I have seen insane amount of movies which have depcited events which have occoured in various wars. There are movies made which define emotion and tell us what the loss of a fellow being, soldier, father, son and a brother means.

We read the papers everyday. An encounter here, a soldier dead there. But do we really feel anything about the poor mans' family? 'Its just another piece of daily news' is what we say and dismiss it. Atleast this is what i had always done till i was 19.

Most of the films i had seen before i was even 18. I could never understand the loss of a soldier till i saw ' We Were Soldiers'. It makes my heart pain when i read that a soldier died or an officer was killed in an air crash. I' ve been around a few fatal accidents myself. Though there is one i remember distinctly because i was the neighbour of a martyr(i dont want to talk about this one).

You are taught from the very begining to be strong and not let your emotions take control of you. I ask myself, 'how can i be, when i spent my evenings playing basketball and squash with that man?'

I came to know about his demise when i was reading the newspaper in the morning after a round of golf with my father. He never told me, it was a year later that i came to know from the newspapers. I remember almost breaking down on the breakfast table, and all he said was 'its ok'. I was forced to not let my emotions out. Thats how a soldier is, and thats how his son is supposed to be.

I remember when i was a little kid in Bhatinda, i was a decent basketball player and was teamed with a six feet plus, tall, dark and handsome man, always. We were quiet a team. He came to visit us when we were in Srinagar, I remember being overwhelmed. I came to know about his fatal accident from the newspapers again. I remember being sad for two whole days.

Every now and then my mind wanders about this unfortunate mishaps. I can't seem to understand how difficult it is for their families and their loved ones. I hope i never do. The insane amount of pain and sorrow that they go through. The little memories, the funniest and the happiest moments never go away.

Understanding the worth of a human life is the most difficult lesson i have ever learnt. Especially for those who were with you when you were a kid. Life is a little more difficult, even in the tinest way, without them.