We
step into the New Year with a mixed note of hope and horror, given the recent
terrorist attacks at the Pathankot Airforce station that shocked the nation. In
the combing operations that followed, our brave soldiers fought hard and a few
of them sacrificed their lives to save the country and protect its sovereignty.
What does this have to do with our kids…you may ask. Though our kids are
insulated from all such unpleasantness of the adult world, it doesn’t hurt to
give them a reality check from time to time. While we take pains to acquaint
them with the world of science, technology and general knowledge, how about enlightening
them with the inspiring lives of some of India’s most courageous and daring soldiers
to whom we owe our freedom and sense of security.
Today being Republic day, we picked out
the recently released title in the Amar Chitra Katha series “Param
Vir Chakra The Ultimate Honour”. As you swell with pride watching the Republic day parade on television, this book takes the whole 'Republic day experience" a little further and makes it an ideal read for anyone wanting to
learn about the 21 bravehearts of the Indian armed forces who were awarded the
highest military honour, ever since the award was instituted on January 26th
1950. Starting from General Somnath
Sharma who along with his regiment fought till his last breadth and secured
Srinagar in the 1947 war with Pakistan to Captain Vikram Batra who was awarded
the Param Vir Chakra for his ‘lion hearted leadership’ and ‘selfless actions’
during the Kargil conflict in 1999, this book beautifully narrates the stories
of the real heroes of India who didn’t think twice before putting themselves in
danger for the sake of the nation. Each of the stories highlights their
selfless and patriotic spirit that set them apart from their peers, throwing
light on their early ambitions, the formidable tasks that they had set
themselves to achieve and how some of them gave up their lives achieving the
same. The reader is also let in on the attendant circumstances like hostile weather
conditions or rough geographical terrain that the soldiers faced during many an
armed conflicts involving the Indian forces, thus offering a peek into life in
the armed forces, that includes the hierarchical set-up of the military
establishment, numerous regiments commissioned, weapons and vehicles used
during war-times and an end- note that answers the frequently raised doubt as
to what do the armed forces do during peace time. Accompanied by vivid
illustrations characteristic of any Amar Chitra Katha title, these inspiring
stories are sure to captivate children of all ages and instill in them a
feeling of pride and patriotism towards our country. Jai Hind! Happy Republic day!
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