I see no purpose in voting. I have lost my son in Kargil8217;

The countless trophies which adorn their showcase do not bring cheer to them. The camera crews and newspersons dropping in frequently do not cause any excitement for S K Nayyar and his wife Meena.

8220;I see no purpose in voting. I have lost my son. Who should I hold responsible for the loss of his life and of several others like him?8221; asked the disturbed mother when questioned about whether she had any plans to vote.

S K Nayyar joins in. 8220;No, we will vote. It8217;s our right. The democracy does not work like this,8221; he remarks and returns to the Kargil issue.

8220;How did the intruders get into our territory? It was sheer negligence,8221; he says and then adds quickly, 8220;But I do not knowwhat was the cause and who is to be blamed. Kargil will not influence my vote.8221;

Both mother and father get lost in memories of their son. Anuj was just 24 years old when he died fighting the intruders in Kargil.

Had it not been for the tragedy, the scene at the house would have been totally different. Anuj was to get married on September 10.

8220;We would have been very busy making purchases, making arrangements, inviting the guests. Now it8217;s nothing,8221; says Meena as she breaks out into tears.8220;Can you imagine the pain we suffer? I do not have the courage to watch the engagement video of Anuj in which he is dancing and making merry. Nor can I afford to watch his funeral cassette.8221;

8220;Is this the Army or a training ground for exposing the young men to death? Bhatti mein dal diya. Bach gaya to bach gaya. As if pushed into a furnace. Lucky if you survive,8221; says S K Nayyar angrily as he consoles his wife. 8220;I cannot work. Whenever I switch on the computer, it8217;s Anuj staring at me in themonitor.8221;

For a minute, the two observe silence. Meanwhile, Nayyar pulls out a file in which he has kept all the news reports that have appeared about Anuj. Right from the news of his death to the arrival of his body and his funeral.

8220;We feel sad for all the young men who lost their lives and their families who are suffering the pain for something which could have been avoided. We are hurt,8221; says Meena Nayyar. 8220;Politicians are making narrow gains out of the lives of martyrs. They do not feel anything about them,8221; she says.

S K Nayyar gets up from his chair and asks his wife to join him for voting. Looking confused, she agrees.

Silently, the two walk down to their polling station. As if by routine, they cast their votes and return back home. It8217;s back to a huge framed picture of Captain Anuj Nayyar, his trophies and music cassettes.