The story ‘Patriotism or Sacrifice’ is a short novel based on a true story of Kargil War. The novel is in three parts. Just read and give your valuable remarks, which will help us to improve more.
PART – 1
Disclaimer: This is a true story whose events are related to true incidents during the Kargil War between Indian soldiers and Pakistani militants during the year 1999. The names of characters and places have been changed based on the author’s imagination by using some fictional steps.
July 1999, India, District- Amritsar,
It was scorching hot, so much so that even the leaves seemed to have taken an oath not to move. In this intense heat, not only humans but also animals and birds were wandering in search of water and shade.
In this sweltering atmosphere, a motorcycle was racing down the road, cutting through the scorching air. Riding it was a Punjabi Air Force soldier named ‘Rajendra Singh Rathore’, who seemed to care little about the weather. Suddenly, the motorcycle came to a halt in front of a massive iron gate, or rather, a colossal gate made of iron. An army personnel emerged and inquired, so Rajendra Singh Rathore showed him an Identity Card. With great respect, the soldier allowed him to enter.
When Rajendra Singh Rathore entered the secret room, the voice of Wing Commander Pawan Singhal echoed, “Welcome, Rajendra Singh. I was waiting for you.” Pawan Singhal was a sharp and capable officer in the Indian Air Force, and he had a bit more pride in himself. He picked up a white envelope placed on the table and handed it to Rajendra Singh, saying, “Today afternoon, you need to go to the Amritsar-Atari border with an army unit; everything else is written in this envelope.” Before Rajendra Singh Rathore could say anything, Pawan Singhal had already left.
Around 3:00 PM in the afternoon, Rajendra Singh Rathore stood at a checkpoint near the turning of Ajnala Road with his belongings. Soldiers in blue uniforms were a rare sight, which is why everyone was looking at him closely as they passed by.
After a while, a convoy of army vehicles passed by. Rajendra Singh Rathore carefully examined each vehicle. All the vehicles were laden with strange equipment. For a moment, the dust in the air obscured his vision. Suddenly, an army truck stopped, and a soldier leaned out of the window, asking Rajendra Singh, “Are you the same Air Force guy, going to the border?” Rajendra Singh Rathore nodded, “Yes,” and the soldier looked at him with surprise.
Turning back, the soldier said, “Hurry up, get in the back of the truck.” Rajendra Singh picked up his bag and started to climb into the back of the truck. Two soldiers inside the truck reached out and helped him up. Inside, all the soldiers were seated, armed, and they greeted him with smiles.
After the exchange of names, an unusual bond formed between Rajendra Singh Rathore and the Army soldiers. One of them was a soldier named Keshav Tiwari, who was eagerly observing Rajendra Singh Rathore’s uniform. Rajendra Singh Rathore finally asked, “Why are you so quiet?” Keshav, as if waiting for this moment, replied, “Do you always wear this uniform? Do you fly planes? Doesn’t your uniform get dirty?”
Rajendra Singh Rathore chuckled and said, “Come on, buddy, one question at a time. Yes, we all wear this uniform and it doesn’t get dirty because we work in the underground control room with air conditioning and no, I don’t fly planes because planes fly in the sky, not underground.”
His response made everyone burst into laughter.
Nearly an hour and a half later, the entire convoy came to a halt. An army soldier approached and said, ‘Four vehicles will stop here. A platoon from the regiment, consisting of 35 soldiers along with their Subedar, will stay here.’
Shortly afterward, all 35 soldiers joined forces to set up tents.
Rajendra Singh Rathore, an Air Force personnel, was not being given any specific instructions or tasks. Subedar Jagjeet Singh Saini, in charge of logistics and site assessment, went about assessing the location. The village of Atari, situated just 1 kilometer from the LOC (line of control) between India and Pakistan, was the place where the Army soldiers had stopped. Even in the night, the machinery remained operational. Tensions were escalating at the border. News from the radio indicated a fierce Kargil war. Terrorists in POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) were hiding in the mountains, and news of their deaths kept coming in.
Subedar Jagjeet Singh Saini seemed quite pleased with Rajendra Singh Rathore as, he has entrusted him with more than half of the responsibilities.
Author: Tirthan Ryder