Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Remember Kargil?

Well, it has been 10 years since Indian Army recaptured the areas captured by Pakistani intruders and instead of celebrating our victory in Kargil, our politicians are busy downplaying the importance of the 1999 war in which over 500 of our bravest soldiers laid down their lives.

Two Congress leaders expressed to the press that Kargil wasn't something that was worth celebrating. Congress MP Rashid Alvi said he saw no reason to celebrate the Kargil victory. "Kargil isn't a thing to be celebrated. The war was fought within our territory. We didn't even come to know when the Pakistani army crossed over and built bunkers inside our territory."

Former minister of state for home Sri Prakash Jaiswal couldn't even remember when the Kargil war was fought and won. Asked about Vijay Diwas, he wanted to know when the day was celebrated.

All this when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took time out to take part in the 220th anniversary of the Bastille Day in Paris. But neither he nor any senior government official has time to participate in the 10th anniversary of the victory over Pakistan in Kargil.

Doesn't this attitude show that it does not matter to the country if our soldiers lay down their lives. Doesn't it demoralize our soldiers that we do not take pride in the sacrifices they make. why would anybody join the defence forces if no body is bothered even if he dies for the country??

I came across these ad's for the Veer Jawan Fund.





The agency which created the campaign wasn’t one of the big agencies in India. It was a small Delhi based agency.The ad was created with true bleary-eyed emotion. Some of the team members come from army backgrounds and understand not only the trauma undergone by the loved ones of war martyrs, but also the callous attitudes of successive governments towards them.

I'll include this poem which was also a part of the campaign.

He loves Hindi songs.
Just like you.
He hates injections.
Just like you
He cried each time Amitabh died.
Just like you.
He’s been in love once or twice.
Just like you.
He’ll bleed if you cut him.
Just like you.
He’s happiest at home.
Just like you.
He loves the smell of rain on sun scorched earth.
Just like you.
He cheered India at old Trafford.
Just like you.
He dreams for his children.
Just like you.
He’s gone to die for a stranger.
And that stranger is you.

9 comments:

Tejas Chafekar said...

we should think over all this very seriously.. even after kasabs confession no concrete steps have been taken to nail down 26/11 masterminds.. kargil to poorana ho gaya..

saale boxer tu to blog ki machine hai bey.. itne blogs likhne ke liye time kahan se milta hai!!

Boxer said...

True. Both the public and the government have a short term memory. They forget easily. The government uses this to its advantage. They know that they have just show that the government machinery is working and by the time results come out..no one will even remember (For e.g the Liberahan report)

Waise I am jobless and at home these days..so I am free and keep reading new things which I keep sharing :)

Nimit said...

Nice post!

Boxer said...

Thanks Nimmo :)

Boxer said...

I guess there is some problem..can't publish comment..testing :)

Unknown said...

Very touching ads. Was horrified at the comments that the Cong leaders had passed. At least Dr.Singh held a memorial service today.

Boxer said...

True.The comments are indeed shameful. Just avoiding Vijay Diwas because the war was held had won during the tenure of BJP government is just politicizing the whole issue.

Yaa at least he had a service probably thanks to the immense media pressure

Unknown said...

U r right...but at least it was givn th go ahed. hey, m ur junior. chk out my blog @ http://www.varuniercalipers.blogspot.com

partly abt football, music n the likes.... defined by the bitsgian heritage :P, but recently took to writin for articles in the TOI, so will b puttin them up too. thanx! ( and a small doubt - HW do u manage so many visits to ur blog ?? i need help :'))

Boxer said...

Saw ur blog..its pretty decent.

Well I generally put up a status msg on gtalk and maybe facebook if its a general topic..and thats how ppl come to know of any new posts..