The unknown tomb

As a people we seem to remember God and mother only when we are in trouble. This may be a human tendency, but when it extends to the way we ...

As a people we seem to remember God and mother only when we are in trouble. This may be a human tendency, but when it extends to the way we ignore those who have laid down their lives in the service of the country when it is under threat, then there is something terribly wrong. When this happens at a time when the defence forces are fully deployed at the borders for a possible war in which many more would be willing to lay down their lives as a matter of honour, and the remaining troops are engaged in fighting a vicious terrorism that targets innocent women and children, then something is very wrong.

And when a political party comes to power on the platform of national security, and on the argument that previous parties had ignored national defence, and then fails to remember even recent martyrs, its credibility comes under question.

It is indeed curious that the outgoing president during his televised farewell address had a model of the World War I cavalry memorial built by the British as a background prop, but the new supreme commander of the defence forces apparently did not have the time on Kargil Vijay Divas to pay homage to the jawans who have made the supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives for the country. We need not celebrate victories, and such ceremonies could be easily dispensed with. But to ignore the occasions, especially declared as victory days, smacks of the worst form of cynicism. Surely we owe it to ourselves and the coming generations to remember those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

As the largest democracy of the world, surely we owe it to the people to remember those who were prepared to die so that the country remained free? All that is required is a simple ceremony observed with dignity and solemnity which such occasions demand.

As a symbol of a nation8217;s recognition for those who laid down their lives defending the country, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier has become a legend worldwide. But in India we do not have such a tomb. It is indeed amazing that 54 years after independence, India does not have a national memorial for its soldiers who died fighting and winning its wars since the day the country made its tryst with destiny. Where wreaths are laid even on Republic Day is a temporary structure created after the 1971 war. Very soon the newer generations may even forget that the modest Amar Jawan Jyoti lies under the British memorial to the officers and soldiers of India who had died fighting for the British in their wars. Military traditions are a vital component of any fighting force. The nation has to carefully nurture them and not dump them at the altar of expediency.