“Your sons from the Army have arrived”: When Duty Came Before Family By Saanvi Mehta

The life of a soldier is both poignant & profound, where duty comes first. In 2003, my father’s regiment was selected to field a marching contingent for the Republic Day Parade of January 2004. Contingents from various Regiments assembled in Delhi Cantonment in October 2003 for rehearsals and coordination.

My father was sent to Delhi to take over command of the contingent. Within days, he realised that many men were still not taking the assignment with the seriousness it demanded. Leaves were being sought frequently, rehearsals were being missed, and discipline lacked sharpness. He therefore imposed a blanket ban on leave for all ranks participating in the marching contingent till 26 January 2004. The order was enforced strictly by the JCOs and NCOs. Gradually, the contingent transformed. Precision improved, turnout improved, morale improved, and the pride of the Regiment became visible in every movement on the parade ground.

Then came the real test. One evening, my father received a telephone call from my grandfather, who informed him that the marriage of my dad’s only sister, the youngest among four brothers had been fixed for the following week in Lucknow. He instructed him to immediately apply for at least seven days’ leave and report home. My father was stunned, as he had imposed a complete ban on leave, and that order applied to him as much as to any soldier under his command. He respectfully but firmly refused and told them, “If the date can be fixed after 26 January 2004, I will certainly come.” My grandfather refused to alter the date because it had been decided according to the convenience of the groom’s family.

My father’s Senior JCO knew about the entire matter. He went to my father and said, “Sir, performing Kanyadaan is the sacred duty of every father and brother. You must go.” When he realised that my father would not bend, he quietly offered another solution. “Sir, I am not part of the marching contingent. The leave restriction does not apply to me. A few soldiers engaged in administrative duties are also free from it. We will leave tonight for Lucknow and assist your family.”

The next morning, the bell rang at my grandparents’ house. My grandfather rushed to the door, expecting some relatives to have arrived for the wedding, but was completely taken aback to see five soldiers standing in olive green uniforms outside the house, saluted smartly and said: “Greetings! Your sons from the Army have arrived.”

My grandfather was speechless.

Later, my grandfather told me that those soldiers completely took over the arrangements of the marriage. They maintained meticulous accounts of every expenditure, managed the guests, supervised the ceremonies, and refused to allow the family to face even the smallest difficulty.

The marriage concluded flawlessly. Years later, during the final phase of his life, my grandfather said that no one can match the loyalty, honesty, commitment, and sense of duty of Faujis.

People often see the uniform, the salutes, the parades, and the medals. Very few truly understand the values that hold the Indian Army together: equality in hardship, honour in conduct, and unwavering loyalty towards both duty and fellow human beings. That is what makes faujis different.

Every fauji family carries memories that deserve to be told—of sacrifice, of solidarity, of moments that made you prouder than any medal ever could. Chhota Fauji, an imprint of Fauji Days, is a home for all such stories. If your father, mother, grandparent, or a loved one in uniform has touched your life in ways big or small, we want to hear from you.

Share your story with us for Fauji Days—because the greatest tribute we can give our soldiers is to remember them, honestly and with love. Write to us hq@faujidays.com and let your story find the readers it deserves.