Eleven years ago a Soldier died battling cancer in the Army Command Hospital – Jodhpur.

Just week before he had celebrated what would be his last Diwali with his Son and Daughter In-law, who visited the hospital to light a few candles and have what was perhaps this soldiers last festive meal.

He had plans for his grandson who he knew would be arriving a few months later and so he told his daugheter in-law wait let the child arrive, I will pamper and spoil him like no other. Days later he had died they revived him from his first heart attack only to have him say that he felt uneasy lying sideways. Even as doctors helped him straighten the second attack came and he was gone……………..

Later when his family collected his body from the morgue – it still felt warm. But the soldier lay eyes closed teeth clenched as if struggling with something within. Two Battalion Commanders of the Mechanised Infantry alongwith other senior officers and a host of neighbours joined the final journey from his home to the cremnation ground.

His funeral amidst gun salute was special and as I stood by the pyre of this brave soldier who lost his life battling cancer – I could only admire his spirit and poise – realising the inevitable was to happen he did not flench even once looking or seeking support from family or friends.

His death making him imortal – my father became a real life hero for everyone close to him. The fact that he died of cancer was disclosed much later by one of his friends – Dad never wanted anyone to know what he had been going through. I spent years wondering why he did not trust his children for support when he needed it most but as his son I have come to respect all his decisions and this is perhaps the best thing that happened not because of the outcome but because Dad had wanted it that way.

EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE – DECEMBER 24th WE CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY AMONG ORPHANS & ABANDONED CHILDERN – SPOILING  THEM MOMENTARILY WITH SWEETS,  EATABLES AND GIFTS. THE SOLDIERS GRANDSON NOW 10 YEARS OLD JOINS THE FAMILY IN THIS EFFORT.

I would like to dedicate this day  in the memory of  “MY HERO” my late Father (Retd) Lt. Col Pradeep Kumar Sharma and also share with my readers some works like poetry and select videos to remind us of our lost family and friends.

It is time to STOP, RE-LIVE moments from our past and ponder ways of celebrating the institution of life. Our Past determines our future and it always pays to reaffirm our roots and consolidate every once in a while.