14 February: Why India Observes a “Black Day” | Remembering the Heroes of Pulwama Introduction For many around the world, February 14 is a day of roses, messages, and celebration. But for every Indian heart, this date carries a different weight. It is the anniversary of the Pulwama attack — a day that shook the nation, a day we observe as a “Black Day” in memory of the 40 brave CRPF jawans who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2019. This isn’t just a date. It is a reminder. The Day the Nation Stood Still On February 14, 2019, at around 3:15 PM, a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was travelling on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. At Lethapora in Pulwama, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the buses. In a matter of seconds, 40 lives were lost. In a matter of seconds, 40 families were changed forever. And in that moment, the entire nation felt the silence. Phones stopped. Hearts sank. Tears flowed across homes that had never met those sol...