Quick-reads

Something was off about Amardeep. He never laughed. But it was stranger that he never cried. Not even as a hungry baby. He just made baby coos when he was hungry and his mom came to understand.

He barely spoke and was usually lost in his own world reading voraciously and colouring. When he was 7 years old, his school organized a function for Independence Day and Amardeep worked hard to get into the march past team. He made it. His parents came for the function and watched with tears in their eyes as Amardeep marched and looked up at the unfurled national flag and saluted. A tear ran down his cheek. The first tear he ever shed was for our flag.

Amardeep ignored most subjects at school except History and Social Studies. He loved reading about India’s past and civics and geography. He would bring home books about history from the library and spend hours reading.

He wasn’t sure of anything except that he wanted to join the army. His parents agreed. India was what moved him… otherwise he was lifeless.

Amardeep and his family lived in a village in Kashmir close to an Army base. He would often go there and cheer the soldiers. Over time he built a friendly rapport with them.

Amardeep the hero 

When he was 16, Amardeep was relaxing at home one day when he heard sounds like firecrackers. He was sure there was firing somewhere. He ran to the Army base and saw that there was a standoff between terrorists and the armed forces. The Army men yelled at Amardeep to hide.

But he took out his kirpan and ran to the midst of the firing, lashing out in every direction at the terrorists to hurt them and stop them. He was screaming – Jo Bole So Nihaal Sat Sri Akal!

He fatally injured two terrorists and caused wounds to others. But fate exacted her vengeance for this knee jerk reaction. Amardeep felt his right leg go numb and he fell to the ground unconscious.

When he woke up, he was in a hospital and his right leg was amputated below the knee.

No. Amardeep didn’t cry. He didn’t say anything. He got up. Got into the wheel chair and asked his father, ‘Dar ji, now I won’t be able to join the Army right?’ His parents burst into tears. 

Amardeep had just begun  

Giving up didn’t even cross his mind. There was a lot to do. And no time. He continued school but also kept visiting the Army base.

Here, he trained with the Army for physical strength – head stands, walking on his arms, pull ups, pushups and moving fast with his leg in a brace. He invested time in building strength and physical reflexes, his trusted kirpan always by his side.

He started moving about the valley and passing on news to the army whenever he smelt trouble.

One day, he sensed danger. His school was probably being targeted by terrorists. He spoke to the Army jawans in the base and told them about the rumor.

Day 1 – nothing.

Day 2 – nothing.

The army watched for a week but nothing happened so they cleared the area.

Just when the Army let down their guard and were back in the base, the terrorists stormed into the school and held the students and teachers hostage. Amardeep was there too.

There were 5 terrorists and he didn’t know by when help would arrive. One thing helped. Amardeep went every day to the Army base to train and have tea. He won’t be able to go today and this may serve as a sign.

The heavily armed terrorists started threatening the children and snatched away everyone’s mobile phones, jewelry, money. Their aim was to simply clear the school, seal it and make it their hiding place. And the two terrorists who were fatally injured and captured by the Army had to be returned to them. They would stop at nothing… even killing children.

Amardeep looked at his watch – 5.15pm. He usually met the men at the base at 5 pm. They would wait for a bit and it was a half hour hike up to the school. But they would be in jeeps so it will be faster.

He covered himself with his blanket lest they recognise him as the one who attacked their mates. His kirpan was ready.

After what seemed like ages, he heard the jeeps outside. One of the terrorists screamed – ‘chhodenge nahi saalon ko… maaro inko. Fire!’

One bunch of Army men attacked from the front and another sneaked in through the backdoor to get the kids out. Amardeep kept the kids together and silently led them out.

Just then, he was attacked from behind. He let out a guttural scream and threw open his blanket. He reached for the terrorist’s throat this time. One swoosh and he went for the jugular. The terrorist dropped dead.

Despite being wounded and bleeding, Amardeep made sure all his friends and teachers got out noiselessly and escaped.

Not stopping at that, he fought alongside the Army armed with his trusted kirpan until he collapsed.

He had lost a lot of blood but after a surgery and 8 days in the hospital, he returned home.

What met his eyes at home was amazing. His whole house was decorated with flowers. All his schoolmates sang Vande Mataram and he joined in and best of all, he had got a letter from the President of India to come and collect his bravery award!

Amardeep cried.

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