The Ultimate Sacrifice.
Of Soldiers, Known and Unknown.
A slice of history found me today and made me pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice, made by these very young soldiers, wherever they were stationed.
Struck by the peaceful dignity of the memorial, and the names on the Roll of Honor, I felt compelled to write this post in their honor today.
‘Let those who come after see to it that their names not be forgotten.’
This memorial - ‘Veer Bhumi’ or ‘Ground (Bhumi) of the Brave (Veer)’ - as it is called, honors the British soldiers stationed in Bangalore, as part of the British Regiments, who lost their lives in World War I from 1914 to1918.
Beneath the golden nameplate, installed during British Rule, a second silver plate has been added in honor of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives. This includes those who served in both World Wars as part of the British Forces, as well as those who, as part of the Indian Forces post-independence, served in the 1947, 1965, and 1971 wars, along with various other conflicts on the borders.
Thus in death, the two memorial plates, join soldiers of different nations, armies, and timespans. The commemoration holds true for all of them:
“They …. at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice. Giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.”
At the rear of the column, is the panel of the British Roll of Honor.
The Indian names are on rows and rows of white stone panels that read like a book.
Names that didn’t get to see the future, of their families, and the country they fought for, to return to their lands, to have children, or babysit their grandchildren, to enjoy the civilian life of rest, and a walk in the park to see a memorial like this one today.
Birds chirp, leaves sway in the mild winter breeze, creating a green stillness.
The names, etched in black on white stone, reflect diverse faiths, regions, and castes, united in sacrifice for the same flag. Leaders sometimes amplify differences for their agendas, and yet, these names show they were all equal.
On the stone at the entrance, is carved the Indian Army motto, ‘Seva Parmo Dharam’ or ‘Service is the Ultimate Duty.’
At the end of the list of Indian names, rows of blank black granite panels are installed. Do these signify the inevitability of conflict or the idealism of peace?
Whatever your personal beliefs, when the young die in war, their deaths are heavy burdens on us all, and remind us, that no matter what our year may have been like, some of these known and unknown soldiers, did not have the same chances.
Perhaps, the true honor of their sacrifice is to live our present moments in freedom, joy, and togetherness twice, once for them, and once for us.
In so doing, we can assert, that we have not forgotten them, and we will never forget - this cruel price of war!
Lovely post Jayshree, lest we forget ...
Yes. "Lest we forget"
Throughout much of, if not all of, Russia part of every marriage ceremony is a trip by the newlyweds to the local war memorial where they spend a few moments in contemplation.
Not a bad way to start a marriage.