Greater Noida (Hridaya Mohan): As we stand on the precipice of a moment that history may record as one of the tensest in the last five decades, it is essential to reach out—especially to the young generation of India. Many of you were born in a time of relative peace, raised in a world shaped more by screens than by the scars of war. For most, conflict has been something witnessed from a distance—through games, films, memes and news updates that vanish with a swipe.
But it should be clear: what India faces today is not a scene from a movie. This is not a scripted standoff with triumphant background music. This is a moment of real, grave national consequence.
The last time India truly stood on the edge of a full-scale war was over five decades ago. Even the 1999 Kargil conflict, significant though it was, remained localized and limited in scope. What we face now is different—it is unpredictable, volatile and deeply consequential.
The last time India fought a full-scale war was in 1971. It lasted just 13 days but came after months of tension and preparation. Over 3,800 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives. Thousands more were wounded. Close to 10 million refugees poured into India from East Pakistan, triggering one of the largest humanitarian crises in modern history. The economic and emotional burden was immense, even in victory.
But if we have learned anything from 1971, it’s this: war is never without cost—and it never truly ends when the guns fall silent.
War, if it unfolds, demands more than just courage on the battlefield. It demands resilience, sacrifice and clarity from each and every citizen. The costs are not measured only in money spent or weapons fired—they are etched in the lives lost, the families broken and the futures altered.
Young India, it is urged: this is your time to rise above noise and misinformation. Do not be swept away by chest-thumping nationalism or performative patriotism. This is the time for maturity, solidarity and action rooted in reality. Support the nation not just with slogans on Social Media, but with responsibility. Understand the gravity of the moment. Be aware of what’s happening, stay informed and most importantly, stay united.
You grew up in relatively peaceful times. For most of your lives, national security has been a headline, not a reality. War has been something you’ve seen in films, games or trending hashtags. Even the 1999 Kargil conflict, while intense, was contained and short-lived. But what India may be approaching now is far more serious. We are at the edge—and this is not a simulation.
If you have the privilege of peace, use it to contribute—through service, through donation, through standing by fellow citizens who may be affected.
Fast forward to today, the nature of warfare has changed drastically. We are no longer preparing for just tanks and airstrikes. The battlefield has expanded to the digital world, the psychological space and our very own cities.
Cyber-attacks can shut down power grids, banking systems, transportation and emergency services in minutes. Psychological warfare—through fake news, propaganda and social media manipulation—can turn citizens against each other and erode national morale. Terror strikes may be used to provoke fear and unrest, targeting civilians and infrastructure. And as external threats rise, internal divisions may be exploited to destabilize us from within.
The new warfront could be your phone, your mind, your street.
This is the reality check we must all face. And it is critical for young Indians—those who make up over half the country’s population—to understand that you are not just bystanders. You are participants in how this nation prepares, responds and endures.
Support to the country doesn’t come from shouting slogans or posting filters. It comes from staying calm in the face of chaos, verifying facts before forwarding them, resisting divisive narratives and helping fellow citizens without bias. It comes from showing maturity under pressure.
If you are in school, college or just starting your career, this is the time to learn from history. Go beyond textbooks—read about the wars of 1965, 1971 and 1999. Know the sacrifices made, the cost borne and the resilience shown.
If you are considering joining the armed forces or public service, do so with open eyes and full hearts. This country doesn’t just need soldiers at the border—it needs thinkers, planners, healers and leaders in every domain.
And to all: understand that in a modern conflict, victory is not just about winning a battle—it’s about surviving as a united, strong and just society.
Let us not wish for war. Let us hope our strength and preparation are deterrents enough. But if this edge turns into an abyss, let us not be unprepared—mentally, emotionally or as a nation.
Because patriotism is not proven in noise—it’s proven in composure, character and collective strength.
Jai Hind.
About the Author
Mr. Hridaya Mohan (hridayamohan@yahoo.co.in) is a regular Columnist with a renowned Indian daily “The Hitavada”, “Bharat Neeti Media” and some other newspapers / magazines internationally. Superannuated as Executive Director, Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), he is Senior Adviser, Metallon Holdings Pvt. Ltd. presently. He headed SAIL office at Beijing as Chief Representative (China & Mongolia) for six years. He has published and presented seventeen papers globally. Recipient of “Sir M Visvesvaraya Gold Medal”for one of his papers, “Benchmarking of Maintenance Practices in Steel Industry” from The Institution of Engineers (India), he was awarded with “Scroll of Honour” for the excellent contributions to Engineering fraternity from IE(I), Bhilai, “Jawahar Award” for leadership excellence in SAIL and “Supply Chain Leader – 2017” award from IIMM.
