Don't envy a man his medals
All those ribbons on his chest
He did not try to get them
They're not there at his request

They were earned in stinking hell holes
Where no man would like to go
Or in cold and wintry places
Where there's only ice and snow

He did not know he earned them
Till they were awarded at parade
And they were bright when he first got them
But in time the colors fade

He was told he had to wear them
And to wear them all with pride
But when the memories come to haunt him
Those same medals make him hide

Cause those medals will not bring back
All those guys he left behind
And he would trade them all forever
For a little peace of mind

So don't envy a man his medals
You don't want to take his place
Thinking back to long gone battles
And meeting dead friends face to face

How you play with us, did you ever see?
At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;
I would serve you to the end,
All these boundaries I would defend.

Now you make me look like a fool,
When at Seventeen and just out of school;
Went to the place where they made "men out of boys"
Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…

In those days, I would see my 'civilian' friends,
Living a life with the fashion trends;
Enjoying their so called "College Days"
While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…
But I never thought twice about what where or why
All I knew was when the time came, I'd be ready to do or die.

At 21 and with my commission in hand,
Under the glory of the parade and the band,
I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,
And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.

I stood there with a sense of recognition,
But on that day I never had the premonition,
that when the time came to give me my due,
You'd just say," What is so great that you do?"

Long back you promised a well to do life;
And when I'm away, take care of my wife.
You came and saw the hardships I live through,
And I saw you make a note or two,
And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;
but now I know you'll never be able to see,
Because you only see the glorified life of mine,
Did you see the place where death looms all the time?
Did you meet the man standing guard in the snow?
The name of his newborn he does not know...
Did you meet the man whose father breathed his last?
While the sailor patrolled our seas so vast?

You still know I'll not be the one to raise my voice
I will stand tall and protect you in Punjab Himachal and Thois.

But that's just me you have in the sun and rain,
For now at Twenty Four, you make me think again;
About the decision I made, Seven years back;
Should I have chosen another life, some other track?

Will I tell my son to follow my lead?
Will I tell my son, you'll get all that you need?
This is the country you will serve
This country will give you all that you deserve?

I heard you tell the world "India is shining"
I told my men, that's a reason for us to be smiling
This is the India you and I will defend!
But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?
You go on promise all that you may,
But it's the souls of your own men you betray.

Did you read how some of our eminent citizens
Write about me and ridicule my very existence?
I ask you to please come and see what I do,
Come and have a look at what I go through
Live my life just for a day
Maybe you'll have something else to say?

I will still risk my life without a sigh
To keep your flag flying high
but today I ask myself a question or two…
Oh India…. Why do I still serve you?

After waiting for so long, the day dawned with a clear sky.. We had our flight at 8.10 on Friday, 24th Sep. We reached airport around 7, had breakfast, checked in around 7.30 and reached Delhi by 10.30.. We then went to Rao travels office in Karol bagh, deposited our luggages and then went to Delhi Darbar in Connaught place for lunch(don't miss it when you go to Delhi!!! amazing food but a bit costly).

Then we went to India Gate and spent ample time there..

And started back to Karol bagh and had one yucky lime soda but had awesome snacks at Bikanerwala(yummy dhoklas, raj kachori and rasmalai). Then picked our luggages and reached the pick up point for our bus to Manali. Bus was not that great but manageable :) They stopped for dinner at some place in Haryana. Even that food was awesome..

Leh is one amazing place. I will never forget this trip!!!

We girls wanted to go for a trip. Everyone came up with different ideas and finally we decided on Leh; however, we did not know much about the place.

Our initial plan was to fly from Bangalore to Srinagar and from there travel to Leh trip by road. We booked flight tickets from Bangalore to Srinagar, Leh to Delhi and Delhi to Bangalore. There were curfews and the airport was also closed due to renovation so we had to replan the trip. We cancelled Srinagar ticket and instead booked to Delhi. From Delhi we planned to take a bus to Manali and taxi to Leh.

And then came the shocking news of cloud burst and Ayodhya verdict!!! Everyone advised us it is not safe.. only girls blah blah blah .... and that was a great motivation to us..