The Head That Wore, The Soul Which Swore
By Sania Bhargava
| DEDICATED TO MARTYRS |
Written from the unique perspective of an Indian Air Force Peak Cap which once adorned the head of a brave martyr of the Kargil War, this powerful tribute is beautifully penned by young poet Sania Bhargava from Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar.
Used to the brisk breezes,
It was a chance to lie so still,
But grateful I was to him
To have left me behind,
while he went off for his destiny’s drill.
When I lay on the snow, stained with blood
I remembered the first time he wore me on his head,
He had pride in his eyes, strength in his arms,
His emotions ran riot like a flood.
The first time I saw him, twelve years ago
As a boy who joined the army school,
A boy who surpassed all obstacles
But never, never lost his cool;
After years and years of training and tests,
The captain placed me on his head,
He’d carry me like a priceless asset
His head high when hailed as an
‘Air Force Cadet.’
It was all nice till one day we were ordered to fight
The enemy’s ego in the mountains of Kargil,
We were chosen to lead Operation White Sea
And to save our country’s honour
we needed determination and a firm will.
With wrath for those who had forgotten their limits
The devils who dared to step on our mother’s chest;
We both were ready to take off in our planes
And pierce those eyes that eyed our Indian crest.
Shooting the enemy planes,
signals we got that there was one still alive
Across the fog and near the boundary line,
We got down from the jet with a gun in his hand
Alas! Wish we had known that he was not ALONE.
As we walk up to the man,
Few bullets came piercing from behind...
Realizing that we now stood on the borders
He took a decision, only one of a kind !!
Leaving me behind-
The Indian Air Force Peak Cap,
For the operation’s success, he went forward to fight them all
He did not want me to fall into the enemy’s land
And belittle the pride of his motherland.
He never returned but made his country proud,
His actions and deeds will always be sung aloud.
While I lay on the ground,
still remembering him a score
My very own real hero
The head that wore,
the soul which swore…
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Historical Context & References
To truly grasp the magnitude of the sacrifices made during the 1999 conflict, readers can explore the historical archives of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the official Ministry of Defence records. The immense bravery of these soldiers is chronicled internationally by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and natively documented in the Armed Forces' journal, Sainik Samachar. For deeper tactical insights, platforms like Bharat Rakshak, the Manohar Parrikar Institute (IDSA), and the DRDO offer detailed accounts. You can further delve into analyses like Operation Safed Sagar or review broader historical summaries via the Encyclopedia Britannica and official PIB Defence Updates. Ultimately, specific tributes to our Unsung Heroes and ongoing national coverage by outlets like The Tribune India ensure their legacy continues to echo for generations.