Reading
this brought tears to our eyes. We actually saw the respect that the
British pay to the veterans at the 60th VE celebrations at London a few
days ago. Forget the politicians, whom we don't expect to pay any
respect to anyone except themselves, at least common citizens should.
"Don't
worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.“
-- Abraham Lincoln
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May 22, 2011
WHEN
THE VICTORIA CROSS HAS TO CROSS THE ROAD
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Excerpts
from the book “Toward Resurgent India ” written by Lt Gen ( Retired ) M M
Lakhera --- Freedom First - August 2009
I
had gone to UK as Dy Leader of Indian Delegation to take part in 50th
Anniversary Celebrations of victory in Europe during Second World War. I
along with four other army officers had just stepped out after attending the
inaugural session and were waiting on the roadside for the traffic to ease so
as to walk across the road to the vehicle park. Among those with me was
Honorary Captain Umrao Singh, a Victoria Cross Winner. All of a sudden a car
moving on the road came to a halt in front of us and a well dressed gentleman
stepped out. He approached Umrao Singh and said, “Sir, may I have the
privilege to shake hands with the Victoria Cross winner?” He shook hands with
him. Evidently he had spotted Umraio Singh’s medal from the car and had
stopped his car to pay his respect to a winner of highest gallantry medal of
his country.
Then
he looked at me and said, “General, you are from the Indian army.” When I
replied in affirmative, he gave out his name saying that he was Michael
Haseltine. I was absolutely astounded as the recognition dawned on me that he
was the Dy Prime Minister of UK .
I
was totally overawed by the courtesy shown by a dignitary of second highest
status in the British Government and humbly thanked him for having invited
our delegation to the VE day function. Again his reply was typical of his
sagacity, “It is We, the British who should be grateful to your Country and
to your Armed Forces, who had helped us win both the first and second world
wars. How can we ever be so ungrateful to forget your country’s great
contribution?
Suddenly
I became conscious that all the traffic behind his car had come to a
standstill. I hurried to thank him and politely requested to move along to
relieve the traffic hold-up. He stated, “Sir, How dare I drive off when the
Victoria Cross has to cross the road.” Realizing his genuine feeling, I and
my colleagues quickly crossed the road. Reaching the other side I looked back
and saw that Mr. Heseltine was still standing for the Victoria Cross to be
safely across.
That
is the type of regard they have for their decorated soldiers. I have always
aspired that similar respect could be shown to at least Param Vir Chakra or
Ashok Chakra winners by the leaders and prominent figures in our country.
This
is how Britain honors her decorated soldiers.
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"It is up to us to
give ourselves recognition. If we wait for it to come from others, we feel
resentful when it doesn't, and when it does, we may well reject it.”
-- Spencer
Tracy
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