Dr Daisy Parihar
There are many stories of martyrs which are untold, but each story tells us in each adversity, they stood bold. Ah! Father is carrying a coffin on his shoulder, with tears in his eyes, a saga unfold. He is feeling proud that this son’s name is written in letters of gold. The proud parents who raised their child with care, instilled in him values that are rare. A legacy that is more precious than gold, we owe them a debt we can never repay; we will always hold. In the stories of sacrifices for our nation, their valour is told. The weight of son’s coffin on a father’s shoulder is the heaviest burden one can bear. When a father carries his son to final resting place, he carries the hopes, dreams and memories of a life that is gone forever. The heaviness is not just in the wood and metal of the coffin, but in the memories, laughter and shared moments that can never be recaptured. When a mother takes her baby into her arms for the first time, it is an extraordinary moment filled with joy, happiness and profound emotions. Her instinct to protect her child is one of the most powerful forces in the world. A mother will go to any extent to ensure her child’s safety and happiness, but losing her son is a traumatic and heart wrenching experience and the pain and grief can affect every aspect of a mother’s life. A mother’s love is profound and beyond anything in this world. A martyr’s mother deserves utmost respect. Saluting her son, who has gone forever, is deeply emotional gesture and painful. It brings tears in eyes when we see martyr’s mother standing proudly as the military bids a final farewell to a fallen son. In a sad ceremony, a little boy too young to understand lights up his father’s funeral pyre. As the fire ignites the pyre, it sparks a memory that the child will remember for a long time, and will keep on reminding him of his father’s sacrifice. He is too young to understand and he may expect his father to return, not knowing that his father has gone forever. The young boy’s childhood is marked by the absence of his father, growing up without proper guidance and support is a burden to bear throughout his childhood. The sister of a martyr cries and talks to God, asking him to take care of her brother; who has passed away. She hopes that he is happy and at peace in heaven. The memories, the love they shared and the sense of loss will remain a part of her life. The absence of her brother’s arm, where she used to tie the ‘rakhi’ will always keep empty space in her life, and brother with tears in his eyes, says a heartfelt and final goodbye after his brother became a martyr. His carefree days disappeared.
The carefree days that once defined his life are replaced by transformation, following his brother’s martyrdom. In just one day, he becomes older and takes more responsibilities. As he gazes at the martyr’s pyre, he makes a promise to take care of his family. The weight of duty and the memory of his brother’s sacrifice occupy his mind, leaving no room for carefree moments.
The loss of an officer, soldier or any defence personnel is not just a personal tragedy, but a loss for the entire nation. The loss of three officers and a rifle man in an encounter is indeed a tragic and a deeply saddening event. We are deeply indebted to our army forces, their selfless dedication to duty and always ready to protect our nation and its citizens at any cost. We can never truly repay them for their sacrifices and services, but we can honour and appreciate their commitments. Teaching our children about the valour of our armed forces is very important. In that way, we can instil values of respect, gratitude and patriotism. By teaching our kids about armed forces, bravery and dedication, we can make them understand why our defence personnel are so important for our safety and freedom and our children can also carry the spirit of service and pride.
Real heroes, live on in our hearts and memories, while they may no longer with us but their legacy reminds us that heroism and sacrifice not forgotten, but the question is how many soldiers have to sacrifice their precious lives? The ultimate goal is to bring about peace, so that no soldier has to die in the line of duty, and it is a collective responsibility that involves every citizen. Each person can contribute to peace in various ways such as – promoting tolerance and cooperation in their communities, because soldiers don’t bear personal grudges against anyone. They only carry out their duties with professionalism and a sense of duty to their nation. They are always ready to help people in various ways, whether in times of peace or during emergencies. Soldiers stand ready to lend a hand, but it can be disheartening when the level of respect and recognition given to martyrs does not meet to the expectations. Love and support are the only thing we can do for them. They don’t expect anything from us, and we can’t repay them back, but at least we can respect them. True patriotism is not about what one says online, but about the values and action one upholds in daily life. In our thoughts in our prayers, we will always remember you with gratitude and grace. May your soul rest in peace, as it journeys to a sacred place.
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