Smriti Irani writes.....this!

Parth Purohit, 8 years old, student, war victim
B.K. Suri, in mid forties, professional, war victim
Mrs. Tambay, in fifties, wife, mother, war victim

Countless faces, 54 families, awaiting the return of the heroes forgotten by an ungrateful nation. 'Veer jawano ko riha karo' 'Bharat Mata ki jai' - the slogans flow as infuriated fists surcharge the air with demands to get POW's (Prisonners of war) home -- an exercise in politics, in building media attention, in letting 'the cries' of those devastated be heard.

But today, as I sit in my plush make up van, I wonder will the families be forgotten again? Often stories get printed, photographs are published, and heated debates take place on fundamental issues. But most of the times they are forgotten. Every day newspapers carry fresh stories of violence and despair.

In fact, my media friends often rue that their initiative to touch the conscience of millions is wasted when people forget the battles that are raged in print everyday.

My association with Mrs. Tambay is almost two-years old. Seeing her pursue the release of her husband, Flight Lieutenant Tambay, with as much gusto as she did two years ago, leaves me dumbfounded. For almost three decades, she raised a family and lived with her head held high for she was an officer's wife, who served the nation in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. She lives in a nation that forgot to bring him back home.

Similarly, little Parth has never seen his grandfather and Major Purohit. B.K. Suri says with determination, that one day he will ensure his brother's return.

There are many such stories that weigh on my conscience. But I have also been blessed with the opportunity to speak the truth to President Dr A P J Kalam. He not only heard the pleas of the families but also took note of the accounts of those who met our 54 jawans in Pakistan during interrogation. He heard the facts and figures that we politicians placed before him.

I looked at the victims and wondered how many times their stories were told in the corridors of power.

When Dr. Kalam turned to me, all that I could speak was, "Sir, governments come and governments go, promises are made, yet unfulfilled. But you, the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, are their only hope. Please give them a solution for those left behind are not sons and husbands of politicians but have been borne from the womb of the common man. Just bring our men back home."

My statement might have embarrassed my political friends but it reverberated in my ears. Being a politician and media personality, it's presumed that I live in a world of make believe and false promises.

But my words to the President gave me hope that the human being in me still lives, that I am still alive. As you read this, I pray to God, so are you.