Why veer parivar diwas?

I recently tweeted a video requesting Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi ji,  to declare a day dedicated to the families of soldiers killed, injured or missing in action, as VEER PARVAR DIWAS. The video was widely circulated and almost everyone agreed with the idea. I wanted the video to reach the Honourable Prime Minister. I have no idea if it has or hasn’t. 

I am an army officer’s wife and I work and write for the families of our soldiers killed, injured or are missing in action. With my appeal I want to drive attention of our countrymen to the countless families who bear the brunt of losing their young child, husband, father or brother in the service of the nation. Leading lonely and abandoned lives, living with their grief silently. Isn’t it our responsibility as a nation to stand in solidarity with such families. An old lady whose husband has been a Prisoner of war since 1971 Indo-Pak War sent me this message-

                            “Not knowing is the most exhausting kind of grief. The need to know and explain and tell a story that has a beginning, a middle and end-even if the end is tragic-is fundamental for human sanity. Those who do not know what has happened to their loved ones have a real struggle to get on successfully with their lives.”

The message shook me from within. 

Over the years, India has confronted significant challenges on its borders and within the country itself. We have had actual wars with Pakistan and China but Pakistan being aware of its limitations in traditional warfare against India, has adopted a strategy of indirect engagement by sponsoring a persistent proxy war against India since its inception.

Pakistan knows that it cannot win a war with India through conventional military means so it started a proxy war. Their objective is to divert and stretch the Indian military’s attention and resources by engaging them in counterterrorism. Taking Kashmir as a backdrop Pakistan’s approach involves providing training, funding, weaponry, and narcotics to terrorist groups, facilitating a series of targeted attacks. These orchestrated attacks result in the tragic loss of innocent lives, both civilian and military. 

For military families living with the trauma of losing their loved one, in the service of the nation, life is never the same. It is very difficult for the ones living with a disabled family member who was once the pillar of strength while it is simply impossible to imagine the state of those families who have their soldiers as PoWs(which is officially 54) or are declared missing in action. But, in the civilian world a large percentage of our citizens don’t even know that such families exist and what a heavy price they have paid for the safety and honour of our country. A day, though symbolic, with the help of the government will help us realise that the freedom we take for granted is not free. We have families, the Veer Parivars paying a heavy price for it. These families are the unsung heroes, silently shouldering the burden of grief and finding strength in the face of profound sorrow. They grapple with a complex array of emotions, ranging from heartache and loss to pride and honour. Each family member copes with the void left by their loved one in their own way, so should we as a nation become their support? 

YES. By raising awareness about the challenges faced by the families of soldiers (killed, disabled and missing in action) and advocate for their rights and well-being at both a local and national level. Encourage policies that provide long-term support and benefits.

In honouring the families of such soldiers, it’s crucial to demonstrate genuine empathy, provide consistent support, and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten, and their needs are met with compassion and care.

In my opinion it is a noble and essential endeavour, I hope my request reaches the Prime Minister and he reaches out to our Veer Parivars and he initiates actions supporting them in various meaningful ways.

With a big hope in my heart.

Jai Hind