Don’t just pay tributes, be like them

Sanjeev Trikha

WARRIORS and martyrs of any country act as a source of motivation for the coming generations. It is our duty to keep alive their legacy, deeds and sacrifices. Various programmes in the memory of martyrs are organised every year. Though most people in the audience are well acquainted with the heroic deeds of these iconic figures, an undefined curiosity creeps in to know more and more about them. Just a mere glance at the photo galleries is enough to give goosebumps and push one to the realms of those historic moments.

I never miss a chance to be a part of such a programme, where the sacrifices made by legendary figures are narrated and relived by the speakers. Lost completely in their solemn memories, my heart rejoices at the feeling that the ‘dead’ are still alive, their vibrancy still possesses the power to ignite the spark of nationalism. The casual touch of the parasmani in them still possesses the power to turn even the rusty character of today’s human into gold. But another corner of my heart sulks when I find people indulging in corrupt practices, the political scenario experiencing new lows, hatred and caste divide becoming convenient political tools, youth getting trapped in various vices, the lust to grab power getting deeply ingrained in the hearts and souls of our leaders. I find myself a culprit, being part of such filth in society. Are the tributes paid to martyrs just a customary practice that has been thrust upon the hosts? What an irony, the dead are effectively alive in hazy pictures, in words uttered by the speakers and the so-called alive on the dais and in the audience are dying every day when they shamefully get insulated and allow wrong practices to get accumulated and seep into the roots of our social, economic and political setup.

Let us draw the spirit of our revered martyrs out, from the speeches made by political leaders leading or misleading the country, from T-shirts adorned by youth, from the ornamental style of turban and moustache being adopted by the brigades named after the legendary figures, and try to ingrain it into our character. Only this way can we pay our heartfelt tributes to the real-life heroes.

I am reminded of a couplet by Bashir Badr that matches the charismatic aura of our immortal martyrs — Kahin palkein os se dho gayee/Kahin dil ko phoolon se bhar gayee/ Teri yaad solha shingar hai/jise chor diya woh sanwer gayee (Your memory is a perfect beautifier which not only moistens the eyes and cleanses the soul, but is empowered enough to blossom a thousand daffodils and rejoice the hearts.)

Long live the revered martyrs, not only in our hearts and souls, but also in our deeds.