Skip to main content

Sridevi Funeral - State Honours

A thought and I hope I am not labelled Cynical.
Scenario One
Join the Armed Forces. Fight for the nation. If you are martyred get honoured with the national flag placed with due respect on your body and a salute by firing of rifles in a synchronised manner.
This would also apply to members of the Central Police Forces in insurgency areas.
Scenario Two
You develop sound weapon systems or make major contributions to the nation’s development. Or you are a major political leader with governance. You pass away and are honoured with the national flag placed with respect on your body and a salute by the Police or at times the Army.
Scenario Three
You act in films and evolve to be a superstar and then fade away except for one film after fifteen years. You don’t make any sort of contribution to the art by support or association after fading out. Then you suddenly pass away and the media goes into a frenzy. The whole of India is stated to be mourning while it may attracted some interest only in a major section. The political class decides to honour you with the national flag and the salute.
Made me think alright. Seriously.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Forgotten Unsung Heroes of the Battle of Madhumati. 1971. Bangladesh. 45 Cavalry.

  The Forgotten Unsung Heroes of the Battle of Madhumati. 1971. Bangladesh. 45 Cavalry. By Dinesh K Kapila  (Chief General Manager (Retd). NABARD (As discussed with Major General (then Major) Pramod   Kumar Batra, Retd and Other Veterans)   Just a Glimpse – Cdr 62 Mountain Brigade – “Pramod, I believe it is hard to maneuver PT 76 tanks in this terrain and waters”. Pat is the answer, “it is hard and I may struggle, but you will never see me to give up or fai”l. They stood together, on the edge of the swift flowing Madhumati, the staff and soldiers waiting. It was dark. Very Dark. After waiting for some time the Bde Cdr had said, “lets go”. Major PK Batra vividly recollects even now watching the Cdr's face as he looked at the map with a torch. He was calm and very quiet, showing ,no fear or afraid and maintaining a dignified silence. He remembered the old saying, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown". It was a moment in not only the life of the Brigade Co...

This Obsession with death and staying as a memory

  This Obsession with death and staying as a memory Dinesh K Kapila I watch quite a few channels dealing with religion or spirituality in the morning hours. Have to. Suitably trained by wifey over the years !! Specially post retirement. ! Not grumbling, I do clarify ! Our viewing can cross religions and sects, no problems on that. However, something I must point out is this obsession with death, of many discourses, many a preacher or sant or priest or whatever we label them, they have to mention death and to state we need to be prepared for it. This period of life we all live is just a journey, a short journey between birth and death. Hell is a reality. Be ready. Heaven awaits us. Narak and Bhagwan Yama and Swarg. Janat. All this gets stressed or mentioned. A direct correlation is often drawn, praying and following certain pathways and in some cases even undertaking certain actions or rituals will only lead to peace and harmony and eternal freedom or Moksha, in the hereafter. So...

Wars and Compassion at Ground Zero

  Wars and Compassion at Ground Zero by Dinesh K Kapila   (Note - As related By Major General PK Batra, AVSM (Retd).   45 Cavalry) General Batra and my late father, Major General Rajendra Nath, PVSM (Retd) go back a long way. Their bonds were forged in the din of bitterly fought battles in Bangladesh in 1971, where Dad Commanded 62 Mountain Brigade and then Major PK Batra commanded the A Squadron of 45 Cavalry. About these bonds I will write separately. And their battles. This story, well, it’s different. It’s from Another War. 1965. And touched my heart. It really did.   Where do I come in, well, I got connected with Major General PK Batra over the years as I deem it an honour to be connected to my father’s comrades in arms.     Wars are not only about death, bullets and blood and guts but also acts of caring and compassion. A barbed fencing or a wall can only create a superficial barrier but can not run through the hearts of people who were part of ...