Sacrifices That The Cumulus Beholds

Ipshita Sur

Sacrifices That The Cumulus Beholds

The Air Force accounts for one of the most vital organs of our country’s defense operations. It's a day to sing the hymns of this wing's greatness and achievements along the choir of war and unsung comradeship.

The pride, the logo; Image Source: Public Domain

Almost all Indians are born with ceaseless patriotism and a customary zeal to devote themselves in the service of their nation and the amelioration of the citizens. Well, our Rahul was no less. Though he is only 12 years of age, his soul flares with the will of becoming a pilot in the Air Force. From his childhood, the only source of stimulus has been his mother.

Chhaya is an officer in the Air Force, and an exemplar held highly among the surrounding, which was earlier considered only for the males. Rahul’s lullabies used to be the stories of Chhaya’s seniors or the warriors she admires. She had moulded Rahul with clay of allegiance from the day he learnt to walk.

Chhaya is a woman of downright principles and rigidity. Her delicate motherhood didn’t overpower her austerity as a single parent. She desired her son to grow up as a man of dignity and honour. His mother’s tutelage shaped his aspirations of a roaring pilot, and a dream of a colossal deed for his nation.

He loves to watch the parade on August 15. He is not much of an early riser, but the Independence Day has casted a magic spell which would roll his eyelids up innately. It’s a national holiday, and an ideal vacation with his mother, a delicious breakfast cooked by her and the iconic parade.

Undoubtedly, his favourite part was the showcase of the air force. “Maa, is becoming an air force officer easier than those who protect the borders?” he enquired. Chhaya, with a keen enthusiasm to her little questioner’s curiosity, replied, “No! Every cadet in three of the Indian Armed Forces serves with similar diligence and risk of life. When it’s the duty that calls for the protection of the nation, there are no relaxations”

His eagerness brought out another quizzing, “Can you tell me about the history of the Air Force- its achievements and the wars that were fought? Our teachers have told us about our foot soldiers, but we rarely get to know about our air troopers”.

“Well, it circles back to the days when India was under the authority of the British. The Indian Air Force was launched as a supplementary wing to their Royal Air Force on October 8, 1932. Today, this day is celebrated as the Air Force Day” Rahul, cozying up to his mother, exclaimed in awe, “Wow! Really?”

“Yes, dear! And do you know our Air Force participated in the Second World War? It was given the duty to stall the advancing Japanese forces in Burma. Then after we have gained independence, as I have told you earlier, not every ruler wanted to join our dominion. When the conflict of who would take Jammu and Kashmir worsened, it was the Indian Air Force who flew in to fight the infiltrating Pakistani forces”

“Maa, I have already told you about my ambition to become an Air Marshal. Now, when I heard about the rich history of the Indian Air Force, I wish I can grow up faster and make you proud of me one day”, in a very loving tone, Rahul swore. Chhaya laughed mildly, “My dear son, I am sure you are going to make me feel proud of you one day. And I will be waiting for that day when I’ll be crowning my pilot cap on you, my aviation prince!”

Rahul blushed. Both of them again focused on the parade.

“I can never imagine our forces in the Second World War participation list until I heard it from you just now!”

“I too had this amazement when I learnt about it for the first time. Another important season in our history of warfare was the Indo-Sino War. Though it wasn’t the tale of their prowess, it fetched us with the immediate technological swaps needed for the shining armour of our triumph. In the later periods, Indian Air Force played a major role in the Bangaldesh Liberation War and Kargil War”.