DARE TO DREAM
It all started with a simple question, What was my reason of existence in this world? As a kid I always had a belief that I had some significance in this world. I was fortunate enough to have good parents who encouraged me to get educated and make a mark. I am Iqbal of village Maiyan, a small village located near Uri.
This is my story and how I decided to walk the path of my future. Life is always unpredictable and it will a complex mixture of happiness and sorrows. The stories of jihadis and terrorism was often the common subject in the village in my childhood. Many of my known were convinced enough to follow the path of terror. Also it was quite often that those who decided to follow the path not lasted long. It was hard to fathom that the people who were leading a peaceful life suddenly turned to such a blind pursuit of Jihad.
As I grew older things improved in the valley giving us hope of lasting peace. The years passed and very soon it was cleared that my childhood thoughts and perception was just a phase. One night when I was completing my homework, we suddenly heard a strong knocking sound on our door. My father opened the door and within a fraction of second a terrorist pointed a gun on my father. We all were scared. That fearful was a nerve wrecking experience for my entire family.
After few months we received a message of a medical camp being organized by Indian Army. My grandmother was suffering from severe knee pain. Due to lack of medical facilities we were unable to get her treated. Me along with mother and grandmother decided to attend the medical camp. When I reached the camp site I was enthralled by the officers and soldiers who were assisting the civilians to get their tokens and directing them towards the medicine booth and doctors tent.
This was my first time visit to any event organized by Indian Army. I suddenly had an urge of going upto a jawan and saluting him, however due to embarrassment I refrained from doing it. Then a jawan directed us to the doctors tent. I was surprised to see the doctor, he was a young man. He was of the same age as that of my elder brother. He greeted us and because of his calm demeanor my grandmother was very comfortable in addressing her problem. We were then escorted by a soldier towards the medicine booth.
For many days I was just retrospecting about all the negative image of the Indian Army I had in my childhood days. Things were indeed projected in a wrong way. Somehow the army doctor had inspired me a lot. On that very day I decided to be a doctor in Indian Army and to serve the people of my country. I know it will be a difficult task, but now that is my dream and I will make it come true.
