the ant v\s the mammoth

I was watching 300 the other day….now for those who haven seen the movie or have no idea about it…..300 is based on the mythical battle of sum odd greek place with a similar odd greek name.

Its about 300 spartan soldiers , led by king leonidas, holding off over a million Persian soldiers led by king xerxes the 1^st.

The movie, though exaggerated to a great extent, was shot with absolutely generosity.

Generosity in terms of money, blood and gore.

But I don’t know why, I felt as though it resembled a very much real incident in Indian history. Approximately 40 years back an Indian contingent at the rajasthan border held off a mammoth Pakistani battalion. Yes, I am talking about the Battle at Longewala. When a handful of Indian soldiers were facing a full fledged tank battalion, history was to be made and glory was certain to be achieved.

The Spartans were given a choice. The option to surrender and fall back. The Indians too were given a choice. To fall back. Both armies had the choice to meekly surrender at the hands of tyranny and obvious destruction or to hold fort and fight to their last breath. To fight till every muscle in their body said enough!! To fight for their countries! To fight for their people. To fight for their mothers and sisters back home! To fight till each and every inch of their bodies were slashed and butchered by swords and bullets! To fight for glory! Both armies chose the latter.

The Persians had elephants. The Pakistanis had tanks. They could have trampled the enemy. But the Spartans and the Indians would have none of it.

It is surprising, how even a small surge of patriotism allows a man to muster up enough courage to take on the mightiest of enemies.

Major Kuldeep Singh could have been braindead by just the mere sight of the hell that was approaching from across the border. Fear could have taken over.

Leonidas could have kneeled down to Xerxes and begged for life and mercycfrom the salughter.

But these two brave men dared. The dared to defy the odds placed against them. They dared to change the course of history that was to be written.

The patriot in them awakened. The patriot in every soldier awakened.

They were in the line of fire.

Though the 300 did not make it…it was enough to make 10000 spartans back home spit fire. The Persians were trounced.

Closer home, the Pakistanis were crushed. India suffered 3 losses out of 100. 40 pakistani tanks were destroyed. They suffered innumerable human losses.

In the wake of recent terror attacks…..can we afford to go down easily?? Can we quit to tyranny?? Can we surrender to the wrong?? NO WE CANT!!!

Can we fight??? Can we prevail???? Can we still belive in satyameva jayate??? YES WE CAN!!!

Indian….wear your flag on your sleeve….. nevermind the curious gaze of an onlooker….its the gaze of admiration.

Jai ho!!