Accepting responsibility
‘A person often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.’
- Jean de la Fountain
This saying, by a famous French poet totally describes my life. It is the responsibility of every citizen to defend his country. I accept this truth now, but there was a time when I used to deny it, thinking that it was the job of the army only and not common people like us.
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I was born on September 6, 1965, the day we proudly celebrate as the ‘Defence Day’. Back in the seventies, all my mates tried hard to make me realise the importance of the date I was born on. My parents had decided to send me to the army long before I could devise any plans for my future. People would always say, ‘He is the one born on Defence Day.’ They would remember me for my date of birth. During classes, whenever the topic of September 6 came up, everyone would start looking at me while I tried to hide my face behind my book. I was irritated beyond limits. I could feel no special connection to the date - or, rather, the significance of it - I was born on and I wanted to put an end to this.
So, I decided to major in Urdu and chose to become a teacher. My decision shocked my parents as much as everyone else in the family, but I didn’t let them change it. I wanted them to realise that I wasn’t a national hero; I was just an ordinary human being.
But I was wrong and my destiny was going to prove that to me.
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While walking in the park one afternoon, I overheard a conversation: ‘Do you know who Major Muhammad Akram was?’
‘Army officer, I guess,’ another young voice replied.
‘Is that all you know about him? I have to write an essay and this is not much to go on.’
‘Why don’t you ask your father about him?’ the other boy suggested.
‘I have already asked him about it, and all he told me is that Major Akram was martyred while defending Pakistan. He couldn’t remember when and how he died,’ the boy replied in exasperation.
The conversation shook me and I felt pity for the boys. I turned around and approached them. The two boys looked up, surprised.
‘Well, I can tell you who Major Akram is. But you have to promise me something,’ I said, smiling.
‘What?’ The boys asked.
‘That you would always remember him for his loyalty to the country.’
They nodded. I could not believe I was doing this, but then it just seemed the right thing to do. No matter what issues I had with the Defence Day, I couldn’t let our children forget their heroes.
‘Muhammad Akram was a fearless soldier who participated in Indo-Pak wars. He was a recipient of Nishan-e-Haider. You know about Nishan-e-Haider, right?’
‘Yes, our teacher told us about it; it’s the highest military award of Pakistan, given to people who sacrifice their lives for this country,’ one of them replied.
‘That’s right! In that war, Captain Muhammad Akram conducted many decisive attacks on the Indian armed forces. Later, in 1971 war, he was stationed in the Hilli municipality where he skilfully defended against the Indian army for five days and nights. For his determination and valour, he was awarded Nishan-e-Haider posthumously. His sacrifice reminds us of a responsibility we all share....’ My voice trailed off as I started thinking about my life.
‘What responsibility, Uncle?’ they interrupted my thoughts.
‘Responsibility ... that whenever our country needs us, we are there to protect it and serve it well. We must accept the truth that this is our beloved land and we cannot turn our backs on it at any cost.’ I was saying it all in a trance.
‘Thank you, Uncle. I will always remember him and the message he wanted to convey through his sacrifice.’
While I watched them walk away, I suddenly realised that we all are, in fact, the defenders of our country in one way or the other. As a teacher, it’s my responsibility to tell these children about our national heroes and inculcate in them values of bravery and honesty. All of a sudden, I felt proud of the day I was born on; the day our valiant armed forces defended the country successfully against the Indian army.
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‘We want to know more about the heroes who earned Nishan-e-Haider!’ A group of young boys exclaimed and I couldn’t help smiling at them.
‘Sure, I would love to!’
I could feel their eagerness. I went on: ‘Nishan-e-Haider was awarded to ten people; they all are the shuhadas who sacrificed their lives to protect our country. The first one was awarded to Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar who died in the War of 1948. Muhammad Tufail was another brave soldier who earned it in 1958. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti died on 10th September, 1965 in the war you all know about. Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas gave his life in 1971. Major Shabbir Sharif, Muhammad Hussein Janjua, Major Muhammad Akram and Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz died in the Indo-Pak War of 1971. Captain Sher Khan and Hawaldar Lalak Jan died in Kargil operation 1991. I will tell you in detail about each of them every day,’ I promised them.
Two weeks have passed and I continue to meet my students in the park. We discuss all the war heroes, and now we are talking about the founders of Pakistan. I wonder if these stories would inspire them to be heroes.
My destiny has brought me to a place where I find complete satisfaction. And these students have helped me accept my responsibility. Are you ready to accept yours?