Many of us are fascinated about the passing of parades, the wakeup call of the bugle, the majestic entry steps marching along on the parade ground and the spectacular cultural pageantry of tri-services of our country. But, how many of us are aware that why the ‘Parade Ground’ is held in such high regard?
A young cadet inducted into the armed forces, full of enthusiasm, zeal and confidence. Two weeks passed since the commencement of training and it is the month of May. Dry, sunny and harsh weather made the cadet as thirsty as a crow and her eyes searched for water.
Ahhh, there it is! Just on the other side of parade ground. ‘It’s a half day, 1600 hours in the afternoon, no one is watching.’ Ignoring her inner voice and the ‘No thoroughfare’ warnings, the cadet cleverly crossed the ground on a bicycle not realizing that the Instructor was noticing the same from few meters away.
Then what?
Punishment? No!
Reprimand? No!
It was a life lesson she learnt that day.
She was ordered to raise her arms and pick up the 13kg bicycle on her head and complete 527 rounds of the ground before the culmination of the course.
Five hundred and twenty-seven?
But, an order is an order. She was not allowed to ask how, why, where and when. She started with one, two, three… and when she finished her 527th round, the ‘ustaad’ took her to the Instructor to give a completion report. Her instructor asked, “Madam, do you know why 527?” Drained, tired and hypoglycemic, she was answer-less.
“My dear cadet; after a battle, when the retreat was sounded and the unit had assembled to call roll and count the martyred, a hollow square was formed. The mortal remains were respectfully placed within the square and no-one used the area for thoroughfare. Today, the parade ground represents the SQUARE and hence, a unit’s martyrs. It is deemed to be a hallowed ground, soaked with the blood of fallen heroes. Five hundred and twenty-seven soldiers were martyred in the Kargil war, numerous were injured and you want to use shortcuts to satisfy your thirst?” the Instructor questioned.
After a total of 527 rounds and apologizing to each soul she was blessed with energies that converted her red blood into OLIVE GREEN forever.
