The city where I spent 2 years ,
during a very remarkable phase of my life. Moved to one of the smallest city in
the northern most part of India- Samba , situated on the range of Shivalik
Hills, blessed with bank of river Basanta. Approximately 40 kms from Jammu ,
towards Pathankot but only 3 kms on the southern side is the International
Border with Pakistan. Dogri is the local language spoken. Majority of
population is equipped in ‘ bari Brahman’, the Industrial araea. It also has a
long tradition of involvement in the armed forces.
‘Remarkable phase’, because I had
completed my graduation from a college that competes internationally and had a
work experience with world renowned brand, boon shifting from the capital of
the country to the city which is lesser known by people. When my colleague in
Delhi heard the name of my new location being Samba, the only thing they could
think was the movie ‘ Sholey’.
With a very heavy heart I bid
goodbye to the capital- to the metros, to the multiplex, to the world class
malls, to the fast moving city, for I knew Samba doesn’t own any of these.
There I was, in the place which
had only one main road, the national highway connecting to Pathankot. One
market which didn’t have bakery shop, no
florist, only fresh vegetables and shops for basic needs. Restaurants?? Dhabba it would be- serving only vegetarian
as it also connects to the holy place-
Vaishnu Devi. Being a Christian the first thing we looked out was for a Church,
yes we found one. Attended the first Sunday mass, the first and the last in
Samba for the prayers were offered in Dogri and the feel was more of a mosque.
Technology wise it was just as
much as required. The net connection takes hours to connect. Mobile, having sim
only for making calls as SMS is restricted. All courier sent to my address gets
returned with the message to sender “ Highly sensitive area- parcel could not
be delivered”. With these communication barrier, I decided to join the local
college there, the only college in the city offering all degrees. It was the
college that brought me closer to the city. I started connecting with the
students, for whom Jammu was the nearest city. Samba was their world, all good
bad small big was part of their happiness. I then started looking at the city
fom their point of view. Students attended classes mainly because they could
not afford to buy textbooks. Raining season resulted in low attendance due to
water logging in their surroundings. Life of a localite was not easy out there.
Interaction with my classmates left me puzzled for various reason. One being a
question put to me for the gunman who accompanies me to college for my security.
I was asked the reason behind having a security for me and not for people
residing there. It was difficult for me to explain about the Force which is on
duty 24*7 at the Samba Border to safeguard the city.
The city now seemed beautiful to
me, yes, it was naturally gifted. Blooming flowers, bird view of the Himalayas
covered with snow that sparkled like stars in the sunlight, embroidery work;
artificial unique jewelry was another attraction. Manaser Lake was the nearest
tourist spot. The city truly deserved to be called as Joy of Small Things.
By the time I started enjoying
the stay in the smallest, not civilized, not so safe city, it was time for me
to make a shift. After a stay of 2 years I departed from the city that gave me
time to enjoy the smallest yet special things, the peace that no other metro
city could give. February 2013 I moved out from Samba, to stay in another big
city- Hyderabad. Back to busy schedule , the race for money, the fight for time
and the scarcity of peace.
September 2013, I was taken back
to the memories of Samba. Yes, 26th September 2013, the day terrorist clothed in Army fatigue stormed
an Army Camp in Samba in the Cavalry Armoured unit, the camp which was just
opposite our favorite dhabba. The
worst terrorist attack on security in the last 10 years . News about the loss
of defence personal’s life was not new
to me. But this time it was breathtaking as I was now connected to the place
and people very closely. Now I had a clear answer on why the location was
highly sensitive. The situation was well controlled by the defence , resulted
nil impact to the public.
Least do we remember as less do we realize. Lost in the
midst of fast-moving cities , busy catching up with the trends, we forget the
outermost boundary of the country- the equipped soldiers in Olive, the watchful
souls at sea and the hawking birds in the sky- the tri force team that keeps
awake for our peaceful sleep.
Men in Uniform , were and will always be there to guard the country and
the people.
-
Dedicated
to all the men in uniform I know personally and to those who have sacrificed
their life for us !!
Being grounded since years,
