Faujis can write
And they can be funny too
I love the net ; who doesn’t ! It is not just for the ease of accessing information or entertainment ; but for the ability to express yourself , to reach out to people from world over, to a few people who would listen to you.
I love blogs, be it a photo blog, video blog or simple text blog on technical subjects or others on stories of day to day life. Most blogs get relatively less attention even if the author of the blog is someone like Amitabh Bachchan. Views and likes are likely to be in thousands rather than in millions as it would be in say Tik Tok or You tube.
But the few who do read provide great satisfaction to the writer . It is a bonus to get some response, positive or negative , from fewer people who choose to comment.
People in uniform , the world over, have some unique traits, good or bad , depending on from where you look. Some , like Joseph Heller , author of Catch -22 , have written about their experiences in uniform , not as miltary history but as a satire on the armed forces and the whole business of warfare.
Essentially, there is nothing funny in climbing a vertical rope as a cadet, sometimes in full battle gear. It is sheer pain to say the least. Yet when you see a cartoon of the scene, it makes you smile. We have all enjoyed the antics of Beetle Bailey and the Sarge. Catch -22 is truly a classic that is biting satire on army and yet so popular in military libraries.
In this post, I intend initiating a compilation of some blogs by faujis who have written not just about strategy and tactics and professional issues, but have touched on ordinary things in life as a fauji would view.
Life is difficult. Sometimes more difficult in the forces. But human beings have an extraordinary ability to laugh at himself or herself . It is this trait that makes life not just bearable but even enjoyable. Eggs taste great sunny side up and tales sound good funny side up!
I have listed some blogs not in any particular order . To refrain from sounding judgmental I have introduced the writers in their own words. Here we go!
I am sure there would be many more. I have come across many anonymous / pseudonymous blogs where I have not been able to trace the writer behind. Hope to add on more links.
A great initiative Murali! Opening with the inimitable Unni. Sir is Wow!
Murali I sincerely appreciate your efforts to motivate us to write. Everyone has so many experiences to narrate and good part is we the Faujis will be able to relate. Thanks for compiling. Keep them coming
Murali, appreciate your idea. Technology offers all of us the opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences. It’s both entertainment and learning. I would like to be a part of Funny Side Up !
I mean what I say in the post, I value every response on the blog to be more than a hundred likes or retweets . Thanks a lot, Arun, Deepak and Jassi. I feel the next generation would be able to appreciate our experiences better, when they read it after years!
Nothing beats stress better then reading humourous anecdotes in letting the steam off from the pressure cooker of corporate life. I wonder if you can also pull in another Foxie from 54th course, Gonsalves. I used to think that I could write too but am too serious nowadays but then who knows, that streak may return! Thanks Murali for kicking this Ball to get the game going.
Ash, thanks a lot .. You might have noticed , the post is also published on http://55nda.com/ndablog . Hope the list keeps growing . Cheers!
Wonderful idea, great effort, Murali! “Eggs taste great sunny side up and tales sound good funny side up!” Indeed! Hope to add to your compilation …soon; as Ash Channan says, nothing like reading about faujee capers, to bust stress!