I am a civilian, rich or poor, untrained, ill-equipped, and extremely scared. I can be shot at or bombed while I am travelling in a train, or dining in a hotel or even walking on a street. I know that. But I dont stop doing all those things. Not because I am not scared, not because I forget, Not because it has not happened to me or someone close to me, But because I need to do some things to live a normal life, because if I keep thinking of all possible places I shouldn't go to, there would be no place left to go. After this one, and so many attacks that have happened on our country lately, I wake up every morning and its business as usual for me.I dont know what else to do. I do this by choice.
Then there are the Defense personnel/the security forces, rich/poor, trained, equipped and I 'think' a little scared. Now, these people are in the profession of getting shot at. Simply put, they lay down their lives to save our lives. They know there are a hundred tanks firing from all sides, they know there are a number of terrorists throwing grenades at them in there, but they march forward nevertheless. I cannot reason this one out- I will not be doing justice to their cause. And they too do it by choice.
We don't know our fate but they know their most probable one before their eyes.
I cannot even try and imagine what goes on through their minds when they are on a mission. Those of you who have close friends, relatives in the army may know. I am clueless. What goes through the minds of their parents, siblings, lovers?
Do they say their prayers or call their loved ones and tell them how much they love them, do their loved ones tell them how proud they are of them, Do they feel like if they could they would just run away, Do they take this long sigh and tell themselves that this is their duty and they shall fulfill it, Do they feel they will die this time, before they march into anything, everytime Or Do they ever even have the time to think?
Whatever the case is, someone who willingly parts with his dear life for so many he doesnt even know- is a Hero in its true sense.
There are heroes among the untrained, ill-equipped and scared lesser mortals like us as well. I read of the railway announcer who put his life in danger to save others instead of ducking/fleeing from his seat. I read of the hotel staff who formed a chain so the elite guests can leave while they took bullets for them. And so many other such heroes during the Mumbai blasts. I dont know which duty they thought they were fulfilling- Divinity not humanity, if any.
Maybe, Maybe, there is a hero in all of us. Maybe while we are so busy saving ourselves from the regular attacks of failed relationships, lost money, betrayal, and unsuccessful careers, we can't and we don't want to see outside of our own Misery.
We all make choices, some way more tougher than we can imagine.
Maybe, when it comes, and as it comes we will too rise above our own expectations..
I hope I get the courage, and as it comes, I take the bullet for that lady or that uncle who lives in another corner of the city, who I dont know, who I never will.
I hope I do some proud too..
