Soldier to Social Worker Not An Easy Shift

Beyond the Job: Call for Social Work

Compared to their counterparts in government and in the corporate sector, defence officers and soldiers typically retire at earlier ages. Many of these retirees, who are often still healthy, energetic, and motivated, seek out second careers in the corporate world or entrepreneurial ventures.

Unlike some who continue working after retirement, I chose a different direction at 58. I prioritized my newfound freedom and decided to make a difference by engaging in some grassroots social work. This decision came naturally as I considered this as the payback time towards the society.

While in service, I had purchased an apartment in a Gurgaon society located in Sector 103. Although the builder had delivered the flat in 2019, the overall condition of the society left much to be desired. To address these concerns and contribute to positive change, I joined the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) and participated in the election for the President’s position.

In India, a common saying goes: the smaller the election, the more intense the competition. This certainly held true for the election I contested in our society of 1,000 flats. The campaign involved a surprisingly high level of effort, and unfortunately, its effects continued to impact interpersonal relationships within the society despite my best attempts to mend fences.

Completing Our Mission with COVID in Backdrop

Our society faced a unique predicament. While the builder had technically delivered the apartments, significant aspects of the project remained incomplete. Additionally, the maintenance services provided were of abysmally low quality. This situation left residents feeling they weren’t receiving the value for their money.

Driven by our manifesto, we developed a clear action plan. We proactively engaged with the builder to expedite project completion and ensure a smooth handover of maintenance responsibilities to the RWA.

April 2021’s Delta variant surge hit us hard, forcing a complete shift in focus towards COVID management. One unexpected morning, the sub-divisional magistrate and local SHO arrived, delivering a containment order and sealing our society due to a surge in cases. The subsequent days proved to be an eye-opener, revealing the crucial role RWAs can play in our communities.

The following two months were transformative. They instilled in me a profound sense of tolerance, empathy, and compassion. It also revealed the remarkable resilience of our residents, who set aside differences to face adversity as a united front. While this spirit was truly inspiring, it’s disheartening to see how quickly the lessons of COVID-19 seem to have faded for the people at large.

With significant progress made, we successfully completed most of our self-designated tasks, including assuming maintenance operations. Finally, upon the conclusion of our term, we facilitated a fair election and transitioned the society’s management to the newly formed RWA.

Insights from My Term as RWA President

Serving as RWA President was both the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. It was a whirlwind, filled with unexpected turns and constant engagement. Yet, amidst the demands, I formed deep connections with a remarkable cross-section of our community. Young families, seasoned residents, energetic children, dedicated society employees, and even our neighbors from Daultabad village – all became part of my extended network.

This role pushed me beyond my comfort zone into the gowth zone, fostering humility, patience, and a newfound resilience in the face of criticism. The experience undoubtedly shaped me into a better, more well-rounded individual.

Beyond my involvement with the RWA, I also extended my efforts alongside fellow residents to tackle cleanliness, tree plantation, and infrastructure improvements in the areas bordering our society.

While achieving complete success might have been challenging, we made significant progress. We effectively put a stop to the open dumping of waste near our society, fostering a cleaner environment. Additionally, we implemented some improvements to the surrounding infrastructure, enhancing the overall livability of the area.

Challenges in Social Work

These two years made me realise that winning the election is just the first hurdle. Leading an RWA and carrying out social work in Gurgaon presents a unique set of challenges.

Its urban sprawl brings together a rich diversity of people from varied backgrounds. However, this diversity can sometimes create a sense of disconnection, lacking a strong sense of community. This can lead to a feeling of apathy towards the environment and social issues. Distrust toward authority figures, including social workers, RWA officials, politicians, and government representatives, further hinders collective action.

From my perspective, the most significant obstacle that we faced was the residents’ difficulty in setting aside personal differences and working collaboratively for the collective good. In fact, my biggest disappointment is that I could not institute good practices related to team building, consensus forming and peaceful conflict resolution in our society.

I deeply regret that some of our disagreements, especially the one concerning the installation of a mobile phone tower in our community, escalated to the point where authorities had to intervene.

Fortunately, another common source of tension in many communities, disagreements regarding stray dogs, was resolved after extended discussions. The positive outcome stemmed from the maturity and willingness to compromise shown by both the dog feeders and the RWA.

Tips for Volunteers

Social work often appears appealing, attracting those seeking a purpose after retirement. However, the reality is that it’s demanding and requires sustained commitment. Moreover the tangible rewards are few, although the intrinsic satisfaction of making a positive impact on people’s lives is deeply fulfilling. It is also an important pillar of life without which the Wheel of Happiness will not be complete.

Therefore, consider embarking on this path only after careful reflection, understanding the challenges and the unique form of fulfillment it brings.  The impact you make, though often unseen, can be profound. Even seemingly small interventions can spark positive change in individuals, families, or even entire communities. Your efforts may also inspire others to join the cause, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond your initial contributions.