A DAY WITH COMPANY COMMANDER
The handle-bar mustaches of Sepoy Ramesh twirled as he smiled back at the youngsters, instantly invoking a thrill in them.
“He looks like us” was a weird statement by young Muzammil but Ramesh understood its profoundness. These innocent kids who had seen the likes of Ramesh only in ‘battle gear’ may have thought soldiers to be of a ‘different species’….but the ice broken by the genuine exchange of smiles between them reassured the youngsters that soldiers were indeed ‘earthlings’ like them.
A number of other myths in these young minds were to get shattered today at the Company Operating Base (COB) where they had been invited to spend a day. They had seen the COB from ‘outside’ hundreds of times with their lips gaping in awe, trying to fathom as to what must be inside the fence. Getting invited to a COB was thus akin to going abroad on a trip….or on a voyage to a distant, uncharted and mysterious land.
Even the soldiers were elated to see the children inside the COB….their smiles reminding them of their own children back home. It was a unique event by all means.
The first thing that became cause of immediate intrigue was the ‘Sarv Dharam Sthal’ (Common Worship Place). The surprise in the eyes of the kids was palpable… “how can all religions have a common place of worship?” was their genuine doubt. The Company Commander spoke to them about the concept of secularism. Some kids were also amazed to see soldiers from different religions having the same food… together!! Again, it was explained to them that Security Forces are perhaps the best example of secularism…. having respect for each other’s faith, celebrating all festivals together, maintaining strongest form of friendship and literally ‘living and dying together’.
The kids saw the weapons and equipment with great enthusiasm. Getting inside the ‘monstrous’ Mine Protected Vehicle was a special kick for them. They enjoyed playing ‘ludo’, chess and cricket with the soldiers…they relished the ‘fauji’ snacks and food…shared jokes with soldiers…. enjoyed the stories of their childhood. They saw the photos of their kids and could relate themselves with them. Through the photographs, they learned about so many different traditions, rituals, costumes and cuisines. The biggest takeaway for the kids was that the COB was like a ‘mini India’ in its own right. There were soldiers from every nook and corner of the country including Kashmir….all staying together like a team….like a happy family. The kids realized that if people from all parts of country, practicing different religions and customs could stay together happily, so could Kashmiris.
These kids today discovered that the soldier with big mustaches, stern face and killing looks ‘was not a robot’. He too was someone’s son, someone’s father, someone’s brother and someone’s husband. He too had feelings, he too missed his family, he too had a conscience, he was not a tyrant… he was just doing his duty with sincerity and dedication.
Above all, he was not a Kafir as some people said. He believed in the ‘Almighty’, though he knew him by different names and while his way of praying was different, he was God fearing. He too had a heart…he too had a family which was waiting for him to come back ‘safely’ from Kashmir… he too had well-wishers who incessantly prayed for his wellbeing day and night.
It was a day well spent, a day of eye opening.
As Muzammil thanked and walked past the gates, he exhibited gesture that the soldiers would love. He came into attention and saluted them….a new bond was forged!!
