Author: Veenu Sandhu, Palampur
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 26, 2002
Introduction: I put the star him,
he made it shine
Commissioned on December 12, 1998.
Captured by the Pakistanis on May 15, 1999. Tortured for 22 days. Body
handed over to India on June 9, 1999.
The brutal killing of a 22-year-old
soon after he was commissioned into 4 Jat could have left any parent shattered
forever. But Dr Narinder Kalia and Vijay Kalia are made of firmer stuff.
And the first floor museum at his house in Palampur, containing Saurabh's
every little memory and belonging, reflects it. A temple of peace and love
- the uniforms medals, pictures of little Saurabh learning to walk, playing
with his dad, teasing his mother, his pens, watch, shoes, shaving cream
and brush, the used soap cake there're all there.
Standing in front of a portrait
of her son, Vijay Kalia says: "It's this side or that. If children don't
go from our houses, how will our country be safe?" As a mother, she does
mourn the loss but reflects that "he has brought us an honour that's unimaginable.
Hamara apna wajood hi nahin raha. We're known through him now." Even Dr
Kalia's visiting card reads: Dr N.K. Kalia, father of Capt Saurabh Kalia.
The house is called Saurabh Niketan
and the area Saurabh Nagar. "People haven't forgotten. Some of them come
to us to say they want to spend a night in the very house where Saurabh
Kalia lived. For them, we have two rooms ready," says Dr Kalia. "We cannot
repay the love people have given us even in many births," he adds.
Recalling Saurabh's passing-out
parade, Vijay says: "I put the star on him, he made it shine. Now I tell
him that the country needs him again."
Dr Kalia adds: "We can do it. We
can crush the ones who are creating this mess at the border. All we need
is political will."
