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When Will You Raise Alarm ?
We have heard this story from our grandparents more than often A Punditji never did any job without
consulting the almanac for an appropriate and auspicious time. Once some thieves entered his house in the
middle of the night for their professional ventures. His wife woke up and sensing what would happen next, she
quietly shook the Pundit out of his snores. Whispering about the uninvited guests at home, she urged him to
raise alarm!
Punditji habitually consulted his panchang in the faint candle light and declared that this was no time to raise
alarm. When will be the appropriate time ? Enquired his wife. Not in the near future; only six months later, was
the answer from the Pundit. The thieves overheard the conversation, and delightfully decamped with the
valuables.
Six months later when the auspicious time approached both the Pundit and his wife cried at the top of their
voice about the thieves in their house. Neighbours responded promptly and gathered to help out the distressed
Pundit but soon discovered the foolishness of the Pundit and went back to their home much bemused!

Ability To Influence—The Group is the ability, which enables an individual to bring about willing
effort from the group for achieving the objective desired by him. This is the primary function of the
leader of any group. This quality includes, Tact, Communication skills, Persuasion and Assertiveness.
Let us not forget that any order or command causes resistance in the minds of some members of the
group, however noble it may be. In no case, one can rest assured of hundred per cent willingness of the
followers in execution of orders. Non-cooperation, inhibition, hesitation and lack of understanding are
some of the factors that come in the way of total compliance of instructions. The true leader is alive to
this reality and uses his tact to elicit compliance from his subordinates. Leadership is the most trainable
quality and different proven techniques are available for the purpose. A leader may use his own nobel
ideas depending on his own imagination and understanding of the situation and the nature of his
subordinates.
Liveliness—Combat situation is full of stress. The quality to keep oneself happy and buoyant in the
adverse situations is liveliness. A true leader does not allow the stress to overpower him or his troops.
Sense of humour is yet another related quality that helps a person fight the stress effectively. Without
this quality; it is difficult for the leader to keep his troops in high morale.
Death is Happiness !
Philosopher and poet Kabir Das—I have no fear of death, which is so dreadful for the rest of the world. In
fact I am waiting for the day when I depart from the world and attain the ultimate pleasure of meeting my Lord!
The Doha reads-
Jise marne se jag dare, mero adhik anand
Kab marihon Kab bhetihon-puran parmanand.

Lesson 9
Approach of SSBs—How These Qualities are Tested

Armed Forces are very rare employers. They have different organisational norms, values and ethos.
Accordingly their method of selection of officer cadre also is quite unconventional. We can appreciate
the approach of Armed Forces better only after paying a thought on the means and methods adapted by
other organisations for the purpose of comparison.
By and large, the methodology adopted by other organisations essentially includes test the
knowledge of employment-seekers in specific fields related to the jobs. Such tests are based on a well-
demarcated syllabus. Such tests are called as achievement tests wherein the probability of success
increases with preparation. At the end an interview is conducted for those who succeed in the written
test. In certain other types of jobs perhaps some skill test may be included in the selection process.