sign boards everywhere and officers in neat dresses.
The dream became more passionate. Country brings out the maximum passion in me, to be a part of people who actually work for this passion, is more than overwhelming.

The walls was full of Bikini cladded Girls, the study desk and the mobile wallpaper had Laetitia Casta. Not to mention the dress or no dress she was wearing. First thing that struck, what happened to the passion for country??
Passion for skimpily cladded, erotic posters was clearly visible. A hanging guitar, cowboy hats, few Fighter snaps, one had him.
The room never gave me the feeling of someone who is serving the country. I guess I expected too much. He was amongst the most passionate ones amongst us who wanted to do something for the country.

Flying lieutenant was now talking about his pathetic life, how he misses a Girl and how desperate he is to get one attached to his name. All his room mates have one. how he misses the College Fun, and the bunking, how he misses being free.

He told me that they are not suppose to play football or basketball. Not allowed to drive a bike in or off campus, not allowed to go alone, not allowed to be free, feel free, think free.
He was all complaints with his life, not his job. Not at all !!! Still wanted to serve the nation with the same zeal, I saw in his eyes back in school. But the life was not enjoyable.
He was not breaking, nor was becoming weak for his passion, but he was not happy and not at all satisfied.

While being with him, we discussed the Good old school days, we were meeting after 7 years. Discussed, who got babies, who got married, got engaged, got a job.
About school crushes, raw affairs, all of it. But all these topics unsatisfied him more. He complained to almost all of it. He complained missing real life, struggling life, free life. A normal life !!!

and before meeting him today, I was thinking I wanted to be on his place. I still do, the passion to serve for the country is far superior than a free life. The passion to be on a warship is far superior than taking a chick on bike. The passion to win it for the country is far more than making love to her.

But I realize my friend was all correct!!. Being here, sitting in front of computer screen, touch typing and able to copy paste, its easier said than done.

He misses companionship, that's all. He doesn't need a female body but a heart. He doesn't need a free life, but people around him. He doesn't need a huge salary, but a happy family.

And I would still stand and salute him for all that he is and the courage he has shown to be at this place. Being India's youngest fighter pilot and be able to decide what he wants to do in his life and not like me who followed parent's wish to become a Software Engineer....

After all its not easy to give up a NORMAL life for the country. Is It ????