The Land so Barren

The land is so barren and the passes so high, that only the fiercest of enemies and the best of friends visit us.

This quote is displayed at the Indian Army’s Siachen Base Camp.

During my recent trip to Leh, I saw this and several other quotes on our drive from Leh to Nubra Valley to Pangong and back to Leh via Chang la pass. This particular one stuck with me though. But why?

Is it because it is teeming with bravery, the kind that inspires you? Or that it evokes a deeply buried patriotism, the kind that you haven’t felt in a long while and thus requires a gripping awakening that can arouse the inner nationalist? I don’t know. I never understood the bravery in the former and I am not a fan of the nationalist in the latter. 

I have always wondered why a soldier chooses to be one. The hardships that come along with it are beyond my understanding. I have respect for them, but I don’t understand them. And patriotism, nationalism? I don’t think there is anything in this world that is capable enough to reignite that fire in me. More accurately, there are no embers left in there to rekindle. Too much blood has been shed. Too many lives destroyed.

But there is still something about this quote…an obvious truth that makes it relatable, universal.

When life is so barren and the hurdles sky-high, only the fiercest of enemies will be hostile and only the best of friends will be humane.

Isn’t that so? The difference is - in life, you don’t get to choose. In life, you need to keep those embers glowing.