Thread by @Manik_M_Jolly

Sharing a nice story on this auspicious day of #KargilDiwas.
During the war, millions of children from across the country wrote letters to faujis who were fighting on the front, sending their love and encouragement. The letters are distributed amongst all units and then further

to all companies, so everyone gets the to read them. I also got a few and replied to them. But my buddy, from 8 Sikh got one from Mhow, a place where we were about to for our Young Officers Mandatory course.
So when we reached there, in early 2000, he showed me the letter and

said we should visit this kid. I said sure. The letter was the cutest representation by a really you girl, 5-6 years old, of what she thought Army guys are doing and her best wishes for them.
So we bought a few chocolates and cookies etc and reached her house. We send the bell

and a gentleman opened the door and we said we’ve come to meet Surbhi ( name changed ). He was all “ what😳??”
We realised our damaged introduction and explained all about the letter and who we are etc. So he invited us in and called Surbhi.
And there walked in a cute little

in her frock and pony tales and went straight to her father’s lap. So we showed her the letter and asked if she wrote it. She said yes. I don’t know how much she understood that day when we told her that thank you for this and it’s your love that makes us so brave and

fearless, but soon she was friendly enough to chat with us. We have her chocolates etc which we had bought for her.
During our entire course we met her few times and used to have great conversations with her.
After that, over the years the communication dries up, life took

over and we lost touch. After nearly 18 years she reached out to me again on Facebook. I was so happy to hear from her. She’s a young lady now who’s finished her professional education and starting her career. And the first message she sent me after all these years was

“Manik Bhaiya, remember me ?” I wish her all the happiness and joys in life.

The wars are not won just by brave soldiers and big guns. They are also won by confidence of the soldiers that we are fighting for a nation that loves and respects us. It forces and motivates

everyone to do his/her duty during such challenging times.
During the war, lot of civil societies were gathering funds to send whatever they felt was necessary for the soldiers. Donations were being taken from everyone. So same team reached my house also and when they asked my

mom for donation, a neighbour stepped in and said “ she sent her son, what more can she give “. To which everyone saluted my mom and thanked her. But my mom still gave them the donation and said that please take it. If it’s something that can make their lives comfortable there,

we should do whatever possible.
A daughter and mother of a Fauji, it’s actually mothers like her that are the pillars of Indian Armed Forces.

I knew almost all the youngsters that laid down their lives in Kargil. Most of them were one course senior. Vijayant was my next

door neighbour in IMA and Sumeet Roy was pal right from NDA. I’ve had long chats with Vijayant sir, and what a gentleman he was. April/May/June 1999, whole IMA had only one mood - Screw the training just send us there !
Those like me who were getting

trained from last four years were visibly irritated and impatient that why is Army not sending us? Who cares about passing out parades, this moment will never come back.
What better chance to prove yourself than a war ?
But by the time we joined, the was was almost over, and

obviously not everyone got a chance to go to Kargil either. You join whenever your unit is.

We live in a sort of cocoon where Army is respected by all and you respect the citizens back. But mainly after joining Twitter I realised that such is not the case and this love and

respect is not universal.

But those people, handles, leaders, opportunists and even haters who go out of their way to disrespect the soldiers, not acknowledge their sacrifices or use them to make their lives and careers, even you will get the same benefit of security and

protection in shape of the indomitable wall thats Indian Defence Forces. Those who have their lives at icy heights in 1999 didn’t know who you are or what you do or what opinion you hold for Army. He did his duty and millions continue to do. All we can do is extend our respect

and blessings every solider and wherever we get a chance, we help them, even if it’s a small gesture like saying Thanks to someone in uniform.

मुझे तोड़ लेना बनमाली,
उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक!
मातृ-भूमि पर शीश- चढ़ाने,
जिस पथ पर जावें वीर अनेक!
Jai Hind 🙏#KargilVijayDiwas

Sorry for tons of typos. I wrote in a flow and just didn’t feel like doing a proof reading 😐 Hope you still get the context.