Remembering our soldiers...

-

There is one aspect of the Indian political and social systems which affects me everytime I read about it. Its how we forget our soldiers all the time. They are just there in the background, we remember them when there is a war, like the Kargil war but then they are forgotten and ignored again till the next time they are needed. Being from the defence background, it pains me more but even otherwise I think as a country its always important to remember those people who were willing to put down their life for as selfless a cause as their motherland...

Related to this topic, there are a lot of articles being written currently, remembering the forgotten soldiers of the First World War. The thousands of Indian soldiers who fought miles away in foreign lands for a country which was their ruler. They did not fight for our country, but they fought as our countrymen. And we should remember them for their bravery and selfless acts, shouldn't we?

One of the articles on these soldiers

Another article is on Sam Manekshaw, an ex-Chief of the Indian Army; a soldier to the core, who did what very few Chiefs before and after him have been able to do. He took a stand in front of the Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi) and refused to attack Bangladesh in a hurry at her whim (in 1971). As a military strategist, he recommended that India take time to build their plans, get ready for the attack, train the local Bangladesh population to take on Pakistan Army, and then go in with a clear plan of attack rather than just act in a hurry.

That act of his led to a shorter war with Bangladesh, saving hundreds of army casualties on the Indian side, and a definite win in the war. Rather than a terrible loss which would have happened if he just did what the politicians dictated.

He did what a leader would do - think and act. And of course paid the price for it - denied the benefits and status due to a Field Marshal. But at least he led and died the life of a soldier, with his head held high having done everything that was right for the country and the people he led.

Hats off!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Review : 3 Idiots

-
Given the hi-profile launch of this movie, as well as the raving reviews it received, I went in with very high expectations of the movie. But the movie failed to deliver upto those built-up expectations (Am aware that many people do not agree with this at all, but unfortunately that's my view:) ) The acting is fine, the concept is fine, the story is fine. But it lacks something, which sets apart a great movie from a good movie. There were some parts in the movie which stretched just too much, there were flaws in the story flow and lot of things which were just so unrealistic. Not to forget the fact of course, that 40 year olds were playing 20 year olds! Thats just too hard to digest. Of course, some of the jokes were very funny, and the point about our flawed education system did come across, and in quite a light manner which is quite good. So full points for that! Would give the movie just 3 stars, which given the kind of reviews the movie has received elsewhere, dont match. As
Read more

Some of my favourite artists

-
This article is an incomplete list, of some artists I have encountered while visiting museums (mostly in NY Met and the Prado in Madrid), when I liked some of their paintings and noted it down 😊. I hope to keep updating and adding to this list as I explore more art. Older Artists Juan di Espinosa:  I liked his still life paintings at the Prado museum in Madrid. He painted fruits on a table, like grapes, figs, plums and apples, each one of the fruits appearing life like. As much as I generally don't get drawn to still life paintings, his were different. And I would love to have one in my dining room. You can see these paintings  here , and my favourite of these were Grapes and apple and Octagonal still life . Leonardo Da Vinci: To be honest, I have seen a lot of his paintings, in National Gallery in London, in Florence, Louvre and so on. But I was never drawn to them. When reading his biography though, I understand why he is known as a master. Some of the effects he has
Read more

Delhi Daredevils are back!

-
The Grand Indian Tamasha (IPL) is back again! A couple of months of total entertainment, that's what it is. Hate it or like it, its here to stay! And to enjoy:) I have been a follower of IPL almost since the time it started, more so since I was staying in Mumbai during that period. And when in des , its tough to not get involved in the whole hoopla. I have been a Delhi supporter since the beginning, because of staying in Delhi for a long time, plus being a Sehwag fan. Not because he is the best Indian batsman out there (he isn't) but just because there is no one like him out there. To be fair, Delhi did perform well in the first couple of seasons too. Never winning the trophy or getting close to it, but putting in a decent effort at least! And so was a lot more fun following the IPL. Last year was different though, they sucked thoroughly, and were at the bottom of the heap. And with it, went through the window, my interest in IPL too! It's tough to follow so many match
Read more