SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU: Despite joining candle marches and emoting on social media platforms the common people are yet to learn the art of respecting ‘martyrs’ of the motherland.
Not only the government authorities but the general masses often end up hurting the sentiments of patriotic people.
Despite naming several roads, parks and even after erecting statues of brave soldiers, much has not been done to maintain these symbols so as to inspire younger generations and motivate them with stories of their valour.
Take for example the case of posh Green Belt Road near Police Lines in the capital city. After Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia attained martyrdom on 15th June, 1999 in Kargil, the road outside his parental house was renamed and Jammu Municipal Corporation had also installed a sign-board.
At present it is difficult to read the name of the martyr on the sign-board.
Several posters and other material have been pasted and painted on the sign-board and the same has been disfigured. To remember these brave soldiers solemn tribute ceremonies are organised in Kargil where their families and men in uniform pay their respects and remember their supreme sacrifices to remind the Nation how these brave men fought valiantly till their last breath. In Jammu the people have forgotten these heroes and nothing is being done to restore their pride.
The lazy JMC authorities don’t take any action against the violators for showing disrespect to the martyrs and simply ignore the crime.
A road outside the office of Inspector General of Police, Jammu near Radio Station, was dedicated in the name of N C Vij, former army chief but the sign-board is often pasted with posters of educational institutions and tuition centres announcing the schedule of classes.
Same is the plight of statues of war heroes and winners of Param Vir Chakras standing tall across Jammu.
Often buntings are tied round the statues during public awareness campaigns by advertisers with scant regard to the supreme sacrifices these real heroes have made to ensure we lead peaceful lives.
The concerned authorities in Jammu Municipal Corporation carry out anti-encroachment drives but seldom pay attention to maintain these sign-boards, erected in the name of martyrs and the dignitaries.
