Bharat Rakshak

Once upon a time, highly impressed by the fighting prowess of the Gurkha regiments, the British Indian Army higher-ups decided to raise a Gurkha parachute battalion. In order to seed the battalion with experienced fighters, it was decided to transfer some units from existing Gurkha regiments and make them go through paratrooper training school.

On the 1st day of the training school, the British instructor started explaining to the assembled Gurkhas that they would be jumping from the aircraft at the height of 10000 feet. Suddenly, he noticed the soldiers fidgeting uncomfortably and starting to whisper amongst themselves. Given the ram rod straight discipline that the Gurkhas are famous for, the instructor was appalled! Still he tried to continue with his lecture, when the senior Gurkha Jemadar raised his hand and asked permission to speak. Very politely, the Jemadar told the officer that his troops were scared and would it be possible for them to jump from a 1000 feet instead of a 10000 feet? The officer could not believe what he was hearing. Were these the famed Gurkhas who knew no fear and instead were feared by all?! Still being British, he put up a stiff upper lip and started to explain to the Jemadar that he and his troops had nothing to fear because they would use a parachute (showing them a picture) which would slow down their descent. Immediately he felt the Jemadar relax and understood what had happened when he heard him assure the other ranks, "Oh! He was only asking us to jump from the aircraft with a parachute!".

You can predict how a soldier will behave based on where he comes from. If you as a officer commanding troops are trapped out in the open in a barrage of enemy fire. The Sikh soldier will dash out of cover immediately and gallantly shield you with his own body, all the while grinning broadly and enjoying the situation; The Indian soldier (non-Sikh) will watch fearfully from his cover but if you get hit, he will dash out and without hesitation, risk his life in order to rescue you; Only a Gurkha will stand up and just laugh.