Since independence in 1947, India has fought wars in 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999. Over the past six decades and more, India has also fought a lot of proxy wars – against insurgents, against terrorists, against militants and against separatists. Indian soldiers have also been part of peacekeeping forces around the world and have gained a reputation of being among the finest and most efficient troops in the world.
In the course of these wars, Indian soldiers have died. Almost 20,000 men in uniform have laid down their lives in the service of the nation, to protect its sovereignty. Unfortunately, we as Indians leave much to be desired at least as far as remembering the sacrifices of these selfless individuals, who made the supreme sacrifice, by laying down their lives and dying to protect the flag they had sworn to protect.
These brave soldiers deserve better. They deserve to be remembered by more than their grieving families. We as a nation owe them at least that much. Not many of us would have witnessed the funeral service of a fallen US soldier. The formal military escort accompanying the mortal remains, the flag draped over the coffin, the folding and presentation of the flag to the next of kin, the peeling away of an aircraft from formation signifying a lost comrade in arms, the dress uniforms, the sheer gratitude of a thankful nation, enough to bring on a lump in the throat and tears to the eyes. This is why the phrase God Bless America resonates so much more than Mera Bharat Mahan, a phrase that seems to have lost all meaning.
Every fallen British soldier is remembered in Parliament. The Prime Minister writes a personal letter to the next of kin of every fallen soldier. Unfortunately in India, we do not even have adequate government representation in solemn moments like Victory Day, or at the funeral of fallen soldiers. The wreaths we lay at India Gate in New Delhi commemorate the Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British Indian Army during the Anglo Afghan War and the First World War. We, after six decades of independence and at least five declared wars and countless proxy wars, are yet to have a memorial honouring those who dies fighting for the country.
Let us not be an ungrateful nation. Let the words of the fallen soldiers mean something to all of us. They died fighting for our country. Fighting for our sovereignty. They fight and fall so that we can live in peace. Let not another soldier fall on the battlefield, wondering if he died in vain. He gave up his today for our tomorrow. Let us grant him the honour he deserves for that supreme sacrifice. Jai Jawan is not just another slogan. It stands for all the soldiers in arms and in uniform, fighting for and willing to die for the nation. How many of us can put our hands on our hearts and say we can live up to that same ideal?
The bells shall ring again. They shall ring and resonate and each shrill note will herald the sacrifice of the men and women in uniform who laid down their lives to grant us the peace we take so much for granted. As long as the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, the bells will continue to ring, reminding us of our solemn duty to never forget the soldiers in arms.
Jai Hind and Jai Jawan.
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