My Dear Soldiers

1. About the poem & the poet

‘My Dear Soldiers’ is a heartfelt patriotic poem placed in Unit 5, ‘Bravehearts’, of the new NEP textbook Poorvi. It was written by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the famous aerospace scientist known as the ‘Missile Man of India’, who served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007. Kalam was deeply patriotic and greatly admired the armed forces, and this poem is his loving tribute to them.

The poem is addressed directly to the soldiers (notice the words “Oh! Defenders of borders” and “You”), which makes it feel personal and warm, like a letter of gratitude. It is written in free verse — it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme — and it builds up to a closing prayer for the soldiers’ well-being.

2. The poem — explained part by part

Opening — The defenders who stay awake

“Oh! Defenders of borders / You are great sons of my land / When we are all asleep / You still hold on to your deed”

The poet greets the soldiers as “Defenders of borders” and proudly calls them the “great sons of my land”. He points out a striking contrast: while ordinary citizens are fast asleep at night, the soldiers remain awake, faithfully carrying out their duty (“deed”). This shows their constant vigilance and their readiness to sacrifice their own comfort for our safety.

Enduring every weather

“Windy season or snowy days / Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays / You are there guarding all the time awake”

The poet describes how soldiers brave all kinds of harsh weather — strong winds, freezing snow and the burning, “sweltering” heat of the sun. No matter how extreme the conditions, they keep guarding the nation, always awake and alert.

Treading every terrain like yogis

“Treading the lonely expanses as yogis / Climbing the heights or striding the valleys / Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes”

Here the poet shows the variety and loneliness of the soldiers’ duty. They walk across vast, empty stretches of land like yogis (saints), full of discipline and self-control. They climb high mountains, stride through deep valleys, defend hot deserts and guard wet marshes — protecting every kind of terrain.

Guarding land, sea and air — the sacrifice of youth

“Surveillance in seas and by securing the air / Prime of your youth given to the nation!!”

The soldiers’ watch is not limited to land; the navy keeps watch over the seas and the air force secures the skies. The poet then highlights their greatest sacrifice: they give the “prime of their youth” — the best years of their lives — to the service of the nation.

Closing — Gratitude and prayer

“Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat / We pray for you brave men!! / May the Lord bless you all!!”

The poet ends with thankfulness. He imagines the very “wind chimes of the land” ringing out to celebrate the soldiers’ great deeds (“feat”). On behalf of all citizens, he offers a heartfelt prayer for these brave men and asks God to bless them all.

3. Central idea / theme

The central idea of ‘My Dear Soldiers’ is deep respect and gratitude for soldiers. The poem honours their courage, discipline, vigilance and supreme sacrifice as they protect the country’s borders day and night, in every season and across every kind of land, sea and sky. While citizens sleep in comfort, soldiers stay awake and give up the best years of their lives for the nation. The poem reminds us that we owe our peace to them, and it calls upon us to feel grateful and to pray for their safety.

4. Tone & mood

The tone of the poem is admiring, respectful and grateful. As it moves to its close, the mood becomes gentle and prayerful, with the poet blessing the soldiers. There is also a note of pride in calling them “great sons of my land”, and a touch of tenderness in the very title, “My Dear Soldiers”.

5. Poetic devices

• Simile — “Treading the lonely expanses as yogis”: the soldiers’ discipline and self-sacrifice are compared to that of yogis (saints), using the word ‘as’.
• Metaphor / Personification — “Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat”: the land itself, through its wind chimes, is imagined as celebrating the soldiers’ achievements.
• Apostrophe / Direct address — the poet speaks directly to the soldiers (“Oh! Defenders of borders”, “You…”), as if they are present before him.
• Imagery — vivid pictures of weather and terrain: “snowy days”, “scorching sun’s sweltering rays”, “climbing the heights”, “guarding the marshes”.
• Repetition / Parallelism — similar structures pile up the soldiers’ many duties (“Climbing the heights or striding the valleys / Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes”), stressing how all-encompassing their service is.
• Alliteration — the ‘s’ sound in “scorching sun’s sweltering”.
• Contrast — the people who “are all asleep” are set against the soldiers who “still hold on to their deed”.

6. Word meanings (glossary)

• Defenders — people who protect or guard something.
• Deed — an action or duty performed.
• Scorching — extremely hot; burning.
• Sweltering — uncomfortably hot.
• Treading — walking over or across.
• Expanses — wide, open stretches of land.
• Yogi — a saint or one who practises great self-discipline.
• Striding — walking with long, firm steps.
• Marshes — low, wet, soft land.
• Surveillance — close watch or observation.
• Prime of youth — the best, strongest years of one’s life.
• Feat — a remarkable achievement.
• Vibrate — to ring or resound.