Martyr's home haunts for justice
‘Does the supreme sacrifice of a soldier wrapped in Indian flag, adorned with flowers begins to fade as time passes or is it, that with passage of time people become files and files just pile, stack up and dust in long rows awaiting…. awaiting a lot…’
Has the army reserved days and a handful number that can mask the pain of many un-written, un-presented and un-heard cases? Army is not a career, it is a passion, a fervour and ultimate streak of patriotism; and it therefore deserves huge respect.
The deaf ears, wherever they may be, need to answer this pressing issue. This concerns officer Navneet Vats who was commissioned into the 4/3 GR on 10 Dec 1994. He was killed in action on 20 Nov 2003 during his tenure with the 32 RR for which he was also awarded the Sena Medal (posthumously).
The officer is survived by his wife, a young daughter, his aged and infirm parents and his 28-year-old brother who is a special child and suffers from ‘Downs Syndrome’ (Tri Gomy 21).
The matter at the home end has worsened as the father of the deceased died on 27 July 2013, fighting against weekly dialysis and old age. Tears well in my eyes, when I remember his strong desire to live longer than his son. Who would want this unless there are gripping fears about the well-being of your child. His only query near death circled about the decision of army for the welfare of this 'special' child, he posed many questions for which I had no answers. Am I therefore guilty of awakening hopes in his heart, when in reality, there are dark and delayed decisions.
Sadly, death removes pain and life gives us a battle to fight like the ailing and aged mother (72 years) of the officer laments. With the loss of her husband and the elder only-able son, the mother has only one pressing question – who will take care of the brother of Late officer after her demise? There is a corpus and she is liaising with NGOs for life long care however no NGO, handicap institute or Hospital seems to be willing to undertake this responsibility.
Where will the mentally challenged 28-years-old brother of late martyr supposed to go? A boy who is 70-75% mentally retarded and needs a full time attendant to sustain himself. He is unable to go to the toilet himself, or even clean himself. The brother of the late officer is severely speech impaired and therefore unable to talk. Since 27th July,'13 he is being cared for, by his old and ailing mother with no support whatsoever. The mother is also under psychiatric treatment in PGI, Chandigarh and has a weak state of mind and body. Medically and sadly, the life expectancy of the brother is also debateable and all emotional stress (loss of brother and then, father) is bound to further hamper his health with deep and irreversible impact. Imagine the plight of this mentally challenged brother who a decade later, still believes that his brother the late army officer is alive. He still has to make peace with the loss of his father, while the mother continues to live in a constant fear of leaving this boy not just lonely but literally alone.
After serving in an army school at Chandimandir, his wife Mrs Shivani Vats also had problems with her job and is being made to run from pillar and post to get job-permanency. His daughter Inayat also looks with curious eyes, will some inayat (help) fall on the very naïve little ‘Inayat’ as she steps into her teens.
Presently there is no facility available to take care of mentally challenged or differently abled siblings of Martyrs of the Indian Army. Thus parents of Martyrs with such children or siblings of the Martyr are required to fend for themselves. After the demise of the parents of the Martyr, the conditions deteriorate and they are left to the disposal of NGOs/relatives and often ill or mal-treated.
This is just one example out of many such pitiable, un-reported and pending cases across the country where ailing parents, young children and deserted siblings seek out compassion in lieu of their family member who if alive would have properly supported and cared for them. We need to honour the kith and kin of our martyrs and not leave them in desperation to fight, to fend and to fear.
If India is my country where young lads lay their lives, fighting borders, the border forces should at least befriend their family–
their pride. An organization must be created (under AWWA ... or Army ) to take care of such helpless siblings of our Martyrs and ensure that they at least live in dignity till death. Empathy shown towards them will be our last and befitting tribute to our worthy martyrs.
I did what was expected, forwarded the papers, requested the officers who showed compassion, and natural concern yet the decision of the army awaits, awaits all help. It is requested that a facility ought to be created in the Army to take care of such mentally challenged/differently abled dependents of martyrs till death. The parents are financially self-sufficient and money, thankfully is not the issue. At present, a room may be provided in the one of the existing hospitals and the officer’s brother should be rehabilitated so that he may be in a position to sustain the physical separation with mother, now and at a later stage. Later a ward may be created for such cases. Something needs to be done with urgency to provide quick gratification and justice to the dependents who too deserve to live with honour.
एक रोज़
यूहीं अचानक
दिखे अंग्रेजी के दो शब्द
और हो गई मैं स्तब्ध ।
न कोई शक्ल थी
ना ही याद थी
पर छिपी शब्दों में ...
कोई बात थी ।
एक गर्वित नौजवान
कर अपना जीवन-दान
माँ-मिट्टी-देश
पर हुआ कुर्बान ।
इससे बड़ा क्या शूर होगा?
जो देश की पुकार पर
छोड़ अपने घर-बार को...
चूम ले कर्तव्य-द्वार को ।
श्रद्धा-पुष्प और कुछ नारे
यही मोल हमने निकाले
अमिट धधकते ज़ज्बात के
रक्तभरे चुभते एहसास के ।
क्यों न उसको मित्र बनाएँ ?
उठकर उसके घर तक जाएँ ?
बूढ़े माँ-बाप, बेबस बच्चे
उदास बेवा को ढाँढ़स बंधाएँ ।
पर, हम भी तो मजबूर हैं
जीवन और कार्य में चूर हैं
बच्चों के नखरे, बुढ़ापे की चिंता
और भी बहुत से ख्वाब हैं ।
हमारी तरक्की भी देश पे अहसान है
आज़ाद धरा में लेते साँस हैं
क्यों डरे हम जबकि
सरहद पे खड़ा अभी भी एक जवान है ।
अपने हर वीर पे हैं हम इठलाते
है तिरंगा हमको भी प्यारा
पर, शहीद हमको हैैं भाते
दूर के मकान में ।
नाम की तख्ती पर अब तक
नहीं लिखा की 'लेट' हैैं
रंग गहरे दर्शाती जीवन सलेट है
किसने कहा अभी 'लेट' हैैं...
*****
Nimish Vats brother of Late Major Navneet Vats now lives in Ashreya (home 4 mentally challenged) Sector 47-D, Chandigarh ....
There are very few people & places that help us to connect with our inner core and then appreciate God's endless gifts to us...
To experience this, find some time & visit him....
Dr Anshu Arora
------------
‘Does the supreme sacrifice of a soldier wrapped in Indian flag, adorned with flowers begins to fade as time passes or is it, that with passage of time people become files and files just pile, stack up and dust in long rows awaiting…. awaiting a lot…’
Has the army reserved days and a handful number that can mask the pain of many un-written, un-presented and un-heard cases? Army is not a career, it is a passion, a fervour and ultimate streak of patriotism; and it therefore deserves huge respect.
 |
|
'लेट मेजर'...
'लेट'.. जीव जीवन छोड़ कर
अब लुप्त है और दूर है ... बात गहरी, तीव्र पीड़ा अश्रू बन, बहे नयन ।
'मेजर'.. एक सैनानी का तमका
िस्थर हुआ आधे सफ़र में छोड़ कुछ मझधार में या किसी प्रहार में । |
The officer is survived by his wife, a young daughter, his aged and infirm parents and his 28-year-old brother who is a special child and suffers from ‘Downs Syndrome’ (Tri Gomy 21).
The matter at the home end has worsened as the father of the deceased died on 27 July 2013, fighting against weekly dialysis and old age. Tears well in my eyes, when I remember his strong desire to live longer than his son. Who would want this unless there are gripping fears about the well-being of your child. His only query near death circled about the decision of army for the welfare of this 'special' child, he posed many questions for which I had no answers. Am I therefore guilty of awakening hopes in his heart, when in reality, there are dark and delayed decisions.
Sadly, death removes pain and life gives us a battle to fight like the ailing and aged mother (72 years) of the officer laments. With the loss of her husband and the elder only-able son, the mother has only one pressing question – who will take care of the brother of Late officer after her demise? There is a corpus and she is liaising with NGOs for life long care however no NGO, handicap institute or Hospital seems to be willing to undertake this responsibility.
Where will the mentally challenged 28-years-old brother of late martyr supposed to go? A boy who is 70-75% mentally retarded and needs a full time attendant to sustain himself. He is unable to go to the toilet himself, or even clean himself. The brother of the late officer is severely speech impaired and therefore unable to talk. Since 27th July,'13 he is being cared for, by his old and ailing mother with no support whatsoever. The mother is also under psychiatric treatment in PGI, Chandigarh and has a weak state of mind and body. Medically and sadly, the life expectancy of the brother is also debateable and all emotional stress (loss of brother and then, father) is bound to further hamper his health with deep and irreversible impact. Imagine the plight of this mentally challenged brother who a decade later, still believes that his brother the late army officer is alive. He still has to make peace with the loss of his father, while the mother continues to live in a constant fear of leaving this boy not just lonely but literally alone.
After serving in an army school at Chandimandir, his wife Mrs Shivani Vats also had problems with her job and is being made to run from pillar and post to get job-permanency. His daughter Inayat also looks with curious eyes, will some inayat (help) fall on the very naïve little ‘Inayat’ as she steps into her teens.
Presently there is no facility available to take care of mentally challenged or differently abled siblings of Martyrs of the Indian Army. Thus parents of Martyrs with such children or siblings of the Martyr are required to fend for themselves. After the demise of the parents of the Martyr, the conditions deteriorate and they are left to the disposal of NGOs/relatives and often ill or mal-treated.
This is just one example out of many such pitiable, un-reported and pending cases across the country where ailing parents, young children and deserted siblings seek out compassion in lieu of their family member who if alive would have properly supported and cared for them. We need to honour the kith and kin of our martyrs and not leave them in desperation to fight, to fend and to fear.
If India is my country where young lads lay their lives, fighting borders, the border forces should at least befriend their family–
their pride. An organization must be created (under AWWA ... or Army ) to take care of such helpless siblings of our Martyrs and ensure that they at least live in dignity till death. Empathy shown towards them will be our last and befitting tribute to our worthy martyrs.
I did what was expected, forwarded the papers, requested the officers who showed compassion, and natural concern yet the decision of the army awaits, awaits all help. It is requested that a facility ought to be created in the Army to take care of such mentally challenged/differently abled dependents of martyrs till death. The parents are financially self-sufficient and money, thankfully is not the issue. At present, a room may be provided in the one of the existing hospitals and the officer’s brother should be rehabilitated so that he may be in a position to sustain the physical separation with mother, now and at a later stage. Later a ward may be created for such cases. Something needs to be done with urgency to provide quick gratification and justice to the dependents who too deserve to live with honour.
How I wish, my friend was alive; how I wish, he didn’t need anyone to plead for justice; but I am equally hopeful that army will grant help and grace their words. I studied with him for a few months, hardly spoke to him, and barely remember him but it is his ultimate and supreme sacrifice for the motherland that connects me with him, even if it is now just with his soul. The others too have biological hearts and every one else can also connect with emotions.. emotions of course have different shades.
I am pleading … really pleading and want to be heard…
*******
Nimish Vats brother of Late Major Navneet Vats now lives in Ashreya (home 4 mentally challenged) Sector 47-D, Chandigarh ....
There are very few people & places that help us to connect with our inner core and then appreciate God's endless gifts to us...
To experience this, find some time & visit him....
****** 'लेट मेजर'
I am pleading … really pleading and want to be heard…
*******
Nimish Vats brother of Late Major Navneet Vats now lives in Ashreya (home 4 mentally challenged) Sector 47-D, Chandigarh ....
There are very few people & places that help us to connect with our inner core and then appreciate God's endless gifts to us...
To experience this, find some time & visit him....
****** 'लेट मेजर'
एक रोज़
यूहीं अचानक
दिखे अंग्रेजी के दो शब्द
और हो गई मैं स्तब्ध ।
न कोई शक्ल थी
ना ही याद थी
पर छिपी शब्दों में ...
कोई बात थी ।
एक गर्वित नौजवान
कर अपना जीवन-दान
माँ-मिट्टी-देश
पर हुआ कुर्बान ।
इससे बड़ा क्या शूर होगा?
जो देश की पुकार पर
छोड़ अपने घर-बार को...
चूम ले कर्तव्य-द्वार को ।
श्रद्धा-पुष्प और कुछ नारे
यही मोल हमने निकाले
अमिट धधकते ज़ज्बात के
रक्तभरे चुभते एहसास के ।
क्यों न उसको मित्र बनाएँ ?
उठकर उसके घर तक जाएँ ?
बूढ़े माँ-बाप, बेबस बच्चे
उदास बेवा को ढाँढ़स बंधाएँ ।
पर, हम भी तो मजबूर हैं
जीवन और कार्य में चूर हैं
बच्चों के नखरे, बुढ़ापे की चिंता
और भी बहुत से ख्वाब हैं ।
हमारी तरक्की भी देश पे अहसान है
आज़ाद धरा में लेते साँस हैं
क्यों डरे हम जबकि
सरहद पे खड़ा अभी भी एक जवान है ।
अपने हर वीर पे हैं हम इठलाते
है तिरंगा हमको भी प्यारा
पर, शहीद हमको हैैं भाते
दूर के मकान में ।
नाम की तख्ती पर अब तक
नहीं लिखा की 'लेट' हैैं
रंग गहरे दर्शाती जीवन सलेट है
किसने कहा अभी 'लेट' हैैं...
*****
There are very few people & places that help us to connect with our inner core and then appreciate God's endless gifts to us...
To experience this, find some time & visit him....
Dr Anshu Arora
(Principal)
Bal Bharti School
www.balbhartihng.com
Authored -
1) FICTION - 'School Truths.. REVEALED' – http://tapatbooksonline.com/?books=books-school-truths-revealed
2) SHORT STORY - http://www.sparkthemagazine.com/?p=6698\
(overcoming fear) - http://www.penpencileraser.com/blog/know-your-destination-you-are-the-driver-of-your-life/
5) BLOGS - Campaign for justice - http://www.pleaforjustice.blogspot.com
6) REVIEW - About hotels - http://www.our-hospitality.blogspot.com
7) ARTICLES - About women-http://www.womeninwrath.blogspot.com
About parents-teachers-students - http://www.parents2school.blogspot.in/
But this is not all, for she may offer advice on green tea http://www.ahemahem.com/does-green-tea-help-you-lose-weight/2474/
or may make you laugh through her reasons to befriend Bengalis… http://www.thatscoop.com/anshu.arora/reasons-to-be-friend-a-bong .
Food bite - http://dal-batti-churma.blogspot.com
