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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