23rd of April, the eve before the competition, I came to my desk after the evening snacks and was told by Jesal that we had sent a last minute nomination for the tug of war tomorrow. We had seen the mail for the competition much before, but maybe it took us some time to gather the belief and confidence that besides fighting with the Dotnet codes and bugs, we had the brawn to drag 5 men overcoming all their strengths. I was very excited as it’s been a long time since we had any sports competition.
The next day Friday the 24th of April afternoon, I with few others went with Brendon to help in deciding the place and making necessary arrangements; there for the first time I saw that 2 inches thick brand new rope made of coconut coir, ready to cut your hands.
At around 4.30 pm, all were requested to gather in the parking lot and others to cheer for their teams, though there were no Cheerleaders that we had expected. Being the last nominated team, our match was scheduled last for the preliminary round which had three rounds. As we watched the other teams tug it out, many thoughts were going through our minds, like to remove the shoes for a better grip, tying handkerchief on palms to prevent cuts and for a better grip, holding rope on right or left, getting warmed up and so on. Also, we saw skins peel off from feet, arms being bruised and bleeding. We could over-hear some talks about the wind flow and slope of the floorJ, being factors. But as always strategies only work outside the field, it was all about your brute strength, and we soon realized it when we won our first qualifying round quite comfortably in hardly 5 seconds and also with that we broke the jinx that the particular side was unlucky as every other team lost from that side. Reaching the Finals was only two more rounds away.
The real test came in the Finals, wherein whatever you might have seen or thought of ‘Tug of war’ came true. It was the toughest and the longest tug so far. Sometimes they were dragging us and at other moment we were. We held our position with all the strength left till they gave up. The whole arena was soon filled with euphoria, enthusiasm and chaos. And finally when we pulled the rope over, we were left with fatigue, bruises and pain. But then all the pain and sufferings subsided with the feeling that we have won and with the admiration that we received.
Thanks to the team members, Jesal for leading from the front, Manas, Satya and Ajit for providing the very strong base from behind, to all those who came to witness such a great Tug-of-war event .
I was a class 9th student then and my dussehra vacation had just started.
It was on the evening of October 17 1999 when the storm ripped across the Gopalpur coast that is only 20 Km from my home.
We knew about that 1 day before as it was all over the news, people were already gossiping about it but no one had imagined the amount of destruction it can do. All we could do at that time was to wait and hope that the things wont be too bad.
It has been raining since the evening and electricity was already cut. Rain was getting heavier all the time. I went to sleep but the continuous noise of the wind was not letting us to sleep. I Didn’t remembered the exact time but it was surely the over midnight when I heard a big glass cracking sound, the strong wind has actually broken a window glass, we were too scared to go and find out. The wind was making continuous sound whole night.
The next day things were little better, it was raining but not that heavily. The first thing I noticed that the electric pole right in front my house was half bent. Everyone out side was talking about the last night. Phone lines were cut and there was no electricity as well. These things took around 15 days to come back. Rain has stopped and I went to meet a few friends of mine my Parents warned to come back soon as you never know cyclone might repeat itself.
I went outside and actually was shocked and shattered to see the destruction. My own city looked strange to me. It was terrible to see all the big trees which I have seen for many years are all now ripped off the ground. And those trees that were strong enough to survive the night were all bent to one side. Things like sign boards, pan shops, tea stalls all had collapsed. Some of electric poles like the one in front my houses were on the ground with their wires shredded.
All the schools have already turned into emergency relief centers including mine. Some of my friends who were staying at about 3-4 KMS from the coast have described that water was up to their knee level inside their house at night, we can imagine the condition near to the coast.
Later schools declared an additional 10 day leave. Things were slowly settling done but after 10 days an even bigger cyclone hit another part of Orissa and that was much bigger and powerful cyclone and the consequences were devastating.
I have some data from Wikipedia describing the impact. It says,
Tens of thousands of families from the coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam were forced to evacuate their homes before the storm's arrival. More than 44,500 people took shelter in twenty three Red Cross cyclone shelters that were built by the German Red Cross.[4]
Approximately 275,000 homes were destroyed, leaving 1.67 million people homeless. Another 19.5 million people were affected by the super cyclone to some degree.
I pray to god that such incidents should not happen again and I urge you all if such things happen please help the people, donate generously, through the proper channel, send it directly to Prime minister’s relief fund or to only renowned NGO’s.
I think bollywood is of common interest to us isn’t it?? So let me start with that only…
LOC, by JP Dutta based on the entire Kargil conflict had Abhishek Bacchan playing the role of Captain Batra. Lakshya also was partly inspired by him.
In one entrance test for the Indian Administrative Service, says Mrs. Batra, one of the questions was -- 'Name the peaks captured by Captain Vikram Batra?
Vishal, Vikram's brother, working with ICICI now, was away on work in the UK. He had gone to Scotland and entered his name in a visitor's book at a tourist hot spot. One Indian asked him after reading his name 'Do you know Vikram Batra?’. If someone from that part of the world can ask that question, I wonder how many of us know about him???
’I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it.’ He said this to someone who wished him good luck for the war. These were the words of our Indian hero, Captain Vikram Batra.
I will take you through his life.
On 9th September 1974, this will be remembered for ages to come. Twin sons were born to Mr. G.L. Batra and Mrs. Jai Kamal Batra at Ghuggar village near to Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,, Himachal Pradesh. The family had two daughters earlier. Nicknamed “Luv” by his family, young Vikram was brilliant, smart, diligent and attractive personality in school. He scooped away most of the awards in his school during the prize distribution ceremony. He was an all rounder, good in academics as well as sports and extracurricular activities.
Chandigarh was the city where Vikram went to college. It was also where he found the girl he had promised to marry. He one said it to his brother 'Make it a point to meet her whenever you are in Chandigarh,' when he left to join the army and Vishal had kept the promise. Five days before Vikram's death, he was in Chandigarh and she came to see him at the station.
He joined the Indian Military Academy in June 1996 at Dehradun. After passing out in December 1997, he joined the army as a Lieutenant of 13 JAK Rifles at Sopore, Jammu & Kashmir.
June 1, 1999, his unit proceeded to the Kargil Sector where by now war like situation had erupted. The first task assigned to the young officer was the recapture of Point 5140,
This point was one of the most crucial peaks in the Drass region. If it fell, it would clear the Pakistanis from that sector and pave the way for further victories. This was at an altitude of 17000 feet.
Upon reaching the point he got into a cheeky conversation with a terrorist commander on the radio. The enemy commander challenged him by saying, “Why have you come Sher Shah (Vikram’s code name given by his commanding officer), you will not go back”. Captain Vikram Batra with immense confidence replied, “We shall see within one hour, who remains on the top”. In a short while Captain Batra and his company of troops killed 8 enemy soldiers and captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun. Mission Point 5140 was a success!!
Soon after the success of Point 5140 he radioed his commanding officer and said victoriously “Yeh Dil Maange More”. This became the catch line for the war! With the victory of Point 5140 cleared the Srinagar-Leh highway, which led to capturing of Point 5100, 4700 Junction and the ultimate prize- Tiger Hill.
After taking rest for couple of days he was sent for the task of capturing Point 4750. Vikram was challenged by an enemy officer, “Shershah, nobody shall be left to lift your bodies” to which Captain Vikram replied, “Don’t you worry about us, Pray for your safety.” Point 4750 was captured in no time adding one more victory to the count of Captain Vikram Batra.
Captain Batra was on a victory rampage, his heart asking for more honor and victory. He stoutly volunteered for the next mission, which was very crucial. It was the capture of Point 4875 at an altitude of 17000 feet. He went for the mission along with his company and another led by Captain Anuj Nayyar. A number of enemy troops were killed in this mission. On 5th July 1999 Point 4875 was captured. But the enemy troops set in for a counter attack on 7th July 1999 which was well retaliated by Captain Batra. In all this action one of his junior officers (Lieutenant Naveen) has severely injured his leg. Captain Batra went for his rescue. While dragging Lieutenant Naveen back under cover he pleaded to Captain Batra to let him continue the fight inspite the injuries to which Captain Batra heroically replied “Tu baal bachedaar hai!! Hatt jaa peeche”.
It didn’t take long for this war hero to realize that he had been hit in the chest by an enemy bullet and then in a spilt of a second he was hit by an artillery splinter in the waist region.
India won back Peak 4875 but lost Vikram Batra.
This great martyr gave away his last breath with “Jai maata di” on his lips. Before succumbing to his injuries he killed 5 more enemy soldiers.
When the officers handed the flag that had wrapped Captain's Batra's body and his cap to Mrs Batra, she packed them neatly in a transparent plastic sheet so that it did not get soiled. The country appreciated her son's courage. His love stood in silent in his funeral; she is a teacher now and has sworn to never marry.
For his display of bravery he was awarded Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest medal for gallantry. His father G.L Batra received the medal from the President of India on behalf of his brave son.
The Batras have framed some letters of condolence.
One from a lady who lost someone most dear to her in a cruel assassination in May 1991.
·'In this hour of deep grief, I only know too well how words are of so little consequence, nevertheless, I do want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts' -- Sonia Gandhi.
·The chief of army staff wrote that in Vikram's death the army had lost a dedicated and devoted officer. 'It is a personal loss to me.'
·Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis: 'I along with all the personnel of the Indian Air Force salute him for his patriotism and devotion to duty.'
·George Fernandes, defence minister: 'I hope you will bear this loss with courage and fortitude.'
·Vasundhara Raje, Union minister, now Rajasthan chief minister: 'Your son has brought honour to his unit and country.'
