"HEROES IN UNIFORM 3/3"

क़दम क़दम बढ़ाये जा
ख़ुशी के गीत गाये जा
ये ज़िंदगी है क़ौम की
तू क़ौम पे लुटाये जा...

My heartiest greetings to all on the 74th Indian army day which signifies and celebrates splendor, glory, courage, and sacrifice. This day marks the historic occasion to recognize Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa's take over as the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander-in-chief of India, in the year 1949. 

We all know about the facts and figures of the Indian army. We all know about the dangerous operations they conduct successfully. We all know how they don't know the difference between day and night while performing their duty. We all know how the weather and place don't bother them during their missions. Be it the height of mountains or the depth of sea these brave-hearted soldiers never fear and stay firm protecting their motherland. We all have heard their brave stories but since I got to know about them I found some other things which I would proudly share with you all.

These men and women are made up of different soil. Their dedication towards duty raises the bar for others. They even die with that damn smile that a common man seeks during his lifetime. They choose death over showing back to bullets. The men and women in olive green protect the tricolor either by holding it in their hands or by getting wrapped in it.

Interestingly, among these outstanding men, some are born that way while some are made through tough training which is both physically and mentally demanding. Their spirit and dedication make their training feel like fun. Distance from their home never bothers them as for them wherever they are, they will be in the lap of Bharta Mata. They leave their own family selflessly and abide by their motto of Service Before Self. This height of sacrifice makes them the son of many mothers and brother of many sisters. They become inspirations for many lives. They are the proof that heroes do exist. Not only men, but women are also part of our army. These women prove that courage knows no gender. They also get the same amount of tough training and deliver their duties with the same dedication as their counterparts.

Any officer who goes on a mission takes death with him along with his arms. He knows that death is always with him but he also believes that she will wait till his last breath. Whenever a bullet passes by him, she touches him but he refuses instead, as he has to perform his task.The cold kiss of death never stops him from doing his duty. She - the death, waits and looks surprisingly at him spellbound by his courage and valor. Sometimes he returns home playing with her and celebrating his victory but sometimes fate becomes ruthless. When he struggles with life while performing his duty, she cries immensely hugging him and trying to let him get a deep sleep so that he can relax what he didn't lifelong.

I also want to catch your attention on the force behind these outstanding forces. Because it's tough to be a soldier and even tougher to be his or her better half. I would encourage you to read the book THE FORCE BEHIND THE FORCES by Swapnil Pandey which tells stories of brave Indian Army wives and is dedicated to all the veer naris who, in their quest of finding strength, inspire us all.

My words will be less to express the qualities they show effortlessly. Countless sons and daughters of our motherland have shed their lives protecting us but even more than they are ready again to wear that uniform and to play their part.


We all bow to them;
This life and peace,
We owe to them.
May the sun showers,
Some more strength.
May their way flowers,
Some more extent.
May they come back home
May their stories,
They can tell them on their own.
Even if they don't
We'll write and pass it on.

- Anjali Jha