Complete Eulogy

My freind Berry was a man of few words…we would hadly have talked ever for more than five minutes…the thing about him was his smile…I remember it as one of those (seemingly) saintly smiles…the kind of ‘aware’, reassuring smile that things would be OK. The first time I saw that smile was in Ghorpadi after he had netted a basketball shot. Then, being neighboring sqdns in NDA, we would pass each other…he would always smile…no talk…just smile. I remember in 6th term, being marched up to the Bn Cdr…he was SCC Hunter…we crossed…the same smile…things would be OK…and they were. I remember meeting him in JC…”What are you doing here?” he asked me, in one of his longer utterances…”I honestly don’t really know” I answered…and in return there was that smile again. I once made a remark (much to the chagrin of my colleagues) that ‘churning of the trenches’ was unethical, and something else should be done. Everybody had something to say…but Berry had only his smile to offer. What he spoke on the group was balanced and sensible…I like to think that he was smiling when he keyed it in. Adieu friend…I shall remember you…and miss you…and your smile! Till we meet again! Om Shanti!

An Ode to Berry, who fought odds so valiantly. An epitome of Valour & Poise. THE DASH By Linda Ellis ------------------ I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on the tombstone From the beginning...to the end He noted that first came the date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years For that dash represents all the time That they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them Know what that little line is worth For it matters not, how much we own, The cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So, think about this long and hard.Are there things youd like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider whats true and real And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like weve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering this special dash Might only last a little while So, when your eulogy is being read With your lifes actions to rehash... Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent YOUR dash?

My heart pained, my eyes welled up. News came in the morning that Sundeep Berry was no more. Cancer had claimed another casualty. After a suffering of years he finally succumbed on June 20, 2023. I am in dearth of words to describe Berry (so was he called by all of us). The purest of souls, greatest human being, a doubtless friend, downright professional, a soldier unparalleled. The picture above was the only one that we had that shows Berry on the left in his army fatigue during NDA days. A man of very few words, with a voice so rich that it commanded audience. To me he was a friend and brother. Prakash (my husband) and Sundeep spent almost half their life together….... cycled together back & forth from school, qualified for NDA together, trained for fauj together, even motorcycled to meet their girl friends together. Both opted for The Jat Regiment (Jats) in the Infantry to be together. But as luck would have it Berry got Jats, Prakash got AD, they finally separated to be allotted different corps. When I got married he & Sabrina (Berry’s wife) were the first ones to host us at their ancestral home. The warmest hosts ever. Both of them loved partying and had endless dear friends. Always ready to help anyone even going out of their way, very caring, were endeared by all. During postings we kept meeting over time. An exemplary & promising career in the Indian Army that got snapped for a reason that at best vouched for Sundeep’s integrity, grit, concern for his troops and highest degree of undaunted courage and bravery. He was a HERO, in life and in death too. Every soldier in the Defence Forces faces tough situations and tougher decision-making moments that go to define their future in some way or the other. A soldier at the core, Berry too may have had many of them. One such story of his resolve and loyalty surely needs to be told (as told by him)…...... India was in the midst of Kargil war. Berry’s Jat battalion had just moved in to the Kargil sector from another field assignment. Just two days on they were tasked to go for attack on a post, at a height that was occupied by the enemy soldiers other than Tiger Hill in Drass sector. The orders came from the Brigade Commander to the CO. Considering the challenge of acclimatization and inadequate logistics like boots and other high-altitude kit the CO suggested that the troops may not be able to take on the attack at that height immediately. He requested for two days and then they would be ready, meanwhile the other unit stationed alongside for a little longer could be sent. When ordered, saying that he cannot send his troops to die in the hostile weather conditions for the lack of logistics and physical preparedness, the CO refused to comply to be immediately sacked by the GoC. Sundeep Berry, 2IC, who was already sitting approved as a full Colonel took over the command of his unit and was asked to lead the attack. With the feeling that his men cannot be sent in a day’s time