Making career in defence services is loosing importance these days. People are more towards making money. Gone are the days when people used to join defence service out of passion and craze for the Nation. Is it only money or fear for loosing life is also there? If this would remain the question, what would happen to the security of the Nation? The common mass’s patriotic feeling grows to the max only during the National festival .but for building strong Nation we need healthy defence force .we need to realize that a defence person don’t require our sympathy what they need is motivation encouragement ,support ,we need to realize their unfulfilled dream ,.

LET’S EXAMINE ONE SUCH STORY

But before reading lets promise not to panic .The idea is not to scare but to realize that at time we need to sacrifice our comfort zone for our Nation. No matter whether the person is in Defence or in Corporate, we should have some ethics and should abide by the same. Lets read and try to understand,

The starry sky was clear, the moon was shining bright .The area was filled with the peculiar fragrance of spring .There was no sound to break the silence. The chilly winds breezed from the lofty hills of southern Manipur. That night was something special for John 23 ,and Kimmi 19 ,the love bird .walking hands in hands as their time of being together was limited. It was April 28, 1999

“hey kim”,John said “I m going ,by day after tomorrow”.

Kimmi stroked his soulder , “I know”.

“Will you still love me, when I’ll be back after two months?”

“Ofcorse, I love you”,Kimmi whispered .and “I’ll love you till the end”.

John had to rejoin duty by May 3 ,1999 ,he felt insecure being departed from his beloved but pretended not to be sad about it.

“Kim” he murmured,”I’ll be back after a few month and we will tie the knot then”

“na” Kimmi joked, “I am too young to be married”. .

On April 30, the sun rose from the east a usual but for Kimmi it was something different .

“ok Kim”John said finally. Our motherland needs me I have to go to rejoin my duty.

“Then what about me ?Kimmi sobbed I too need you.

“Yeah” replied John, “you need me so I’ll be back soon .don’t bother me ,its my duty ,I have to go and I never want you to say that again”

“Sorry”, with index finger on her lips ,I would be always here waiting for your return ,go now .Their good bye at the bus stop was difficult but was tender ,I love you John ,whispered Kimmi .“I love you too”, he replied gently with a few blissful moments together .Then he turned and disappeared with the senseless bus.

“John” ordered his commander,”prepare your kit to move on short notice “.

“Ok sir, I am ready” .replied john

The situation got worst day by day as they reached drass, they were tasked to perform the crucial mission in the operation. “My dear jawans” briefed the commander. We are going to fight for our motherland not only for you and me but also for our fellow countrymen, our dear one, our students who are waiting for their bright future and all for the soil, with this pledge they move to battle field to fight valiantly till their last breath .The enemy’s artillery shells rained down the post. The shells exploded with such forced that the thick walls of the bunker were flung into the air.Splintrer of that powerful shelling hit the post where John and his two friend were positioned .Not feeling any pain, John tried to walk out ,but was terrified ,his thigh was hinged to his leg only by a piece of skin. His right hand was completely severed from his body. “No, I dont want to die, he thought, not here not like this, without seeing my sweet Kim.

“Tiger, tiger, over lamkang, take post” commander gasped, in army’s phonetic tone

“Juliet for tiger over”., he has been hit by enemies ,shelling in kilopapa.3 of us badly injured .

At 11;42 m on July 9, “sorry I am so sorry Kim”, John murmured, “I couldn’t keep my promise”. John took his last breath in a helicopter on his way to Delhi’s military hospital .Thangpi,John father, mom and Kimmi had not slept since they had received tele call from a colonel on behalf of the army headquarter ‘s the previous night. They had driven to friends, relative and neighbors to break the news.

On July 11 Kimmi paced nervously at Imphal’s tulihar airport .Nobody was there without tears in their eyes when the plane landed, the flight assistance carefully trollied their comrade’s box, covered with black linen with white cross mark at the center. Most of them lost control as they saw the paled face of John and cried bitterly.

“John, my John” cried Kimmi. “You have returned exactly after two months .now tie the knot her the pastor is standing with me”. They tied to console her but they couldn’t, “Wake up, John wake up”, she sobbed, “I am taking of our engagement ring. Replace it with the wedding ring now. John! Keep your promise”.

They buried his body the following day with countless tears.

Now Kimmi‘s life is meaningless .would she dress in white cloth and cover her head with a white scarf as the Indian woman does? Or would she wear a circular badge with a clasp .for you tomorrow he gave his today “or would she forget john and start a new life? Or what? Who knows?