Unsung REAL Heroes of India

         Man is always very proud of the things he has made and the way he has developed his society and himself, but at some or the other time he gets to know his place. Nature ultimately shows man that even he is under its control. Man’s this position is shown in the form of natural disasters by the nature. Everywhere there are disturbances happening in the nature, ultimately killing living beings. Sometimes there are cyclones and at other times there are floods or tsunamis. Although such disasters can destroy everything, still we have heroes who challenge nature and save their people’s lives, without caring about their own lives. These heroes are not Superman, Batman, Salman or SRK. They are our soldiers, from army, navy and air force. They are the REAL HEROES of our country.
         After a big tragedy in Uttarakhand, it was Kashmir’s turn. Unfortunately, a heavenly place like Kashmir had to witness disastrous floods across majority of its districts in September 2014. Nearly 2,500 villages were affected and 390 were completely submerged.
         Water started rising in the river Jhelum and it started spilling. Till Sept 8, the water was about 12 feet(3.7m) deep, submerging entire houses. Many cities were submerged packing people of Kashmir and tourists in their houses and hotels. There was a lot of damage (in thousand cr) of various properties, especially bridges, across the state. Boats, tents and blankets had been brought for the affected people. Although they had to see this tragedy, but now it was time for their rescue. Our INDIAN ARMY was ready to serve their people, for their rescue.
           82 aircraft and helicopters, 10 battalions of Border Security Force, 329 columns of Indian Army and 300 boats were used in the rescue operations. According to home secretary, 10 VSAT systems were air lifted to restore critical telecom towers and a satellite link from Bardula had been provided for crucial communication. The Indian Army showing their ingenuity used some old fashioned Indian Juggar and converted their trucks to mobile charging platforms for the people to charge their mobile phones. Two IL 76, One C-130J and one AN 32 aircraft carried a total of 50 tons of supplies including food, water and medicines. 300 boats were dispatched to South Kashmir for excavation of people from submerged areas. Armed Forces including Border Security Force (B.S.F) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued over 200,000 people from different regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched an operation on a war-footing with Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) to restore mobile services through satellite network and the telecom network.
            Here UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL suits best. United efforts of our soldiers, central n different state government’s support along with different people of our country helped to face such a big disaster and overcome it. If this would have not happened, then the death toll would have been much above 277.
          Clara Barton has truly said that “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feel and nurse them.”
         A big salute to all those soldiers who gave their life to save our family and friends. A salute to all those people who fearlessly stand on the gunpoint at our country’s border so that we can enjoy our life and be happy with our family and friends.
         These are the HEROES of our country. 

    -TANVI TAPARIA