Who Vikram Batra!

“A Nation who forget its war heroes

Doesn’t deserve to have a future”

This isn’t my line; it is quoted by someone else. I really want god to bless me with good intellect to start phrasing such deep quotes. Anyways, I had read this quote 8 years back in Vizag during my visit to submarine museum. It has a deep meaning. Country that is not aware about the sacrifices, glory and act of courage will never get inspired to grow. It will get depleted with time. During 2^nd world war, US had several war heroes and the government of US ensured that they are not forgotten. The country has grown as super power and it dominates the world political scenario.

Recently, I had a discussion with my friend about Indian Military Academy and discussion headed to ‘Sher Shah’ aka Captain Vikram Batra, PARAM Veer Chakra. I was shock with the fact that he wasn’t aware that who is Captain Vikram Batra, PARAM Veer Chakra. That actually made me wonders that there is seriously something wrong with our education system. It is not long back, during 1999 Kargil Conflict Captain Vikram Batra made supreme sacrifice and before that he captured two Pakistani dominated posts. He also killed 13 men with weapon and also during hand to hand battle. He is considered as the bravest of brave of Kargil Conflict. His supreme sacrifice inspired his company to capture the post. His military leadership and courage was the major turning point during Kargil war. It gave confidence to the formation commanders and army commander, that it isn’t impossible to capture Kargil heights.

I feel sad that my generation knows that what is going in life of Bollywood stars, latest fashion, new release of BMW car in India but they aren’t aware about the war heroes. Government of India should understand the gravity of the situation and take major steps to ensure that heroes are not forgotten. I would also like to inform my readers that Government of India has already taken a step. Ministry of Defence is constructing War Museum in New Delhi where all the war stories and heritage are getting preserved. It is expected to be opened by 2022. War Museum is one of the appreciable steps taken by the government to make the nation realise that the freedom they are enjoying has a heavy price. The museum will also highlight India’s finest military leaders.

I believe that we have political leaders and military leaders turned political leaders who understand the importance of remembering war heroes and to preserve this history. If your son, daughter, wife, girl friend or friends are not aware then make them understand in an interesting storyline and don’t force. It is an education of our own heritage. Let’s take a deep breath and feel proud that we are enjoying this freedom because of the heavy price paid in form of sacrifice by military leadership of this country.

“Proud to be an Indian”