Diwali almost a month earlier here because of Indian Army’s surgical strikes on Pakistan’s terror launchpads on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Social media exchanged congratulatory messages on how India has taught Pakistan a lesson and avenged the Uri attacks that killed 18 of our soldiers.
The celebrations were such that a fast food joint decided to give discounts on their food items to honour the Army’s achievement. However, the euphoria was dampened by the news of one of our jawans being captured by the Pakistani Army.
Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who was posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles at Mendhar along the LoC, was captured by Pakistan after he “inadvertently crossed over” to the other side of the LoC. Back in his village Dhule, Maharashtra, hearing these reports, his grandmother died of heart attack.
Television news and social media is shaping the anti-Pakistan discourse in our drawing rooms. But do we really value the personal sacrifice that our soldiers make? While advocating war, it is pertinent that we lend a thought on what war means for our soldiers and their family members.
This poignant video message from the daughter of an Indian Army officer, who was killed in the Kargil war, is a must watch, in the currently scenario. It will give us some perspective and help us retain our sanity in these difficult times.
The video was directed by Mumbai-based peace-activist and ad-filmmaker Ram Subramanian. He is the brain behind social media hashtag #ProfileForPeace, wherein Indians and Pakistanis post a message on their facebook profile. The hand written notes propagates peace and friendship while bringing home the fact that people of the neigbouring countries do no necessarily endorse the government stance of acrimony and hostility towards each other.
Recently, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt also lend his support to the campaign.
