I once was in deep conversation with a Major from the Indian Army, many summers ago. We spoke of his experiences in Kashmir valley where he was stationed at that time. What struck me the most about this young man’s narration of his experiences was the sincerity and love in serving the Kashmiris despite his stories being riddled with tales of treachery and suspicion and being perceived to be ‘occupiers’ of ‘another’s’ land. For the men and women in olive, there is no religion or race and there is no ‘suspicion’ when it comes to execution of services for the country and for her people. To serve is their motto, to protect is their religion. For a man who doth not think his uniform to be his guiding light in all the decisions he takes and for a man who doth not think anything besides selfless service to his nation, would be a traitor in his own eyes.

The Army has a huge presence in Kashmir and its mission right now is to rescue every single Kashmiri. The pictures that have been coming from the disaster areas amply prove how the Indian Army has swung into action whilst the Omar Abdullah Government remains placid in inaction. And yet, how many times do we take a minute to contemplate how well protected we truly are, courtesy the Indian Army? Even if the State does not come to the rescue, one can almost certainly count on the Army to. And yet at the same time it has been disturbing to see Hate raise her ugly head and disrupt rescue activities by the Indian Army in the valley. It has been reported that the hate mongers and the fanatics have stopped four Indian Army helicopters from landing at rescue sites. Our men have also been greeted with stones in a few villages and yet they strive on. The defense forces tirelessly build bridges; carry medicines and basic necessities even as they continue to rescue stranded Kashmiris from rooftops and flooded houses. The Indian army have rescued close to a hundred thousand people. And yet, the saviors are hated by the Hurriyat for fear that the Kashmiris would ‘soften’ their stance against the Indian Army. And why should they not soften their stance? After all when it comes to a life and death situation is the average Kashmiri not smart enough to know who they can trust? If they have not opened their eyes now, forever they will wallow in the dark.

Monish bangera
TE CMPN