by Sunetra Jog
When we go on a trip, we are in the mood to just have fun. The trip has some purpose in getting out of the boring routine of the day and walking around, relaxing and living as you like! But when we go for a mission, there is only one target, one goal; i.e. ‘to complete the mission.’ Hence, that trip mood is not there while going on a mission. At such times, planning, discipline and solidarity are important.
From the moment I decided to participate in Anuradha Prabhudesai’s ‘Mission Ladakh,’ I realised it all. I was overwhelmed to read the book ‘Sainik’ written by ‘Anu mavshi.’ ‘Mavshi’ and I came closer while translating it in Konkani. The bonds became tighter. I was really lucky to join ‘Mission Ladakh.’
Preparations for the mission had begun about six months ago. For the first time, I saw such a systematic planning of the entire programme. The entire mission programme was designed and given to us. The hotel accommodation, sitting arrangements in the Innova vehicle after reaching Leh, group of six, and a leader with each group. There was no confusion anywhere, there was no chaos as it was executed with awesomely-done planning.
Before we left for the ‘Mission’, all this was ready. We were involved in it through the Zoom meetings and all this information was given. Everyone’s doubts were cleared. So everyone felt that they were a part of this family before they started the ‘Mission’. Even during the Covid19 times, we all participated in the mission with tremendous energy and positivity.
My flight was from Goa to Mumbai – Mumbai to Delhi, on 20th August. The flight to Leh, was at 5.30 am, next morning. So I had to spend the night at Delhi Airport. Everyone in the mission was going to meet at Leh. I left home in the morning. Reached Delhi and met ‘Anumavshi’, Baba, Milind and Kiran at the airport. We reached Leh at 6.30 am. We were 40 people from Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, with ‘Anumavashi and Baba. Our next journey from Leh was in the Innova vehicle. Everyone came out of the airport with their luggage. It was very cold outside. We were at 11 Thousand feet above sea level. When all groups got into the car, we started for Kargil.
The breakfast was arranged for us in an Army unit on the way. Puri, bhaji, chutney and tea. It was very delicious. This whole breakfast was made for us by the Army personnel. I was thinking, if some three to four people come to our house for breakfast in the morning, how annoying and hectic it is for us. Here we were 42 people, but there was no resentment on their faces. They were very happy.
After the breakfast, our next journey started towards Kargil. We reached Kargil around 2 pm. ‘Anumavashi’ allotted the rooms in the hotel, so we came to the room, to freshen up and had lunch. In the evening, the Deputy Collector of Kargil, Mr. Santosh Sukhdeve was invited. So everyone gathered to prepare for the event after some rest.
Mr. Santosh Sukhdeve sir arrived in time. We all gathered at the hotel door to welcome him. ‘Anumavashi’ introduced him. Then everyone introduced themselves. ‘Anumavshi’ then asked him a lot of questions to which he gave very relevant answers.
Mr. Santosh Sukhdeve is originally from Narvati village in Melghat, Maharashtra. His parents are farmers. But the parents knew the importance of education. It is indeed commendable that a tribal youth from a very remote area like Melghat studies in extreme adverse conditions and becomes an IAS officer. Everyone was overwhelmed to hear his experiences. After the programme, he expressed his desire to take photo with all of us and we all happily took photos with him.
The next morning, we had to wake up at 4.30 am and leave for Drass at 5.30 am. In the morning. At seven o’clock, we reached the Vijay Stambh at Drass. My heart was filled with a lot of emotions as I watched the grand Vijay Stambh, and Vijaypath. Our Tricolour was there on the Vijay Stambh. At the back of the Vijay Stambh, the names of the soldiers who were martyred in this War are written, while in front, is the Amar Jawan Jyot. On this Stambh, lines from Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s poem ‘Chah Nahin Main Surbala Ke Gehno Mein Guntha Jaun’ are engraved.
All the jawans were ready, standing in line. We tied rakhis. My heart was filled with joy and satisfaction, and eyes were in tears. It was great to see their smiling, happy faces. After Raksha Bandhan, a jawan told us about the Kargil War. His voice was filled with zeal and enthusiasm. I had a feeling that everything is happening in front of my eyes. The magnificent Tololing, the Three Pimple, the Tiger Hill, India Gate, the Rocky Knob, the Rhino Horn and the Batra Top, behind the Vijay Stambh. I had goosebumps and was in tears. There is a photo gallery in the ‘Hut of Remembrance’. It has photos of each unit that participated in Operation Vijay. Apart from Operation Vijay, there are monuments with names of the martyrs on Veerbhoomi. The busts of martyred heroes, Captain Vikram Batra, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, Major Padmapani Acharya, Captain Anuj Nayyar, Captain Nikezhakuo Kenguruse, Captain Vijayant Thapar are installed on Vijaypath. It is sad to see these monuments of our bravehearts. We live very comfortably here because of our brave soldiers who sacrifice their lives for us and for our country.
We left Drass and visited the battlefield in Batalik, Kaksar and met the soldiers from the units there. We came to the hotel around 10 pm, had dinner and came to the room. I lied down to sleep, but could not sleep. When I closed my eyes – Tololing, Tiger Hill appeared in front of my closed eyes. How our jawans would have walked on that way, how did they climb the mountain which is standing upright, how did they fight? From where they got courage? These and numerous such thoughts were very much disturbing! The pillow was wet with tears. For many days, whenever I closed my eyes, Tololing would appear in front of my eyes.
On the third day, we went to Leh. We went there to see the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. It is on the Leh Kargil Road; about 12,000 feet above sea level. Our jawans manage everything for this Gurudwara. We went there and took darshan. The jawans later served tea and toast with great love. We were overwhelmed by their warm hospitality. Some lieutenant colonels had come to see us at night – all Marathi speakers. After their introduction, everyone introduced themselves.
The day after that, was in Nubra valley. We had a unique experience of living in tents there and visited Sand Dunes. Many enjoyed the camel ride. From there, we went to Turtuk and Partapur. We saw the War Memorial there. We met the jawans there, and tied rakhi. When the jawans said ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ in a loud, enthusiastic voice, I was thrilled. All the jawans bowed down and touched their motherland. I also bowed down, touched my motherland and lifted a handful of soil from there. Later, we visited Siachen Hospital. We met the jawans there, spoke to them. Saw Buddhist Monasteries like Shanti Stupa, Hemis and Thickse.
On the last day, we went to see the Pangong Lake. The view is breathtaking. This is a beautiful lake. The blue colour of the sky and the seemingly blue colour of the water is so alluring, beautiful. The water is so clean but was very cold. We took a lot of photos, had fun.
Throughout this ‘Mission’, the feeling that we were all a family was inculcated in our minds. With great spirit, love, everyone stayed together. The importance of time, discipline and solidarity were very fascinating. This ‘Mission’ taught me a lot! A lot of friends, so many relations were added. There are very few moments that give fulfillment to life, and when you experience such moments, it is really satisfying. I experienced such unforgettable moments on ‘Mission Ladakh’!
