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.
