Think Before You Speak, ft. Gen-Z

Gen-Z Comeon! I mean I don't understand what is wrong with you people. I genuinely consider Gen-Z to be the most rational, advanced and futuristic beings on earth as of 2026. But, still the recent upheavals at Jantar Mantar has given some room for speculations. Do we lag the fundamental senses of empathy and dignity towards others? 'others' - the individuals who deserve to be honored and posts in the country whose sanctity has to be respected. Being straightforward, The Gen-Z is suffering from a serious disease, - 'Herd mentality' syndrome. I firmly believe that CJP protests mark the hidden potential of the youth that was being undermined from a long time. A Successful initiative that proved raising your voices against any form of tyranny or malpractice speaks volumes about our persona. Gen-Z – The resurrectors of a healthy democracy. But utilising free speech doesn't justify your disrespectful words against the men who take bullets for you at the borders or the men who represent national interests at the world stage.

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The hardships undertaken by those very men against whom you use abusive language, is way beyond your imagination. The same men in uniform have fought numerous wars against external aggression with utmost bravery. Hundreds and thousands of men have laid down their lives, making the supreme sacrifice just to ensure your safety. After a couple of days of protest, you will get back to your homes. Live with your families, party, hang-out, binge with netflix and popcorn. The list of pleasures is endless. The only stress you encounter is the weight of competitive exams and societal expectations. But those men in the uniforms carry the weight of an entire nation of 140 crore inhabitants. They carry the same rucksacks weighing 21+ kgs each day with an additional weight of a 5 kilo rifle across harsh terrains. No luxury to think or protest. From the Thar desert where temperatures rise to 50+ degrees or the Siachen where it falls to sub-zero temperatures, they stand there with their heads high and those heavy battle loads on their shoulders. And here you are, can't even resist the summer heat without turning on the AC. Can't even withstand the winters without a sip of tea. Even the tea gets frozen when it is stirred at the Siachen glacier. It is not about the person on duty, it is the uniform that he is wearing whose sanctity has to be respected.

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That same uniform was once dotted with stains of blood while fighting the enemy. It has witnessed its own comrade's body getting torn into a thousand pieces after detonation of an IED. All of this just to get back home and get abused by a bunch of fools unaware of the reality. A bunch of fools who get to know about a national issue from scrolling reels while lying comfortably on their sofas and couches. That herd which doesn't understand the structural issues and jump on the bandwagon to get the tag of 'Wanna be protesters'. Anyways, how do these things even matter to you? You have got Zomato, Blinkit and Swiggy to get your Schezwan roll and Vanilla ice-cream in a couple of minutes. You have the luxury to engage in all those romantic dramas with your lovers. Valentine's day, Rose day, Chocolate day and what not. Our soldiers spend weeks without getting to eat a freshly cooked hot meal. In those jungles of Indo-Burma borders or the snow capped mountains of Leh-Ladakh, they don't have a cellular connection even to talk to their loved ones. Countless Diwalis, Anniversaries, birthdays spent by our soldiers in those packed bunkers and trenches. Think about their families who have spent countless years in the absence of their members serving the country. You can't because you never had. Because you never will.

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To make things very clear, 'You' - doesn't refer to the entire Gen-Z, it only refers to the bunch of fools who use their tongues to tarnish the image of entities that are critical for a nation's survival. I came across another news story where a young girl was abusing the Prime Minister of this country with the most obscene words. I seriously can't understand what's wrong with these people. You are abusing the active executive head of a democratic country. You are not abusing that politician, you are tarnishing the sanctity of that position. That position is the face of the Indian state at the world stage. That post is a very respectable position which demands utmost diligence towards national service.

Please do some homework before you set your foot out of your house. Come out of that bloody delusional world that you live in…🙏

– THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK –

Respecting the office/institution doesn't mean citizens can't hold it accountable – it simply means doing so with dignity rather than casual vulgarity. If you can't then be ready to get more Brigadier Prataps in the society.