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STATE MOURNING

 


 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

29/XII/2024

 

My heart is filled with grief after the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh. One did not have to know him personally, but deep within one relates to this man for his vision, humbleness, and knowledge. May he continue to inspire us and many of our countrymen in the future.

 

Having said that, the state declared a seven-day state mourning. As things would go, the National flag, wherever it is displayed, would be flown at half mast in respect of the departed soul. All state functions have been postponed or cancelled for that duration. Another gesture to pay reverence to his service to the Nation.

 

Is state mourning only for everything ‘Sarkari’? Or, is state mourning applicable to the civil streets also. I am not getting into politics of any kind but asking as a common citizen.

 

What caught my attention was a phone call by an NCO of our Army Institute. Sir, the function which was supposed to be held on the night of 31st, which obviously was a gala party to usher the new year in, has been postponed to the 2nd of Jan. He gave no reason. There was no need to guess why it was postponed. The Army follows such protocols in letter and spirit. Celebrations can wait.

 

There have been many occasions when Flags had to be flown half mast during my Army service. Those were the days mostly of All India Radio and Door darshan which were our lifelines.

 

The Quarter Guard of the unit was one place where the flag used to be hoisted. The SA, SM and the Guard Commander used to be briefed in particular to ensure that the unit flag on usual days and National Flag on National days would be flown half mast, if state mourning had been declared.

 

The flag used to be hoisted to the top and then lowered to half mast at reveille. Similarly at retreat, before it was lowered, it was hoisted back to the top and then lowered to be taken off to rest, was the drill. Dare the guard commander faulter, all hell used to break loose. It was the duty of the Adjutant, which yours truly was for the paltan for many years to ensure it.

 

All mess functions used to be cancelled or postponed. No mess parties, dining ins and outs would be organised. That is how we used to follow the instructions during national mourning.

 

Radio would go into tabla, sitar and sarangi mode, with only classical music playing and so would the TV. Except for the news bulletin from time to time, there were no entertainment programmes aired, unlike election result day. More than the results, we used to enjoy watching movies being aired.

 

May I ask the channels today, how are they following the declaration of National mourning. Moment the convoy of the VIPs left the cremation ground, every news channel shifted back to dishing out rubbish as usual. Mind you, most news channels were singing praises of the old man whom they did not treat so kindly when he was alive.

 

There used to be a tradition in cricket to wear black bands over their sleeves as a mark of respect. But, during the Australia-India test series, I did not observe it. Maybe, they didn’t get the news.

 

Cookery, dance and singing shows continued. Big boss house was not supposed to know what was happening outside. Music channels didn’t bother to play sombre music either. Reasons, one knows full well.

 

Even in our colony, a WhatsApp group for ushering in the new year has been created. State mourning doesn’t occur to them.

 

I am not sure where the state mourning is followed strictly. But these are my observations. For a common man, he needs food to survive today and has to get on the road. For a professional, things are the same. It is for all that is sarkari that has to show that they are following rules.

 

Should we have state mourning for more than a day? Does it have any meaning also? I wonder!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS

 

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