It was Monday..First sales week of Jan2004. I remember the day.... I was feeling Lethargic and very sleepy. I had joined the new job couple of weeks back. The roles and responsibilities were getting assigned. The weekend was spent nicely. No.. it was not booze or partying that was acting like hangover ( Year change time is always a time to reflect, never had liquor). It was just a feeling of accomplishment. The new job offered 150% more money than the last job. Weekend I had splurged on 2 movies and bought 6 books. There was enough cash ( settlement from last job was done!!) in hand. I was feeling good about self. Cocky, accomplished and over confident.
Lazily pushing myself- I got ready and then picked up the bike key. There rested the Sunday newspaper... A story caught my eye. A Name.. Lt. Triveni Singh... A small agency report. Very dry news item. A militant attack prevented by an young officer in Jammu station. I think the news was titled something like- " Lt. Triveni played a real hero". quick reading and it said -- he was not required to, but he volunteered . He killed the 3 militants- who could have killed possibly 300 + pilgrims- who were in station that time.
I know that station, I have been there 2-3 times. .... crowded due to pilgrims of Mata vaishno devi. I could visualise the panic. and .. I could visualise the encounter.
Pushing the news item back- I started my bike. Reached office in koramangala from domlur. the intermediate road travel only 10 minutes. All the while the name .. stayed in mind Lt. Triveni singh. Reaching office--- yet to be given a proper place with other sales guys ( See--I was the junior most... and designated sales engineer!!!)- i had a place in server room. Researched the news item.
All of a sudden, Lots of memories flooded back...
A chance encounter..in one of the SSB for IMA. It was ( I think my 3rd or 4th attempt and i have forgotten the city- was it Bhopal or Varanasi .... i attempted SSB 7 times.. so excuse this one)- a typical young man. He was selected. The attitude in it self was the difference. His hobby was martial arts, he was national champion in that. The name was typical and stayed with me. I remembered how he wanted to be part of infantry. There were 2 guys debating during one evening of week long SSB ( He said Infantry is best, the other guy said Armoured corps).. finally they agreed- Infantry is king of battleground and Armoured corps the queen.Contrast that to- my only motivation (year was 2000/01)to join Army was to forget the pain.. all pains of rejections and failures and what I thought I lost. As far as i remember-Both those guys went on to be selected. Memories fade, but I think i am correct in most particulars.
An electric shock went through me- when it sank within me. A guy of my age- showed such mettle , such courage and I was a mere sales engineer-- thinking I am on top!!!
In short- Lt. Triveni volunteered for QRT (quick reaction team). Led his team of soldiers and killed the terrorists- in close encounter. While doing so- he managed to save more than 300 pilgrims in Jammu station. One small 1 liner was a jolt to me. It was reported. Lt. Triveni was found very close to the last terrorist that he killed . lying down in a pool of blood- the 26 year old brave heart.. saluted his GOC . His dying words- " Mission Accomplished, Sir!!" . Yes, that guy was capable of that heroism, that leadership.
That day was one of my turning points- I decided-
I will never say no to an assignment. I will never ever give up.
My attitude to my work changed. My attitude towards my life changed. I put my heart and mind to work so much that excellence became a hall mark, a passion.Every sales win situation became a tribute to those guys. Those Gentlemen.. much better than me. who never complain what they don't have. Just do what has to be done. True Chetwood Credo. Be in what you love... maybe there will be failures etc... but still do your job perfectly.
Volunteering and taking up a difficult assignment became a professional pride- thereafter.
15 years has passed. I am grateful and proud for the lessons learnt from Lt. Triveni and his supreme sacrifice. He may have lived for very short time. May have touched my life for may be not more than 1 day but taught me something- which stays with me forever.
A silent prayer to you--Please high five me, guide me in my leadership journey.
So that when I lie down- I can look in the eyes of HIM and can tell proudly just like you. Mission Accomplished, Sir ....
Lazily pushing myself- I got ready and then picked up the bike key. There rested the Sunday newspaper... A story caught my eye. A Name.. Lt. Triveni Singh... A small agency report. Very dry news item. A militant attack prevented by an young officer in Jammu station. I think the news was titled something like- " Lt. Triveni played a real hero". quick reading and it said -- he was not required to, but he volunteered . He killed the 3 militants- who could have killed possibly 300 + pilgrims- who were in station that time.
I know that station, I have been there 2-3 times. .... crowded due to pilgrims of Mata vaishno devi. I could visualise the panic. and .. I could visualise the encounter.
Pushing the news item back- I started my bike. Reached office in koramangala from domlur. the intermediate road travel only 10 minutes. All the while the name .. stayed in mind Lt. Triveni singh. Reaching office--- yet to be given a proper place with other sales guys ( See--I was the junior most... and designated sales engineer!!!)- i had a place in server room. Researched the news item.
All of a sudden, Lots of memories flooded back...
A chance encounter..in one of the SSB for IMA. It was ( I think my 3rd or 4th attempt and i have forgotten the city- was it Bhopal or Varanasi .... i attempted SSB 7 times.. so excuse this one)- a typical young man. He was selected. The attitude in it self was the difference. His hobby was martial arts, he was national champion in that. The name was typical and stayed with me. I remembered how he wanted to be part of infantry. There were 2 guys debating during one evening of week long SSB ( He said Infantry is best, the other guy said Armoured corps).. finally they agreed- Infantry is king of battleground and Armoured corps the queen.Contrast that to- my only motivation (year was 2000/01)to join Army was to forget the pain.. all pains of rejections and failures and what I thought I lost. As far as i remember-Both those guys went on to be selected. Memories fade, but I think i am correct in most particulars.
An electric shock went through me- when it sank within me. A guy of my age- showed such mettle , such courage and I was a mere sales engineer-- thinking I am on top!!!
In short- Lt. Triveni volunteered for QRT (quick reaction team). Led his team of soldiers and killed the terrorists- in close encounter. While doing so- he managed to save more than 300 pilgrims in Jammu station. One small 1 liner was a jolt to me. It was reported. Lt. Triveni was found very close to the last terrorist that he killed . lying down in a pool of blood- the 26 year old brave heart.. saluted his GOC . His dying words- " Mission Accomplished, Sir!!" . Yes, that guy was capable of that heroism, that leadership.
That day was one of my turning points- I decided-
I will never say no to an assignment. I will never ever give up.
My attitude to my work changed. My attitude towards my life changed. I put my heart and mind to work so much that excellence became a hall mark, a passion.Every sales win situation became a tribute to those guys. Those Gentlemen.. much better than me. who never complain what they don't have. Just do what has to be done. True Chetwood Credo. Be in what you love... maybe there will be failures etc... but still do your job perfectly.
Volunteering and taking up a difficult assignment became a professional pride- thereafter.
15 years has passed. I am grateful and proud for the lessons learnt from Lt. Triveni and his supreme sacrifice. He may have lived for very short time. May have touched my life for may be not more than 1 day but taught me something- which stays with me forever.
A silent prayer to you--Please high five me, guide me in my leadership journey.
So that when I lie down- I can look in the eyes of HIM and can tell proudly just like you. Mission Accomplished, Sir ....
