FATORDA: Inspired by the soldiers who selflessly serve the nation, resident of Matruchaya Shelter Home for Girls in Fatorda Kavita Dawande has paid rich tributes to the armed forces by penning her own poetry in which she has portrayed the soldier as a friend who is always there to bail out his countrymen during any distress.
"We were given an assignment for our school magazine to write a poetry on the Indian soldier. The teacher gave us two options - either submit an original work or download from the Internet. Since I have a flair for writing, I decided to write my own poetry titled 'A Soldier'," says Dawande, a ninth grade student from Popular High School, Margao.
Speaking about the reason behind calling the soldier a "friend", the young girl says, " I follow all news related to our armed forces. I am motivated by their heroism and selfless service to the people of my nation. They are not only making the supreme sacrifice in safeguarding the nation's borders but also in the country's villages and cities to rescue their countrymen during natural calamities or terrorist attack."
According to her, she didn't need too much time to complete her poetry as the words automatically flowed in her mind, which were aided from the images of Pulwama terror attack last year followed by Balakot air strikes by Indian Air Force and subsequently the flood relief operations that were undertaken in various parts of the country during monsoon last year.
"While on one hand the images of Pulwama terror attack disturbed me a lot, at the same time visuals of our soldiers rescuing civilians from marooned villages without bothering about their personal safety motivated me a lot. So, when I sat down to pen my thoughts, the words came very easily as all these images of the soldiers were moving before my eyes. I didn't need to put in extra efforts," she says.
Such is her level of motivation that Dawande aims to become an officer in the armed forces and serve the nation.
"Today a large number of women are serving in the armed forces. I too want to become like one of them and serve my country. I also appeal to all my young friends to plan for a career that would give them an opportunity to do something constructive for the country," she says.
"Today a large number of women are serving in the armed forces. I too want to become like one of them and serve my country." - Kavita Dawande, Std 9, Popular High School, Margao
A Soldier
By Kavita Dawande
Soldier is our friend who helps us in any situation;
He lays down his life protecting the nation.
Soldier is our teacher who teaches us lots of things;
Bravery, hardwork, loyalty and kindness is what he brings.
To the people in danger soldier is like a God;
Who helps them in bad times - be it earthquake, flood or war.
Most importantly soldier is a human who lives for his country;
Who gives up everything, so that we could live peacefully.