TRIBUTE TO A VALIANT SOLDIER AND FRIEND
By Lt.Col Dileep R
It was November of 1999 when I first met Nawang. We both were part of a group of 250 plus cadets selected to undergo offcier’s training at the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) located at St Thomas Mount, Chennai.
We both were allotted Number -1 Platoon of Meiktila Company, Shivaji Battalion. We were “buddies”, a term used to refer to the two or three cadets who stay together and take care of each other. Nawang was blessed with a friendly demeanour. You could never remember him without a smile and to add charm to it, the dimples that goes along with it. He was tall & stockily built. He had a wonderful persona and cheery disposition. Over the course of time, I had learned that Nawang had chosen this profession out of sheer passion and love for the uniform.
The training was tough. It comprised of a strict regimen of physical activities including drill, physical training and academic sessions in pre-noon shift followed by games and hobby classes in the evening shifts. To add to our “woes” we have intermittent conditioning sessions from our senior course cadets and all this contributed in moulding us to adapt to Military life.
I remember Nawang having difficulty initially to cope up with this tedious schedule but I could always see the trademark smile and spark in his eyes come what may. Those eyes always seem to tell “Hey man, this too shalt pass”. He never gave up. Perhaps looking back I feel Nawang had given me my first lessons in soldiering. My take away was “Just don’t give up, come what may”.
He was a keen observer. A man of few words and talkative at the same time. He narrated to me his life in suburban Mumbai where I had never been to at that time. We shared the details of our pre training lives to each other. I learned about his parents who were entrepreneurs as well as mountaineers, his brother who was a banker, and his lively circle of friends which he narrated with nostalgia. Indeed, he was a Mumbai lad and it seemed to me that he was yearning for that life he had left behind, but gravitating towards the other one of valour he had chosen for himself.
It was always a treat listening to him. He was of course missing his life of fun, his friends and parents. It left me an impression of a tree uprooted form one environ and re-planed in another. A sort of shedding your youth for adulthood. In no time Nawang adapted himself to the rigour of military training. He had shed his extra pounds. He is chins receded with each passing day. He might have felt he was staring at a stranger whenever he saw his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He was transforming to an Army Officer. But he never let go of his smile and friendly disposition. It seemed as if he was equally enjoying this new life as his previous one. He was clearing all his mandatory physical tests with ease.
I remember an incident during our equestrian classes in first term. Nawang was having his first lessons in riding when he was knocked down to ground by a not too friendly horse. I remember all of us shouting at Nawang in horror to get out of the way. Horses are known to kick and stamp on you causing serious injuries. I remember Nawang getting up with his ever present smile as if nothing had happened. It seemed that he was asking “What are you guys staring at. Its all a joke.”
Nawang was conscientious about his appearance. He was always well dressed. I never remember seeing him unkempt. I remember once Nawang telling me that he had joined Army for the fun of it. To experience the adventures in offer for him and he was planning to quit after five years of mandatory service, fulfilling his dream. I remember telling him that I did not feel he would quit since I felt he was an ideal Army Officer in making.
Nawang was a motivator and guide to me in true sense. He was the only one in Academy with whom I shared details of my family. I remember us being asked to opt for one hobby class which was a mandatory requirement. I looked up to Nawang since I could not come up with any decision. Nawang finalized the option for me and we chose Music & Dramatics. Later when we realised that we were not getting too far with it, he came up with another idea of shifting to Martial Arts. He had those traits which are the hallmarks of an Army Officer. The first and foremost among them was of course taking decisions in tune with the situation. I remember myself once getting nostalgic about parents back home during Music and Dramatics classes. I was emotional and filled with tears. I remember Nawang consoling me and cheering me up. One of the incidents that will always be etched in my memory.
Nawang was a foodie and was always ready to give anything for that. He had a powerful palate and was always ready to explore and enjoy new delicacies. I remember Harish uncle & Geeta aunty visiting him at the Academy with a plethora of dishes which I also had the opportunity to partake. That was the fist occasion when I received the love, warmth and affection of Kapadia family. I remember Nawang telling me before proceeding on mid term break to get him something special from Kerala on return. I can never forget my mother packing rice laddoos which is a delicacy in Kerala and telling me “This is for Kapadiar” (She always adds and ‘r” to his second name). Nawang relished it and conveyed his gratitude and appreciation for my mother.
In the second and last term of our Academy life we were seniors. Time has come to think about the culmination of our training, the Passing Out Parade and prior to that exercising the option to choose your Arms/Services . Nawang was a hardcore Infantry optee from day one. I knew his sole purpose in joining Army was to lead men in combat. It come as no surprise when he joined the elite and prestigious Gorkha Regiment. What a better choice than a highly decorated and battle hardened Gorkhas for an adventure seeking and passionate young Army Officer? The glow in his eyes when he was donned with his pips said everything. The sense of achievement and the pride in being an Army Officer was written all over his face.
I was on leave on 11 Nov 2000 when I had received a phone call to report some casualty. I was told by one of the General Staff Officers of 8 Infantry Brigade that Lt Nawang Kapadia had achieved martyrdom fighting terrorist in Kupwara. All hell broken loose. I could not believe myself. I remember my mother crying unconsolably. She could not forget him. She had met him during the Passing Out Parade and had fond memories of him. I used to mention about him during our telephone conversations. I also remember the melancholy in my father’s and brothers’ eyes. I remember hearing the news form Harish uncle himself. He told me they all are in a state of shock but the most heart wrenching of all was when Harish uncle told me to take care of myself.
I cant never forget his greatness and humanity in that hour of mourning. I spoke to Geeta aunty and tried to console her. I know I was into a futile attempt, but the resilience and stoicism of aunty was remarkable. I knew she was consoling me in a way by putting on a brave front when she was undergoing unspeakable mental agony. Of course, she is the mother of a martyr who led his men in combat valiantly without an iota of concern for his personal safety. It was as if Geeta aunty was giving a befitting tribute to her heroic son.
Lt Nawang Kapadia had laid down his life in the true traditions of Indian Army. He chose a profession that is noble, challenging and demanding sacrifice. A profession fraught with risks. He was true to his profession and lived up to the expectations bestowed on him by his organisation and motherland. He had a life which was truly lived. A life of accomplishment. He had joined the illustrious group of martyrs who had given their today for our tomorrow. He will live forever with us, without aging, without fading away.
After a couple of months it was my turn for action and I was seriously wounded. I remember Geeta aunty taking pains to fly to Delhi and meeting me. I remember her concern at my well being and recovery. She had inquired doctors about my condition. I never told my mother I was shot and seriously wounded. I received my motherly affection from aunty. I remember aunty bursting into tears seeing my condition. This time I did not know how to console her. Harish uncle also visited me later. No amount of words can articulate the kindness and magnanimity of this wonderful couple. The greatness of Nawang is a legacy from his great parents.
I had the honour to visit Kapadia household after recovering from my injuries. I was bestowed with unparalleled hospitality form everyone including Sonam bhaiyya, Nawang’s elder brother. How can I forget Sonam bhaiyya taking out time form his busy schedule to drive down to Kalyan railway station to pick me up. How can I forget Geeta aunty treating me with myriad of delicacies. Taking me to fish market to have the best pick. Consulting best ophthalmologists in Mumbai for a second opinion for my injured eye. I remember Sonam bhaiyya taking me to reputed street food hub in Mumbai, dinner at Ravi & Paula’s home, meeting Nawang’s neighbours where he grew up playing as a kid. I was also present there when Sonam bhaiyya had received the phone call from Nawang’s unit informing him about the elimination of terrorist involved in Nawang’s final operation. I felt honoured to receive Nawang’s couple of dresses from Geeta aunty. These memories will accompany me throughout my life.
Lt Nawang Kapadia always lives in our heart. He laid his life fulfilling his duty. It takes true grit and raw courage to make supreme sacrifice at an age of 24 yrs. Blessed are those who have achieved martyrdom for our motherland to keep the tri-color fluttering. It does not matter how much you have lived, but how you have lived. You will always live forever in our heart.
Jai Nawang
Jai Hind