I was born in 1955, just eight years after India broke free from colonial rule. My earliest memories are woven with the scent of freshly ploughed earth in our Haryana village, where we sowed wheat and dreams side by side. We lived in modest times—ration cards in our drawers, lanterns in our homes, and news arriving slowly, often whispered by elders at the village square.
Yet even then, I sensed something stirring in our land: a quiet fire, a stubborn hope, an unspoken belief that we were destined for more. India and I grew together. I was a boy of seven during the Sino-Indian conflict, a teenager during the 1965 war, and just sixteen when the Indo Pak war of 1971 shook the nation.
I remember the blackouts, the sirens, the worried eyes of mothers, and the unified silence that gripped our towns. But when we emerged victorious, I understood something fundamental—this nation may bend under pressure, but it never breaks.
Fast forward to 2025, I see an India that we could only dream of decades ago. We are a nation that sends missions to the moon, pioneers digital revolutions, and carves a firm yet graceful space on the global stage. Be it UPI empowering the smallest trader, Chandrayaan landing on the moon, or our indigenous defence capabilities like Tejas and BrahMos —we are no longer chasing; we are leading. What we see today is not the achievement of one government or one decade, but the cumulative resolve of countless citizens across generations who never lost faith.
Having lived through wars, I have come to realise that peace is not a passive state—it’s an active stance. It comes not from fear, but from strength. India has mastered that balance. From surgical strikes to humanitarian aid, from vaccine diplomacy to strategic defence partnerships, we have proven that our might is guided by values.
True power is when your hands are capable of retaliation, but your heart still seeks harmony. In April 2025, when terrorists attacked innocent pilgrims in Pahalgam—young men, newly married, killed for their faith—it shook the country. But our response, Operation Sindoor, struck deep into the source of terror across the border. The operation’s name held deep meaning: Sindoor —not just the red mark of a bride, but a symbol of honour and sacrifice.
It wasn’t chosen in anger. It was chosen to send a message: India strikes not with hatred, but with conviction, clarity, and purpose. It reflected the soul of our republic—a steady resolve wrapped in the dignity of restraint.
But while governments protect borders, it is citizens who safeguard the spirit of the nation. I may be a retired man now, but my duties as a sevak have not ended. I urge my younger fellow citizens—be alert, be aware. Read beyond headlines. Engage with ideas, not just outrage. Buy local, think national. Debate, but do not divide. Our democracy is only as strong as our daily conduct.
Support our institutions—not blindly, but responsibly. It’s easy to mock the system; it takes strength to improve it. Many ask me why I am so hopeful. My answer is simple: because today’s youth are sharper, braver, and more connected than ever. I didn’t grow up with start-up grants or digital classrooms or global opportunities. You do. And that fills me with a faith deeper than any ideology. There are elders like me who do not wish to lecture, only to lift.
The baton is being passed with pride, not fatigue. Let me end with this: Despite global unrest, India today is in one of the safest, most promising phases of its journey. We are not isolated. We are not vulnerable. We are not afraid. Our military stands ready, our economy pushes forward, and our diplomacy adapts with intelligence. Do not let the noise of fear drown the music of progress.
Our internal challenges remain, yes—but our direction is clear. I have seen India under oil lamps. Today, I see it lit by satellites. And in both lights, I see the same unwavering truth— Bharat ab tayyar hai. Jai Hind.
“I have seen India under oil lamps. Today, I see it lit by satellites. And in both lights, I see the same unwavering truth—Bharat ab tayyar hai.”
