While I was in my final year of
Engineering in 1999 - I had got operated for "aortic valve replacement". It was
an open heart surgery which involved replacing my defective valve with
mechanical valve.
Post surgery I came to know that
apart from valve replacement - doctor's also had to perform emergency
bypass due to some medical complications. This in turn also increased my
medicines to be taken for entire life :-(.
My mind
was already going through emotions regarding why me for Aortic valve and
now after knowing about the bypass - I was shattered internally.
"Defective Valve" - Why me?.
"Bypass surgery " - Why me?.
As
I lay on hospital bed blaming my fate, some 2500 KM north of Mumbai,
our brave soldiers were fighting fiercely & sacrificing their lives
for protecting the mother land. Yes - Kargil war had started !!.
I was reading / hearing countless stories of young soldiers who were getting martyred defending Bhaarat !.
Stories
of how a young soldier who had just got engaged and was going to get
married next year - doing the ultimate sacrifice, someone losing their
father, someone their brother, husband etc all started making a deep
impact on me.
The vivid image of Captain Jayshree Gupta (who lost her husband "Major Vivek Gupta" ) saluting with all the pride but with sorrow in her eyes is still fresh in front me. (pic courtesy from internet)
I told
myself - that I am alive and still have good amount of life ahead of
me. Just think about all these brave soldiers who are sacrificing their
lives without expecting anything in return and that too for strangers
like me.
The
popular song from 1986 Rajesh Khanna's movie - "Duniya mein Kitna gam
hai..mera gam kitna kam hai" summarizes it all !!!.
Watch this 90 seconds video as my tribute to our brave Indian soldiers.
I would like to express deep gratitude and thanks to all the brave Soldiers (& their family members) who have given up the comforts of life and are protecting the borders !!
Jai Hind !!!