Topic started by Venkarkrishnan.K (@ 202.138.118.42) on Thu Jun 20 12:05:20 .
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Dear Friends,
I post here an article in the Indian Express of a Martyred Soldier's Mother continuing his service to the Nation. Please Read this and Respond !!
Venkatkrishnan.K
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This mom inspires youth to serve motherland
Rajshri Mehta
Mumbai, May 27: DEATH snatched away her only son and in return gave her an obsession. In the seven years since Captain Vinayak Gore, a resident of Vile Parle (E), lay down his life in Kashmir, his mother Anuradha Gore has drawn up a battleplan of her own.
Every vacation, she holds camps aimed at inspiring teenagers to join the armed forces.
‘‘Our internal and national security is important. But who will do it? If students, our next generation, do not want to join this profession, then who will protect us? Through my personality development classes, we work on improving their overall development. Apart from teaching vocational subjects, classes are also held on subjects like Maths and Physics. Patriotic feeling is also inspired among the children by holding plays, skits and organising talks by ex-servicemen about their life in the military. Information is given about how to join the armed forces,’’ said Gore.
Her efforts have not been in vain. At least two to three students join the armed forces every year after attending her camp. One of her students, Ankur, is currently training at the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun while another, Abhishek, has joined the National Defence Academy. Gore’s 26-year-old son died on September 25, 1995, fighting insurgents at his post near Kupwara. He was the first officer from Mumbai to die in the Operation Rakshak. Born to businessman Vishnu and Anuradha Gore, a school teacher with Parle Tilak Vidyalay, Vinayak was greatly inspired by Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar, says his mother.
A good sportsperson, he represented N M college at inter-college football meets. Vinayak wanted to join the army so much that he left his articleship halfway to appear for the Combined Defence Service (CDS) examination. His father was initially reluctant but later relented.
The disrespect shown to the soldier's family, who has laid down his life, or the ease with which he (the soldier) is blamed when some mishap occurs, is what disturbs the family. ‘‘Are they not someone’s brother, husband or son? Instead of thinking about the country’s security, people are concerned only about their safety,’’ said Gore. The Gores have been trying to change this thinking through their camps .
But some parents blame Gore for trying to make them lose their children by asking them to join the army. Though she tries not to take such statements to heart, sometimes the painful memories comes rushing back. They make her question whether she was a good mother for having allowed her only son to join the army. ‘‘I am a woman and mother. The sorrow of losing my child will always remain, but it is the thought that he died for the nation that comforts me,’’ said Gore.
How deeply Vinayak was devoted to the country can be made out from a letter he wrote on his 25th birthday last year.
In the letter, he thanks his parents for his upbringing and says that not supporting him emotionally in some issues has made him reach his goal. ‘‘I am happy that I have had a chance to serve my nation,’’ the letter said.