Author : Major N Kumar who served in Kashmir valley takes us to a snippet of his soldier life with his fond memories. When he meets Basir after years, his chest thumps with pride but eyes dilute with heavy heart. Let's glide along Major N Kumar to see it unfold.
𝒲𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑜𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒
. ..𝓈𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹.
Kashmir, heaven on earth, is as beautiful as has been described in books and the scriptures. Kashmir is blessed with pristine natural beauty and a unique culture. Beautiful Lakes, snow-capped mountains and orchards of apples makes this valley more beautiful. After four years, when I came back to Kashmir again, the thoughts and memories of the previous tenure filled my mind. It was a challenging and yet a memorable one with lots of good experiences and interaction with locals.
As soon as I came out of the airport after a detailed documentation due to Corona, I heard a voice “Jai Hind Saab”, and as I turned I saw a 25 years young man smiling and moving towards me. I could not recognize this man, but he greeted me “Kaise ho Saab”. I strained my thoughts and my brain responded, this was Bashir. A civilian, who worked with us four years back. Within a moment, I relived the whole incident which had brought us together and gave us an opportunity to help the Awaam of Kashmir.
One night during a patrol we had halted and were observing the area when we heard some rustling sounds in the bushes and we could make out that two or three people were rushing towards us. We took cover and were alert and prepared for any eventuality. We could make out the silhouette of two persons moving at a fast pace towards us. As they came close we stopped them and inquired as to why were they were roaming so late at night.
The young men introduced themselves as Shahid & Bashir, residents of a village nearby. They said that they were rushing to the town nearby to get a doctor. Bashir said his wife’s condition was critical and there were no medical facilities available at this remote village in the mountains. We told Bashir to take us to his house so that we can provide help. We sent a message on the radio for the Army doctor (RMO) to meet us at road head along with the Army ambulance. We modified a cot to be used as a stretcher and to the awe of the entire village carried the patient for a few Kms in the dead of the night after our nursing assistant stabilized the patient. It was an arduous trek and we were fighting against time. Our mission was to get the patient to the doctor at the earliest so that her chances of survival increase. The speed and zeal with which we were moving not only surprised the villagers accompanying us but us as well. As soon as we reached the road where the ambulance was waiting, the doctor assessed the condition of the patient and the ambulance left immediately. We all heaved a sigh of relief and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Bashir & Shahid accompanied the patient & the rest of the villagers dispersed.
A few days later when we were on a routine patrol and were passing through that village, We were given a hero’s welcome and the entire village poured out to meet us and convey their gratitude. The old men and women blessed us and Bashir’s family was in tears. It was a very emotionally charged atmosphere and it brought us so much closer to the Awam. Bashir who is now a taxi driver told us that he was blessed with a baby boy (now four years old) and has decided that his son would grow up and join the Indian Army. He and the entire village was so touched by our gesture that they had motivated the young boys of the village to don the uniform. My chest swelled as I realized what a cascading effect our actions had on the people and now it brought us a step closer to Jannat-e-Kashmir, more closer to India of my dreams.
Thank you, Bashir !You bring inspiration to many. Stay blessed.
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