Kargil August 2000
We were sitting under the shades of cluster of trees .The sun was scorching hot but under the shade the cool breeze kept us comfortable .The freezing cold water ran through the canal along the side ,after all the water was from the higher glaciers . The contrast of hot sun and cold water and wind is very unique to Ladakh , and we were sitting at a Army post at Kargil .Men in uniform served us tea , as they would serve any where ,the white tea-pot bowl of sugar and hot milk , on a wooden carved tray , with dainty biscuits and hot pakoras by the side. It is always a pleasure to be served well in style ., but my eyes are set far away on the ridges beyond . There are ridges after ridges of mountain ranges spread faraway , I can count three but there can be more hidden ,they are beyond my span of sight .It is a rocky terrain , rumble of sharp stones heaped on each other to make it into a huge mountain .The only green patch is were I am sitting ,I am restless , I cannot enjoy my tea ,The first ridge top nearest to us , is the Indian Post .There is not a blade of grass there , nor a drop of water, and the path that goes up is so narrow that only small donkeys can reach there with difficulty .
This post is guarded by about a dozen army men .Everything you need has to be carried up .And now in August they had started to store everything for winter. You cannot see anything on the top , because all the activity is confined to the bunkers alone .
They will all stay up for three months at a stretch .There is meticulas calculations and the loads are taken up every day .The only worry the officers have right now is about the well being of the donkeys !!!! that is their life line here .
Kerosene is crucial here , without that the generator will not work , and staying in Bunker in dark would be further difficult .
The wind runs at a fast speed , making the cold feel worse on the ridges, and a snow fall isolates the bunkers further from the base.
side or along the ridges , but cuts unevenly across the middle of mountains ,and through valleys and mountain tops , with the result when you travel by road you are exposed to Pakistani posts and so to guard you from firing you need to have a long wall built along the road. It is a complicated geographical terrain and guarding it is extremely difficult task. Army men do not let you feel any tension but I knew that they were alert day and night .Surely we all owe a lot to them.
Yes Noanee,..We can just keep in our heart,… their holy sacrifieses for the Nation…and one strong salute to them…The “Mother” land is proud of them…Jai Hind..Jai Hind ki Sena…
Thanks, Noanee, for sharing the glimpses of your visit to the border regions of Kargil. My head bows for all soldiers who live in difficult conditions so that we al can have an easy life.
Its is our soldiers that keep troubles away from us at the borders. I wonder why we fight within as civilians. They sacrifice their life to save ours. On a ratio they believe one life to 200 indians so its worth dying for. Now we as indians need to start thinking that we are so important to so many of our soldiers, cant we make their work get a little less stressful… lets work for it.. jai hind
We really owe alot to our soldiers,its because of them we are living in safe and independent India . They face so many difficulties,on the borders specially, The government should take proper care of them as well as their family coz they too sacrifice the beautiful part of their life, above all, their loved ones for us. your description took us there with u ..thanks alot for sharing..Jai Hind..Jai Hind Ki Sena..
I entirely agree with you. But for the armed forces, this country could very well have been history. Unfortunately, we (me included) have a rather short memory. We remember the men and officers and their sacrifices only on days like R-Day, Kargil Vijay Diwas, Army Day and so on. How many of us remember September 12? On this day in 1897, 21 men of the Sikh regiment fought to the very last in a memorable battle of Saragarhi (Afghanistan).Why not give them what is due to them. A martyr’’s family faces great hardship. The government after bestowing a medal, conveniently forgets the family which has sacrificed a family member.
I agree with all those that praise and compliment the soldiers who serve on the frontline and at time make the ultimate sacrifice. Plz do not depend on any media use this and other internet sites and other similar technology to make known what the media in general choose to ignore. Its a truth that when ordinary people stand up for an issue and engage alternate methods government is compelled to take note of the issues. There are too many people of goodwill in India to be hoodwinked by selfish individuals whose sole quest is self glorification and wealth that they are not entitled to while millions are hungry and destitute. Be fearless and write. Be fearless and think and question.
Its great that you went to Kargil and I feel it is an accomplishment in itself.The division of India and Pakistan was based on whims of two leaders .It was about egos not a natural process of breaking away as a foetus does when it is capaable of independant existence.This has caused a lot of turmoil on all fronts and destabilised the region.YYou cannot creat history by a stroke of pen.History is a natural humanity conserving process not disrupting one.I feel there is no military solution .The issues are cultural and regional.Commerce and valour has no place in a house between two brother nations.We must stop all action right away and prevent forced hardships on our sodiers due subhuman terrai and conditions.Its ridiculous that when trade and other exchanges are occuring with Pakis the military is expected to fight.Talent across border is well come as well as cricket.This is utter nonsense.The border issues are politicised by the very congressmen who were responsible for the Partition
Such a shame that the sacrifices and hardships borne by our soldiers is never appreciated or even acknowledged. We have bridges and roads named after idot politicians. Wish our brave soldires could be remembered it being named after them. Our media too would shamelessly carry articles that would be commercial in nature, never something as your blog which would get us thinking
We are leading a calm life only because of our jawans. In my opinion all our youth should be made to serve in Aemy for 5 years before giving them any Govt Job or allowing them to contest elections.
yes, we owe a lot to our soldiers. whenever i hear about kargil i am reminded of my friend’’s father, brig. kalra, who sacrificed his life for the country. i liked reading your narrative. it does take lot of courage to be a soldier, hats off to all the soldiers of INDIA
good narration….felt like in kargil…u r right ..we owe a lot to the soldiers