Service Before Self

I recently attended the heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping 133rd course Passing out Parade of India’s prestigious National Defense Academy (NDA), the iconic institute responsible for transforming our men to gentlemen. The NDA is an institute with a global brand of excellence in the sphere of military education across India’s armed forces—the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

The DNA of every single cadet spells loud and clear Seva Paramo Dharma

Service before Self

And it translates into action by serving and securing everyday life of 1.3 billion citizens, by serving to defend all shapes and sizes of clients, by countering every single threat, by ensuring their independence, and yet, not meeting majority of the beneficiaries. Everything at the expense of self!

For me, a purebred, born and brought up in Armed Forces Cantonments, I have seen my father – a Colonel, head to the battle ground with no assurance of seeing him alive. The only thing that mattered to him was Service Before Self. He always left for the battlefield, simulations, and trainings with a smile, citing that he had joined the most noble profession of serving the nation. I was always in awe of his valor and never a dissent of anything, but always a sense of accomplishment, euphoria, and satisfaction.

For over 20 years, I have been in the corporate world. One of the core principle that I grew up with and what I saw embodied in everyday life Service Before Self.

Marshall Marshal Phillip Chetwode, IMA has put it beautifully in the following words:

The safety, honor and welfare of your country come first, always & every time
The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time

I believe, the same premise holds true in the corporate world that have energized, disciplined, and passionate workforce marching towards a common goal.