Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Sons of India

Why do we mourn for a day or two when our favourite cricketer fails to score a century or fails to take wickets? Why do we feel bad when a movie of our favourite star flops? One of the reasons being that we see these people as part of our own family. We feel the pain that they are going through. We feel the pain as though it is our own. But why don't we feel the same when a soldier breathes his last protecting our country. 

I was watching a kannada serial directed by Prakash Belawadi yesterday which touched upon this topic quite beautifully. The female protagonist in the serial is a war widow whose husband has died in Kashmir trying to protect our country. She brings this topic up and asks a simple question to her parents. "Why aren't the soldiers treated as part of everyone's family just like a cricketer or a movie star is treated? Are they any lesser to these people in importance?”

There have been instances of huge Puja being performed when the one and only Big B fell ill or just before Indian team left for West Indies for World Cup but I haven't seen or heard of any Puja being performed for the well being of the Indian soldiers. They are always taken for granted. 

Do you think the soldiers need to fight in a Colosseum in front of a large audience or fight in front of a camera to gain this place in people's heart or keep a count of the number of kills that they have made so that it can be put up in the list of never ending world records? 

I am not here to answer any of the questions that I have raised or the lady in the serial rose. I shamelessly confess that I don't have the answers. I just feel that it is high time that the martyrs of war get more than just the two minute mourning we give them. May their souls rest in peace. And in case any of you know the answer, please let me know. 

According to me, they are the true sons of India.

31 comments:

Harshada November 18, 2008 7:26 AM  

this is by far the best blog you have written. truly thought provoking!!

Reema November 18, 2008 8:11 AM  

These unsung heros deserve the real praise and prizes not the cricketers and actors!

Chaitra November 18, 2008 1:27 PM  

Sooper blog Varuni...I am glad u have made so many people think about this topic...great going!!I personally know a dear friend who lost her husband last year during Kashmir riots...hats off to that brave son of India!!

vimmuuu November 18, 2008 3:40 PM  

Varooooon, nice post buddy. You seem to be inspiring everyone with your recent posts.Good going man.

This is one reason why I liked 'Heroes' movie. It doesnt show a soldiers sacrifices or his hardships at the battle field. It brings out the story of the loved ones who lost him. Try watching it, you might like it.

Smita November 18, 2008 7:36 PM  

Why don't the real heroes get the respect they deserve...

Well may be because there deeds aren't even brought to forefront. If we are responsible for it then so is the current media circus who have their priorities all jumbled up.

Having said that I will just add that we have taken our protectors for granted. And this post of yours is not only thought provoking but makes us think as well....

ArchFULLY November 18, 2008 8:37 PM  

Great Post!! The feel of the post is of sadness and despair for our soldiers. It tugs at everyone's heart. I wonder why don't we have a day dedicated to the martyrs and it must be celebrated for them. Do we already have one? I dont think the Republic or Independence Day give them enough attention.what we lack is awareness of their humongous contribution to make India safer.

Pradeep CS November 18, 2008 10:47 PM  

You are telling right. But why we are not remember them because of lack of advertisement, publicity.
It is real!

U see If rajeev dixit told some thing about Swadesh no body Liston,
because of lack of publicity.

But If Ananth murthy told 'BAN RSS'
It ll come every media as flash news.

U got it.

Media want the people who will give the statement which leads to controversy.

So that people start telling For/Against the topic.

But What soldier ll give us any controversy statement.

Any single army never told Kashmir should go to Pakistan and Jammu with India.

Is it right?

Thats why no body remember themmmmmmmmm

But people know, when to remember and where to give respect.

Thats why Soldier son get more respect from the people rather than Police son.

Think yourself....

Varun November 18, 2008 11:30 PM  

Hi Harshada,
Thanks so much! The moment I saw that scene in the serial, I knew I had to write about it.

Varun November 18, 2008 11:33 PM  

Hi Reema,
You are absolutely right! They deserve all the awards.

Varun November 19, 2008 12:05 AM  

Hi Chaiti,
Thanks a lot :). Kannada serials are not followed by everyone out here. So I just wanted to pass the message across.
Hats off to your friend and her husband and to all those people who have sacrificed their lives for this country.

Varun November 19, 2008 12:08 AM  

Hi Vimmuuu,
Thank you :). I just hope I am not crossing the line and sounding too preachy.

I'll surely watch Heroes when I find some time. One more friend of mine has recommended it.

Varun November 19, 2008 12:15 AM  

Hi Smita,
I am beaming! I am happy that the post has at least made people think about the issue.
There is one NDTV show where famous movie stars visit the jawaans in Siachen Glacier and Kashmir but even that show comes across as a publicity stunt by the actors.
It's high time somebody untangles the jumbled up media.

Varun November 19, 2008 12:36 AM  

Hi Arch,
Thank you :)
We do celebrate martyr day. It is celebrated every year on 30th January (Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom). Media has to step in somewhere to create that awareness. I am happy that few directors are working towards it.

Varun November 19, 2008 12:46 AM  

Hi Pradeep,
You are right in saying that we respect the sons of soldiers a lot.

But its not just about the respect. There are lot more things that they deserve. They deserve recognition, they deserve the applause that these cricketers get, they deserve the praise and prizes. Their widows deserve a better life. A piece of land (compensation) in some remote place of the country is simply not done.

If creating controversies is the only way to gather people's attention, Indian army needs to hire a Rakhi Sawant soon.

Oxy November 19, 2008 2:05 AM  

I think you yourself know the answer...It's cuz they are not visible, they don't hog half of the TV times with their ADs, their interviews, their parties, their personal life, they don't talk of what color is their fav and how many dogs n bitches they have as pet. That's why. They are never talked of so they are not known.

Sakhi November 19, 2008 2:43 AM  

Absoulutely right... i think, we are safe because they are there to protect us!!

Varun November 19, 2008 4:09 AM  

Hi Oxy,
Yes. But that's very sad. Isn't it!?

Varun November 19, 2008 4:12 AM  

Hi Sakhi,
True! We sleep peacefully at night because we know that guys like these are guarding our borders. I just hope that they get rewarded for it.

Oxy November 19, 2008 3:24 PM  

Of course it is sad. How do we change that....? I mean we youth talk of bringing change and this n that but when it comes to what you speaking of, nothing can be done apart from just talking about it amongst ourselves.

After watching RDB, many youth like you n me got encouraged, got enthusiasm to do this n that but how many succeeded ...? Forget succeeded, how many even tried anything to bring about the change...

Varun November 19, 2008 8:42 PM  

So very true! All we can do is write about it here or talk. Unless the media steps up I don't see anyway that these guys get their share of recognition.

Giridhara November 21, 2008 12:19 AM  

Hi,

"They also serve who only stand and wait" said the famous poet Milton albeit in a different context. As you have observed it is high time that the country awakens to its bounden duty of respecting their soldiers. These is the least we can do. It should start from the school level where it should be taught that the soldiers are really great. Rewards and awards can follow later. Glad you have made a few to think about it.It is bound to have a cascading effect. All the best dear boy.

DEEPA November 21, 2008 3:45 AM  

HI varun,

This one Inspired me!!!

When i saw blogs of someone i use to feel...these are just for the sake of fun.
but after going through this particular blog...i really felt great reading it!!

Varun November 21, 2008 4:03 AM  

Hi Appa,
You have got a great point there. School is the perfect place. Cascading effect or not, I am happy that I could pass the message across and happier that the post has made at least few people to think about the issue.

Varun November 21, 2008 4:15 AM  

Hi Deepa,
Welcome to my Digital Diary!
Thanks so much! Keep visiting and keep getting inspired more and more :)

Smita November 21, 2008 8:45 AM  

Well this piece deserves the appreciation it is getting...

And I remember that show it was great show...

sm November 22, 2008 4:04 AM  

hi
excellent post like it

http://realityviews.blogspot.com/

Varun November 22, 2008 10:21 AM  

Hi Sm,
Welcome to my Digital Diary! Thanks so much!

arvind1187 November 23, 2008 6:46 AM  

dude wonderful post ..
U have made a great point ...But i guess no one can answer that ...
its really sad that we dont pay much respect to the soldiers who fight for us ..

Varun November 23, 2008 8:48 PM  

Hi Arvind,
Thanks so much! All we can do is just hope for the condition to improve.

Akshat Jain November 28, 2008 4:27 AM  

This is the thing I keep telling people like chandan (who are big fan of cricket and Big B)...nothing against Chandan for liking them so much... but shame on Media for publicizing Big B's stomach ace or Cat's Climbing roof top....but not the critical events a student securing highest in IIT entrance exam or some paper publishing event...or some new scientific work .... or anything good that will make us proud of being indian...or that would encourage us/youngsters... the closest thing shown by media to what i am saying is IIM guys making big bucks!

Varun November 28, 2008 5:01 AM  

Hi Akshat,
IIM's somehow always attract media. Be it their fee hike or the fat pay cheques their students get. Media follows money these days.

You are absolutely right! There are lots of better news around that deserve more attention than these gossip and unnecessary information.

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