Patriotism or Sacrifice: 1999 Kargil War’s True Story (Part 3)
Till now we have seen that ………. Rajendra Singh Rathore, a Punjabi Air Force soldier, is assigned a mission to go to the Amritsar-Atari border with an army unit. Upon arrival, he forms camaraderie with the soldiers, particularly Keshav Tiwari. Tensions rise at the border due to the escalating conflict of Kargil war, indicating a brewing crisis. During dinner, Subedar Jagjeet Singh Saini praises Rajendra, and they receive a high alert message. They prepare for potential enemy activity, with Rajendra moved to the control room due to his expertise on the radar console. As a Pakistani helicopter intrudes into Indian Territory, they prepare to defend against possible commando infiltration. Rajendra feels a surge of patriotism as he witnesses the collective effort to protect their country.
Suddenly, with a deafening sound, the fighter jet passed overhead, almost grazing them. Jagjeet Singh placed his hand on Rajendra Singh Rathore’s shoulder, as if things had returned to normal. Rajendra Singh Rathore smiled and looked in his direction.
Just as a sigh of relief seemed to fill the atmosphere, there was a tremendous explosion sound, as if a bomb had gone off, about 1 kilometer away. It happened so quickly that nobody had any idea of the time. Subedar Jagjeet Singh quickly checked the radar machine. It was around 4:00 AM, a time that went unnoticed by everyone in the midst of the action.
“As the morning approached, around 6:00 AM, Brigade Commander himself praised Subedar Jagjeet Singh over the wireless. Subedar couldn’t quite comprehend the reason behind this commendation. Then the Brigade Commander said, “All of you have done an exceptional job. The message you sent at 2:00 AM last night was absolutely accurate. Based on that message, the Air Force sent a fighter jet, which intercepted the Pakistani helicopter inside Indian territory.” After this, Subedar Jagjeet Singh Saini looked towards Rajendra Singh Rathore, and gathering all the soldiers, he narrated the entire incident and the conversation over the wireless. All the soldiers raised chants of ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai,’ and then they lifted Rajendra Singh Rathore and Jagdish Saini on their shoulders. Tears welled up in Rajendra Singh Rathore’s eyes.
After everyone exchanged warm hugs, at that very moment, a message came over the wireless for Rajendra Singh Rathore, stating that he had been granted a 5-day leave and should return home if he wished. Rajendra Singh Rathore, despite the opportunity, was hesitant to leave suddenly, especially when the Kargil war was ongoing.”
In such circumstances, he couldn’t understand the leave. After a 12-hour journey, when he reached home, he saw a lock on the door, and his heart sank. The neighbors informed him that everyone had gone to Mariampur Hospital.
His mother’s condition hadn’t been well for the past two nights. He immediately rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, he found his brother, sister, and father, all of them with teary eyes. His mother was lying on a bed in a critical condition. His father hugged him as soon as he saw him and began to cry. Rajendra Singh asked, “What happened to Mom? What’s going on?” His brother softly replied, “Since last night, she has been asking for you repeatedly, saying to call her son.” Rajendra Singh Rathore shouted, “What has happened? Tell me!” His father said, “It’s blood cancer, and it’s in the last stage. Your mother didn’t want to tell you.” Rajendra Singh Rathore ran and held his mother’s hand. Her condition was so critical that everything appeared blurry to him. From his mother’s lips, he heard a faint voice, “You’ve come… You took so long… I’ve been waiting for you.” She rested her head on Rajendra Singh Rathore’s shoulder, and then she took her last breath. Rajendra Singh Rathore gently laid her on the bed. His mother, who had been fighting for life and death while her son Rajendra Singh Rathore was stationed at the border, had finally left this world. For two nights, she had struggled with the battle of life and death, and as the neighbors had mentioned, she had strictly instructed not to inform his son Rajendra Singh.
His brother and sister were sobbing at their mother’s feet. Rajendra Singh Rathore held his father, not letting a single tear escape from his own eyes. He gave everyone strength, suppressing the storm brewing inside him. Perhaps no one, not even his friends or relatives, knew what he had been through. On one hand, this story’s hero, Rajendra Singh Rathore, is an embodiment of patriotism and sacrifice. This is not an easy task, and without revealing any signs of pain on his face, he performed all the final rites with his family, constantly encouraging his brothers and younger sister. He kept saying, “You and your brothers have to take care of Father. He shouldn’t feel alone, and I’m here too.” He kept swallowing the bitter pill of tears. Today, this hero, Rajendra Singh Rathore, who embodies both love for the country and sacrifice, is trying to bring about some changes in people’s lives in this world.
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