JAI JAWAN

The India Gate in New Delhi is silhouetted against monsoon clouds. This 42 metre high structure is a memorial to the unknown soldier. Designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, it is a memorial arch in honour of the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the First World War. Their names are engraved on it.

Hi friends. Waking up on Sunday morning (24^th June 24, 2007), I found myself to be in a very clear state of mind (not that am unclear rest of the time!). I had no plans for the day. So I was free to think.

Ever thought about what a dying man thinks? And what will it be if the man was a soldier? Well, I just imagined a bit and concluded that he thinks the way I wrote.

Presenting to you,

The Words of a Fallen Soldier

Written: 24.06.07

Day: Sunday

Began writing: 7.20 a.m.

Finished writing: 7.40 a.m.

I can feel the wind, I can feel the sun

I seek not to remember the deeds I’ve done.

I was brave in many battles fought,

But in the end I’ve killed a lot.

I run through my life from the day I was born

Till today where my body lays, torn

With minutes left and pulses down

I smile at my destiny with a little frown.

I lived away from family and friends

To make a country keep pace with trends

Keeping the border safe from foes

I weep to God for my never ending woes.

The final battle looms, so large

I am apprehensive to give the charge

Not because am opposite of being brave

But because of the fear of being the reason for new graves.

Now that it has begun, there is nothing to rue

All I’ve got o do is fight, fight, fight

In a second of slack I let a bullet through

And realized, to open Heavens door, I have got rights.

This is the path I’ve chosen

This is the life I’ve lived

But all these years I’ve had my emotions frozen

For killing makes you heart go numb, in that I believed.

Think about the countless jawans who died/dying/will die, for our safety. Freedom comes at a price, a price that’s too big to be paid. Yet to survive and to sustain we need to pay the price. Honor their sacrifice. Wish them luck and pray for their safety.

‘Jai Jawan’.