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There was quite a buzz in the classroom that day.
“She fainted in the Principal Office”, my friend whispered to a group of shocked girls.
“What” “No” “Who Who”
“*Moitra Mam”
“But Why?”
An image of tall, slim and young saree clad lady flashed in front of my eyes and of her little son tagging behind her. She used to teach the primary classes.
A few days later, news reached us that she had lost her husband – an Army Officer, in an attack by the naxalites near one of the Northeastern states border. I never saw her after the incident. This was 17 years ago.
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*Risha and I were in the same batch and did most of our studies together. She was this vivacious girl, always smiling and laughing about the antics of her sister. On my first visit to her home I realised that her dad was a highly ranked police officer, whom she lost at a tender age of 13 . A group of terrorists had blown up the bridge while he was driving across it.
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If I remember my childhood days correctly, kids often have a unique way of protecting their best friends, even from questions that might hurt them. They are very sensitive you see, they know words could hurt. “Don’t ask about her Dad” was a phrase often used by little kids to stop any ignorant new joiner from asking prying questions. I studied in different Army and Air Force schools across the country. And once in a while, in the lonely corridors of the school, I would end up consoling a sobbing friend missing her Dad. There is no right word, actually, there are no words that could console a tiny heart for the immense loss they suffered.
Do you remember this war cry of the daughter at her dad’s funeral. Tell me if it doesn’t rips your heart apart.
The life of men in defence services is unpredictable. They could not only lose their lives in major wars and attacks, but also while patrolling, while protecting the border in treacherous hilly terrains and scorching desserts. Imagine yourself as a young officer who along with his group climbs the steep cliffs covered in thick snow to patrol the border and while returning a massive landslide kills few of the soldiers. The soldier who in the morning made you some tea and breakfast is suddenly no more. Imagine carrying his body in a coffin to his family. To the Mom you have never met before, to the wife he would often speak about, to the daughter who doesn’t even know what is going on.
“Don’t ask about her Dad” would how her group of little friends would try to protect her from then on.
This marching cadence makes me emotional every time I read it. You can read the full version here
Some Say Freedom is Free
Well I tend to Disagree
Some say freedom is won
Through the Barrel of a Gun
Tell me why, why o why
Did those people have to die
Tell me why, why o why
Did those families have to cry?
*Names Changed
I have immense amount of respect for the men in the force. The poem had my tears rolling.Beautiful!
People who never faced any wars won't understand the gravity of how it is fought and how the families of those who lost someone close suffer.
You post made me feel about them, it is a tough life at the border. Can just wish that we don't lose them.
Of course the sacrifices people in the armed forces and their families make deserve respect and compssion , but extending the metaphor of impermanence to each one of us I always say only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches, we need to be sensitive to anyone who is in pain, grieving or has incurred the loss of a loved one because eventually all of us have to be in that spot too, that's life.
The sacrifice made by the army personnel is unmatchable and no amount of praises or compensation can do justice to what they do and give up for the country. Kudos!
I had to fight back my tears, reading this! Their service is not given enough credit. 🙁
It was heart breaking to see that young girl. What immense courage! Where does a kid that young find that kind of a voice?
We must always respect the armed forces and the families for all the sacrifices and the pain that they go through!
WE the people are blessed to have such brave people who gave the ultimate sacrifise..
I do wish that in india there is a rule that EVERY indian has to give 3 or 4 or 5 years of their life to the nation… IT should be compulasory maybe then people will know what it is.
The war cry by the little girl does rip your heart.. Proud of officers like her dad ..
Bikram's
No words to mourn the loss of the brave hearts and to console the ones they leave behind. Such a poignant piece Raj, truly the pain of delivering the 'news' to the next of kin is unimaginable. Ultimately in a war no one wins.
I have immense amount of respect for men in the force. My husband's from a Army family his granddad and Uncle were Army Majors and had fought in wars of Burma, 1971 East Pakistan and Kashmir. Only when you know them from close quarters you can understand the sacrifices.