Never can I really understand the reason why countries, factions or people go to war. What is it that they are fighting for, that they are more than willing and believe they have the right to take the lives of others? The losses are so colossal that it doesn't justify any rationale behind people raging to engage in war. I do not want to go into the depths of explaining why war is wrong because for one I am not the right person and two even if I did, the complexities involved are so enormous that this post will do no justice.
Having said that, I have great respect for soldiers and what they do. To whole heartedly give up ones life so that someone else can peacefully live his or hers, is the noblest thing any one can do. Its one thing to give up your life trying to protect yourself and your family, another thing trying to protect your countrymen but it's completely something else to willingly put your life on the line to protect someone else with whom you share absolutely no affinity be it cultural, genetic, geographical or emotional.
I was reading a BBC news article on a group of all female UN peace keeping force from India to Liberia. At the end of the article was this quote by one of the soldiers, "We are ready to die, we are soldiers.". This particular quote had an immediate impact on me for the simply reason that I cannot ever imagine saying this myself. When I tried, it sent a chill down my spine and set into motion different trains of thought.
Having a family of her own, wouldn't she want to watch her kids' grow up, share her life with her husband, care for her parents and siblings, enjoy all the lovely things life has to offer? How is her life any different than ours? Yet there she is fighting someone else's war, not knowing if she will come out alive the next day. God forbid, if she doesn't, then what, a simple funeral, a short eulogy, remembered only by family, a few friends and forgotten by the rest of the world. Even though she may not be fighting for a cause, glory, idea, freedom, respect or fame, she is my true hero.
5 comments:
That was a lovely article.
Ive always admired soldiers and ones who dedicate themselves to the country. Being a soldier is like being a teacher. If you don't have the mind, attitude and a liking to it, you're better off not being one. It's not a job, but a way of life.
My 2 cents.
I think rads made a very important point. Its a way of life. You are taught (brainwashed) that laying down your life is being successfull. We are taught having 5 cars and lots of money is successfull.
@rads: True. Just as you would respect a teacher, I admire, respect and appreciate what they do for their motherland.
@ok: I think there is a difference between choosing a certain way of life and calling it as being successful. It may be fulfilling or satisfying but successful gives it a whole different meaning. Even though you feel I was *brainwashed*, the plain fact is that being maimed forever or laying your life down just isn't the same as having 5 cars and a lot of money.
nice post!i wonder wat these soldiers think bfore giving up their lives for random people(u and me) who they dont know.. and never will... i can never dream of being so sacrificial( not tht im runnin an ngo at the moment;) but yeah..
@baliga: Thanks. Same thoughts here. :-)
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