Tempest

Thursday 16 August 2007

Olive Ashes

Yesterday was India's Independence Day. I woke up to my Dads voice on the phone wishing me as he always does every year. I sometimes have wondered if this is because he is an Army officer; I now realise that it is because of this deep seated feeling of patriotism that he is an Army officer by choice. I thought I would write something as a tribute to this day but as I read the wonderful blogs a few of my friends had written I wondered whether I knew enough about my nation to write without insulting her. I couldn't do it yesterday. The nation was developing and there was much to be proud of...there were a number of things running through my head and I couldn't quite pin point which of those stood out the most for me at that moment. But, as I watched NDTV in the morning, every patriotic song I heard and every scene in a movie that gave me goose bumps glorified those hundreds and thousands of men and women who join the armed forces to protect the nation regardless of perks, pay and problems. They are the most prominent symbols of patriotism and pride…

"... he's a jolly good fellow, he's a jolly good fellow... he's a jolly good fellow so say all of us..."

Normally these are the words and tunes to which army officers bid adieu to their colleagues... but in the summer of 1999, a small operation to foil an infiltration bid turned into a bloody battle forcing the army to bid adieu to some of its bravest soldiers by the "last post".

8 years hence, the guns may have silenced but the wounds are still fresh. I remember the principal telling us in the morning prayer that our army buses would no longer be there to take us to school. But that only meant more masti as we would now be cycling our way to school! A little later I learned that it also meant that I wouldn't be seeing my bus driver ever again...

Soon the depression of the war sucked us in. The army is one big family. And my family was bleeding and dying... Mothers lost sons... sisters lost brothers... wives lost husbands... children lost dads...

I know yesterday was 15th August…but all the other days of sacrifices and struggle have gone to make this day. July 26th could be just another day for many of you... but for me its more than just Kargil... it's a day I remember my family and pay my respect to those who left us...I think our Independence Day is also a time to rejoice these victories and acknowledge these sacrifices…

Join me in paying tribute to these great individuals by lighting a candle. For all you know that small flame could be the only ray of hope for his family... the army was once their oyster... now all that they are left with are olive ashes...
Remember... Pray... Come together... Let hope be the way...

"Olive Ashes"

Nothing breaks the screaming silence,

I deny the truth staring at me...

...just staring...

They call you brave, they call you daring,

But I lose on a lifetime of love and caring.

They bring you draped in the colors of the nations pride,

I look around, search hopelessly for my colors of a bride.

The bugle breaks the deafening silence...

The band plays on...

I remember our song... so long gone...

Kept before me, I look at you frozen form,

I shut my eyes and in my memories... we dance along...

My heart weeps, my throat screams,

But the eyes are dry, the lips are shut.

The pyre is lit, I see you burning...

I feel the heat, the smoke chokes me...

...my insides churning...

I accepted the truth I long denied,

The strength broke... u burned...

...I cried...

In the face of reality our dream smashes,

Now all that I'm left with are your...

...olive ashes...

Posted by Pavitra :: 01:38 :: 19 comments