Leaders are not born they are made!

After a decade of devoted service to the nation through the Indian Air Force, I had to take the most important and difficult decision in my career whether to continue my service by giving extension or to quit once and for all.

After evaluating my responsibilities as a mother of 2 small children, I decided to quit service. My last working day as a Logistics Officer in the Indian Air Force was on 17 December 2020. On that day, when I was giving my farewell note , my emotions did not let me complete my farewell address.

I became too emotional only for the fact that I cannot wear the Air Force blue uniform from the next day. It is more pertinent to mention here that while I was undergoing my Officer training in Hyderabad, I won the best essay for “How I felt when I first wore my uniform”.

However, I wiped off my tears because it was my conscious decision to ‘hung the uniform’as we call it in military.

Recently , I was invited for the investiture ceremony of primary school students of KV CLRI.

My daughter Shreeja L was adorned the sashes as the class leader by a Commander from India Navy who also pinned the badges for her. I was overwhelmed to see my daughter marching on the dais to receive her badges and sashes.

The headmistress of KV CLRI school made a special mention about the way my daughter, a second standard student marched on the stage. It was extraordinary. No other child marched.

According to Thiruvalluvar, a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher,

தந்தை மகற்காற்று நன்றி அவையத்து

முந்தி இருப்பச் செயல்.

Thirukural 67

which means, the parents should bring up their children in such a way that the children sit in the front row in any assembly of the wise. Witnessing my daughter shouldering the responsibility of a leader , has made me feel that I have made a responsible decision.

Although the investiture ceremony could have been conducted on a very low key profile like in many other institute, KV CLRI decided to make it big because KV CLRI believes in the fact that leaders are not born, they are made. It has entrusted only 4% of the students with the leadership responsibilities. But , it will create a huge impact in the lives of these children.

I thank the almighty for giving me the wisdom in making the responsible decision.

Jaihind.