IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)

Volume 20, Issue 7, Ver. IV (July 2015), PP 88-95

e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org

Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

1

Maj.Gen.G.S.Narang, 2Dr.PinkyGoswami

1Dean Student Welfare Amity University Lucknow Amity University, Lucknow Campus
Malhaur, GomtinagarExtention, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh : 226028 , India
2Assistant Professor Amity University Haryana

Abstract: The breaking point refers to the point at which a person breaks down, can endure no more, or finally
reaches a point where a permanent change is made. This is typically related to stressful or highly emotional
situations, in which a person will be forced to cope with something that particularly challenges them. The
breaking point for each individual person may be different; some people respond particularly well to stressful
situations, while others have a much lower point at which a situation becomes too much to
endure.Vikranthadbeenadevotedarmysepoy.BeingaRajputfromRajasthan,thecommitmentandchivalry of this
soldierwasexemplary.
However,
life
took
adifferent
turn
for
himwhen
hefoundhimself
understressanddelusion,whichwascaused
byhiswifesinfidelity.Vikrantcouldnotbearthebruntofhispersonallifebeingruinedandrushedtodeathinhaste.
In recent past there has been an increase in suicide and fratricide cases in the Armed forces.
ThefocusofthecaseisBreaking Point(notrelatedto work/organization),itseffectonanindividual and role of the
organisation to prevent such incidents.
Key words: breaking point,aroused emotions,coping behavior, intrapersonal conflict, taxonomy of conflict,
optimum stress,

I.

Introduction

Themanagementofhumanresourcesintodaysfastchangingworldhasacquirednewdimensionsduetothecomplex
interplayofsocial,environmental,biologicaland
culturalfactors,affectinghumanbehavior.Thefamilyvaluesofyesteryears
areanachronismstoday.Theconceptofmodernitybeingpracticedbyoursocietyhasmanifesteditselfintermsofrenewed
culturalbeliefs,socialstandards,genderequality,peerpressure,interpersonalconflictandraisedaspirationconflictand
raisedaspirationlevels.ThemeninArmed
forceshavebeenhitthehardestbyitseffectsduetopeculiarserviceconditions.Theprolonged
separation,inabilitytobewiththefamilyatthetimeofdistressandindifferent
attitudeofrelativestotheir
genuineproblems, addstotheiragony. Thosewhoareunabletocopeupwiththisparadigmshiftsufferfromunbearable
stressleading to their break point.

II.

BreakingpointAnoverview

SepoyVikrantSingh wasaRajput from Barmerdistrict of Rajasthan.This districthassignificantlyand

traditionallycontributed
manyofitssonstotheIndianArmy
andhisunitwasnoexceptionhavingasizeableproportionofsoldiersfrom thisregion.
Sep.VikrantSinghwasagoodsoldierandanexcellentsportsman.Hewasofquietnatureandfondofreadingandstudies.
Hehadbeenalikeableperson. Hestoodfirstintheinter-unitMarathon RaceCompetitioninFebruary2007. Life took a
different turn when he metwitha girlnamedVeenain March2008during leaveatJodhpurandgotenamoredwith
herduetoherforwardness.Thoughthey
belongedto
samecommunityfromRajasthanbuthergrandparentshadmovedoutfromruralareasofRajasthanandstarted
livingincity. Her father wasworkinginaPSUBank.Thefamilyhadadoptedurbanways ofliving,andfollowed
amixoftraditionalandmodernvaluesystem.Theygavegoodeducationtotheirchildrenandencouragedtheirchildreneve
n girlstominglefreelywitheveryone, thoughwithinlimits.Veenawasthesecondchildoffourchildren andhadstudied
inco- educationschool.Shewasagoodlooking girlwithanextrovert andtrusting nature andwasapopular student
inherschool and collegeduetoherpleasingdisposition,positiveattitudeandgoodmanners.
Much
against
the
wishes
of
his
parents,Vikrantmarriedthegirlon12July,2009.Afterthemarriage,theyoungcouplestayedtogetherfor
twomonths.Likehis
elderbrother,he
hadtoleavehiswifewithhis
parents;shedidnotprotestandquicklyendearedherself
toeveryoneinthefamily.Shetreatedhisyoungerbrotherasher
ownbrotherandstartedhelpinghiminhisstudies.
Afterthemarriage,Vikrantcamehomeonleavetwice.HehadreturnedtounitafterafortnightsleaveinFebruary2010.
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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

However,thistime,itwasnoticedthathehadbecomequietandwithdrawnsincehisreturnandhadnotrespondedto
queriesaboutwell-beingofhis
family.Hejustmentionedthathewasnotfeelingwell.His
colleaguesassumedhewashomesickand missinghiswifeashe hadappliedforafewdayscasualleaveagainforaweek
inMarch,
whichhadbeensanctionedbythe
subunitcommanderbuthecouldnotgoonleaveduetotrainingcommitmentsintheunit,andcommittedsuicideon11 March.
Triggering effect
Hailingfromaruralbackground,
SepoyVikrantSinghgotmarriedtoamodernwoman.Shewasanextrovert.
ButSepoyVikrantSinghcouldnotcopewiththeopennessandfrankbehaviorofhiswifewiththeopposite
sex.InFebruary2010whenhehadproceeded
onleave;hegotsuspiciousofhiswifesclosenesstoherbrother-in
law.Atrivialactionofhis
wifehad
sownsuspicioninhis
mind.Thereafter,hehadstartedinquiringabouther
collegedaysandbackground.Due
toher
freeandfranknature,Vikrantfelthiswifehadloosemorals.Despiteherdenials,heusedtobroodovereachandevery
actionofhersandrelateittoher
havingillicitrelationswithher
brother-inlaw.HedidnotchangethenominationofhisWillinhername.
Heusedtopendown
hisconflictingthoughts,questionsandjustificationsin
everyspareminute
hegot.
BeingfromtheproudRajputcastehecouldnot
share hisagonywithhis
peers orsuperiors.Onthe
fateful
night,inhislastphone calltoher,hewanted afinaladmissionofherrelations with herparamourandapromisefrom
hertobreakit off,whichnevercame.Hedecidedto pullthetriggerin haste.
Sequence of Events
Ithadbeenavery
delightful
andsatisfyingeveningalbeitaverylateoneforColIMSmart,CommandingOfficerofanarmy
unit.Hehadjustretiredtobedafteraninteractivefunction wh i c h wasafollowupofasuccessfulculminationofa training
eventinhisunit.HewasinformedataboutmidnightbyhisOfficer,Sir,SepoyVikrantSinghhasshothimself.
Herushedtothespotwheretheghastlyincidenthadoccurred.SepoyVikrantSinghwaslyingdeadinapoolofbloodwith
hisriflebeside himnearthe
southernguard postofthebuilding.TheMilitaryPoliceand
civil
Policealso
hadarrivedandhad startedtheinvestigations.
SepoyVikrantSinghwasondutyfrom0001hto0200halongwithSepoyBChandra.SepoyChandrasaidthathehad
seenVikrantSinghonlyafewmomentsbackduringchange-overof
guardandhadnotfoundanythingwrong.Hementioned
hehaddefinitelyseenVikrantSinghspeakingonthemobile
phonewhilepatrolling.
Atabout0010h,hehadsuddenlyheard
a
gunshotandhadrushedtothesitetofindVikrantSinghlyingin apoolofblood.
ThejointfamilyofSepoyVikrantSinghcomprised o f hisgrand-parents, parents,oneelderandoneyoungerbrotheranda
sisteryoungertohim.Hisfatherwasafarmer,elderbrotherserving
inaRajputBattalion
andyoungerbrotherstudying.His
elderbrotherwasmarriedinaRajputfamily,thematcharrangedbyhisgrandparents.Thewife
ofelderbrotherwas
staying
within-lawsanddidnotaccompanyherhusband.Thesister
waseducateduptoclass
sixandthen
married.Thefamilyhad
limitedexposurestomodernvaluesandwasrigidinfollowingtraditionsandputHonour&Prestigeofthefamily above
everythingelse.
Theearly
educationofSep.VikrantSinghwasfromaschoolinhisvillagetillclassX.HedidhisClassXIIfromBarmerstayinginahos
tel.Sep.
VikrantSinghwasofsoberhabits
andgotalimitedexposuretourbanlifebeforehejoinedtheArmy
on15March2005.
Status Report
An Inquirywasorderedtoinvestigatetheincident.ThePresidingOfficerstarted interactingwithvariouspeople,firstly
toascertainiftherewasanyfoulplay-whichwasnotthecasehefound.Simultaneously,
hestartedtoinvestigateintothe
circumstanceswhichmayhaveledtothesuicidebyVikrantincludingtheorganizational
climate,StandingOperating
Procedures,oftheunitwhichhadsomelacunae,hefelt.Healsofoundthattheguardwasnothomogenous,
i.e.fromthe
samesub-unitbutamixofpersonnelfrom alltheothersubunits.
VikranthadnotbeeninterviewedbytheSub-unitCommanderortheCommandingOfficerpriortogoingonleaveoron
return.Linkingthestatementsofhisbestbuddyandthedataof
profusionof
latenightcallsbyVikranton
the
mobilephoneto his wife,thelastbeingaboutfifteenminutesbeforehis pullingthetrigger,Officerconductingthe
Inquiryconcluded
somethingwasamiss.Heinterviewedallthepersonsinthechainofcommand
butwasstymiedtofindtherewasnoinformation
abouthismaritalrelations.Evenhisbestbuddy
whohadattended
hismarriagewasunawareofany discord.Hehadbeen gettingleaveasperhischoiceandrequirements. ButtheSubunitCommanderhadnotedthatlatelytheperformanceof
VikrantSinghhaddroppeddown.Hehadcome10thin
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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

theInterUnitMarathonraceCompetition.Also,hehadnotperformed
sowellinthePromotionexamination
despitebeingstudious.
ThesubunitClerkalsomentionedthatVikranthadbeendilly
dallyingwith
hismarriagedocumentationandhadnotgiventhenecessaryphotosanddetails
forpublishing
theWillalmost
forsixmonths.Therefore, priortoVikrantdepartureforafortnightsleaveinthepreviousmonth,hehadpointedthistothe
Sub-unitcommanderwhoin
turnhad
instructedVikranttodotheneedfulworkbeforecomingbackfromleave.TheWillwas finallypublishedonVikrants
return.
Luckily,fortheInvestigatingOfficer,afewdayslateronepersoncametomeethim.Heturnedouttobeasoldierfrom
Vikrantsvillagewhowaspostedtoanother unitinthesamestation.Henarrated thattherewassomemarital discord
betweenVikrantandhiswife asshewasmodern.Hehadinquiredaboutitfromhimbutnoresponsewasforthcoming.The
soldiermentioned thatVikrantwasfondofwritingandusedtomaintainadiaryinwhichheusedtopendownhisdailylife.
TheInvestigatingofficerimmediatelyorderedsearchforthemissingdiary.Asearchofpersonalbelongings
of
Vikrantyieldedhis personaldiary,on flicking throughthem,he foundhimself staring atheartrendingpages
filledwithVikrants
personalmental
andemotional
turmoil,tormentandagony.VikrantSinghwastorturedbysuspicionsabouthiswifesfidelity
soonafterhis
marriagewhichhadmanifestedinoutpouringsin theregisterduringthefreehours.
Teaching Notes
CaseSynopsis
ThecasetalksaboutVikrantSingh,anIndianarmy
Sepoywhocommitted
suicideduetoundue
stress.Moststresssituations,we
meetindailylifeareminor
andeasytocopewith.However,attimeswefacehighly
stressful
situationsoraccumulated
stresses,whicharedifficult
tocope
withandresultin
strain,primarilyonthemind.Insomeindividualsthis straincrossesthe thresholdoftoleranceandtheyfaceabreakdown.
Alleged increase in the cases of suicides, fratricides, stress related physical disorders and psychiatric illnesses
has
been
a
cause
of
concern
for
the
Military
leadership.
(Rigalli
V.S.S.R.,Bhat,P.S.&Srivastava,Kalpana,2011)and
tothisend,thedeeper
study
intothevarious
facetsof
stresswillassistcommanders atalllevelstounderstandthispsychological factorofhumanrelations.Anotherfactoristhe
organizationalbehavior,whichplaysamajor
factorinpreventionof
suchkindsofsituation.For
personnelin
theArmedForces,stressisofspecialsignificance as a soldierhastoconfront stressatalltimesinsomeformortheother
Itwasunderprolonged
stressthatVikrantsresponsetostressofonetypeoranotherresultedinhisdeath.Healsohad
begunbehavingillogicallyandirrationally. Tothisend, thedeeperstudyintothe variousfacets of stress
willassistLeaders
atalllevelstounderstandthispsychological
factorofhumanrelations.Anotherfactoristheorganizationalbehavior,which
playsamajor,factorinpreventioninsuchkindsofsituation.
Withthehelpofacasestudythispapertriestounderstand
effect of intrapersonalconflicton performanceand behavior pattern, relationshipbetween stressesat home and its
psychosocial
aspectsandsystematicanalysisofthestressfactorstoarriveattherootcauseofthemanifestedbehavior/
attitude.
Learningobjectives
(a)
Effectof intrapersonalconflicton performanceandbehaviorpattern,
(b)
Relationshipbetweenstressathomeanditspsychosocialaspects,
(c) Systematicanalysisofthe stressfactorstoarriveat therootcauseof themanifestedbehaviour/attitude,
(d)
Someorganizationalfactorsaffectingstress.
Intendedcourses/Theories
(a)
OrganizationalBehavior
(b)
HumanResourcesandNLP
(c)
Psychologyand StudiesofHumanRelationsSchool.
Questionsfor Discussion
1.
Whatarethevariouslevelsofconflictsarmypersonnelhastobearwithinhisarmylife?
2.
Whatarethesourcesofstress?HowcouldVikrantcopewithsuchastress?
3. Explaintheoptimum stress level in thecaseofSepoyVikrantSingh?
4. What does research say about psychological breakpoint of an individual?
5. Whatis therelevanceof Self EsteemandSocialneedswithStress?
6. WhatwerethechangesinthebehaviorofSepVikrantSinghduetoStress?
7. WhatistheroleofOrganizationsClimate&socialsupportsystemincontainingStresslevels?

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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

Teaching plan
Thecasemustbehandedovertoscholarsaweekinadvancewitharequesttostudyanddevelopadeeperunderstandingofalli
ssuesencompassingStressManagement. Suggested time plan is as under:1. Briefing about the case by Faculty:
05min
2 Distributionof groupscomprising of two to three participants basedonspecialisationmix
15min
3. ComparingLearning/objectivesbyindividuallyattendingthediscussionin eachgroup.10min
5. Faculty interventiononlearningprocess
05min
6. CaseChronology(Opendiscussionsingroups)
10min
7. Learningoutcome(findoutfrom eachgroup,thendiscussinclass)
10min
8. Facultyto moderate discussiononImbrogliobygivingoneoptiontoeachgroup30min
9. Responsesbyeachgroup,slide5-6points;3 minuteseachwith querysession20min
10. Instructor-Briefover viewof responsesbygroupsandrelayingtheory25min

III.

Suggested Answers To Questions For Discussion

1. Whatarethevariouslevelsofconflictsarmypersonnelhastobearwithinhisarmylife?
Trulyaconflictrepresentsagap,adisagreement,contradiction a n d incompatibilityoratensesituationcreated b y the
complicationsinoneslife a n d partiallydue to organizationalapathy.Conflictisaninevitablepart o f individualand
organizationallifehavingdivergentpersonalities,perceptions a n d values.Conflictcan b e atthreedifferentlevels.An
intrapersonalconflictoccurswithintheindividual.Itnormallyoccurs
wh enthereisadisagreementbetweenhowaperson
feelsabouthis/herbehaviorversushowtheyreallyact.Aninterpersonal
conflictisexperiencedbetweenindividualsinthe same location,e.g., co-workers,team membersorasinthiscase
betweenthehusbandandwife. Itexistswheneverpeople interact or come together to accomplish a common goal or
objective.
However
theirbackground,
personalityand
experiences,beingdifferent,maymakeattainmentofthegoal
difficult.Anintra-groupconflictis
definedasconflictbetween
groupsin
thesameorganization.Itoccurswhenever
thereis
contactorinteractionbetweengroups.Issuesof
groupcohesion,stickingtogether,leadershipandstatus,powerorinfluenceandlackoforlimitedresourcesoftencause
sourcesofintergroupconflict.Lackofgoalclarityorintensecompetition
maycauseintra-group
conflict.Thiswashowever
absentinthiscase.Conflictisa,naturalconditionofhuman,lifeandoneofthestates,ofdynamichumanpersonality.A
stateofharmony
istheidealstate.Thetaxonomy,ofconflictasshownbelowdepictstheconflicttoapathycontinuum.
Figure 1 about here
Duringthe,analysisofconflict,thefirststep,istorecognizethelevelof
conflict,from
wherewill,flowoutthefurthercourseof
resolution.
Vikranthadbeenfacingwithanintrapersonalconflict.Intrapersonalconflictispurelyinternal,toapersonandis,
probablythemostdifficult,typeofconflicttoanalyze.Allofushaveneeds.Theseneedsform,thebasisforbehavioratwork
, athome,andeveryactivity wepursue. Intrapersonalconflictarising,duetounfulfilled,expectations,colored,
perceptionand
hurttoselfesteemand,imageincreasesthestresslevel.Also,thethreetypes,ofroles,namely,theexpected,
the
perceivedandthe,actualrolecanresultinroleconflict.Individualconfronted,withroleconflictwilloftenexperience
psychologicalstress,leadingtoemotionalproblems.Moreoftenthannot,itwillbelatentstress,whichwillnotbe
veryovertly visible.Otherissuesconnectedwithintrapersonalconflictare:(a)
Whenthereisa threattoa personsvalues.
(b)
Feelingof unfairtreatment,whichcouldbefrom anybody.
(c)
Multipleandcontradictorysocialcommitments.
(d)
RelatedtotheTheoryof CognitiveDissonance.
Anyindividualconfronted,withroleconflictwillexperience,psychologicalstressleadingtoemotionalproblems.Role
conflictscanhaveamarkedly adverseimpactonsatisfaction,andevenonmentalorphysicalhealth.SepoyVikrantSingh
wasundertremendousstressdueto
umpteennumbersofmixedthoughts,which,werecreatedin
hismindbyhisowninternal conflictsthathewasbattlingalonethroughout.SepoyVikrantSinghsconflictstarted, with
his own personality deterioration. Hewasinatotalturmoilwithhisownselfasregardshiswifeandhissuspicion
ofherhaving
illicitrelationsbasedonhis
perception.Hencehis
personalityhadovertonesofhis
familylife.Hedisplayedthetypicalcharacterofanearlyachieverwith
goodperformance
onthecourse,andhadreachedahighsatisfactionlevelpre-marriage,butduetolatentstresshewas undergoingon his
familyfront alongwithorganizationalapathy, herapidlydegeneratedon theprofessionalfront aswell. But
hispersonalemotionalturmoilwassomuchbottledup insidehimthathecouldnottakeitandcommittedsuicide.
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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

2. Whatarethesourcesofstress?HowcouldVikrantcopewithsuchastress?
Stressors r e l a t e d to personalityfactors
varywidely.Variousdimensionsof vulnerabilityform the
characteristics,for
enduringthepersonality.
Theseareaffected,bygenetic,developmental,
andsocialinfluences.Vulnerabilityalsochanges
fromday-to-day,
moodandindividualexperiences
inlife.Onesperceptionoftheexpectations heldofhim an d ones perceivedabilitytocontrolthesituation are
importantfactorsinunderstanding
howlifeeventsareinterpreted,
andwhat
reaction
a n d copingmechanismsareevoked.InthecaseofVikrantSingh,thiswasveryevidentlydemonstrativeinhis
changedbehaviorandattitudeoveraperiodofonlyoneyearthatofhismarriage.
Whilehewantedtomarryamodern
woman,hecouldnotcopewiththeopennessandfrankbehaviorofhiswifewiththeopposite
sex.Theseresultedinhis
subduedperformance
andrapiddriftingtowardsaloofness,quietbehaviorandpreference
forsolitude.Hisonlyemotional
outletwaspenningdownhismentalconflictandreasoningwithselfaboutthecorrectnessofhis wifesattitude.
Frustrationisaresult ofthethwartingofamotive,eitherbysomeobstacleswhichblock ourprogresstowardsadesiredgoal
oritcanarisebydelayslackofresources,
andfailureordenialofindividualneeds.Frustration
canalsooccurdueto
personality traitswhichpreventanindividualfrombringing issuestroublinghimoutintheopen.SepoyVikrantSingh
continuedtosuffer
frustration,
ashecouldnotopenlyquestion
hiswifedespitebeingdoubtful,(whichheultimatelydidjustbeforehecommittedsuicide).Hecouldnotspeakabouthissus
picionstohisfamilymembersashehaddefiedtheir
sentimentsandmarriedagainsttheirwishes.BeingaRajput,
hecouldnotdiscussthissensitiveissuewith his friends,peers andsuperiorsintheunit,fearingthathewouldbecomea
laughingstockintheunit.
3. ExplaintheoptimumstresslevelinthecaseofSepoyVikrantSingh?
Whentheenvironment exertsastrainandacts,likeastressoras,incaseofSepoyVikrantSingh,itposesachallenge, for
adjustment.Thesechallengescanresultinbothpositive andnegativeformsofstress,beingexperiencedastheindividual,
triestocopewith these.Tounderstandwhatwould
constituteanoptimumlevelofpositiveformofstress,itwouldbe,bestto refertoYerkes-DodsunModel.(Yerkes R.M,
Dodson, J.D. 1908)
Figure 2 about here
Allhumanreactionsareinresponseto,stressofonetypeortheother.Stressis,necessary
foreveryonetofunction
satisfactorily.Normally we,performbestatoptimumstresslevelasshownabove.Stressataverylow,levelresultsinzone
of,boredomleadingtothe,decay,ofour,psychologicalsystemwhile,ahighstresslevelresultsinzoneof,distressleading
toaccumulationof
fatiguethat
latermanifestsitselfin
theformof
physiologicalorpsychologicalproblems.Intheinitialstages
ofhisservice
tillhegotmarried,SepoyVikrant
Singhdisplayedhighdegree
ofenthusiasmandinterestinwhateverjobwas
assignedtohimandtookactivepartinvariousactivitiesoftheunit.Itwasquiteevident thathewasintheZoneofoptimal
stressintheinitial stages. Howeverwhenhewasgoingthroughthepersonal stresses posthismarriage sawthesudden
downfalltoahigherstresslevel.Themanifestation
ofthesaidstresswassolatentduetotheimpactofthecognitive
dissonancethatitwasnotrecognizedbythepeergroupandtherelevantpersonnelpresentduringthestage.
4. What does research say about psychological breakpoint of an individual?
A psychological break point cannot be predicted. However, of course, factors like: your environment,
biologically factors, lack of sleep, fever, brain damage, war, parenthood and general stresses, can all be causes
for a psychotic break. Even after knowing the causes , we still cannot predict it because each individual has their
unique way of handling break points. No doubt here are warning signs of a psychotic break, but they may be
varied and they aren't always as simple as they seem. Symptoms can include: delusions, violent behavior
(especially spastic outbursts), depression and sometimes no harmful symptoms. In case of SepoyVikram, his
wife infidelity was the break point. A Rajput, not able to win his wifes loyalty was the optimum stress for him
and he could not handle his break point.
4. WhatistherelevanceofSelfEsteemand SocialneedswithStress?
Theneedsarearranged,inahierarchyofimportance.IncaseofSepoyVikrantSingh,hewasinitiallystrivingtobea
satisfiedmanwhenhegotmarriedandwashappywithhis modernwife.Howeverhis conflictwith ownselfbeganthis
stage
whenhesuspectedhiswifeofsomeillicitrelationshipwithherbrother-in-law,
andtheissuegotfurthercementedbyHalo
Effect.Hecouldnevertransittohigherneedlevelandremainedengrossedinhislowerorderneedsonly.Hisegowas
alwayshurting
himandstaying
aloof,notpublishinghismarriagedocuments
wereadoptedbyhimasadefencemechanism tosafeguardtheego.
TherearethreestagesinCopingBehaviorasperGeneralAdaptation Syndrome, namely AlarmStage, Resistance
stage&Exhaustion
Stage
(Selye,
H.1956).Coping
behaviorispertinentto
understand
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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

thecomplexitiesofSepoyV i k r a n t Singhsbehaviorandactions.
Figure 3 about here
VikrantSingh,duetohighdegreeoflatentstress,initially
becameagitatedandstartedinvestigating
hiswifesantecedents
andpresentmovements.
Thenhewithdrewintohisshell
andtherewasadipinhisperformance.ThisistypicaloftheAlarmstage.IntheResistanceStage,hetriedtofightwithhiswif
e,triedtoestablishproof,didnotcomplete
marriage
documentation
andchanged
his
Will.Veryrapidlyduetonosupport
and
empathyfrom
anyone,hemovedfromtheresistancestagetothestageofexhaustion.Duetothefeelingofutterhelplessness,frustration,
andfinallyexhaustion,heendedhis lifebyshootinghimself.
5. WhatwerethechangesinthebehaviorofSepVikrantSingh?
Thereisaneed to monitor the existingstress levelandcarryoutreviewperiodically.InthecaseofSepoyVikrantSingh,
it
canbeinferredthathehadexperienced
highemotionalstress,whichaffectedhispsycheandhaddistortedhisperceptions
andresponses.
Butdueto
thesensitivenatureofhisproblem,
hecouldneversharehisgriefwithanyone.Thisstressful
situationmadehimresorttobehaviorakintowithdrawal.Hadthemonitoringbeendoneearlier,themanagementwouldha
ve
beenthatmuchbetter.Peergroupscanplayan
importantrole
in
stressidentificationas
alsosubunitCommander/immediate superiors.
6. WhatistheroleofOrganizationsClimate&socialsupportSystemincontainingStresslevels?
Itallowstheperson tocopesuccessfully withtheinevitablestressandcontinue performingefficiently. Whenthewellestablishedemotionalclimateofanyorganizationreflectsgenuine concernforthe legitimateneeds ofitspeople and
showsregardforitsmen, theindividualvaluesblend successfullywith thepurpose oftheorganizationdespite having
their
ownproblems.Thesameismore,relevantforanymilitaryestablishments.
Intheinstantcase,whenSepoyVikrantSingh startedshowingsomesignsofchangedbehavioranddropinperformance,
itshouldhavesentoutthedesiredsignalsfor
correctiveefforts.Asconfirmedbyinvestigationslater,theinterview
systemaslaiddowninstandingorderswasnotbeing
followedbytheunitwhereinthe
officerscoulddiscusssensitiveissueswith
theirmen.Also,despitethesubunitbeingaware
ofthechanges
inhisbehavioralpattern stillallowedhimtoundertakedutiesatisolatedpostswhereheusedtobroodmore. Normally,
anyarmedandisolateddutyiscarriedoutbyahomogenous groupsuchasasection,platoonfromthesame Company/
subunitwhereineveryoneknowseachotherwell.Inthiscase, G u a r d dutywasbeingperformed bypersonnel from
differentsubunits.Usually,asupportive,social,relationshipwith,seniors,colleagues,andsubordinates,
atwork,willdirectlyreducelevels,of
perceivedstress.Supportive,andhelpful,peergroup,arelesslikely,tocreate,intrapersonal,
pressures.Suchsupport,
makespeoplefeelmorepositively,aboutthemselvesandtheirwork,andaltersourperceptions
ofpotentiality,
threatening events.
Thoughpsychological,investigation
maybe,the,forteofexperts,theroutineman
management,skillsacquired
inthearmy,
coupledwithexperienceof,handling,varietyofcases,provides,enoughbasicknowledge,tohandlemanycases.,The
Inquiry
Committeethroughsequentialanalysis,ofthe,caseanditscorrelationwith,thepersonaldiaryoftheindividualcould
identify,therootcause,oftheproblemwhich,waseludingeveryone. Afocusedapproach, togetinvolved, andsolvethe
problem,couldhaveledtothecrux,of theproblemandmaybeSepoyVikrantSinghslifecouldhavebeensaved.

IV.

Conclusion

The casestudyhas, attemptedtoexaminethe,theoreticalaspects of break point led by the

stress of
intrapersonal,conflictand
itsmanifestation,through,analysisofareallife,incident,ofanindividual.Theaspectsofsevere,stress,levelwhichhad
affected
behavior
of the
soldierandwhich u l t i m a t e l y ledtohiswithdrawal
a n d untimelydeath
h a s beenanalyzedin
detail.Managing
t h e mostimportantresourceofA r m e d forcesi.e.themanhimself,assumesgreatimportance
i n the
overalleffectivenessoftheorganization.Asateachingmodel,ittendstohighlightvariousfacets
o f organizational
climate
andhumanpersonalitydevelopmentasrelatedtoonsetof
stress,andhowtocopewith
stressandtheremedialmeasures.
Thecasestudy,inthe,ultimateanalysishasbeenaimed
toexercisethemindsof
theparticipantsonthevarious
methods
in
enduring
the
break
point,facingstressinoneslife,toincreasetheoptimalstresslevelandalsoto
effectivelymanagestressarisingoutof
intrapersonalconflictin
caseof
an
individualwhichhadgotunnoticedandledtothetragicendof
a
promisingyoungperson.
Insuchasituationawelladministered,
happy,motivatedandresponsivecombatoutfitcanactasamuchneededsupport
systemtomitigatestresslevels.
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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

Welldefinedinstructions andguidelinesexistonthesubjectandproblemisbeingtackled headonbytheArmedForces.

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Date
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.

TABLE1: IMPORTANT TIMELINES

Event

10May2003 SepoyVikrantSinghjoinsXXRegtfrom Centre.

03Jan2007 SepoyVikrantSinghcomesfirstinInter-unitMarathonraceCompetition.
14Mar2008 MeetsMsVeenainJodhpur during leaveandgetsenamored withherduetoher
forwardness
beingfrom anurbanfamily.
12Jul2009
GetsmarriedtoMsVeenadespitecounselfrom hisfamilyside,theybeingfrom arural
background.
03Oct2009- Proceedsonleave.Getssuspiciousofhis wifesclosenesstoher brother-inlaw.Starts
inquiringabouthercollegedaysandbackground.Doesnotcomplete
marriage
documentation orchangehisWillonreturn.
04Jan2010 Comes10thintheInterunitMarathonraceCompetition.Alsodoesnotperformso
wellinthePromotionCadredespitebeingstudious.
18Feb2010 Proceedsonleaveagain.Returnsback.Becomesslightlyreclusivebutstilldoesnot
expressany stress.GetsWillnominationchanged.
09Mar2010 SeniorOfficersvisittoStation.Everyone in the unitis verybusy.SepoyVikrantSingh
detailedforGuardDuty.
11Mar2010 SpecialBarakhanaintheunit.SepoyVikrantSingh commitssuicide.
Figure1-Taxonomyofconflict

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Breaking Point: A case Study Of an Indian army Sepoy

Figure 2 :Optimum Stress :Yerkes-Dodsunmodel.

Figure 3 General Adaptation Syndrome

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