It was another slothful sunrise, when I opened my eyes and
looked on the wall clock. Wall clock was sniggering on me and said ‘You can
only dream to wake up up early, but the will from inside has died!’ I flouted
my make-believe friend and continued to adore the cosiness of my blanket. Yes,
I am languid and I delight in sleeping till late. I know you are not interested
to know about my lifestyle but this saga is very much allied with my sleep. I
was on a visit and got the privilege to stay in army guest room.
There was a knock on door, and I was alert that my room
attendant must be waiting to apprise my room with all the necessitating stuff
which I may use. I told him that door is open and he is very much welcome
inside till the time he is not going to spoil my laziness. The attendant
entered and I saw sheen on his uniform. I was surprised; he was not the regular
room attendant.
I was staring at his uniform. He was rank of nayak
(equivalent to corporal) and he was looking confident. His medal made me snooping
which was the only extra thing on his uniform other than his name tab. I
indulged myself into the conversation and I came to know that he is from grenadiers’
regiment.
Grenadiers regiment is one of the most decorated regiments
of the Indian Army. Knowing this fact, I became more attentive and paid close
attention on the glorious stories of his battalion. His battalion was one of
the units during Kargil war which contributed in capture of tololing. Also, he
told me that in 2011, his battalion neutralised 15 terrorists in which 14 were
killed and one was made to surrender and all of them were non-nationals in
Kashmir valley. He was part of that team and earned gallantry award. With a sad
tone he also told me that during that operation one of the Lieutenant of his
unit was martyred. The brave lieutenant was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumous.
He was proud that he served and operated with gallant lieutenant. Most amazing
fact about this soldier was that he served continuously for seven years Jammu
and Kashmir countering the terrorists.
I was mesmerized when he started speaking about political
disturbance in Jammu and Kashmir, and modus-operandi of terrorist
organisations. His level of intellectualism and knowledge of facts is highly
impressive.
Do you know, what is the entry qualification required to be
a Jawan in Indian Army? It is just 10th or 12th pass.
Whereas, an officer of Indian army is required to be a graduate. This creates
an intellectual difference between jawans and officers. But one can bridge this
gap over the time by reading, observing the society, discussions and
experience. My room attendant was a fine example of growth. His confidence was
evident and I enjoyed talking to him. I discussed various things with him for
about an hour. His gallant act of neutralising terrorist and his intellectual
level made him a hero for me.
NOTE: I haven’t taken any names in this article
intentionally because it may raise objections. Few things are supposed to be
secret and I have tried my best to keep it the way it should be.
There are many such heroes in India which are still
strangers for common people. He told me one thing that civilians underestimate
an army soldier. He expected that perception about soldiers in India will
change. One day will come in near future when Train ticket examiners will stop
asking bribes during train journey to give confirm tickets. Shopkeepers will
stop charging more money than the MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICE.
When I was roaming in Vizag, there was a 1971 war memorial
on which a very meaningful statement was written. Exact lines I don’t remember
but it meant
‘A nation who does not respect its war heroes doesn’t
deserve to have a future’.
It is a beautiful statement which really makes sense. I met
a hero who is nameless to this country, who had killed ‘n’ number of terrorists.
If they were not killed then maybe they would have killed YOU.
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