Tale of two friends. A contrasting career journey, Mule Driver and a Major General!

Once upon a time, Ram Dayal and Deen Dayal were two friends who joined the Indian Army together as Sepoys (private) and were enrolled as Mule drivers. Deen Dayal was a laid back chap whereas Ram Dayal was ambitious. Ram Dayal pursued further education privately, eventually attempting the examination for the officer cadre. He was successful and became a commissioned officer after completing officer’s training. Over the course of 25 years, Ram Dayal rose through the ranks and became a Major General, while Deen Dayal received basic time scale promotions and remained a Havildar (Sergeant) as a mule driver only

As a Major General, Ram Dayal was posted as the General Officer Commanding of a Mountain Division. One day, he visited a Mule Company, and by chance, he encountered Havildar Deen Dayal, who was on the verge of retirement, standing with his old mule. When Ram Dayal approached Deen Dayal, he asked how everything was? दीन दयाल कैसे हो ( Deen Dayal Kaise ho). In response, Deen Dayal humorously replied in Hindi, “Wohi Khoti (Mule), wohi Deen Dayal,” (वही खोती वही दीन दयाल) which translates to “Same old mule, same old Deen Dayal.” He meant that nothing much had changed, and he was still the same person, just like his loyal old mare.

The conversation between Ram Dayal and Deen Dayal captures the stark contrast in their career trajectories, with Ram Dayal achieving the rank of Major General and Deen Dayal remaining a Havildar. However, despite the differences, Deen Dayal maintains his characteristic laid-back nature and a sense of humor, using the analogy of his old mule to depict his unchanged self.

Guchi.