Eccentric case of -60° C & Avalanche: Saga of Indian soldier’s life in world’s highest battlefield

New Year is approaching and within a few days, the Northern part of the country would come under the grip of the coldest month of the year, January. While winters are yet to hit its peak, last few days have rather been about cold-waves, bringing the mercury down to as low as 10 C in North Indian states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Harayana, etc.

The national capital, in general, continues to shiver and as per Regional Meteorological Centre, the temperature was the second-lowest since 1992. Where, on one hand, people are taking every precautionary measure to prevent themselves from catching cold at just 10°c, on the other, we have our soldiers protecting the nation in conditions 10 times harsher than this. One of it is Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. It is the same place where eggs and tomatoes turn into stones.  

Due to sub-zero temperatures that dip below -60 degrees, coupled with the constant threat of avalanches, crevasses, life is tough at the Siachen glacier. Leave alone fighting and keeping a constant check on the potential threats, a common man wouldn't even be able to sleep in such conditions.

Importance of Siachen:

The glacier demarcates Central Asia from the Indian subcontinent and separates two of its neighbors China and Pakistan. The Saltoro Ridge of the Siachen glacier serves as a divide that prevents direct linking of POK with China, stopping them from developing geographical linkages in the area. "India already faces a huge threat from China Occupied Aksai Chin, and if it weren't for Indian Army, Pakistan would have gained the location advantage here," says Sanjay Dalmia, who is a renowned nationalist and a proud Indian.

He further adds, "Our soldiers continue to lose their lives protecting the glacier from Pakistani sponsored terrorism and just a few days ago, six people, including four Indian Army personnel and two civilian porters, were killed. This shows how difficult the conditions are up there and how we Indians must be respectful and show our gratitude towards such remarkable valor."

Additionally, soldiers deployed in the area are affected by a number of fatal altitude-related ailments like frostbite, hypoxia, hypothermia and white out.

The Legend who secured Siachen for India:

Pakistan was first to see the potential of this strategically-important unoccupied area and had it not for one exemplary and intelligent effort, India would have lost out on a great strategic point. It was owing to the mountaineering experience and sensibility that Colonel Narendra Kumar was able to gain control of the glacier. He is also known as "Bull" Kumar in the world of the Indian Armed Forces. One of the key installations in Siachen is named Kumar Base after him.

Amidst such uncertainties and difficulties, our Veer Jawans are stationed so that our countrymen can remain safe and live peacefully. This selfless, never dying attitude is what makes a soldier, a man of principles.

"You have never lived until you have almost died, And for those who choose to fight, Life has a special favor, The protected will never know!!!"- Capt. R Subramanium Kriti Chakra (Posth).

Efficacy of our democracy: Be conscious of your fundamental rights but acknowledge fundamental duties enshrined in constitution as well!

With India on a transitional phase from a developing to the developed nation, meeting the growing aspirations of people is the foremost priority of the sitting government. From good education, to jobs, to freedom of expression/ opinion, to right to equality, young India demands better all-round development, also referred to as “fundamental rights”.

Criticizing the national policies, questioning the Supreme Court decisions, are all considered to be the traits of Fundamental rights and expression, enshrined in Part III of the Constitution of India. Today's education system is built on the premise that nothing is bigger than your rights, which is true, in fact, everyone should be aware of their rights.

However, there is a fine line between constructive criticism and destructive criticism. What the current Indian generation doesn’t realize is that in the name of freedom of expression, they're also trying to break the principles, ideals and years of sacrifice of the prominent leaders that formed this nation. From not standing up for the national anthem to disrespecting the national flag, to sympathizing with Kashmiri separatist or Maoists, to disrespecting Indian security forces, the Indian media has managed to divide opinions in the name of fundamental rights.

We often hear about activists or common people fighting for their human rights. But what are these rights? And who gave us these rights? Have you ever thought about such factors? It would be interesting to highlight it to the current generation that Fundamental Rights are not god gifted as they were created as a part of the constitution after years of discussion and study by the constituent assembly. They were created to abolish inequality, religious prosecution, among others, in an Independent India. However, the recent misinterpretation by some section of the society couldn’t have any wrong.

That said, one thing that is respected the most by all sections in India is its constitution. The same constitution that also speaks of the Fundamental duties as well. They're incorporated to remind every citizen that they shouldn't only be conscious of their rights but their duties as well. The only clause that separates it from the fundamental rights is that it's not enforceable by law, however if the state wants, it can implement it.

It was the 42nd Amendment of 1976 that introduced Fundamental duties in the Indian Constitution. It strictly holds that it shall be the duty of every Indian citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem; to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom; to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, among others.

If one studies them all closely, they would realize the importance of such duties. Governments may come and go; law implemented today may not remain tomorrow; however one thing that should never be disrespected is the country. It’s the very soil that supports 1.3 billion people of the world, the same soil which despite encountering multiple invasions and years of repression, remains fertile and continues to channel fresh water sources, says Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned nationalist.

Law should be equal for all; every Indian citizen has a constitutional right to ask questions to the government and scrutinize its policies in every possible manner. However, the same approach shouldn’t be extended to the National Anthem, National Flag, as these are few of the things that continue to unite our nation, despite of co-existence of people from different caste, creed, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Don’t compromise on the national identity. The government, judges, police, they all are a part of the same society and they all come from us. If there is something wrong with them, then it is perhaps our own approach to life, where we always look for shortcuts to resolve the matter. Respect the nation, be conscious of your fundamental rights and do acknowledge your fundamental duties as only then can this nation avert prospective threats and prosper in the long run.

Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!  

Vijay Diwas: When Indian Armed Forces liberated Bangladesh from clutches of Pakistani tyranny

While people of East Pakistan were rejoicing at their victory over West Pakistan, it was a proud moment for the Indian Army as well. It was on 16 December 1971 that the Indian Army liberated Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistani tyranny and exploitation with its valor and courage.

The end of war brought different dimensions as subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh proved to be rather decisive in the South Asian region. Due to this, every year on 16 December, India pays rich tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the war.

How seeds of war were sown?

Though the war between the two countries started when Pakistan launched air strikes on 11 Indian airbases, seeds for it were sown long time ago. Following the partition of India, the new state of Pakistan represented a geographical anomaly, with two wings separated by 1,600 kilometers of Indian Territory. The wings were more separated culturally than geographically. People of East Pakistan were considered to be inferior and impure.

Slow reaction to the 1970 Bhola cyclone, ban on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League and reported killing of about three million of East Pakistanis by General Yahya Khan (Operation Searchlight) led to widespread protests and attacks by Bengali.

When Indian Armed Forces came into action:

When millions of East Pakistanis were indiscriminately being killed by Pakistani military, India finally made a choice to save lives. The latter quickly responded to Pakistan Army's movements in the East and captured around 15,010 kilometers of Pakistan territory. The 1971 war was concluded in just 13 days, one of the shortest wars in history— testament to the courage, valor and spirit of the Indian Armed forces.

On 16th December 1971, the chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the allied forces of Indian Army and Mukti Bahini. Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned nationalist and a proud Indian, says that if it weren't for our Indian Army, millions of lives more would have been lost in Bangladesh. He further adds, in spite of limited sources, our Jawans fought together, to liberate Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistani tyranny.

Many soldiers laid down their lives during the 1971 war. Vijay Diwas is a constant reminder of the sacrifice and morality of our Jawans, who have and can do anything to save our country, and if the need be, its neighbors as well— a true example of the moral and ethical values of  our Armed forces!