An Ode To Those Guarding The Frontiers Of Our Nation

Theirs not to reason why,

 Theirs but to do and die.

- The Charge Of The Light Brigade.

My first blog ever. What better way to start it than to remember the heroes who laid down their lives to keep the Tiranga flying in its full glory. These men, what inspires them to guard the frontiers of our nations at sub-zero temperatures up there in Siachen? What makes them face the scorching heat along the hundreds of KMs of borders in Rajasthan? Maybe it is for the love for whats behind or maybe it is all about the men next to them. Chances are, us civilians, may never know. These men, to me, are synonymous to Courage and Bravery. They inspire to push and boundaries and shall continue to do so. Always.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who breathed his last fighting terrorists in Op. Black Tornado, turned 31 on the 15th of March. 

"Dont come up! I'll handle them!" were the last words Major Sandeep uttered to his comrades while valiantly taking on the terrorists. On his birthday, I recently came across a a blog written by his friend, Mr. Rahul Sridhar, reading which made my eyes well upwith tears. I urge anyone reading this to read the whole post and take a moment out to salute the exemplary Grit showcased bysoldiers of this land. 

My Mentor- Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan 

Lets take a moment to realize that freedom doesn't come free. How hard is it to fight at 20,000 feet in sub- zero temperatures? Why did Capt. Vikram Batra say 'Yeh dil mannge more'? How do the family of soldiers who do not cope? How did Charlie Company push back the marauding Chinese? Answers to these questions we may never know.

May we find better comfort in knowing that there are good men out there willing to do violence on our behalf so that we can sleep snug and tight on our warm beds whilst dreaming for a "Aasan Zindagi". 

जय हिन्द !