Some day"s Ago Captain Hercharn
Singh Arora Meet Me i question it?
What is your identity and why you join army Pakistan?
He answer Me (Long)
"My Identity, My Pakistan"
For me, Pakistan Army is a proud motherly institution that has never
discriminated anyone on basis of religion, caste or creed. The only factor that
prevails in Pakistan Army is ‘Love for Pakistan’.
A Sikh in Pakistan Army,” I don’t know how it sounds to people when they see a
guy with a turban wearing a Baloch regiment badge, but is definitely a source of
immense pleasure and of extreme pride to carry Pakistani flag on my uniform
while wearing my religion on my sleeves. My romance with Pakistan Army began
while staying in Lahore during college days. It did not happen out of the blue
rather it was patriotism and nationalism inherited from my father who used to
raise national flag at our house in Nankana Sahib (located about 80 km southwest
of Lahore and about 75 km east of Faisalabad) during the complete month of
August every year. We follow this tradition since Pakistan’s inception and it
will continue till the world remains. I am talking of nearly ten years ago when
I and my friends of Forman Christian College (FCC) decided to apply for the
prestigious National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore. On the way, we passed
through an army recruitment office. Something attracted me about it but no one
had any idea of a Sikh being allowed into Pakistan's military and affiliated
institutions, I recalled. I got admission at the NCA but later on decided to
visit the Army recruitment office individually to make inquiries. When I was
told the rules didn't inhibit Sikhs from joining the army, I immediately asked
about the prerequisites, apparently arousing curiosity at the office about the
"Sikh who wanted to join Pakistan Army". Like other patriotic stories, it pulled
an irrepressible tug at the heartstrings.
Now my intent to join the ranks of Pakistan Army was pellucid but I kept this
unusual decision buried in my heart and did not consult anyone. When people
finally got to know, many of them tried to deter me from pursuing my ambitions
and affections for the motherland. But how could they? They only thought of the
highly misjudged extremist outlook of the country presuming that the army would
never truly consider me as a part of it because of my religious beliefs. The
biggest surprise, however, came from my mother who I initially thought would
oppose my decision but turned out to be the only source of motivation at that
time. She gave her consent and allowed me to go ahead in pursuit of my dreams.
Being an elder son, she was initially worried about me joining the army but
turned this weakness into strength, when she gave me a curt reply to my joke
about continuing my degree instead of being in army after termination of first
term at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul that I would find doors closed
upon returning home. As I write, the memories of occasions that occurred during
my tenure at different stations of posting, especially the experiences of my
deployment in the South Waziristan Agency (SWA) are flashing through my mind.
For nearly three years from now, I landed myself in Spinkai Raghzai (SKR),
nearly 10 km from Jandola Fort at SWA along with my unit. I had a daunting task
of inspiring and leading the soldiers. I tried to follow in the footsteps of
inspirational Islamic leaders, who lead by personal example. The reaction of
locals on seeing an officer of Pakistan Army wearing a turban was befittingly
responded to. My actions reflecting my love for Pakistan was the key and the
only reason that I survived in battle-hardened mountains of SWA.
Indeed, life in Pakistan Army has been challenging and specifically formidable
for me owing to a distinct headdress but not undoable. As I owe nationalism and
patriotism the way my ancestors did at the time of partition, who preferred to
stay put while showing high valued commitment to the land, I just followed. For
me, Pakistan Army is a proud motherly institution that has never discriminated
anyone on basis of religion, caste or creed. The only factor that prevails in
Pakistan Army is ‘love for Pakistan’. When I hear “Pakistan Zindabad”, blood
starts pumping in my veins as it does in any other Muslim Pakistani. The green
and white shining on my uniform is the significant reason for me to live with
pride and by far it is the only reason.