That red card still sings Vande Mataram. Come sing with us.

I once had a pen friend, 'very sweet and caring', as a 16-year-old would put it. Out of the 4-5 of them he had the best hand writing and was a naval pilot. I must have exchanged a maximum of 4 or 5 letters with him. He wrote at length and expected lengthy reply, something he could cherish for long, to help keep him from missing family. I know nothing of him other than the person he was and the thoughts he would share through every paragraph he wrote. I never saw even his photograph. But I can recognise that handwriting from anywhere, anytime.
Subir Kumar, was his name. I remember the largest card of my life received on my birthday in 1998. He promised me a gift for my next birthday. I suppose I was to expect his photograph or him then.

Kargil conflict took place between May and July 1999.

Subir, you still owe me that gift.