Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: WHY WOMEN JOIN THE ARMY

HUMOUR IN UNIFORM

ONE REASON WHY WOMEN JOIN THE ARMY
Short Fiction Story - THE SMART YOUNG LADY ARMY OFFICER

VIKRAM KARVE

There may be many reasons why women join the army (navy and air force too).

This story highlights one reason - yes, one reason, maybe the main reason why women join the army ...

Disclaimer:

1. Please read this story only if you have a sense of humour. This is a spoof, a yarn, just for a laugh, so please take it with a pinch of salt.

2. This story is a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

THE SMART YOUNG LADY ARMY OFFICER

A few months ago I was invited to deliver a lecture at my erstwhile institution.

In the audience, comprising officers of the army, navy and air force, I noticed a familiar face.

She was wearing army uniform.

She was the only lady officer in the lecture hall.

“Hello,” I said to her, during the tea break, when she came to greet me, “what a pleasant surprise to see you in uniform. I did not know you had joined the army.”

“Yes Sir,” she said.

“Tell me, the last time we met, you were doing your computer engineering, weren’t you?”

“Yes Sir,” she said.

“I thought you would join some Software Firm, work in the IT Sector – or maybe go abroad for further studies. So I am really surprised. What are you doing here in the army?”

“I am looking for a husband, Sir,” she said.

I almost choked, and the teacup nearly fell out of my hands.

Seeing the expression on my face, she said, “Sir, I’ll be frank with you. I have no illusions about how I look. There is too much competition in the Software Sector. In an IT firm, where there are so many attractive “Techie” girls, no boy will even give me a second look.”

“Don’t say that. You look pretty and you are a smart young woman.”

“Beauty is all relative, isn’t it? Out there in the IT Sector, almost 50% are girls, so many beauties – there is just too much competition. Here, in an army unit, I am the only girl. Sir, just look there – see the way all those male officers are eyeing me?”

I looked.

She was right.

She was indeed the centre of attraction.

Most of the male officers were yearningly looking at her with undisguised affection.

I looked at her, smiled and said, “You have a point.”

“You see – here, in the army, I have no competition, and I can pick and choose,” she said impishly.

“So you joined the army for better marriage prospects?”

“Yes, Sir – you are quite surprised, aren’t you?”

“Yes, at first I was surprised. But now I can understand. Your logic seems perfectly rational to me,” I said.

She listened eagerly.

Then we sipped tea.

“So have you found anyone?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes Sir – quite a few prospective grooms. Now I am short-listing the candidates,” she said with a naughty smile on her face.

“It’s a good career move too – both husband and wife in the army,” I said.

“Sir, to be frank, I am not a career type of girl. In fact, I want to get married, have children and settle down to a life of cozy domesticity.”

“What?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes, Sir. Once I get married, I’ll quit the army the moment my tenure is over,” she said.

“So you joined the army just to find a husband?” I asked in amazement.

“Tell me sir, what can be better than being the wife of an army officer? I always dreamt of being a memsahib and living a good life – I love the ambience of the cool tranquil cantonments, the clubs, the parties, the social life, and the batmen to do all your work,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Ah – batmen – so that’s why you did not join the navy.”

“Maybe,” she said tongue-in-cheek, “but there is one more reason.”

“What?”

“The competition is much tougher in the navy – there are so many women officers are in one place – and besides, you have to compete with the chic and savvy beauties in Mumbai – well, male naval officers have so much to choose from and, frankly, I knew that with my looks I just wouldn’t stand a chance,” she said candidly.

Then she looked mischievously at me, gestured with her eyes at all the young male officers ogling at her, and she said, “Sir, look at all those desperate fauji officers. Almost every guy is looking at me, waiting for me to give them the slightest cue. Here, in the army, it is me who can pick and choose, isn’t it? As they say, I can have the pick of the litter!”

I laughed.

She laughed.

We laughed together.

Everyone was looking at us.

It was quite embarrassing.

Mercifully, the tea break was over, and we all went in for the remaining part of my lecture.

Later, while driving home, I thought about it.

There was a ring of truth in what the smart young lady army officer had said.

Most women army officers indeed tend to marry their male colleagues (so-called “brother officers” in service parlance).

There are so many “in-service” marriages – it happens in the army, and I have seen it happening in the navy and air force too.

Maybe they can coin a new recruitment slogan:

“ Join the Army for Better Marriage Prospects ”

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this book review.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

NB:

Did you like this story?

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

WHY WOMEN JOIN THE ARMY

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