A table with inverted Chair at the Cadets dining hall at NDA

[third eye]

There are still 54 POWs missing in Pakistan. All of the them were captured alive including CO of 47 Sqn, Wg Cdr "High Speed" Gill. It is unlikely that they are still alive. They must have endured horrific torture before their deaths.


At the entrance of the Dining Hall of NDA Khadakwasla, there is a table set for one, with the chair tilted forward. This table is set for the Armed Forces Personnel who are Prisoners of War and forgotten, in the hope that they will return one day.

The Placard on the table says: “The table set is small, for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors."

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep their faith awaiting their return.

The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

The candle is unlit, symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit.

The slice of Lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate – symbolic of the families’ tears as they wait.

The Glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair – it is empty. They are not here.

Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Remember until the day they come home…”


@Icarus

 

[Sage]

There are still 54 POWs missing in Pakistan. All of the them were captured alive including CO of 47 Sqn, Wg Cdr "High Speed" Gill. It is unlikely that they are still alive. They must have endured horrific torture before their deaths.


At the entrance of the Dining Hall of NDA Khadakwasla, there is a table set for one, with the chair tilted forward. This table is set for the Armed Forces Personnel who are Prisoners of War and forgotten, in the hope that they will return one day.

The Placard on the table says: “The table set is small, for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors."

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep their faith awaiting their return.

The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

The candle is unlit, symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit.

The slice of Lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate – symbolic of the families’ tears as they wait.

The Glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair – it is empty. They are not here.

Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Remember until the day they come home…”


@Icarus

Share the story in a bit more detail !

 

[third eye]

Share the story in a bit more detail !

Its not a story please.

I am narrating something that happens even now. To a Cadet - the mess is a place he visits thrice daily for as long as he is under training.

He spends time here , mostly rushed but sometimes not so rushed as well - weekends if he not going out on liberty.

Here he sees a table for those who did not return - MIA / PsOW. These men would never be struck off the rolls .

Remembrance, motivation , bonding....if you will

Soldiers may fade away but they remain unforgotten.

Ungrateful nations may forget them, comrades never .

 

[Capt.Popeye]

There are still 54 POWs missing in Pakistan. All of the them were captured alive including CO of 47 Sqn, Wg Cdr "High Speed" Gill. It is unlikely that they are still alive. They must have endured horrific torture before their deaths.


At the entrance of the Dining Hall of NDA Khadakwasla, there is a table set for one, with the chair tilted forward. This table is set for the Armed Forces Personnel who are Prisoners of War and forgotten, in the hope that they will return one day.

The Placard on the table says: “The table set is small, for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors."

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep their faith awaiting their return.

The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

The candle is unlit, symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit.

The slice of Lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate – symbolic of the families’ tears as they wait.

The Glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair – it is empty. They are not here.

Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Remember until the day they come home…”


@Icarus

Though this is a relatively newer tradition in the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; there is a much older tradition.... the "Hut of Remembrance" on the higher slopes adjoining Sudan Block. It was built in 1956-57 by NDA Cadets themselves; to commemorate Academy Alumni who fell in the line of duty. It overlooks the Arun Khetarpal Drill Square where the POP takes place. Khetarpal Drill Square itself commemorates 2/Lieut.Arun Khetarpal PVC, who was himself a NDA Alumnus.

 

[third eye]

Though this is a relatively newer tradition in the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; there is a much older tradition.... the "Hut of Remembrance" on the higher slopes adjoining Sudan Block. It was built in 1956-57 by NDA Cadets themselves; to commemorate Academy Alumni who fell in the line of duty. It overlooks the Arun Khetarpal Drill Square where the POP takes place. Khetarpal Drill Square itself commemorates 2/Lieut.Arun Khetarpal PVC, who was himself a NDA Alumnus.

 

[Icarus]

That is a beautiful tradition, however it is surprising these men are still unaccounted for after all these years. The worst fate that can be thrust upon a soldier is to deny him the honour of returning to the country that he has sacrificed so much to protect.

 

[Armstrong]

That is a beautiful tradition, however it is surprising these men are still unaccounted for after all these years. The worst fate that can be thrust upon a soldier is to deny him the honour of returning to the country that he has sacrificed so much to protect.

It happens...it shouldn't but it happens; after all we got back Sipahi Maqbool Hussain in the mid 2000s as a mental wreck with a slit tongue after having spent 40 years in Indian captivity.

 

[Icarus]

It happens...it shouldn't but it happens; after all we got back Sipahi Maqbool Hussain in the mid 2000s as a mental wreck with a slit tongue after having spent 40 years in Indian captivity.

Even now, there are 18 other Pakistani Soldiers that are rumoured to be in Indian custody. It is not fair to the soldiers from either side and highlights a very disturbing angle of the Indo-Pak rivalry.

 

[Armstrong]

Even now, there are 18 other Pakistani Soldiers that are rumoured to be in Indian custody. It is not fair to the soldiers from either side and highlights a very disturbing angle of the Indo-Pak rivalry.

Wheres our inverted chair ? Wheres our sanctimonious sermons ? Wheres our litany of talk-shows, self-righteous articles and upteenth memorials on it ?

Or are our men just cannon fodder ? Used, abused and forgotten.

 

[Icarus]

Wheres our inverted chair ? Wheres our sanctimonious sermons ? Wheres our litany of talk-shows, self-righteous articles and upteenth memorials on it ?

Or are our men just cannon fodder ? Used, abused and forgotten.

We have a number of "tombs of lost soldiers" around Pakistan, the most poignant of which is in Lahore where a pair of boots, a G3 wedged into the ground bayonet first and a helmet resting on top represent the soldiers that went to war but never made it back.

 

[Armstrong]

We have a number of "tombs of lost soldiers" around Pakistan, the most poignant of which is in Lahore where a pair of boots, a G3 wedged into the ground bayonet first and a helmet resting on top represent the soldiers that went to war but never made it back.

Forgotten monuments to forgotten soldiers who live only in army folklore. Do a social experiment will you - Ask 10 random people on the street if they know about that monument....I'd bet not many would.

I am not advocating jingoism or war mongering but the blood of our martyrs isn't cheap - the soldier who looses his limbs in FATA while stepping on an IED or the one who freezes to death while manning some obscure post in Siachin isn't fighting for land, money or recognition. His sacrifice ought to be remembered and appreciated more than being relegated to some unknown annals of History.

 

[Icarus]

Forgotten monuments to forgotten soldiers who live only in army folklore. Do a social experiment will you - Ask 10 random people on the street if they know about that monument....I'd bet not many would.

I am not advocating jingoism or war mongering but the blood of our martyrs isn't cheap - the soldier who looses his limbs in FATA while stepping on an IDP or the one who freezes to death while manning some obscure post in Siachin isn't fighting for land, money or recognition. His sacrifice ought to be remembered and appreciated more than being relegated to some unknown annals of History.

I think you meant IED.

My friend, the titled chair is also symbol for military consumption. The public need not bother with the burdens of the forces, that is something we bear alone. We see our comrades fall before us but we do not despair, we remember the good times we spent together, the operations they made successful, the lives they saved and we celebrate that.

 

[third eye]

Forgotten monuments to forgotten soldiers who live only in army folklore. Do a social experiment will you - Ask 10 random people on the street if they know about that monument....I'd bet not many would.

This sad truth would apply equally to most Asian Nations.

We encroach tombs, graveyards and so much more , who other than his family or his regiment has the time for a missing soldier ?

Its the forces who remember & cherish battles fought even Centuries ago. A sense of bonding & respect remains amongst all who served under the Regimental Flag.