*Long post alert, but I would be really glad if you read through, please :)*
April 2nd 2011 – the day India won the world cup – the banks of Hussain Sagar – well past 12 in the night – we sat there talking about making a trip to Kargil on Vijay Diwas – Friends S and A, Su and me! We knew that it was going to be an experience of a lifetime if we could make it happen. It was decided we would and the preparations began – getting permissions to let us attend the Kargil Vijay Diwas, getting those messages for the Jawans from all over the world [Ekta Sandesh] and we never knew how time flew!
And when we did reach the Kargil town at 10pm on the 25th of July, it just felt so unreal – was I really there? Really? Much time was spent then on to secure our accommodation because the hotel we had actually booked, had given away our rooms to somebody else! It was here that I realized, more than ever, how sweet and tender at heart our Jawans are. We made calls to our contacts in the Army in Hyderabad, and at 11 in the night, with very kind words, they got to work arranging the night’s stay for us in that little town with few options. All we needed was some place to sleep for about 4 hours and a place to freshen up early in the morning, because we were to leave to Dras, another 60 kms away from Kargil town – where the celebrations actually take place. We went to meet a friend of our Army contact in Hyderabad, to get some shelter and while we were waiting for him to meet us, the Jawans at the reception treated us like we had known them forever. Making repeated calls to get our contact person, not letting me to even carry a chair to seat myself down and doing it themselves, telling me ‘aap baitho na’ when I went to take water and filling a glass for me, and actually telling us Sorry when nothing worked out on the accommodation front 🙄
We finally settled down in a pretty decent guest house, all waiting for the next day sun to shine soon. We started for Dras at 6:35 in the morning.

Had some yummy breakfast on the way – poori, kala chana and one of the tastiest achaars I have ever eaten 😉
The peaks all along the route remind you of one thing – the cold climate, the rough terrain, the steep cliffs – how on earth do our Jawans manage to fight, let alone climb them?
We did see a caution board on the way too ‘You are under enemy observation’
You find inspiring quotes, war memorials all along the way. ‘Will x Skill x Thrill = Kill‘, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it‘ were few that I could register.
The route is picturesque, with the River Suru flowing all along, and merging with Chenab on the way – you can actually spot the confluence of the grey and the blue.
We reached Dras at 9.25 am. We were asked a few questions at the gate about who we were, why we were there and then they let us in.



I had just not expected that the memorial actually stands and the program was being held at the place where we fought the war!
We could see all those significant points like Tololing, Tiger hill etc.. in the background.


Might sound dramatic, but at that instant, I felt like I had seen it all in life. Usually, my mind already starts planning the next trip wherever I am. But this felt like all I wanted to see in my lifetime. I turned around to see Su and my friends – they all had a child-like smile on them, a feeling that it was hard to believe that we were there, in that mighty ocean of Jawans everywhere reflected on all their faces.
The ceremony had begun with the kin of martyrs and other army men paying tributes by laying wreaths at the memorial. Ae mere watan ke logon and Kar chale hum fida jaan aur tan saathiyon were playing in the background all along.
The Jawans were taking all the kids inside to keep them entertained and again we could see that other motherly side of the strong-and-tough heroic side that we mostly carry a picture of.
Helicopters showered petals over the memorial – a sight to watch under the clear blue skies, with the mighty beautiful Himalayan peaks in the background 🙂
This wreath-lying ceremony was followed by Sainik Sammelan, to honour the living heroes of the Kargil war.
Here again, I went in search of water and when I did not find glasses nearby the source, one of them went running into their tents, got me his glass and then when I tried to take the glass from him, said ‘Pani bharke deta hoon na’. Sigh!
The Chief Guest of the function was a Lieutenant General, who beautifully said that ‘Tyaag ki bhavna har ek insaan ke andar hain. Zaroori nahin hai ki sacrifice maidan main hi hona hai, kisi bhi kaam karo – bas usme tann, mann aur dhan lagana. Whatever you do, do it with perfection. Kisi bhi desh ko himmat nahin rehna hain hamare desh par humla karne ke liye. So, all of you please stay alert.’ And such a great personality was so cool when we were introduced to him as a youth group from Hyderabad 🙂 He spoke about his times in Hyderabad, how he saw movies in RK theatre with his wife, asked people to join the army and unmarried people to marry armymen, saying that the life in army is so wonderful and added that the only thing is that you lose your hair, but you can always wear a hat 😉
And then, we got an opportunity to present the Ekta Sandesh to the Jawans. In such short notice, they organized a superb ceremony for us to talk about it, unroll the 100m long sheet completely and so many of them came forward, read the messages and congratulated us saying that we were doing marvellous work!The Lieutinant Genereal whom we requested to receive the same called on the other Jawans around and said ‘Give it to these young men, they do everything’. And three women officers we met were saying that they just do their duty, but we were doing things voluntarily and so, they were proud of us !?! What humility!!! Got a gift pack from the army – a tee, a cap and a mug, which I will treasure all my life 🙂 The Jawans were so touched with the messages, took pics from all possible angles and were asking us how long we took, and appreciated the efforts which went into it all! How satisfying that was 🙂 Thanks to all of you who sent in messages and helped us in the cause too!
We actually rubbed shoulders with one hero who fought the Kargil war – Yogendra Singh Yadav. Got to take pics with him [I secured the place right next to him in most pics! Ya, am really selfish that way :P], had a nice chat session with him during lunch too 🙂 His message to everyone was ‘Niswarth kaam karte jao, devotion to whatever you are doing is very important.’ He gave the example of an invisible brick in the foundation of a building.
When someone asked him if he was afraid, he said it so simply ‘If I was, I would not be sitting with you all here today’
While we were having lunch, one of the majors told us ‘What is this? You people are not taking anything properly. Food ko attack karo. In the army, it’s all about attack attack attack .. ha ha ha!’
One of the majors came to us and took a seat asking us if we could talk. He then offered us to stay in Army tents for that night, the tents of his regiment which were actually being removed, but were kept so for us 🙂
After lunch, he took us to our tents and we had a great time talking to him – he told us how they he got newspaper where he is posted after 3 days, how he loses sleep over even a blade of grass which is pressed upon, how they have to walk kilometers sometimes just to make one phone call and how [understandably so too] missing the family is the biggest thing. It was his birthday and he was saying that since there was no network there, he would try and call some people and get wished. We sang ‘Baar baar din ae aaye‘ for him and gifted him a YFS tee 🙂 He told us that it felt good to know people remembered them too!
Something which he said and I loved:
‘The best part of our army is that you get to lead people unto death’
Salute to the courage and also the very fact that the leaders of our Indian army lead from the front – true leaders they are!
The way the Jawans took care of us in our tents really made me feel so guilty at being cared for so much – getting us juice as soon as we arrived, filling the water jugs, water for the rest rooms and when I requested them to allow us to do it all by ourselves, they said:
‘ Arre behana, Jan seva aur desh seva, dono karna hai hume’
The ‘Beating the Retreat‘ function in the evening was like the icing on the cake. Like one of the soldiers at the gate put it, it was a ‘Sunehri mauka’ for us indeed. The awesome parade, followed by recitation of prayers by religious heads from all religions and then an opportunity for all of us to light up lamps at the memorial in the name of the martyrs!
A spectacle was awaiting us too. All those significant peaks and points that were captured were lit up simultaneously during the ceremony – and when we got to know that it was actually soldiers walking slowly with lamps in their hands, synchronizing between themselves with walkie-talkies, we were stunned!
We then went around the museum that the memorial houses and then returned to the tents for dinner.

We were treated to an awesome spread by the Jats – their special Churma, Roti, Aloo Sabji, Rice, Dal, Semiya kheer – yummy yummy stuff!
They offered to make breakfast next morning too and when we told them that we had to leave early the next morning and so they should not take that trouble, they said ‘Koi baat nahin. Pack karke de denge’!

The next morning, it was time to leave Dras, but am sure none of us wanted to 🙂 When I asked them if they can employ me in the army kitchen, they actually took me to the make-shift kitchen in the camp and I made some pooris, while they all clicked pics he he 😉
And that one moment which left me inexplicably touched, proud, secure, goose-bump inducing …. everything in this dear country of mine …….
I saw these kids, their laughter ringing so loud across the camp while they played gleefully without any fear in their hearts … and this at ‘The Place’ where there were bunkers and bunkers all around 12 years ago – I just can’t explain that feeling! Saw so much at Kargil, but this will be one of the fondest memories I will carry in my heart forever!
Let me end with this one board that I spotted near the Dras War Memorial:
I ONLY REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LAY DOWN!
Says it all about our brave armymen, doesn’t it? We have nothing to fear, do we 🙂 JAI HIND!
Extremely touched with this article…………
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Am glad Rajesh! Thank you 🙂
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OMG!!!!!!! Swaru!Thank you!so much for sharing this..I am so overwhelmed,just reading it..I can’t even imagine..what you all must be feeling..
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Hey New Momma! Thanks much for taking out time to read the post 🙂 Hugs 🙂
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This is such a wonderful post ! I wish you had written some more. Felt like I was there …Great !
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That’s so nice. Thank you Suranga 🙂
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Beautifuly Written!! 🙂 Amazing!! 🙂 No words to express! 🙂
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Thank u thank u 🙂
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Lucky you Swaram. You had the opportunity to visit those who are responsible for our unfettered sleep at night.
After I read your post, my mind reminded me of Capt. Manoj Pandey. He was from my city. Or rather, I am from his city. And he was the one who, after being hit by bullets, shouted ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ to the enemies.
Salute to our brave soldiers.
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The museum is actually named after Capt. Manoj Pandey, Dev 🙂
But the one who said ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ is Vikram Batra 🙂
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🙂
Got messed up I guess.
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I was part surprised, part touched and completely moved reading this. You rock girl 😀
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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My pleasure rays 🙂 Surprised at what bits, if I may ask 😛
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Beautiful article… Thank you so much for this very very informative post… And touching…
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Thanks Laks 🙂 Every Indian deserves to know this 🙂 I just shared 🙂
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Thanks for taking us to this place, Swaram! You have literally taken us along with you!
Beautiful pictures. Yes, nothing is impossible without unity and integrity!
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🙂 Thanks Sandhya 🙂
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Happy Independence day, Swaram!
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Thanks Sandhya and wish u the same too 🙂
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I could feel a part of your journey… Thanks a lot swar….
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Thatz nice Tan. Am so glad!:)
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WOW. reading ur post gave me goose pimples. U knw wat kattabommil. Feels proud to know u and associated with u..even if its only thru an odd comment here and there. U rock kattabommi. Proud of u.
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Am so glad u r still around Gils 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Very nice post. You are really lucky to have visited this place. Amazing pictures too.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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True Telugu Mom 🙂 I can’t thank my stars enough 🙂
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Long post ..didn’t feel like it while reading ..it is such a privilage to know and share space with the jawans that too in kargil..you people really did it !!
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I still can’t actually believe it vandana! The experience was so surreal!:)
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Thanks so much for writing this post and sharing the pics and experiences. We saw it through your eyes and your account of it. This post touched me in ways I cannot explain.
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Am so glad SnS 🙂
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Swaram, this is the perfect Independence Day post. I felt a chill go up my spine as I read through. Regretting that there is but one life to lay down when we have people who happily ‘lay down’ the lives of people around them – ha, it is amazing to read about the people who are still genuine and not hypocritical. I salute them with all my heart.
Thanks a lot for sharing those fabulous pictures as well!
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🙂 🙂
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Some articles are not written….they are revealed to the writers through an experience…Your article/ experience is one such. Keep the memories close to your heart because they are the ones that keep us going.
Ayush
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Very true AyushJi!
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After reading the post, i feel like it was short! such an inspiring post, beautiful picture. Salute to all the jawans
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*Salutes*
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Oops , thanks for the correction. My bad!
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Hey Prathima. I din’t correct u! I just offered my salutes too 🙂 Sorry if u thought so!
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Hi Swaram, this is an awesome post, loved reading every bit of it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank u 🙂 I loved writing it too 🙂 Glad u liked it!
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awesome and a post apt for our independence day… as always am so proud of you and glad that I know you Swaru… love you.. 🙂
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Hugs Ani!
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You said it was a long post…but I am left with wanting to read more… 🙂
Such a lovely account of the visit Swaram!
Your experiences confirms how the jawans are made of a different soil altogether. They are so hearty and kind inside , but that much more tough and strong on the outside.
You have narrated the good part, the smiles, the compassion and the likes. But, am sure the reality is deeper and not all smiles. They sure deserve much better from the Government. Any insights on that aspect, if you can share?
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Welcome to this space AHK 🙂
Am so glad u liked it! And glad u raised that qs too 🙂 I did write abt the difficulties – the paper, the yearning for the family meet, that is all they said when we asked them about it.
Infact, the facilities are pretty good and they said they have no other complaints.
There is delay in providing what is due for the martyrs’ families, but those in the army are living happy and satisified. Infact, we are in touch with few families here in Hyderabad. They always talk about how well they were/are looked after 🙂
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So many things that we get to see and read are what the media wants the aam junta to believe, most shocking being the harassment cases against the Jawans. Got to know that hardly any percentage of all such cases are actually proved right!
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Thank you so much for the detailed reply Swaram!
The jawans are getting their due and are happy+satisfied – feels absolutely wonderful to know that 🙂
And you are right. Media has a big role in making mountain of a mole usually.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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i am very proud of you dear, not all plan a trip like this, and meet jawans and spend the quality time that u did, I can imagine how hard its for them and ppl like you are like summer rain. greeting and being with them would be so appropirate way of appreciating what they are doing for our country. hats off 🙂
and I so wish that borders are erased away forever and only one country remains, nothing to fight or die for 🙂
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You and Gils are the most liberal souls he he 😉
*Amen* Am glad the borders are much more peaceful than before, thanks to the efforts of our Jawans 🙂
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Wow..if I tell you I got goosebumps reading this..you will believe it na…I loved your write up and seriously you are doing such wonderful work! and the jawans..wow!
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🙂 Yes ma’am. Thank u 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this with us.
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🙂
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very beautiful post…thanks for sharing dear…and you are great…..
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Arre! Thank u 🙂
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I live in the cantonment area and go for walks in their campus . Every time i go there and see the camouflaged dress, i just can’t tell you how i feel for their family. Many a times, my friend’s husband who was a lt. col tells me,when they went on field, they were so unsure of their return. and another friends husband who was a civil eng with the indian army was incharge of laying roads during kargil war while she was expecintg her second child at her home town, what these soldiers and their families go through those times …… is something i can’t put in words. The service they do and the respect they feel for the fellow humans and civilians should be a lesson for many people in politics today.
… and you.. a gutsy and rare woman indeed, many few tread the path you’ve chosen.
And ya thanks to gils for directing me to this post.
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hey, r u from bangalore/hyderabad? me too? Hi-5 on that
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Yayy Asha! Thatz so cool 🙂
Am from Blr, living in Hyd for the past 4 yrs 🙂
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Goosebumps moments they must’ve been!! Lovely pics and awesome account..
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Thanks Vidya 🙂
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Commendable effort you guys made & am sure u must have felt very proud when u were there.
U know what I like about u? We all have great ideas for our conutry & we dream loads of idealistic things too but you work on them & make them happen. Am so glad to know u! and i mean it dear.
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Thatz very sweet of u Smita 🙂 Thanks much!
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Hats off these jawans !! and thanks to you for sharing such an inspiring story in such a lovely manner..
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🙂 😀
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Thanks for sharing Swaru 🙂 I took the tour with you!! Your words do that 🙂
Touching post! words are not adequate to express the feelings it evokes…
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Thanks Priya 🙂 🙂
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Oh my god. That was the best travel experience ever! Yes, travelled with you on this — and loved every bit of it. awesomely written, girl! simply stunning these people are!
Jai hind! 🙂
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Jai Hind!:)
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Ohhh dear..I am really feeling jealous,for the kind of experience you had at Kargil 🙂 Beautiful post on beautiful ocassion 🙂
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Thanks sree 🙂
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‘The best part of our army is that you get to lead people unto death’
Thats MY MAN
Wow swaram what do i say .. I wish i was nearby i would have saluted you for all that you do and for what you have shown us all .. Thank you and lots of hugs ..
I only wish I could have passed my SSB interview, I really have nothing but curses for the people who sat out there thinking i was not good enough …and a year later I am worthy of joining here MAKES ME MAD ..
anyway Thank you once again I bet the sense of pride comes i can feel it myself here reading the post 🙂
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Aww nice Bik! Am so glad u felt good 🙂
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Tears in my eyes….
You caught the moments and the feelings so well, really proud of you, Swaru!
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😀
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Swaram,
Depply Touched, felt through your writing and filled with pride by some means(blogs) I know a person like you , Hats off to you folks
and bows to our Jawans
Thanks for this blog
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Am glad u liked it Puneet, and nice to c u here 🙂
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A very touching post Swaram. We always talk about the wonderful things our jawaans do for the nation and how they sacrifice their own lives to protect the lives of their countrymen. And you actually got a chance to meet them and interact them. It’s wonderful.
The strength and dedication of our jawaans is commendable. It is indeed a matter of great pride to spend some time with them.
Great Work !!! 😀
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Oh ya! Treasured memories 🙂
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loved your account of the journey Swaram… thank you for sharing dil se…
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Thanks Tara 🙂 🙂
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I can imagine the sense of pride you must have felt being on that sacred zameen that had our army heroes protecting us and the quotes that you have recounted here are so inspiring, one wants to see it for himself.
Thank you for sharing this experience.
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Am glad u liked it Punam! And the experience – I will cherish it for a lifetime 🙂
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I kept postponing reading this because it was a long post. Now I m sorry I did not read it earlier. Got goosebumps towards the end. I have tears in my eyes as I finsihed……..its truly touching. You have written it so well……
Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this…….
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Aww thanks Ash 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Hi Swaram,
I didnt want the article to end – even when i couldnt read anymore with teary eyes. Cant explain what i feel at the moment – it’s a strange mixture of pride, patriotism and a burning urge to do my bit. Thanks much for such an inspiring post!
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🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks Kavs 🙂
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The post moved me to tears.. To experience Kargil, Dras, to touch the land where so many army officers/jawans laid down their lives to give this freedom, to be able to sit with them, talk to them.. I get goosebumps thinking about all this. I am sure if I was there, I would have broken down into tears seeing all these celebrations…
Salute to our jawans for giving us this freedom and fighting for us selflessly…
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Tears flowed seamlessly at the first glimpse of Yogendra Singh Yadav for me! I still can’t believe I ws there 🙂
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Wonderful wonderful post Swaram …. I felt like being there 🙂
These places are such beautiful and yet the people lead difficult lives partly because of harsh nature and partly because of political conflicts between nations…the second one being the most unfortunate things happening to the people there.
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How true 😦
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Oh Swaram….one journey u’ll remember all ur life right!!!!
The parade and the lighted lamps at dusk must have been magical.
To us reader ourselves it sounds so special, for u it must have been an experience of a lifetime….glad u got to make it.
And thanks for taking us thru the journey
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U r so rt Nance 🙂 And sooo nice to hv u bk 🙂
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what an experience!! and it was so touching to read about it..
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Well, I still can’t believe I was there
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I did read this earlier, but today it popped on again , it was a nice read again..
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Thanks LF 🙂 One of the posts closest to my heart 🙂
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Hey Swaram, yday only Shobhit Ji’s father was telling about your trip to Kargil and here I m reading this beautiful article of yours. Feeling so good to be associated with YFS where beautiful souls like you, serve…:-)
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Hey Rabin. What a pleasant surprise to see you here 🙂 How did you get to land on this old post of mine?
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Kehte hain ki…Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to puri qayanat (read http://WWW…:-P) usey tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai…jokes apart…dis btfl coincidence hapnd on FB. I found dis link on ‘Tanvi Manohar’s’ page. How I reached till her page? I was scouting thru YFS FB page 2 c if derz smone I know…:-)
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haha ok. She is one of our volunteers 🙂
Anyway, welcome here and thanks for your comment 🙂
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Oops! I replied to a comment…instead of posting a new one…:-P
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😛 🙂
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Awesome
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Thanks Gautam.
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Wow…I felt like I was there myself through your writing…had tears in my eyes by the end. You must write more often, Swaram 🙂
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Thanks Anusuya. 🙂
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It was nice to read it again, Swaram! I remember how I felt when I visited Wagah border, a few years ago and felt very emotional. And visiting Kargil…great! God bless you, Swaram!
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Thank you so much Sandhya. I so feel like writing again. 😀
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