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THOUGHTS ON KARGIL DIWAS

 THOUGHTS ON KARGIL DIWAS

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

 

26/VII/2023

 

 

Today is Kargil Diwas. A day when victory of good over evil was achieved by the Indian Armed Forces. Kargil and Dras areas were lit up with fireworks of a different kind. Booming artillery guns, flying aircrafts and charging infantry were in action. The Ravan from the neighbouring rogue country had to be put down. Who else could have done it other than our Armed forces.

 

Enemy crossed the Laxman Rekha. ‘Chal & Kapat’ were used by those liars. Thereafter, there was no stopping our forces who annihilated the enemy. I wish we would have sorted many other territorial disputes in the same breath once for all.

 

India bore a very heavy cost. We lost 527 of our brave hearts besides 1363 were wounded or maimed. 1890 families were shattered. Besides, every unit which bore the brunt of body bags were also devastated. Each martyrdom filled in fresh josh in the troops. Many walked into sure death unflinchingly and knowing full well that they will never return.

 

Those wounds are still fresh. Celebrations of Kargil Day does heal those wounds a little. But the scar will ever remain.

 

Imagine, what must be the feelings of soldiers who fought on those icy peaks above 17000 feet. Many parents & Veer Naris who went through hell 25 years back, make it a point to pay homage by visiting Kargil on this day. They must be going numb looking at those snow-clad mountain tops, above 17000 feet where their son fought so gallantly. Their only wish would be, if their beloved would just rise from dust and return.

 

Yours truly was deployed in the desert sector. It was hot and sweaty. We camped under the open skies. Our friends were scorpions and snakes. We bathed in canals with muddy waters. We stayed without electricity. Of course, we were without our families. But what the heck!

 

Our focus was on the enemy and his nefarious ways. Our eyes & ears were wide open night and day. We were prepared both mentally and physically. Our brothers who did the real fighting were kept in our prayers. We all were agitated from within. Our blood used to boil, listening to the causality figures. A political green signal never came.

 

 

No one asked for leave. Officers and men shared food from the same langar. We remembered different Gods but with only one aim and that was to keep INDIA protected at any cost.

 

 

Thank God a ceasefire was declared. Any further count of body bags was just not acceptable. All of us wanted to go to Kargil and sort the bloody enemy out.

 

 

It is strange that the Armed forces are only remembered only when it is convenient. The next day, all go back to their routine. I read a poem on social media, which goes like this….

 

 

 

Another Kargil Diwas

At least someone remembers us

Victory at the cost of lives

Orphaned children and grieving wives

 

Head lines read “Logjam in Parliament”

We wonder “are we even relevant”

A semblance of Unity

Or just a photo opportunity

 

The accountant continues to fight

To deny the wounded soldiers their well deserved right

To ‘disability pension’

Cause it is not the Babu’s tension

 

Actors and stars clamour

Making movies in our honour

Walk into the glittery night

As if they were the ones who had to fight

 

Media makes a noise

Showering all the praise

Anchors shout over the din

Wonder what they talk within

 

Veterans stand around

Thumping their chest proud

Missing a common comrade

From the post retirement parade

 

The nation for a day will weep

And then again fall to sleep

Continue with life

Create another imaginary strife

 

We gave our all

So that you don’t fall

The nation to rise

Above petty squabble and lies

 

-By Anonymous

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, as a saying goes “Our TriColour does not fly because the wind moves it, it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.

 

Wishing all countrymen, veterans, serving soldiers and their families a very happy VIJAY DIWAS.

 

JAI HIND-JAI HIND KI SENA

 

© ® NOEL ELLIS

 

Living testimony of the survivors

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDFTMGjv_-w&t=27s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO4wIpB-8do


Kargil war memorial briefing

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mycMzxCZqP0

 

 

 

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