We care 8211; the refrain today

Is the soldier disregarded in our country? Most senior defence officers would answer in the affirmative. I have been writing stories abou...

Is the soldier disregarded in our country? Most senior defence officers would answer in the affirmative. I have been writing stories about why youngsters these days hesitate to join the armed forces. Many veterans in this line say that besides the enviable financial and other comforts available in civilian jobs, the soldier is also not respected by his countrymen. So why should he be willing to sacrifice his life for those who do not care for him? I, too, began believing this theory 8211; who talks of the soldiers in Siachen roughing it out in the worst of climates?

But ever since the Kargil conflict, I have been observing a reversal. At the beginning of the conflict, it was still cricket that dominated our minds but steadily, the concern for our soldiers and officers on the front has swelled, rather unexpectedly. Everybody, but everybody, is talking about our soldiers and their sacrifice. From school children to the retirees.

Pune has witnessed some touching gestures by citizens. Besides thousands of letters Puneites have penned for soldiers, many organisations have come forward to help the latter either financially or emotionally, by staging rallies.

The Vividhbharati radio programme at 10 p.m. everyday, in which listeners can air their personal messages to soldiers, has also become a big hit. As young readers read about the Kargil conflict in the papers everyday, I see them moved by the death or injury of a defence personnel. There are discussions with parents and peers, an identification almost with the men battling it out for their country.

It is great to experience this change, to see this surge of emotions and to know that everybody cares for the soldier! In fact, it may not be an exaggeration to say that Sachin Tendulkar is not the only thing that matters to Indians. Every soldier is the concern of one and all.

I8217;m sure many retired defence personnel in this city feel a warm sense of happiness noticing this change. Or were the sentiments only hidden all along?