We owe so much to our soldiers

THE recent assault on a Colonel and his son by police personnel in Patiala has sparked a public outrage across the country. Serving as well as retired Army officers and their families have upped the ante over their demand for a fair probe and exemplary punishment.

More often than not, those who don Army fatigues are seen in a battle-ready mode, guarding the nation’s frontiers in tough terrain and cold climes. They also take part in relief and rehabilitation work when natural calamities wreak havoc, leaving thousands marooned or displaced. Many a times, they assist the civil and police administration in the restoration of law and order whenever the situation spins out of control due to inept handling by the authorities.

One can never forget Major Ivan Joseph Crasto (who retired as a Colonel), the Para commando who became a guardian angel for the tourists who were trapped aboard a cable car at Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) in 1992. There is no dearth of such tales of heroism.

I remember a four-decade-old incident that showcased the unwavering compassion of Army personnel. Those were the times when Punjab was in the throes of militancy. A round-the-clock curfew was clamped in Punjab and Chandigarh immediately after the imposition of President’s rule. During the curfew, a special relaxation was allowed to the public to procure provisions and other items of daily use.

One hot and humid Sunday afternoon, I saw my neighbour trying to console his newborn baby, who was crying for milk. The milk he had brought home in three pouches had turned sour due to the heat. All of a sudden, a military vehicle screeched to a halt bang opposite the main gate of the residential complex. While we ran pell-mell, the defiant father refused to budge.

The young officer directed jawans to summon the man. Then, he asked, “Don’t you know that it’s curfew time? Why are you roaming in a forbidden area?”

Without waiting for an answer, he posed another question, “Why is your baby crying so loud?” The father told him that his newborn needed milk. The officer enquired whether he knew any milkman around. My neighbour nodded and said, “Yes, his house is about 3 km from here.”

The officer asked him to immediately fetch a container from his house and accompany them. Later, the soldiers dropped him at his residence after getting sufficient milk for the baby. They advised him to stay indoors, especially during the curfew hours.

The father heaved a sigh of relief and expressed deep gratitude to the gentleman officer for his generosity.

Musings