Our country is a cesspool of communal riots and religious discord, fueled all the more by dirty politics. It’s become a trend to incite violence for the most trivial reasons which, when stripped to their bare naked truth, are just ego tussles. While the nation destructs itself in the name of religion, our soldiers are fighting on our borders, trying to keep our internally divided country unified. And one of their very own, Col. S S Shekhawat, is trying to send a rather important message to the people and politicians of this country.
Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat is the most decorated serving officer in the Indian Army and an accomplished mountaineer who has displayed his gallantry in countless anti-terrorist operations and mountaineering expeditions.
Born in Alwar, Rajasthan, he is the Commanding Officer of the 21st battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). The Colonel has accomplished the difficult feat of climbing Mount Everest not just once but thrice!
He is also the recipient of several gallantry awards: the Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal and the Vishisht Sena Medal.
And now, something he said in a recent interview could probably earn him another award, this time from the public, for imparting a remarkable lesson to the country in these times.
A Twitter user shared a one-minute video clip of Col. S S Shekhawat talking about an incident in his life that shaped his view of religion and it is something that every citizen of the country, especially those who run the country, should imbibe.
The Colonel talks about the time he had joined the Special Forces and his superior taught him an important lesson about functioning together as a unit, irrespective of religion.
If you had to listen to one man today. #OneTalkToday
Who – Col SS Shekhawat, CO 21 Special Forces, the most decorated serving officer.Why – In one minute he gives a lesson more powerful than all politicians put together @atahasnain53 @rwac48 @rajeev_mp @ragarwal @priyaramani pic.twitter.com/J08KCE0KGA
— Raghu Raman (@captraman) February 7, 2018
“As an officer you are everything. And so, when we have this kind of template and you apply this template in the country, I think most of the problem will be solved. All the religions are there and all the classes and clans are together and still they are one unit.”
A great man, Col. S S Shekhawat and some great words! Let’s hope they fall on the right ears!