A Salute to the Brave

a poem by Bhavna Sahay

India and Pakistan were united until a few decades ago
they lived like brothers and sisters, not like cut throat foes.
Fraternity and brotherhood did fill each of their heart
of the majestic country of India they all formed a part
every thing was fine until came the ill- fated day,
the day of the final separation as all of you would say.
People fled from their houses for the sake of their lives,
some lost their husbands, others daughters, sisters and wives
but still, contented, those Pakistanis were not.
Hence the Indo-Pak war of 1965 was fought.
Violence, destruction and unhappiness it did bring.
Won the battle for india, but to their lives the soldiers couldn’t cling
and now after these years it is repeated all over again.
Just like before it has brought nothing but pain.
In the inhospitable conditions of Kargil our soldiers do fight
and will they return home? The answer is just a remote ‘might’
they push back the intruders who are armed with guns and knives
to save the country from evil clutches, they pay with their lives.
Bravest of all in our country, these soldiers definitely are,
they know their chances to remain alive, from positive are far
but still they don’t move back, instead march right ahead.
They don’t use foul tactics, but fight gallantly head to head;
their wives, mothers and sisters are almost as brave.
They know the country from evil clutches, the soldiers have to save
the news of loss of their loved ones doesn’t provoke hysterical cries.
Instead they lift their heads with pride as tears well in their eyes,
a salute from the entire nation, to the brave soldiers I give.
As I pray to god that a very long life they live
because it is entirely due to them that here we are fine
and their names brightly in the history of India will shine!