Arise, Awake !!!
Years ago, when my father was posted at Visakhapatnam, we were provided transportation - a car and there were 4-5 drivers, working in shifts, most of them ex-Army men. Every week, we went out for shopping, most of the time on Wednesdays. Going to grocery stores and vegetable market was boring for my elder brother (13 years old) and me (11 years old). We would stay back in the car with the driver, while our parents finished shopping. Curious about their experiences in Army, especially because they were on job during the war(s), we would ask them to tell us about the war days - the War Tales .... they told us about bravery of soldiers, incidents of courage, compassion, sorrow, pride, irrepairable losses, .... I had once asked, how can those who are not in defense forces best help during war ? They would feel so helpless !! The answer was, all should keep doing their respective duties honestly and sincerely. That is how every citizen contributes .... And then they told us about how a spirit of unity, sacrifice and patriotism had risen among all - irrespective of whether one is soldier or not .... Pondering over this, we realized, when we are in crisis, facing death or struggling for survival, we unite, we become sincere and honest .... why not maintain that spirit always !!! The best way to serve is to do one's duty honestly and sincerely !!!
दुख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय,
जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, दुख काहे को होय ।।
- Vanita Thakkar
(From my Facebook post dated 16-01-2019)
