START OF A NEW JOURNEY

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

01/III/2025

 

Let’s bid farewell to the month of February and march into ‘March’ on a note of brotherhood, love, affection and unity. I wish the coming months bring prosperity and contentment to all.

 

Having seen more than 60 March months march past me, what I was as a child and what I am today is thanks to the life’s experiences I went through gazing at so many moons I spent walking this earth. From a kid in school, to an officer in the Indian Army, to now as a proud veteran and parent has seen much water flow under the bridge.

 

Why this month of 2025 is most important to us is because our ‘baby girl’ now steps into her professional world, making us parents proud and choosing a career of her choice.

 

Our ‘little bird’ fell out of her nest without feathers. As we nurtured and grew with her,  she developed her feathers & wings. We taught her to fly. Now she is ready to use those wings to soar high with expectations and challenges. The world is made of unfamiliar people, places, ethnicities, beliefs, languages, cuisines etc.

 

A new ecosystem awaits her to land on the tree she has chosen. Hope she finds a good place to nestle in to watch the horizon beyond. May you make a beautiful painting on this blank canvas of life.

 

We as parents roughed the storms but extended our wings to protect and support her and shall continue to do so. The backing made her learn the ropes and has made her independent, bold and a leader par excellence. Hope she gels well in the corporate to come out with flying colours.

 

She has her apprehensions as it is time for her migration from “The Nest”. Now the mad bad world is what she has to face alone. We too have ours, but we shall keep them aside for now. We must focus on her move ahead and be her mentors always. We need to be stronger.

 

Life has been a series of ups and downs which taught real lessons in life. We faced all trials and tribulations  together but came out victorious. Every bird faces contenders and sees predatory birds swooping at you. We also saw and welcomed the “spring” which also means ‘Anika’, which is your name.

 

In the army we marched on a drill square and on long range patrols. We ran chasing militants. We dug our heels in the desert sands and deep snow. We paved a way through thick jungles full of wild animals and leeches besides the enemy. We got fired upon and fired back. Life was tough.

 

For a child joining a corporate, all these situations would arise but in different contexts and situations. She would join a team which works on different sorts of goals and targets. Her workplace would be different. She got to now be part of a heterogeneous team, like we army guys congregated from the length and breadth of the country with one aim called Nation First.

 

Her focus should now be to be a good team player and be an asset to the organisation she serves with. Real life starts now. Till now, she lived the life of a student. Someone was responsible for doing things. Now, she is on her own and has to get things done for herself and the company. The road will be potholed but bash on regardless.

 

Getting sentimental is obvious. But when we have raised our lioness with complete trust, faith and freedom. We are confident, though concerned for her safety and security, that nothing can stop you from achieving greater heights though you are marching into unknown territory.

 

Like when we used to establish a new camp, the first thing was to carry out a prelim recce & assessment of threats and vulnerabilities. Routes of ingress and egress of the enemy. Vantage points and dark spots were identified. Defences were dug to take on any enemy. We prepared for contingencies. We gave our best in most adverse situations even while braving bullets. All this she would have to translate into corporate language.

 

We wish her luck, good health, and spirits. The happy child she has been should stay a happy adult. We wish to thank all those who walked by her side and helped her in her journey. Her teachers, friends, relatives and my fauji fraternity who became her foster parents while she was away from us.

 

God bless you, my child. Work hard, live life, learn, listen, be a good citizen, make your organisation and parents proud. Stay fit and enjoy this new beginning.

 

A new dawn awaits you. Au revoir, till we meet again. Good Luck and GodSpeed. God Bless. Papa and Mama.

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS & ANSHU ELLIS

 Proud parents of Advocate Anika Ellis.