Legendary runner who timed it right

THE tragic death of 114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh has shocked as well as pained one and all. He inspired countless people in India and abroad not only to run but also to lead a healthy and disciplined life. I am reminded of an incident when I ran like the legend to be on time for a PT parade.

That day, the alarm clock did not ring and I was in for an unpleasant surprise. As I got up in a huff on an early winter morning, I saw that it was five minutes to six. As the second-in-command (2IC) of my unit, I had to march off the parade at 6 am sharp. I had only five minutes to get ready, reach the unit one km away and take over from the adjutant.

“I’ve had it today,” I muttered to myself, being careful not to disturb my wife, who was asleep. Here I was back to my academy days. In the next minute, I was in my PT dress and on the road (not even going to the loo, what to talk of shaving). I had to cover one km in the next three-and-a-half minutes, leaving 30 seconds for taking the report from the adjutant. So, I took off from a cold start and sprinted in the dark. My bladder was full and face unwashed, but these issues were unimportant at this stage. What was critical was that as the 2IC of the 48 Armoured Regiment, I should not be late and the unit should not have to wait even for a second.

Somehow, I reached my destination in time and headed straight to the reporting platform in the field. I took the report and marched off the parade at 6 am. I was so relieved not to have faltered on my cherished principle of punctuality.

Time is money. When you turn up late at an event, you not only make others wait but also delay the proceedings. Imagine the colossal wastage of individual and collective time. If there is a gathering of 1,000 people, and the chief guest arrives half an hour late, you have wasted 500 man-hours. But who cares? The ‘chalta hai’ attitude prevails. Maybe the latecomers feel a false sense of importance and power or derive sadistic pleasure from having others at their mercy. If one is a habitual latecomer, he will be undisciplined in every way. Most likely, he will jump the queue, take short cuts, break traffic rules and give bribes to get his work done.

As a soldier, I strongly feel that punctuality is the bedrock of discipline. And discipline is the bedrock of efficiency. Our political leaders can set an example by vowing and trying to be punctual. That will be the best tribute to Fauja Singh, who led a life of discipline and purpose.

Musings