On 78th Independence Day of my India …my heart is heavy with grief, not just for the nation I have served but for the brave souls we lost—Captain Deepak Singh, a soldier who laid down his life for our country, and a young doctor, Dr. Moumita Debnath, whose life was brutally snatched away in an act of unspeakable violence.

As the daughter of a war veteran and the proud sister of a martyr, I know all too well the price of service. I have witnessed the pain of losing a brother in battle, felt the silent tears of a father who gave everything for his country, and as an ophthalmologist, I have dedicated my life to healing, only to see the sacrifices of my fellow doctors forgotten by the very society we strive to protect.

We are the ones who stand guard at the borders, who mend broken bodies and weary spirits. Yet, in an era where influencers and film stars command the nation’s attention and wealth, we are often forgotten, our sacrifices brushed aside.

We toil endlessly, sacrificing our youth, our comfort, and sometimes our very lives, for a fraction of what others earn. A soldier’s death is a fleeting headline, a doctor’s loss a mere statistic. Meanwhile, the passing of a film star becomes a national event, mourned for years, their every achievement immortalized in public memory.

The making of a soldier or a doctor is a journey of relentless dedication—years of sweat, blood, and sacrifice. We are the backbone in moments of crisis, expected to rise as unsung heroes, yet when the dust settles, it is the lives of celebrities that are celebrated and mourned.

Who is responsible for this disparity? Is it the society that idolizes fame over service? Or is it us, who continue to give our all, knowing the recognition may never come?

Today, I am heartbroken by the apathy that has gripped our nation. The lives that should be celebrated—the brave hearts who protect us and the healers who save us—are overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of those who entertain. We chose a path of honor, courage, and sacrifice. But I can’t help but wonder, will the nation ever truly see us for who we are?

As the daughter and sister of soldiers, I have seen the true meaning of service and sacrifice, and as a doctor, I carry that legacy forward. Yet, I stand here today, not just with pride, but with a deep, unshakable sadness. For every Captain Deepak Singh, for every Dr. Moumita Debnath, there is a story that goes untold, a life that is quietly mourned, and a sacrifice that is too easily forgotten.

On this Independence Day, my wish is for a future where the sacrifices of every soldier and doctor are honored, where our lives are not just forgotten headlines but cherished memories in the hearts of the people we serve. Because in the end, it is not the fame we seek, but the simple acknowledgment of the love and duty that drives us to serve a nation that we hope, one day, will remember.