अमर जवान

“I am a soldier in the Indian Army, I am a son of two mothers. One who gave birth to me and the other my country, she made me the man that I am and every time she calls I shall hear and I shall heed, for she sings to me in my hour of need” Perhaps what every soldier has in his mind. It’s the willingness and passion to serve the motherland that fills people with the courage to join the forces.

They fight against any threat that comes up to them, even to the peril of their lives.
In a recent fire exchange in Handwara, five brave men attained martyrdom while serving the motherland.
“हिम्मत को परखने की गुस्ताखी ना करना, पहले भी कई तूफानों का रुख मोड़ चुका हूँ”
was the WhatsApp status of the brave Col Ashutosh Sharma SM, CO 21 RR. He cleared the SSB interview in his 13th attempt. That shows what a persistent man he was. Pallavi Ashutosh, wife of Col Ashutosh Sharma said she is proud for what her husband did. “He had passion and priority for his unit and love for his uniform. His loss is irreparable and unbearable, but I am proud of my husband for what he did for his men and the safety of civilians” she said.
“When you’re older, you will realise the only thing that matters, the only thing is that you had courage and honour.

Lose those things and you won’t die any quicker, but you’ll be less than the dirt on your boots. You’ll still be dust, but you’ll have wasted your short time in the light” were the last words found from Major Anuj Sood’s social networking. The man lived by his words, showed the utmost valour and got his name glorified in the history.
Major Anuj Sood was son to Rtd. Brig Chandrakant Sood who said, “He has made a supreme sacrifice. It was a part of his duty and what he was trained for. I feel sad for his wife as they just got married 3-4 months back. He was meant to save lives”

How tough it would’ve been for a father to say had he not served in the Army.
Yes laying down one’s life on the line of duty is the supreme sacrifice that a soldier can make but assuming and generalising the fact that “A soldier is born to die” would be completely wrong. Just like anyone of us he too is a human and has a family. Not everyone can sign up for the army, a lot of people are not willing to do that and a lot of who are possibly can’t make it through the selection process.

Along with Col Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj Sood were two young soldiers Naik Rajesh who hailed from Mansa district of Punjab and Lance Naik Dinesh who belonged to Almora, Uttrakhand were from the same regiment (21 RASHTRIYA RIFLES) and Sub Inspector Shakeel Qazi from the Jammu and Kashmir Police who attained martydom while rescuing hostages who were held captive by terrorists in Handwara, town in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir.

As I wrote about the heroes, their valour gave me constant chills. Wondering when I’ll be able to pay back all the soldiers who’ve laid down their lives while guarding the nation. NEVER was the only answer that I could think of. Neither me nor anyone could possibly ever repay this debt. This debt is something we can carry with ourselves that’ll push us to work for a better nation. The sad part is not everyone will get this. In simpler words, if we wish to pay tribute to the Martyrs, the least we can do is work on ourselves to be an asset for the nation for which they laid down their lives so easily.
Jai Hind!

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