Better to die than be a coward

Was bored so I surfed the net and found a landmark ruling in Britain which states that the Gurkhas that serve before 1997 for Great Britain were to be treated the same as any ordinary citizen or military personnel and have their pension increased.

I got about researching about the Gurkhas and what got my respect was how they were selected to join Great Britains', Singapores' and Indias' armies and police contingents. Those as you as 17 and were fit enough were given the opportunity to try out for limited places for the prestige and honour of becoming a Gurkha. There's a variety of motivations they harbour to join, and not least of it is poverty. But whatever it is, they have my respect. We in Singapore whine and bitch about serving 2 years in national Service with paltry pay. Imagine carrying a 30 kilo basket (its not even a proper harversack) with stones secured with only ropes and run up the himalayas (it not even mount faber or even bukit timah, think of the oxygen levels in the himalayas) for 5 km within 40 minutes. I couldnt even walk properly on a straight airstrip with my parachute which only weighed 25 kg. I was hunching over like a turtle. Imagine running and brisk walking a steep incline with lack of oxygen with a time limit. Thats how tough and resilient they are. Their pay, 1000 pounds, is modest in Britain's standards, but for them, it's like hitting jackpot. Not many people can give them a run for their money.

The thing that struck me was how similar they were physically to most male singaporeans in singapore. They average 5ft5inc, which is my height at around 165 cm, and weigh just over 50 kgs. And its their nutrition after being recruited that have bulked them up. But their strenuous lifestyle has prepared them for hardship and they are known never to ever utter a negative word nor whine even in extreme hunger, thirst or fatigue. I would love to serve with them. I hate whiners and negative people. These are the people that would fit my personality. All this has given me a huge confidence boost. If they can, why not me. I want to be elite. I might be small, but I know I have a big heart. I dont give up easily. It has made me strive to do my best and go for the highest ever physical and mental pinnacle, wherever God places me. I wont be contend with just being another man on the street. I want to be the best. The suffering will make me a better man. I love physical challenges.

Their motto highlights their spirit best; Better to die than be a coward. This is what being elite is all about. Courage, Honour, Victory.