THE 17TH ATTEMPT: AN ENDEAVOUR TO BECOME AN OFFICER IN ARMED FORCES

   

Luck is something that never works alone, it needs something along with it to work. It is unpredictable and cannot be trusted as it sometimes takes you up and most of the times puts you down because of the thing it is working with. That thing can be hard work, determination, courage and many more like that. 

This is a story of one of my friends, his name is Manu Partap Singh. His luck goes in the direction which it most of the times do as mentioned earlier. He is just like a normal person but he is extraordinary. He has something more than normal, which is his determination and his consistent hard work. It actually started at his early age. He started preparing and attempting SSB just after completing his schooling and has not stopped till now. If he had been selected in his first attempt, he would have completed more than 7 years of service as an officer, but it did not go as he wanted it to be. But still he is just going on and on irrespective of the results and actually cares less of them. 

    

Believing in himself and on the process is what taking him so far. In his latest attempt, 17th, he broke one of his leg’s ligaments and was not able to walk properly. But the smile on his face even after knowing that this incident can cause a long halt in his journey to become an officer is quite inspirational for me, at least. The way he talked when i asked him to take a break and take care of his leg seemed very mature and understood. He already knows the consequences but he also believes in time after the consequences. The man that he will be after that. The personality that he will have after that. The gain that he will get after that. 

This, all after joining, makes the man, Manu Partap Singh. His belief is stronger than his failures and his hard work pays more than his luck. There are some weaknesses that he keeps knowing after every attempt, but this attempt was very special for him, i think. As he came to know his biggest weakness. Even after knowing that this particular weakness can become the cause of his rejection, he still came and gave his best. The lesson he learned from this can be the turning point in his life and can change everything for him. Along with the failure he got one big injury which is definitely going to make him compel to stop and take a long break. Who knows, how is he going to take it and how he will utilise the break. But he is Manu Partap Singh, he knows better for himself than anyone else. 

     

It, let me tell you, is really hard to face rejections one after the other and then again come back with full hope and well preparation. It requires a lot of mental stamina and a strong spirit. It is not just about travelling and reporting to the board, it is, rather, about the decision that is being made again and again to try and repeat the same whether this time luck goes with the thing or not. The process is being followed and will be. 

At last, i would like to say that all the candidates who have been trying so hard, just like Manu, are well deserved to be called strong and dedicated men. Whether they get what they want or not, they are the people who know that they have potential more than the people around them and they would never give up.