“I cried when I had no shoes, But I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs….!” – Shakespeare

18 years back in 1999, on 15th July, I got injured, I had two choices:-

1. To carry on as 100% disable, dependent on others. Or,
2. To stand back on my feet and make best use of whatever I have.

Any soldier, will make the obvious choice, so did I.

I did not just chose to make best use of whatever I have, but also made all efforts to pay back and keep contributing towards betterment and progress of my motherland. After all, each one of us, injured or fit, have this moral responsibility. And the same is mentioned in "Fundamental duties" of our constitution.

So, the question was and is, "What am I doing to make my country look good"?

I feel proud and humble that Almighty gave me strength to keep following my duties, to the best of my capabilities and HE also ensures that I should make efforts to improve my capabilities.

In the ongoing efforts, recently on 15th July, I was able to celebrate my "Death Anniversary" in Kargil itself and then run, the maiden, Kargil International Marathon, organised by Sarhad of Pune, on 16th July. After completing my 21 km, I received my medal and directly went to Drass war memorial.

The memorial, where many of my mates, left their name inscribed in golden words to remain alive forever in history and memories of we Indians. I was not lucky enough to reach anywhere near them, but I could touch their feet and lay my medal as homage to their brave efforts.

I know my marathon medal is no where in front of what they did to save our country, but I was finding it very trivial to stand their wearing it. I am sure, they will accept my humble and trivial homage.

May you all stay alive forever in the history of India.

And May we Indians cherish your contribution to the extent that we start owning our responsibilities towards this mother earth and do our bit to save it.

That for sure will be an apt way to remember martyrs, their contribution and Kargil Vijay Diwas.

“I cried when I had no shoes,
But I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs….!” – Shakespeare