In the middle of a discussion about hoisting The National Flag at all national institutes on The Newshour last night, Major General (Retd) G D Bakshi was left teary eyed trying to defend the honour of our flag. It hurt almost each viewer to see such a brave heart trying so hard to defend something that should come naturally to us. Smriti Irani, who wasn’t a part of the debate otherwise, called in with a heartfelt message for G D Bakshi and it’s something all of us need to watch, learn and imbibe.
She said that “It is the greatest tragedy of my nation today, that I see tears in the eyes of brave soldier like you, Sir. Let me say this as every Indian watching you tonight would say. Men like you have bled for our country, men like you have never asked us for anything in return. And tonight as you weep on Newshour, I will only say this, as an Indian citizen; we are grateful for your sacrifices, we are grateful for your service. And, under that flag every day, knowingly and unknowingly know this; we shall be grateful forever,”
After the debate was over, Major General G D Bakshi made the following statement on Facebook;
“On Arnab’s debate today i suddenly realised the difference between us soldiers and others. it suddenly hit me.it hurt me deeply to see what we have become. we have problems now with flying our national Flag.? I learnt with the greatest shock that so far the national flag has not been flying in our Universities? Why pray? Are they UN enclaves in Free India beyond the pale of our soveriginity? Are we required to sing the Communist internaionale there instead of our National anthem? Are the universities paid for by our taxes required to celebrate every Afzal Guru , every Maoist,celebrate every 76 brave CRPF boys who get killed by the Maoists? celebrate every single soldier who gets killed in J&K? The problem is the sophisticated debate that these bastions of Leftist liberals have created. Every Patriot is a lumpen. the smart set , the real cool intellectulas support Afzal Guru. For that is the fastest way to a Noble peace Prize or even a Magasay Award( Get rich quick guys- who cares for that land called India).Only soldiers like us are stupid enough to become EXTREME NATIONALISTS. Only soldiers make that extreme sacrifice !! and all along we were told it was the SUPREME sacrifice . The Flag my friend is NOT a piece of tattered silk to us soldiers. It is the SYMBOL of who we are. it is for this piece of tattered silk that we have to Fight and DIE- we have NO choice. You DO! thats the difference”