- Unsung Heroes Face Death
- 18,000 Feet, Rs 18,000
A journey through the treacherous snow-capped peaks of Ladakh revealed a poignant truth. A conversation between a Delhi-based manager, earning a 50 lakh rupee annual package, and his 28-year-old local driver deeply moved the listener. One, a tourist accustomed to air-conditioned comfort, the other, an ordinary man confronting death for his nation. Their unfiltered dialogue offered a stark contrast in lives.
A Question Pierces the Silence
The tourist inquired if the driver planned to work in hotels in Goa or Delhi once the season ended. “No, sir, I will stay here,” the young man replied. Surprised, the tourist asked about his winter plans, given the severe cold. “I will go to Siachen,” the driver responded, leaving the manager stunned. The manager expressed his astonishment at the even harsher cold there.
Carrying Loads for the Army
“Yes, sir, the cold is intense there. I work as a loader,” the young man explained. This contractual job requires a 250-kilometer trek on foot, taking 15 days. Upon arrival, medical tests are conducted. If cleared, a uniform and helmet are provided. He then works there for three to four months, carrying supplies dropped by the army.
Minus 50 Degrees at 2 AM
“Trucks cannot go there. Snow scooters would alert the enemy with their noise. So, we start at 2 AM, in silence and darkness, without torches,” the driver narrated. “It’s minus 50 degrees Celsius. No animal can survive at 18,000 feet; even horses and donkeys perish.” Listening to him, the narrator’s blood ran cold, imagining the agony of carrying weight in such thin air.
Where Death is Inevitable
The driver mentioned that due to low oxygen, they are not allowed to carry more than 15 kilograms. They work only two hours a day; the remaining time is spent merely trying to stay alive. When the tourist asked if this was playing with death, the young man paused. “Many of my friends never returned, sir. Some fell into ravines, others died from frostbite. Death is inevitable there, sir,” he sighed.
Rs 18,000 for a Dance with Death
The tourist then inquired about the pay for such arduous work. “I earn 18,000 rupees a month, sir,” the driver stated. “I can save up to 50,000 rupees in three or four months. That’s enough for my family. More importantly, it gives me satisfaction that I did something for my country, sir.” Hearing this, tears welled up in the manager’s eyes. He realized how insignificant his 50 lakh rupee package felt before this young man’s sacrifice.
Who is the True Backbone?
We must remember that while Nation Sleeps comfortably, someone is carrying a heavy burden in the freezing snow at 2 AM. Patriotism isn’t just about slogans; it’s sacrifice. Those active on social media wouldn’t last ten minutes in that darkness. This young man, enduring hunger and carrying loads for the army, is the true backbone of this nation. We exist because they exist. The narrator could only bow his head in front of his sacrifice.
