Light In Hours of Darkness

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a beacon in hours of darkness! 
                 unsung Warrior, vigorously protecting uprooted, 
                        heart-broken kins, and many shelterless,
                   after a devastating partition of the homeland! 

                                 man in his prime, giving up 
                         dreams of comfort, luxury, indulgence, 
                      embraces a life of unimaginable hardships, 
                                    life of never-ending toil, 
                   so others feel safe, after a harrowing experience! 

                           life of everyday struggle for survival, 
                              life of torturous self-deprivation, 
                                  life of agonizing separation - 
                                      from own loved ones, 
                                   so others live with theirs! 

                             I remember the powerful hands, 
                     which symbolized strength, offering a refuge, 
                          remember the devotion and dedication, 
                         the tenderest care, the soulful empathy! 
                  I remember the determined voice which symbolized 
                              assurance, calming fearful souls.

                           Partition of a homeland - an unforeseen, 
                           traumatic, curse for millions of sufferers, 
                             surviving with bare minimum, in an 
                          unknown land, for an unpredictable future!
                           leaving behind all cherished memories, 
                                precious and prized possessions. 

                                   To me, One man symbolized - 
                                         how to climb uphill
                                  carrying a formidable weight, 
                                    on the steepest  mountain, 
                                       and reach the summit 
                      with sheer determination and indomitable spirit! 

                                              My Father!
                                   Light For many in distress!


References:The partition of India in 1947 divided British India into two independent Dominions: India and Pakistan. The Dominion of India is today the Republic of India, and the Dominion of Pakistan is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh (Wikipedia)

Millions of uprooted families, who crossed the border overnight, had gone through unimaginable sufferings.


                         Edited from my Poem "Courage That Inspired Awe"
                                Being A Light To Others Poetry Contest
                                   Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabisson

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Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 3/16/2022 3:29:00 PM

What an honorable man, such a wonderful tribute to your father. God bless you Malabika, thank you for sharing this heartfelt and educational glimpse into real sufferings of precious people, families. It is heartbreaking to know so many have suffered, and are suffering right now as they flee from the horrors of war.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 3/16/2022 3:43:00 PM

Thank you. I feel honoured to read your thoughtful comments. I don't think I could express the extent of sufferings people went through - I was not even born at that time. But I witnessed the aftermath of such a tragedy - when my family had to leave their homeland leaving everything behind. Remembering the hardships I witnessed still make me tearful. My father was a strong man who bore the burden of an uprooted family with courage.