A poem written by my 23 year old cousin, Chinmoy a chopper pilot of IAF:
Why do I still serve you?
How you play with us, did you ever see?
At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;
I would serve you to the end,
All these boundaries I would defend.
Now you make me look like a fool,
When at Seventeen and just out of school;
Went to the place where they made 'men out of boys'
Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…
In those days, I would see my 'civilian' friends,
Living a life with the fashion trends;
Enjoying their so called 'College Days'
While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…
But I never thought twice about what where or why
All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.
At 21 and with my commission in hand,
Under the glory of the parade and the band,
I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,
And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.
I stood there with a sense of recognition,
But on that day I never had the premonition,
that when the time came to give me my due,
You'd just say,' What is so great that you do?'
Long back you promised a well to do life;
And when I'm away, take care of my wife.
You came and saw the hardships I live through,
And I saw you make a note or two,
And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;
but now I know you'll never be able to see,
Because you only see the glorified life of mine,
Did you see the place where death looms all the time?
Will I tell my son to follow my lead?
Will I tell my son, you'll get all that you need?
This is the country you will serve
This country will give you all that you deserve?
I heard you tell the world 'India is shining'
I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling
This is the India you and I will defend!
But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?
You go on promise all that you may,
But it's the souls of your own men you betray.
Did you read how some of our eminent citizens
Write about me and ridicule my very existence?
I ask you to please come and see what I do,
Come and have a look at what I go through
Live my life just for a day
Maybe you'll have something else to say?
I will still risk my life without a sigh
To keep your flag flying high
but today I ask myself a question or two…
Oh India…. Why do I still serve you?
Well, this was Chinmoy speaking out his heart……do we realize how many sacrifices these brave souls render each day to guard us from the exterior frights across borders? I fear, some day each IAF or BSF personnel will ask themselves before pledging their lives for the country – “does India deserve to be secure?” When we were having a carefree pre college party life, some of them were called upon to test every sinu and nerve in their bodies preparing them for any eventualities to turn the “boys into MEN for the nation”. When we are busy building our career and enjoying family life, they are already there at the borders, the bumpy terrains, be with burnt skin at the desert or ripped nerves at the glaciers. Yet they are there doing their DUTY, living every moment of uncertainty to guard US, the so called “civilians” of the country.
The hounding of north Indians in Mumbai, recent riots in J&K, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts were I guess not enough for the religious fanatics of this country, when we had to see the ugly lynching among Christians and Hindus at Orissa and Karnataka. And what do we do in this mess? Condemn the government for playing vote bank politics, question the security of MY community MY state MY sect and go for rallies? Imagine if decades ago Indian fought against the British to free only “their community”, perhaps we would nt have celebrated the 60th independence day till date. We have to remember that unless we stop segregating ourselves in the imaginary lines, unless we stop putting the other ‘faction’ down, we all are indirectly responsible for snowballing events like the above. Lets pay our dues to the blood the Gandhis and Bhagat singhs have shed for a ‘free’ India; lets give some respect to the soldiers who are giving their TODAY for our TOMORROW. Can we all pledge:
that we will never be a part of any act that has the tendency to divide humanity in the name of ANY faction be it caste, creed or religion?
that we will not partake and dare to walk out of (if you cant stop it)any discussion that condemns any community or faction?
that we will identify our selves and our friends primarily as ‘humans’ and ‘Indians’ rather than anything else?
that we will teach the kids the “oneness of God” and to equally trust and respect each fellow friend irrespective of any sect?
Today Chinmoy turned 24, and as a Bday gift to my little brother, I salute the Indian Armed Force and wish them innumerable glories and successes. Also pray and pledge on the above 4 points for my nation. Are you there with me?
If we cant spread the message of love, lets at least stop the hateredness. Remember there can be a GREAT INDIA ONLY WHEN ITS ONE INDIA and together we can build this.
Jai Hind!
