Once again, the war disabled warriors of the War Wounded Foundation (WWF) were back in the fray at the Mumbai Marathon on 18 January 2015. For them, it was one more challenge, and being soldiers of the Indian Army they knew that this too would be ‘a piece of cake’, as had been so many challenges that they had tackled in their careers, and even after leaving the army.
With this resolve, they set forth for the Azad Maidan early in the morning, when the sun was still rising. These doughty warriors, wearing red and white T- shirts of their Foundation, could be spotted from afar in the huge Azad Maidan. They had all congregated close to the entrance to the holding area from where they would be funnelled to the
starting point, a couple of hundred yards away. While waiting for the holding area gates to open, they assembled around the magnificent Pipe Band of 11 Dogra Battalion, whose martial tunes were attracting a large number of persons gathered to participate in the marathon. Many photographs were clicked and many queries answered. Mumbaikars have always loved the Indian Army and so was it that morning.
The heady atmosphere and the tunes played by the band seemed to strengthen the resolve of all the participants, and seeing the war disabled soldiers and their officers, smartly turned out and limbering up for their race, had a salutary effect on all. The soldiers were led by their officers, as is the culture of the army. I am 73 years old and President of the foundation, while the Vice President is 76 years old Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo, both of us sporting artificial legs! Even though we were eligible to participate in the shorter ‘Senior Citizens’ Run’, we opted for the longer ‘Dream Run’, so that we could be with our war disabled colleagues. In such races, it is always fun to run as a group.
Many participants asked the war disabled runners why they were participating in the Marathon, as they were minus a limb or an organ or more. They cited four reasons. First, to tell everyone that disabilities do not deter soldiers; instead, it urges them to attempt difficult challenges. Second, for the ‘visibility’ of WWF. Third, to spread the message that the WWF functions for the sole purpose of assisting the war disabled personnel of the Indian Military in their long term rehabilitation and financial independence. And last, since many corporate entities field teams to run in the Corporate Challenge to raise funds for charity, and our sponsor Godrej Boyce Company was also fielding a team for raising donations for us, how could we not participate?
Grit and determination
The war disabled soldiers and officers are men who have lost limbs The pioneers – Lt.Gen. Oberoi (L) and Maj. Gen. and organs, fighting the enemies of the nation. There are others who have become disabled in other war-like operations, like counter insurgency operations in different parts of the country, including in the Northeastern states and in Jammu & Kashmir. These are the men who may have lost a leg or an arm or an eye or more than one limb or organ, but whose spirits continue to soar. They run in the marathon so that the people of our country see for themselves that it takes more than disabilities for the officers and soldiers of the Indian Army and the other two services to lose their ‘do or die’ spirit!
I lost my leg in the Indo-Pak War of 1965, when I was a young captain, having completed just four years of service. I accepted the challenge and chose to ‘soldier on’ and compete with my peers. Thirty six years later, I retired as the Vice Chief of the Army and the following year, I set up the WWF.
My Vice President, Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo was severely wounded in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Brave man that he is, when he stepped on a land mine after being dropped by a helicopter in virtually the middle of Pakistani defences in the Sylhet sector of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and his foot was blown off, he took out his khukri (all Gurkha officers and jawans carry a khukri) and cut off his dangling foot! He also decided to ‘soldier on’ and retired meritoriously as a Major General. Stories of all the war disabled personnel who participated in the Mumbai Marathon are similar, full of bravery and guts.
The rhetorical question that arises is as to why these disabled warriors come to Mumbai from various parts of India? After all, marathons are now on the calendars of many cities and even some political entities have jumped on the band wagon! It is not that Mumbai was the first metro to start regular marathons or Mumbaikars are more health conscious than others. It is also not because the organisers are meticulous in the planning and execution of this major sporting event, or the corporate entities are highly supportive. The main reason is the interest the people of Mumbai take in this annual event, and the way they rise to the occasion and cheer the participants.
Although the Foundation has also fielded its members in the Delhi ‘Half Marathon’, it is Mumbai that offers an exhilarating event. The bonding one finds in the Mumbai Marathon between the participants and the onlookers seems to be missing for some reason from the Delhi event.
On the Marathon morning in Mumbai, it appears that everyone gathers to participate in an enjoyable tamasha. And undoubtedly it is a great tamasha or mela, as the entire route is full of cheering crowds; groups vying with each other to sing songs to boost the morale of the runners; and many colourful bands lining up along the route, belting out their favourite numbers. This time, we witnessed many more groups lining the route, holding up their banners, like ‘Fight cancer’, ‘Gay rights’, ‘Swachh Bharat’, ‘Smoking kills but corruption is equally bad’, ‘Kissing is fun, not a sin’, and many more. Besides the Pipe Band of 11 Dogra Battalion, the band of the Indian Navy was also positioned at a special place on Marine Drive; they love to be near the sea! Fortunately, the weather was perfect. It always is at this time of the year, with the usual high humidity of Mumbai banished for this day at least.
The ‘Dream Run’
Let me now revert to the start of the ‘Dream run’. The Grand Stand, only a few yards from the start point, suddenly slowed down, for lo and behold, the glitterati of Mumbai were waving and cheering. There were Bollywood actors with muscles bulging in their tight fitting sports ensembles, who were content to wave their arms instead of running with the hoi polloi. There were also the female actors and VIPs like the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Page 3 ladies in their ‘bling’.
Once past the Grand Stand, the race assumed its traditional pace. Every participant and onlooker was enthusiastic, absorbing the atmosphere. For the first time, family members joined the war disabled group, which was greatly appreciated.
After a major event like this one, it is logical to think about the pros and the cons. While the citizens of Mumbai did not shirk in showering praise and commending the war disabled for their efforts, our media had no time for the disabled soldiers. Their sights were solely focused on the ‘beautiful’ people; the ‘Page 3 glitterati’, the ‘politicos’, and the honchos with cash! What a shame!!!
Notwithstanding this indifference of the government and most of the media (this publication being the exception), the soldier plods on, doing his duty for the country and the citizens, seeking only respect and ‘recognition’ of his acts. More power to him!
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Lt.Gen. Vijay Oberoi.
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff; and currently the President of the War Wounded Foundation.[/column]