A Tribute to our Martyr

The soldiers marched supporting coffins of their comrades wrapped in green and
white, with solemn faces they proceeded unaware of the breeze that blew
ferociously in salutation to its valiant heroes who were lying peacefully after
bestowing their lives for the nation.
The sweet fragrance emanating from them was spreading across, mesmerizing and
engulfing everyone present to view the funeral procession and to pay tribute to
those who had confirmed our security and well being by shedding their life blood,
nurturing the tree of freedom and liberty under which we now seek shelter
unflinchingly and in the freshness of which we copiously breathe the unsullied air of
freedom.
Stopping right in the mid of the ground, the group of soldiers gently laid down the
coffins with such extreme affection and devotion, for those who were sleeping
within, that only a mother exhibits for her infant child.
In a glorious display the uniform and medals of the brave martyrs laid on the flag
covered casket, the armed men stood in straight lines on one side amid the sun rays
that were finally allowed by the shifting clouds to reach out and kiss the martyr
farewell giving the metallic medals an ethereal spark that blinded those who
witnessed this awesome display of veneration.
The flaming medals gave away the tale of the ultimate sacrifice that the soldiers
had rendered with their blood and justified the responsibility that had been given to
them through the uniform. Funeral prayers were said and amid salutations the
bodies were sent to their respective hometowns. Faiz Ahmad Faiz has so eloquently
described this unparalleled heroism in the following words:
Jo Rukay Tou Koh-e-Garan Thay Hum, Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye
Rah-e-Yaar Ham Nay Qadam Qadam Tujhay Yaadgaar Bana Diya.
Has anyone ever tried to feel the heart wrenching pain experienced by the mother
of those courageous leopards, who await the lifeless bodies of their sons? Has
anyone tried to experience the emotions of the sister who loses a loved brother?
Has anyone been interested to see a daughter of our martyred who lies awake
crying out for her father and indulges in an eternal wait that someday her father
might come and engulf her in his solid and secure arms again?
Today is Yaum-e-Shuhda (The Martyrs Day) the nation observe the 30th April as
Yaum-e-Shuhda every year to commemorate and eulogize the services and
sacrifices rendered by the sons of soil for the security, safety and glory of this
nation. The nation salutes these sons of soil. The nation salutes the mothers and
sisters who appoint their sons and brothers to guard the borders with their lives.
Thriving nations do not forget their martyrs. This is a day to pay homage to them.
The entire nation welcomes the mothers, sisters and daughters of our unforgettable
Martyr as they had welcomed the bodies of their loved ones.
This day is not only to commemorate the sacrifices of the recipients of gallantry
awards like Nishan-i-Haider, Tamgha-i-Jurrat, etc but also for those martyr who can
be called the unsung heroes of the four wars between Pakistan and India since 1948
but also for those who offered their lives during the war against terror since 2001.
This war is going on, and in words of the Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, this war
will be won by all means till the elimination of terror, and the nation is at his back.

The Pakistani nation, the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air
Force, the Pakistan Police Force, Pakistans paramilitary and second tier security
force, the state, the federal and the provincial intelligence agencies in fact
everyone is no doubt, fortunate to have such flowers that blossom on its soil who
feel proud to give their lives for their nation.
A soldier adorning the uniform becomes a guardian of the nation, safeguarding not
one home but the entire homeland. They have never let the nation down and never
will. Treading on the path of their predecessors, they are standing erect against
every internal and external conspiracy. The bloodshed by the martyr will bear fruit
and very soon, the motherland, our beloved homeland will be free from the vice of
extremism and terrorism as all these thorns will be gradually weeded out from our
garden, our Pakistan!
Do you know what day it is today?
Someone remembers, I smiled and thought to myself.
Yes, today is your favorite actors birthday.
The smile vanished from my face. I sighed. The two girls have gone away chatting
and jogging. Im sitting on the bench after my morning walk and listening to all the
teenagers passing by. Their talks were pretty much the same and none of them
remembers, or maybe none of them knows the importance of this day.
Disappointed, I stand up and start walking towards the exit.
When I came here this morning, I was young but now going back, I feel like I have
become old in just 10 minutes of listening to the daily chit chat of our youth.
Sadness has engulfed me. A nation that doesnt remember its heroes, doesnt honor
them, doesnt deserve them. How can we not be grateful to those who didnt think
twice before leaving their families for us, who gave their lives so happily that even
death, was astonished? How will we face them on the Day of Judgment, if we are not
honoring their memories in this life? Then I had repeated these lines in my mind and
simply said sorry to myself,
Jo Rukay Tou Koh-e-Garan Thay Hum, Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye
Rah-e-Yaar Ham Nay Qadam Qadam Tujhay Yaadgaar Bana Diya.
Excuse me?
Someone breaks my train of thoughts. In front of me is a beautiful kid of 9-10 years
on a cycle and Im standing in his way. Hes wearing a Pakistani flags badge. I smile
at him and ask him why hes wearing it today. He answers excitedly, Dont you
know? Its DEFENCE DAY. Saying this he leaves and I keep standing there. I
suddenly remember the words of OUR GREAT LEGEND that I read somewhere long
ago. Pakistan is our nation, we shall fight for it not once but a hundred times if
need be, and we will not be doing anyone a favor. And these words had answered
every question of mine. I knew what I had to do.
I drove towards my home. I had bought flowers on my way. By the time I reached
there, the weather had turned very pleasant. I had realized that our heroes,
although they deserve it all, dont want our praises and love. They are above it all.
But just like they did it for honor, loving them is an honor for us, not a compulsion or
duty. Today, if someone like that kid is remembering them; they are honoring
themselves with the love of such pure chosen people who make the heavens and
the earth proud of them. It starts raining as if the clouds are crying with tears of joy

and pride for these sons. Unintentionally, my hand rises to my temple and I salute
them, Salam Jinnah, thank you for your sacrifices. Its an honor and privilege to
love you.
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