IS THIS HOW TO BRING A SOLDIER HOME?
A few days ago- I was saddened by the 'return of medals' be veterans and I listed my reservations on the same- Unfortunately a young life was lost and that picture of his 'last steps' is bringing you three lessons.
Capt Ashwani Kumar, AMC, posted as RMO with 3 Ladakh Scouts- died in an avalanche on the Southern Glacier.
1. Our politicians and bureaucrats do not have the sense of decency, respect that they could arrange for a proper coffin for our soldiers. Locally purchased ply- to be reimbursed to the Unit later- with a blatant label, reading 'FOOT' to indicate which side forward.
2. This is the image that the young of the country are to see and get encouraged to join the Armed forces? IS this the image that parents should see- and encourage their childrens decision to wear our countrys' uniform?
3. Whether the politicians tried to make money on buying coffins a decade ago- I dont know- nor care, all I know is that young men who lay down their lives protecting the nation, come home one day in a box- which has to be labelled- which side forward.
Veterans- the return of your medals is going to get you nowhere. This is the system that governs our country. Good service the nation be damned- I wonder how many of you can look at this photograph and not cringe! The change has to come from within. The sense of decency, a sense of doing good- doing proper- should come from within. That will begin when the Bureaucrats who avail of the CSD facilities will stop utilising them- then other things can follow.
My heart goes out for the parents of the Young Captain from Patiala- the heart that swells with pride that their son died defending the country in the highest battlefield in the world- came home in a box- I hope the local Unit had the decency to remove the offending A4.
-TherealslimKD
