Silent Tribute

Members observe a two-minute silence in the memory of the 40 jawans killed in the terrorist strike at Phulwama

Urmila Sinha hands over a plate of
litti chokha to Naheed Siddiqui

The air was heavy, the mood sombre. And the occasion demanded it. The idea was in fact, broached by Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd) yesterday; but news trickling in on casualties from the terrorist attack at Phulwama was still very sketchy. We were hoping for the best.
Today, soon after the exercises, we joined our hands in paying tribute to the 40 CRPF soldiers who laid down their lives during that dastardly attack by a Pakistan-monitored terrorist

Angad Singh (l) addresses the group

outfit on February 14. A two-minute silence was observed in their memory.
Recounting the incident, Angad Singh spoke about the sacrifices young men joining the armed forces have to make and how their lives are constantly on the line while performing their duty. “Let us pray for the Almighty to grant their souls eternal peace,” he urged during his brief, but moving address to the gathering.
Shekhawat joined him on a rather belligerent note to explain the roles of the three wings of the armed forces which, very often, is undermined. “I am glad that Modi-sa’ab has now given the army full freedom to deal with the situation in Kashmir. I am confident, we shall see the results very soon,” the naval veteran said.
Meanwhile, Urmila Sinha treated us to home-made litti chokha – an unusual dish many may have heard of, but rarely, if ever tasted. This was upon the specific request of Naheed Siddiqui. Apparently she carries memories of this “popular street food” from her last visit to Bihar. Urmila was only too happy to oblige and all of us gained from her generosity.