An Unfeigned Salute

 

They had assured they would come back. But little did they know, destiny had different arrangements, when they met death in its eye, and valiantly shred their lives for this holy land. Must have been a forlorn battle with the craving to survive, amid pain and helplessness, tediously from one heart beat to the next, amid the fervor to guard us, amid the earnest prayers their kith and kin were mumbling from their homes, amid the blood-freezing snow, amid the aching desire for one last peck on the cheek from their child; one last smile on their wife’s face; one last embrace from their parents.

As at all times, destiny did win. The brave hearts yielded. And waves of tears and anguish came spouting from the highlands, and swept every shattered Indian heart.

Why did these altruistic souls opt to do this? Was it for power or wealth or fame? There were a million trails that led towards those. They left all that was dear to them, so we may stay secure with all that is dear to us. They withstood privation, so we enjoy luxury. They confronted dangers, so our homes are filled with laughter. The taxes we pay for their salaries, they repay with their blood; and the magnitude of this matchless transaction, we, the safeguarded will never know.

If only the love and gratitude each Indian’s heart carries can bring them back to life, to an embrace from their parents, to the smile on their wife’s face, to a peck on the cheek from their child, to the warmth of their homes from the bitter snow, to the shrines were prayers were fulfilled, to merriment from the isolation, to salute Our Flag flying high from being wrapped in it. Let’s remember with every tear, how violence is evil and peace is dear!