Soldier At The Gates of Heaven

After a while, he came back with a File, examined its contents, and gruffly said, "Your Record has many Serious Flaws. While on Earth, you indulge in several bad habits. You savored Rum when off duty and smoked cigarettes endlessly, not only that, you killed many humans. You have just killed three Jehadi Militants about to explode an IED in a school in Kashmir when you lost your own life. You have been indulging in everything, a good person should never do. All your Life, you have followed Orders. You executed them without even a Whimper. You never insisted on Written Instructions. You certainly don't deserve a place in Heaven.”

Then the Sage started reading the last portion of Record of that Soldier and his eyes grew moist. He gave a gentle look and said with a choked voice, "Son, you stood in isolated places in High Mountains, Burning Desert, Falling Rain, Insistent Snow Fall, and shivered alone. You left your Place, kiths and Kins, Father and Mother, Wife and Siblings, in fact, Everything for Army. This you did to Serve and Protect Unresponsive People who Care a Damn for you but sleep peacefully, who ignore your Family, who, time and again Fail to look after your Welfare while you stand Guard on the Front. They take pleasure in demeaning your Tribe and consistently deny your rights In every Pay Commission."

He then led the Soldier gently to the Caretaker of Heaven and said in a Heavy Voice, "Take him in and treat him well. He has already done his time in Hell. He was a Brave Soldier in the Indian Army.

I was fortunate enough to have served with these Brave Colleagues, braved All Eventualities with them for Thirty-Seven years, and Fought Wars/Actions with them. I adore them, respect them, and Love them. Monday, 15 January 2024 is being celebrated as “Army Day” so a Salute from Old Hog.