The 14/Feb attack on CRPF Jawans in Pulwama triggered a chain of thoughts in my head.
A chain of thoughts I am very familiar with (as are many of my friends/family) since I grew up relatively close to such tragedies right from my childhood.
Every time I come across terrorist-attack news, my head starts spinning. My self wants to ask only 1 question from myself being - What can I do?
The Security Forces will avenge the attack in their own way, they don't need me to tell them how to do their job.
People will talk about it, politicians will give eulogies, there will be protests on the streets.
But, what can I personally do?
The deep hurt, the anguish, the sadness, the emotions - where do I channelize it?
Yes, I could go to India Gate, light a candle. Many do, and I respect their way of expression.
And yes, I could use Social Media to add my expression of anger into an already erupting world of strong words - I have done that sometimes as well.
Like my Dad, I could silently support the Armed Forces, and pay my tribute monetarily to one of the Funds which help their families - I may start doing that as well.
Or, I could show my gratitude with a salute and a smile, every time I see any Security Personnel.
But how many times will I actually light a candle?
And of course, I will salute a Soldier whenever I get the chance. But how many times will I actually come face to face with a Jawan every day, to show him my respect?
I want to do more!
A soldier is an asset to the nation; he fights for his beloved 'Bharat' and risks his own life every day for a safer, better 'Bharat'.
I am a common man, and unlike a Soldier, I know that I may never be of much actual value to the nation.
As an expression of my gratitude, I wonder, can I learn even 1% from the soldiers, and implement even 1% of it in my everyday life?
To get my answer for "what can I actually do?" I again take a cue from these Soldiers:
They have chosen their path - and they give it all that they have, in the most literal sense of the word.
If they are doing the most difficult job under the most difficult of circumstances, can't I at least do mine better than yesterday?
My job as a regular citizen, my job as an aware resident, my job as a part of the "new Bharat"; can I add any value?
Apart from the "irregular" acts of expressing respect for the Soldiers, be it the candles, salutes, etc, can I add value with my "regular" everyday acts?
Wherever I am or whatever I do, if I am doing whatever I can to add some value, isn't that all I can actually do?
If I am doing whatever is in my limited physical and mental capacity to add value into my own circle of influence, isn't that all a civilian can do?
And I, being a common man: can only add value in very minuscule ways.
It could be as small as managing my domestic waste.
It could be as small as actually paying a challan/fine officially.
It could be as small as being a better Son, a better Husband, or at least a better healthy self.
It could be as small as 'not being a nuisance'.
It could be as small as 'just keeping my mouth shut' if I don't have anything positive to add.
There are crores of Indians which, according to their abilities, make "Bharat" a better place to live - some in grand ways like Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, Teachers, Builders, and the Soldiers themselves - and some in their minuscule ways like the common man. Aren't these the Indians that are actually worthy of some protection?
If not anything else, I would not be a part of that 'India' that sees only problems.
I would rather be a part of the 'Bharat' that is trying to add value.
With my limited vocabulary, I can never be able to fully express the gratitude these Soldiers deserve.
But as a part of the 'New Bharat', I will do my best to add value every day, as my token of gratitude to these Bravehearts.
Jai Hind!
A chain of thoughts I am very familiar with (as are many of my friends/family) since I grew up relatively close to such tragedies right from my childhood.
Every time I come across terrorist-attack news, my head starts spinning. My self wants to ask only 1 question from myself being - What can I do?
The Security Forces will avenge the attack in their own way, they don't need me to tell them how to do their job.
People will talk about it, politicians will give eulogies, there will be protests on the streets.
But, what can I personally do?
The deep hurt, the anguish, the sadness, the emotions - where do I channelize it?
Yes, I could go to India Gate, light a candle. Many do, and I respect their way of expression.
And yes, I could use Social Media to add my expression of anger into an already erupting world of strong words - I have done that sometimes as well.
Like my Dad, I could silently support the Armed Forces, and pay my tribute monetarily to one of the Funds which help their families - I may start doing that as well.
Or, I could show my gratitude with a salute and a smile, every time I see any Security Personnel.
But how many times will I actually light a candle?
And of course, I will salute a Soldier whenever I get the chance. But how many times will I actually come face to face with a Jawan every day, to show him my respect?
I want to do more!
A soldier is an asset to the nation; he fights for his beloved 'Bharat' and risks his own life every day for a safer, better 'Bharat'.
I am a common man, and unlike a Soldier, I know that I may never be of much actual value to the nation.
As an expression of my gratitude, I wonder, can I learn even 1% from the soldiers, and implement even 1% of it in my everyday life?
To get my answer for "what can I actually do?" I again take a cue from these Soldiers:
They have chosen their path - and they give it all that they have, in the most literal sense of the word.
If they are doing the most difficult job under the most difficult of circumstances, can't I at least do mine better than yesterday?
My job as a regular citizen, my job as an aware resident, my job as a part of the "new Bharat"; can I add any value?
Apart from the "irregular" acts of expressing respect for the Soldiers, be it the candles, salutes, etc, can I add value with my "regular" everyday acts?
Wherever I am or whatever I do, if I am doing whatever I can to add some value, isn't that all I can actually do?
If I am doing whatever is in my limited physical and mental capacity to add value into my own circle of influence, isn't that all a civilian can do?
And I, being a common man: can only add value in very minuscule ways.
It could be as small as managing my domestic waste.
It could be as small as actually paying a challan/fine officially.
It could be as small as being a better Son, a better Husband, or at least a better healthy self.
It could be as small as 'not being a nuisance'.
It could be as small as 'just keeping my mouth shut' if I don't have anything positive to add.
There are crores of Indians which, according to their abilities, make "Bharat" a better place to live - some in grand ways like Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, Teachers, Builders, and the Soldiers themselves - and some in their minuscule ways like the common man. Aren't these the Indians that are actually worthy of some protection?
If not anything else, I would not be a part of that 'India' that sees only problems.
I would rather be a part of the 'Bharat' that is trying to add value.
With my limited vocabulary, I can never be able to fully express the gratitude these Soldiers deserve.
But as a part of the 'New Bharat', I will do my best to add value every day, as my token of gratitude to these Bravehearts.
Jai Hind!
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