I cannot tell for sure when Sam uncle became a part of my family, because he had been there for as long as I can remember, an epitome of integrity, sincerity, discipline and patriotism — values that all parents would…

I cannot tell for sure when Sam uncle became a part of my family, because he had been there for as long as I can remember, an epitome of integrity, sincerity, discipline and patriotism — values that all parents would like their children to imbibe. He had the most unobtrusive way of entering a storytelling session with us children’s curious query: ‘And Sam uncle?’

One evening, my younger brother came home in tears with a bruised knee. As my mother comforted him, father’s commanding voice called out from the next room, ‘Send him here.’ The child limped off. ‘What happened?’ dad asked. He added, ‘You fell, got hurt and came home crying, didn’t you?’

After a pause, patting his back, father exclaimed, ‘Arre, beta. Soldiers face bullets! And do you think they come home crying?’ The little one looked mystified and asked, ‘And Sam uncle? Did he face bullets too?’ Dad replied, ‘Yes, he was badly wounded on the Arakan front. But did he flinch? No way!’

‘And you?’

‘Yes, I was also at the Arakan front,’ he said. ‘Now run out to play. Games will make you healthy, strong and tall.’

Rea

‘Like Sam uncle,’ my brother said and ran out. This was our first lesson about the importance of outdoor activities. Sam uncle’s magic had worked wonders. From then on, our Arakan adventure stories started; Sam uncle became an invincible hero in our eyes, a symbol of courage, leadership and man management — the loving appellation ‘Sam Bahadur’ speaking volumes about the affection of his soldiers.

Father was a master storyteller, with a treasure trove of war experiences, adventures and tales of Indian war heroes. His stories were vivid and engaging; he coloured our imagination and conveyed valuable lessons without being preachy. His stories and Sam uncle’s influence have had a profound impact on our lives, as the two soldiers were our exemplary teachers, each in his own way.

Decades rolled by. The ‘Sam uncle’ of our imagination assumed a personality in 2023, with the movie Sam Bahadur that we watched with moist eyes, filled with pride and nostalgia. We felt proud of the Army; remembering the good old days and cherishing the memories of those storytelling sessions, we silently thanked Sam uncle and father for those meaningful childhood days.

And then came the moment of vindication when my niece sent a video of her daughter dressed as Sam Bahadur — with the cap and moustache and the baton, giving a solo performance in the school programme. Sam uncle’s legacy continues to inspire the third generation — a testament to the power of storytelling and the footprints great men leave on the sands of time.