SAYING HELLO - "THE SIGNALMAN" ARTICLE BY COL HS BHANDARI

ARTICLE FROM "THE SIGNALMAN - OCT-18"  ISSUE BY LT COL HS BHANDARI , EDITOR OF "THE SIGNALMAN"

I did YOs (SS/NT)-8 from Sep 70 to Apr 1971. Maj SRR Aiyengar (later, Lt Gen) was our Gp Offr and Maj BP Murgai (Maj Gen) commanded the Junior Wing. Those who know them, or still better, have served along, would agree that both were ideal leadership choices for grooming the fledgling Sparrows into good Signallers. They still remain inspiring role models for the whole of our generation that trained under them. ‘Just not done in Corps of Signals’ would how the caution be whenever we erred. We were told that Signals were the best supporting arm and we did not disagree to agree in spite of the fact that only a few of us had opted for Signals before commissioning. Credit goes to their persona, character, style and substance, that, by the time we finished our Course we were a highly motivated lot. The level of our motivation was amply reflected in our performance during 1971 War.


Of the many things we were taught, one was saluting the officers’ wives. We were told that even a General was expected to salute a 2/Lieut’s wife. That day, I remember, we saluted every lady-wife (mostly SODE) residing in the Airfield temporary married accommodation. After that we never missed saluting when in uniform. It became a ritual, a drill, and it’s become a habit now. And we still cannot do without adding sir/ma’m, even after more than 18 years into the retirement.

Saying hello is actually sharing and spreading happiness. A few years ago, in Singapore, I had gone out for a walk early one morning to the famous Bukit Timah Rainforest Trail (the highest feature of the city state, almost on the Equator.) One young and beautiful lady coming from the opposite direction spiritedly said ‘good morning’ with a smile. I had never witnessed such a ‘nice’ thing happening back home. This pleasure was to happen every time and everywhere you meet people. We all exchanged pleasantries at the condominium swimming pool, barbeque joints, playground or walks. I thought we should also start saying hello in our own place of work and residence.

Back in Mhow, I noticed generally a senior was reluctant to wish his junior. Even if they are of the same rank, it boils down to ‘Dec’ versus ‘Jun’ and there too, if it’s the same date, the service number decides the precedence. Anyway, I made an attempt to say hello to everybody I met, particularly during my morning  walks. Gentlemen, by and large, reciprocated, barring a few constipated types. However, I had some problem with the ladies. Most of them only acknowledged it by nodding their heads. Some did not even do that leave alone the much anticipated smile. It pained no end when some of them just looked at you and queried suspiciously. Worse still, when you wish a civilian, he/she is taken aback and almost questions the act as if you wanted favours. It was only after a persistent exercise that the discretion wrung in and I did not again bother the troubled souls.

When you meet your near and dear ones, you just smile and shower love. If Army were really our family, saying hello should bring us all the warmth and happiness. Where is the question of who wishes first? Greeting people – known and unknown – on your first encounter makes thing easy, rosy and cosy. Your day is made if the morn starts good. Better still, there is nothing wrong in saying hello every time and everywhere you meet people? We salute the rising sun, as a ritual. It’s natural. Why not then wish a human passing by.Saying hello is special to military mores. Salutation is not only paying respect, it’s saying ‘I am friends’. All forms of military salutations actually demonstrate that the person/group holds nothing offensive against the person/post being saluted, with arms or without arms. It is a show of affection – extending an Olive Branch. (That is why when challenged by the night sentry, the Duty Officer’s response is, ‘Dost’.)  Friendship is always reciprocal, and so is the type, template and timings of salutation. The most important aspect of salutation is that your eyes must ‘meet’. National Salute, Salami or Bagal Shashtra, Eyes Right, etc. conform to this principle. Spirit and ‘sight’ are therefore basic to salutation. Saying ‘hi’ or just waving hands is better than not looking at the other at all. There cannot be any excuse why one missed saluting or wishing a ‘friend’.

Army can teach us many forms of salutation with arms, without arms, with headgear on, in civvies and so on but the spirit of salute, love and respect have to come from within. We must enjoy meeting friends and sharing the moments of happiness. Spreading camaraderie by saluting and saying ‘hello’ is the essence of being a social animal.

Let us wish everyone good and say Hello!