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A Kargil memorial in the time of war (Part VII of IX)

A Kargil memorial in the time of war (Part VII of IX)

Author: R B Singh, Lucknow
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 26, 2002

Introduction: The next battle should be a decisive one and not like the Kargil conflict

"They say time heals. But we have become like the living dead after our son's death. Since then, we have been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. At this age, we cannot gather courage to recover from such a shock," say the parents of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, an officer of the Gorkha Regiment who lost his life on July 3, 1999.

Both Gopi Chand and his wife, Mohini, emphasise their pride in their son's martyrdom. "All parents feel proud of their sons if they sacrifice their lives to protect the motherland. But the battle should be a decisive one and not like the Kargil conflict which could not end the proxy war," they say.

"Now that India knows that it has no choice, it should wage a war against Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism forever. For how many years can the country tolerate the proxy war and sacrifice the lives of soldiers everyday," they question. Alternatively, Gopi Chand adds that "if the country does not want to wage a decisive battle, it should urge the US to put pressure on Pakistan to end terrorism."

Looking back, they feel that the Kargil conflict could have been averted, saving the life of their son and hundreds of others. "Had there not been an intelligence failure, the Pakistani troops would not have entered our territory," says Mohini.

And while they are grateful for the compensation package - Rs 8 lakhs from the army, Rs 10 lakhs from the state government and a gas agency from the Centre, Gopi Chand says: "But I was happy when I was running a hosiery shop in a local market and earning about Rs 200 everyday" They are more grateful for the posthumous Param Vir Chakra and the roundabout - with a statue of the martyr - that was named after their son Manoj's two brothers, Mohit and Manmohan, and sister, Pratibha, are yet to recover from the tragedy. "His death has snatched away their smiles," say the parents.
 


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