- That the Armed Forces are constantly primed to battle out against external aggressions are a
no brainer for most of us. By now, many of us are also reasonably aware and relate to what
exactly are the primary responsibilities of the fighting forces and how they go about
preparing for the same in right earnest. Whilst guarding the frontier’s sacrosanct
boundaries that ate stretched far and wide, the Armed Forces shoulder any assignments or
tasks that are thrust on them with equanimity, diligence and poise. - Amidst galore of challenges, one of the most important trials that strains the resolve of
personnel are fighting the extremely volatile living conditions mainly brought about by
natural elements. Add to the mix extremely inhabitable terrains, sub-zero temperatures,
access to bare minimal day-to-day living amenities, restricted access to communication,
rationing of consumables and debilitating feeling of staying away from your loved ones, no
wonder it makes one helluva concoction.
- Further, it would be best left to the imagination of the individuals to realize how it is to
sustain livelihood when sub-zero temperatures are recorded at -40 degree Celsius in those
higher reaches of ordinarily inhospitable mountainous regions. Especially, Northern India
poses as yet unrivalled challenges to the tenacity of the Forces in humongous measures.
Forget about routine ablutions, you will feel awfully inadequate and burdened to even
attend to natural calls. Overwhelming feeling of despair is neither uncommon nor
unwarranted for many.
PC : Sat Singh
- Winter months are not only exhausting while it lasts but seriously tests the ability of the
Military establishment to ensure morale and motivation of the personnel are not
compromised owing to relentless onslaught of the Mother Nature. During harsh summer
months, the Northern and Western plains offer entirely opposite but equally punishing
climactic conditions where the temperature soars to 52 – 54 degree Celsius. Yours truly is
witness to many such summer months that are exceedingly energy sapping periods.
- Eastern and Southern regions of the country offers less challenging environment as
compared to other two regions. Irrespective of geographical locations, most significant
challenge lies in maintaining semblance of sanity above all else amidst taxing variance in
climatic conditions. Not for nothing abundant efforts are undertaken to strengthen rightful
conditioning of the minds of Military personnel right from the days of initial training to
different stages of Military service. Calls for tremendous sacrifice and Forces are never found
wanting on this front.
