Ravi Kumar always dreamed of becoming a soldier. Growing up in a small village, he was mesmerized by the stories of bravery his grandfather, a retired army officer, would narrate. But for Ravi, the most inspiring part was the olive-green uniform. He believed it symbolized honor, duty, and respect. From his childhood, he envisioned himself standing tall in the uniform, saluting the tricolor flag.

When Ravi cleared the recruitment process, it felt like a dream come true. His family celebrated, his friends cheered, and the entire village gathered to bid him farewell. Ravi was filled with excitement as he set off for the training camp, imagining that soon he would wear the prestigious uniform he had admired for so long.

When Ravi arrived at the training academy, his excitement was palpable. He looked around at the towering gates, the disciplined cadets, and the bustling atmosphere. He imagined himself in uniform, standing shoulder to shoulder with his comrades. However, as the first day unfolded, he noticed that none of the new recruits, including him, were given the coveted uniform. Instead, they were handed plain workout clothes and instructed to focus on training.

Confused, Ravi approached one of his trainers, Subedar Mehra, and asked, “Sir, when will we get the uniform?”

Subedar Mehra looked at him sternly and replied, “This uniform is not given. It is earned. You don’t deserve it yet.”

The words struck Ravi like lightning. He had always believed that joining the army would automatically grant him the...