The Chakra of Life !!!

I attended the Republic Day Parade Ceremony (26th January) in the year 2008. I wanted to make it a calendar event in my life to make sure that I attend the Republic Day Parade live every year. And if for any reasons I am unable to make it, I would like to make it an event watched by the entire family together. Somewhere in my view, it definitely brings in a sense of belonging towards the country and its a nice family event as well. I arranged for the passes this year and my brother, bhabhi, mum n dad were really looking forward to attend the event live (for the first time). Due to some unavoidable reasons, we had to settle for the TV broadcast instead. In our family it was after ages that we were actually sitting together and watching the parade from the beginning. It was a nice experience.

As it is, the Gallantry Awards this year were a topic of much debate. Suddenly everyone is talking about how ill equipped are the forces to counter attacks such as the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks. I am sure the topic is relevant and has come out because of this sudden attack.

Without discounting or giving any less regard to the martyrs here and also say the Kashmir issue, what about Eastern and North-Eastern Part of the country ??????

Meghalaya cop R.P. Diengdoh was awarded Ashok Chakra for an operation to neutralise 10 armed militants in the state’s jungles; Orissa Special Operations Group’s Assistant Commandant P.R. Satapathy got the medal for taking on 500 Maoists with a team of just 20 policemen.

Every single citizen knows that there is something or the other happening in these regions on a consistent basis. Whats being done to equip them with competent or even basic infrastructure (fire-arms, stations, man power, training ) to combat these situations which are known and predictable ??? Who should the family of these officers blame, for their loss ??? Or was their bravery pure suicide in the face of unwanted and/or less glamorous issues which nobody wants to own or feel about, in the metropolitan cities ?

Wish you a very Happy and a Proud Republic Day !!!