His family was there, of course, anxious, but proud to see the son matter-of-factly set off for battle. But also there were over 150 others -- some friends, some relatives, but most of them people who didn't know the family, who had only heard that a just-commissioned officer was leaving for the battlefield by Wednesday's Rajkot-Jammu Tawi Express. And then there were several bystanders who joined in.

``I can't believe this is happening!'' said Lt Dhar, bewildered by the garlands, bouquets, goodwill, affection, and patriotism, but touched, nevertheless. ``I never thought that my going to the front was such a big deal. In fact, for us soldiers it is a moment we wait for right from the time we enroll. And yet so many people turning up to wish me, to see me off! It's something of a shock!''

A woman and her daughter walked into thecrowd around his compartment. Asked for Lt Dhar. ``We read about you in the newspapers and have come to wish you good luck,'' the woman told him, handed him a letter for the soldiers at the border. She hugged him, with tears in her eyes. The two well-wishers were gone before anyone could as much as ask them their names.

In the past few days, Lt Dhar's family had become used to this kind of gestures. Neighbours, residents of nearby colonies, classmates not met in years, faces they couldn't put a name to, a minister -- all dropping by to wish the officer and the nation victory.

For Lt Dhar, the trip to the battlefield is, in a way, a trip home. The Dhars are Kashmiri Pandits. His father, Subhashchandra Dhar, had moved out of the state with his immediate family because of his central government job. But his uncles, cousins, and other relatives were driven out of the state by insurgents in 1990.

Dhar Senior has no regret in sending his son ``out there''. So it is with his mother. She said: ``When he joinedthe Indian Military Academy, we had never imagined that Kargil would happen. But then it did. Now that he is going away, there is a small nagging fear. Doubts of when, if ever, we will see him again. But not for anything in the world will I stop him.''

And the lieutenant's elder sister Sandhya said of the parting: ``It's a poignant moment for me, when I see him going to the front to protect me, and so many others.''

The family would certainly have wanted that moment to be a quiet one. Instead, as the train began to pull out, the windows of their son's compartment festooned with garlands of marigold and rose, they joined the crowds in cheers of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram.