"Pawns"

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” Sun Tzu.

Good morning!

Recently, we have started to play chess during the recreation time in office. It used to be carom and suddenly the attention has shifted to chess. I have always enjoyed playing chess but with one particular person who is a friend of my father. He plays very well, and in fact I have learned an ample amount of crucial moves in order to build up the game strategy and gain advantage over my opponent. But not even for once, I have defeated him. And it always bugged me and I had to challenge him again and again.

For me, I always believe the pawns are the most powerful piece in the game of chess. Many times, we don’t take the pawns seriously during the course of the game. Only when the dawn of the game finally arrives, you'll start to contemplate the pawns you have lost, sacrificed and have not protected well. The pawn may lack the power of Rook, Bishop and Knight but if you protect the pawns with the help of the other pieces, it will always give you an upper hand in the end. Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest commanders in history said, “Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them” and it's true even in the game of chess. 

I think the nature of the chess game is also similar with our country democracy. We got to accept the fact, with huge power comes a great responsibility. In my opinion, the politicians are the pieces which have the power whereas the pawns are the people. The pieces of King, Queen, Rook, Bishop and Knight (evidently politicians) represent the government. The people are often neglected and mistreated by the government though they have the power to do something worthwhile. But by the end of the term, the government gradually starts to lose power but will still want to retain the power. Atlas! The government remembers the importance of people again. Do you think we should return the favor of their treatment by voting for these politicians again?

It is simple and clear, and like gravity, for every action there is an equal reaction. If the government has known its responsibilities which comes with the power, i.e., to protect and serve us well, people will likely to vote for the same government for another term. The perfect example will be the 2014 General election. The Indian National Congress party was completely annihilated winning just 44 seats out of 543 seats. The number of seats lost by Indian National Congress party from last election held in 2009 was 162 seats which is a huge difference. Point to be noted; the seats lost by the Congress party represent the power of the people or just pawn. Lo and behold! The pawns have won the battle.

Even in organization, the employees are the pawns. As much as the higher management is important to the employees, the employees are also equally important for the growth of the organization and to achieve the goals. Many organizations try hard to avoid huge attrition rate but seldom have the higher management realized the goals they pursue to achieve may not shield or secure the employees. The employees need the protection and job security from the higher management in order to achieve the end goals of the organization.

It is just that the action initiated in the beginning will have a say in the end.

 

Food for thought: “Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head.” Euripides.

Thank you. Have a good day!