Independence Day Special: Sharing Chronicles Of Courage And Tales Of Watches That Beat With The Hearts Of Soldiers In Kashmir
5 min read
by a THM Correspondent
“Hamara woi waqt sahi hota hai jab aap log sahi salamat rehte hain”.
This is how Sepoy Rakesh Kumar of the Army Services team stationed in Srinagar responded when asked about his take on the value of time. Deployed specially to ensure a safe passage of the Amarnath pilgrims along the NH44 Bypass Highway, Sep. Rakesh spoke about his experiences of time, timepieces, food, and Kashmir during his brief 30 min break.
Echoes Of Valor: Soldier's Tales In Kashmir
Safeguarding the land brimming with history, culture, and a tapestry of emotions, the lives of valorous men and women in uniform serving in Kashmir is not just a tale of courage and valor, it is a testament to the unyielding spirit that beats within the heart of every guardian of this land.
In the lines that follow, we will share stories of the brave hearts stationed in Srinagar, Kashmir, and how time and watches impact and influence their lives.
Driven By Duty, Fueled By Machines
For the young man whose life is a daily embodiment of sacrifice and duty, you cannot help but admire the sheer passion and perseverance of service. Talking to BSF Jawan Bhageerath Singh, originally from Beri village in Sikar district of Rajasthan, I got to learn about his love for machines as he has a family-run workshop in his home village.
I showed him a few pictures of a complicated watch caliber and it sprouted a short but wonderful conversation. Sep. Bhageerath proudly said that even if he doesn’t wear a watch all the time, his disciplined and strictly planned day lets him keep track of time.
“I remember that during my training days at STC BSF Jodhpur, I used to wear an all-black watch”, says Sep. Bhageerath. He said that he also accompanied the watch on his family trip to New Delhi. Unfortunately, he isn’t sure of the watch’s current whereabouts. “Would be lying somewhere at home, probably my son Akash would be toying with it”, said Bhageerath when asked if he still owns the watch.
A Soldier's Love Affair With Food
Sepoy Rakesh Kumar, originally from Baddi in Himachal Pradesh struck me as a young man with a passion for food. He was stationed in Srinagar during his first assignment after joining forces in 2018. I asked him, “Ghadiyan pasand hain?”, he replied, “Khaana pasand hai”. His response made me and his fellow comrades burst into laughter.
Having spent the prime of his youth in Kashmir, Rakesh recalled that when his family heard about his scheduled deployment in the Himalayan region, they were worried about the challenges that army peacekeepers face due to the frequent episodes of unrest. “Duty is duty, Kashmir or Kanyakumari, one cannot avoid it”, expressed Rakesh.
Talking of watches, Sep. Rakesh shared that he was gifted by his brother-in-law, a golden Titan watch. Fond of the watch, he said that “I cannot afford to wear the watch during duty as I fear it will break”. He also expressed that he adorns the watch whenever he visits home to attend any family function.
Shattered Time, Unbroken Spirit
As I was strolling along the streets in Srinagar’s city center Lal Chowk, I came across CRPF jawan Tulsi Ram Yadav. Also deployed for Amarnath Yatra security duties, Sep. Tulsi shared an incident that occurred last winter when his favorite watch, a Casio calculator watch got damaged when he knocked it hard against their transport vehicle.
“I liked the watch. It had so many buttons”, expressed Sep. Tulsi Ram as he asked me if he would be able to buy it on Amazon. I guided him where to find a similar timepiece and he was delighted to find it at a price less than what he remembered he paid for it the first time.
Threads Of Bravery: Soldiering Amidst The Life And Love In Kashmir's Embrace
With every step they take, the brave hearts of the army and forces not only traverse the land but also the hearts of those they protect. In the valleys and the villages of Kashmir, the soldiers immerse themselves in the lives of the people they serve. They listen to the tales of Kashmiri culture, learn the local dialects and experience the warmth of the local hospitality.
These soldiers become a part of the fabric of Kashmir, not just as protectors but as friends and confidants. For them, every day is a tribute to the motto they live by - "Service Before Self."
As the country is gearing up to celebrate its 77th Independence Day, every Indian must feel relieved, safe, and protected. We owe this feeling to the valorous men and women in uniform. As connoisseurs of watches, learning that our braveheart soldiers have fond and funny memories of their watches makes us love what we do even more.
We wish that Independence Day 2023 poses as a radiant celebration of freedom, where the nation's spirit soars as high as the fluttering tricolor flag.
