top of page

18

Prose

Honour. Duty. Really?

Ramanjaneya Sharaph

HONOUR, DUTY BEFORE SELF. REALLY?

COUNTRIES FIGHT WARS FOR HONOUR. SOLDIERS FIGHT FOR HONOUR. REALLY?

Pogo pushes into place the army issue beret slipping off colleague Gogo’s head. Soldiers in khaki camouflage are marching past, into waiting trucks. Their heavy boots kick up clouds of dirt. “Darned dust,” Pogo spits out a gob – dirt that had made its way into his throat. His eyebrows arch up at the Supreme Leader’s fiery speech blaring over the loudspeakers.
‘Arise! Soldiers of the motherland! Guardians of our mother’s honour! Keepers of peace and saviours of civilization! Arise! This is the opportunity that you have been waiting for! Prove to the enemy that this soil, into which your fathers spilled their blood and sweat, has given birth to sons so brave that the enemy will cower in fright! Go forth! Fight! Fight for your country, for your motherland, for your mother, for your wives and sisters! Fight for your children! Fight for honour!’
Pogo turns to Gogo.
Pogo: Bhai, do you think we are fighting for the right cause?
Gogo (picking his ear): Hain?
Pogo: Arre, do you agree with THE cause?
Gogo (still picking his ear): Will they issue new boots and blankets before we leave for the front?
Pogo: Really? That's what you want to know?
Gogo: I hear wahan pe it's cold.
Pogo: So?
Gogo (wiggles toe through torn shoe upper): Toh they will issue it today?
Pogo: Seriously... you can't be...
Gogo (looks up, smiling): Chamki is getting married. I will smuggle out the new boots for the groom.
Pogo: Like you did last year?
Gogo: No no! That was for bauji. The blanket I will send for amma.
Pogo: Hey! The government pays your salary to fight! Not to ship off kit to your mom and dad!
Gogo: Will they pay us the salary in advance? Amma was saying the roof is leaking and needs to be repaired.
‘Fight for honour, brothers, do your duty. Honour and duty before self, brothers!’ The Supreme Leader’s voice continues to blare over the loudspeakers.

bottom of page