The Profession Where 'One More Chance' Isn't Guaranteed

Dear Friends,

If you miss a sales target in a quarter, at most your boss will scold you and push you harder for the next one.

If you are a teacher and your class doesn’t meet expectations, students may give you negative feedback — and you get a chance to improve.

If you are a lawyer or a doctor and lose a case or make a mistake, there’s still another opportunity to correct it next time.

But now, look at this profession and its challenges:

At the Siachen Glacier, temperatures can drop to as low as -70°C.

Soldiers don’t get proper sleep because of the constant risk of snow bites.

They have to soak their heavily socked feet in buckets of hot water for 15 to 20 minutes just to be able to sleep.

Merely touching the trigger or barrel of a gun with bare hands can lead to severe frostbite, causing the loss of fingers or toes.

There’s only 10% of the oxygen available compared to the plains.

On the western front, in the Thar Desert along the India-Pakistan border, temperatures soar beyond 50°C during the scorching summer months.

Water is precious and extremely limited.

At any moment, with just one hour’s notice, they must be ready to move — even if a parent or child is unwell, they must sacrifice and fulfill their duty.

Every minute is unpredictable. Every moment could be life-changing.

They cannot relax. They cannot casually call loved ones while on duty.

In our professions, even a slight disturbance to our planned leave makes us uncomfortable. We are blessed to have the time and space to share our problems and find comfort among friends and colleagues.

In the past two days, I found it hard to even sit down (cross-legged) continuously for a few hours in an event — they often crawl for hours to reach their targets.

They must remain physically fit before joining, during their service, and until the very last day.

They live in extremes — so that we can live in comfort.

They sacrifice their today — so that we can dream of our tomorrow.

They don't get "one more chance" — they have to be right, every single time.

Let us take a moment to salute these silent warriors,

whose courage, resilience, and sacrifices are beyond what words can express.

A simple "Thank You" will never be enough — but let’s start with it, from the bottom of our hearts.

Jai Hind!
Ravi Saripalle