An open letter to all the Faujis in India: Open letters have become a cliché these days, written mostly at the times when somebody wants to criticize someone. Conversely this letter is not to nitpick, condemn or complain, likewise this is not to applaud or glorify anyone too, for the reason being that, I believe glory comes with the work and not by a letter, and the work being done and which has been done till now is admirable in all ways. You have been an integral part in maintaining the sovereignty and freedom of the democratic republic of India. We have grown up watching the news which told us every day about the ceasefire being violated, and you being there. A number of articles in the newspaper which sang the songs of bravery of you people have made our eyes moist so many times. We know you, we appreciate you, but if you think we understand what you go through every day, you are wrong.

For us, civilians, emotions come through media and days. Earlier it was the news channels, the newspapers and now it is the social media. Earlier we used to hear “Ae mere vatan ke logon” on Independence Day and republic day and used to cry, and now we watch videos, related to you and your family on the internet after you fight a battle or attain martyrdom and feel bad. No we can never understand what you go through. How can we? There is no simulator to make us understand how it feels to be, in the chilly snow in Siachen, in the vicious jungles of North-East, in the difficult waters of Indian Ocean or in the arduous summers of the desert, we can’t feel how it feels to maneuver a jet at an elevated strenuous terrain. On top of this no simulator can make us understand how it feels to be away from your family, to not see the first steps of your child, to not be able to talk to your partner every day, to not be able to be with your ailing mother or your aged father. We can never imagine the intensity of the training you go through in the academies, which make you audacious enough to not even fear death. The difficulty of the lives you live is unthinkable. It is beyond belief that at times you don’t sleep for days, you don’t get the basic amenities too, yet you serve. It is like you love playing with danger.

At the time of any crisis you are unstoppable and omnipresent. It’s commendable how you can be perfect in all the things, from ballroom to bunkers. But you have to admit that the times are changing. We can feel closer to you now, thanks to the internet and the viral videos. We at least feel what you have to go through. We have been watching every day, how heroic your deeds are. I remember when I was a kid and there was a war going on in 1999, I was too small to understand what a war means. At that time I saw a news related to your gallant endeavors which left an impact on my mind and till date the impact is resilient. Maybe we cannot understand what you go through but we have incalculable respect for you. You have been a role model of valor. Inspiring millions to join your fleet. We respect you, we adore you, we appreciate your selfless acts. I believe this letter comes from all of us, the people of India, who are thankful to the valiant brothers, sisters, daughters, sons and friends guarding our country.

There is nothing much we can do or say, just a little Thank You. “To have really lived, you must have almost died. To those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.” — Scrawled on a bunker outside Khe Sahn, RVN