India, Aug. 21 -- "We are Gen Z... Our taxes pay your salary!"

These words were said to the face of a soldier standing guard at Dras... Ladakh. Where even breathing demands effort from your lungs. In the freezing -15degC winds, where just rolling down the car window sends a shiver through your soul at a checkpoint there.

"Our taxes pay your salary. So now you've become superior to us?" You must have seen that video too. Whether that woman's frustration was justified or not, I don't know. That woman has apologised as well now, but that one sentence she hurled at that soldier "our taxes pay your salary" - that one stung.

So first, let's do a simple fact check: Armed Forces personnel also pay taxes. Every year, every month. In fact, they ...