The Last Post: Remembering Dr Kishan

By Angom Heera *

Die Another Day The sound of The Last Post may be sound able at this hour only in terms of military jargon. Dr Kishan's last rites may have been performed along with his two subordinates, but their souls would truly 'Rest in Peace' only when their murderers' souls would "Roast in Piece".

Officer's Choice
Dr Kishan was not known to me personally. It's my misfortune. Having said that, 'realization' fortunately dawns on yours truly, sooner than later. Ah! It's enlightening and indeed heartening to come to know that here was a man who was not only an intellectual but one who had the virtues of a great leader written all over him-left, right and centre. A man of ideals, principles and a man with Vision and Dreams. Yeah, a man of substance!

Without malice towards one and all, at a time when many Leaders in the State (for that matter anywhere) are known to be 'Dealers', Dr Kishan was an officer who chose the path of a true Leader- "lead sans the deals". In his own capacity, he tried to bring about a change in the system by being an inspiring and exemplary Leader - a leader with a capital L. Come to think of it, the dream job of a Civil Servant is not a cake walk; it's a clash between a political will and the administrative wont. But he succeeded in gracefully living up to the 'Great Expectations' associated with the position. Now the big Question is would the 'Parents' of the disgraced Black Sheep be successful enough in gracefully living up to the 'Expectations' themselves? Point to ponder.

Blah! Blah! Black Sheep
"It was NOT the best of times; it was the worst of times..." Thus starts 'A tale of two districts'. It's another story altogether though that it's been told as a tale of Black Sheep (Cloned?!).

After the "Premature Articulation", responsibility has finally been 'owned' for the heinous crime. Now the onus is on the concerned outfit to take steps for facilitating the speedy delivery of justice. Considering the gravity of the crime and the situation, Sincerity and Commitment are called for. Once bitten twice shy. Although history tells us otherwise, let's hope that better sense prevails this time and that history does not repeat itself anymore.

Of late, Shoes have been thrown at leaders who beat around the bush and mess around in other's affairs too much-former US President George W Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao for instance.

Beware Leaders and Leaderships-Collective or otherwise!

Come what may, only time will tell whether it's truly a case of Black Sheep in the family or a pack of wolves in Sheep's clothings.

Mercury Rising
After the cold blooded murder of the 3 Heroes, the State has been relentlessly up in hot flames over the burning issue. But the 'support' for the cause and the 'maturity' shown by cross sections of the population cutting across community lines has indeed been heart warming. At the end of the day, even though we despise the cold bloodedness, let's also not fall into the 'trap' and kindle the hot flames either. Rather, let's keep the affair warm; it's closer to the heart!

An Officer and a Gentleman
"If you ask me, I have a dream. Yes, for a society where there is no exploitation, subjugation, domination and suppression" - Dr Kishan (2006).

Every great dream begins with a dreamer who had within him the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the Stars. He dared to have a Utopian dream...... and chase it. In fact, he was a Leader who was 'Bold and Dutiful' enough to stand by his ideals and principles even in the face of death. The valiant never taste of death but once, so they say and rightly so. Yeah, he was a Braveheart from the Crust to the Core and a Star of a Leader who was loved and admired by friends and colleagues alike. But then, whom the Gods love die young, so they say. Sad but true. Dr Kishan - Earth's loss; Heaven's gain.

All said and done, this young and dynamic Leader's martyrdom should not go in vain. Let's pray that it'll continue to inspire us lesser mortals and hopefully be successful enough in moving the thought processes of an entire generation with the ideology and vision he was passionately committed to.

Soldier of Fortune-Duty Unto Death
"The reward of great men is that, long after they have died, one is not quite sure that they are dead" (Jules Renard). Come to think of it, Leaders don't vanish and Stars go out of sight only to appear again in the horizon. And why should we miss you ? We've learnt so much from you to treasure forever. Farewell, dear Leader! Today you remain very much 'Alive and Kickin' in the heart of millions as an icon........ a hero of mythical proportions. Yeah, "KISHAN-ALIVE AS THEY NEVER WANTED YOU TO BE", heart speaketh!

Hats off to a Brave Soldier who conquered every fear by despising death in the line of fire AND a Brave Leader who truly led from the front in the line of duty.

In retrospection, the sound of The Last Post seems indeed sound able at this hour, militarily or otherwise. May your soul finally find the 'Quantum of Solace' and Rest in Eternal Peace but, the 'Show' must go on.

Jai Jawan, Jai Kishan!!