I'll attempt it.

"I’ll attempt it."

Some tons of minutes away, my friend and I had gotten into this vigorous discussion about how LOC Kargil had certain characters overdone in the movie- especially one of Capt. Anuj Nayyar being played by Saif Ali Khan. I mean how could somebody be so ridiculously brave to go all full-fledged knowing the firing is on from the other side- As civilians, we tried taking sides, even rummaged through to eventually settle on “How’s the Josh?”, conveniently concluding “Must have been high, Sir.” And we moved on.

Not many days later, through the pouring glitzy evenings dipped in love themed declarations of many forever promises and red hearts singing the Valentine choirs, also bled to shame the losses of some patrons and guardians we probably never even sent a “Valentine’s Day” postcard to. The nation was petrified and we demanded an immediate actionable item- another Surgical Strike. I followed suit among the millions of Facebook & Twitter population changing their DPs to black, exposing the back stabbers celebrating this black day and even offering their personal details ensuring how they’re ready and fit to take on the rifles, bang the enemy nation down and avenge the attacks. JOSH- Josh like there’s lot of fire. Smokes?

“What could we genuinely do as civilians to help?”- I think I left just this one simple question as a text message to one of my closest friends, serving as a Captain with the Indian Army, currently posted at Himachal Pradesh, who admitted visiting Pulwama right about 4 or 5 days before the attacks. I was maybe expecting for him to explosively applaud the humungous amount of support we’re already showing through the black pictures or the over-hauled spirits, and what came about was a straightforward, elementary response – “Understand your duty as a civilian and if you really, really care, ensure that the protectors are not harassed by the system. Respect the soldiers. Maintain peace.”

I thought we’re already doing that. And enough. Then again, this Jawan shared his travel story after the Pulwama incident when he left his hometown to join his unit at Kargil and supposedly his train got delayed. He went to the TT requesting him to be allowed to continue the journey on a passing train over a vacant seat. The TT blatantly refused over how unethical and immoral this would be and sent him over to another examiner, looking to enquire about a vacant seat in the Third AC or the General Category. As an army officer, one is entitled to travel in the second-class AC but the Jawan never argued and went on to meet this other TT who was quick to offer a good bribing amount, knowing he’s temporarily in charge to make the most of this soldier’s appalling circumstances. With hopelessness and angst, the Jawan showed his ID and reinstated that he’s travelling not for leisure but to join his unit at a place getting numb with a temperature of -20 degrees. The TT paused, looked back at the Jawan again and revised the offer, this time with a sympathetic discount of 300 rupees.

The Jawan went back and forth among the authorities requesting them to let him travel on a vacant seat. But you’ve got to be saluting the spirit of these pretentious Ticket Examiners who were undaunted and unmoved that day- The young army soldier who didn’t hesitate one bit in packing his bags and leaving for his unit not even 24 hours post the attacks travelled that day on the floor of the train, between the exit and the toilets. Not sure if the journey made him revisit his vows towards the citizens of not even thinking twice before taking bullets for all of them who are only related in the binding colors of the national flag and not beyond that, not sure if we deserve such brave hearts through these demeaning acts of misusing our comfort, luxury & privileges, not sure if we still understand the magnitude of leading a non-civilian life from our routined, air-conditioned chambers of offices, homes, restaurants and playgrounds!

One of the viral videos of the wife(Nikita Kaul) of a martyred Major Vibhuti Dhoundiyal is enough to give spinning chills when she bends over his coffin bearing the handsome, smiling photo of her late husband and whispers “I love you” and ends on a brave note of “Jai Hind” as her departing words keep re-affirming how she’s forever going to take pride in being married to him- The internet flooded with the outpour of affection, sympathy and doubts over this video, some of the questions being raised about how this is a publicity stunt and we should ask Nikita if she uses English language to communicate at home like she’s using here for the speech. One moment away, we were lauding “Uri” in the theatres and the Indian Army and their families and how we can never equal their spirits and courage, and here we are, thoughtlessly, ruing in aggressive tones declaring if the Army is incapable of giving a befitting reply to the enemies, we will jump in.

We care- we think we care- we show that we care- we care because we should care- do we really care?

Right before landing onto the vocal expressions of readying ourselves wanting a counter attack, we did not lend our ears to the army personnel especially requesting us to save our energies and not become the hate mongers- We did NOT care.

Right before flooding the web with Muslim hating posts, we did not write to the government asking them to withdraw all appeals filed in the Supreme Court against disabled soldiers, military widows and families of the fallen- We did NOT care.

Right before burning effigies, criticizing the families of the martyrs and shouting slogans, we did not share and spread the appeals by retired army personnel humbly requesting everybody to be a veteran to the families of the soldiers- we did NOT care.

One nation away, a 26-year-old Indian residing in the United States fundraised over Rs. 5 Crores, a Muslim IAS officer from Bihar adopted daughters of two Pulwama martyrs, Startups opened payment gateways for contribution and in a million other ways, we had the option to choose to unite- miles and miles away from the path of violence and negatively ventilated anger. That’s NOT for us to do, that’s NOT for us to show.

My Captain friend appeals that we really understand now what we ought NOT to do, that we be the support, sowing and reaping love and presence- the healing shall go a long way making the soldiers feel more wanted, respected, valued and cared for.

Pulwama attacks shall be met with a befitting reply- As civilians, we aren’t to be telling the Forces how they strategize it, we are to stay aware, well-read and connected. We are to share the right information across the right set of people, not stay mum through the actions unjustifying the glory of India, report and highlight some incredible support from incredible hearts walking the roads of kindness and not hate- we have always liked showcasing our patriotism and this is the chance, here are the ways and there’s the hope.

Our soldiers need our love- let’s be the oxygen to their flaring colors of victory and sunshine- they’re asking for it.

I’ll attempt it. Will you too? Please.