Haryana fondly remembers martyrs born on Army Day
ROHTAK: On February 21, 2016, when Haryana was burning in the Jat quota agitation and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in a ‘azadi’ row, Captain Pawan Kumar of the 10 Para (Special Forces) attained martyrdom, fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pampore.
The soldier was touched by both the Jat agitation as he belonged to the community as well as the JNU campus row, being an alumni of the varsity.
But for the slain Captain, neither quota nor azadi were as important as his love for the country. “Kisi ko reservation chaiye to kisi ko azadi bhaii..humein to kuch nai chaiye
bhai bas apni razai” (Some want reservation, some want freedom, brother. I want nothing, just my blanket), Kumar’s last Facebook post read.
The 23-year-old soldier was born on January 15 — also commemorated as Army Day in the country.
In his memory, the residents of his native Jind have been organising Army Day celebrations for the past three days.
“We have started a “selfie with soldier” campaign in his memory. Thousands of residents are coming out to city’s Rani Ghat to pay tributes to him,” said Vinay Dhanda, Kumar’s classmate. Kumar’s father Rajbir, who said “he was proud of giving his only son for nation’s service” when he heard of his son’s death, maintained he was now Army’s responsibility.
“Till the time he was our son, our family collectively celebrated his birthday every year. But when he joined the Army, he became a part of them. The Army batallion from Hisar had come here to celebrate his birthday and pay tributes to him. I was only a guest at the event,” Rajbir said.
Another Haryana soldier, born on Army Day too, was martyred last year. Major Amit Deswal of the 21 Para was killed in an encounter with Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militants in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on March 21 during his service for Operation Hifazat.
“Born on Army Day, he always wanted to don the olive green. We knew he was meant to be an Army man,” said Sumit, Deswal’s brother. His entire village in Jhajjar, along with the Army personnel, paid tributes to him on Sunday.
Commissioned in 2006, Major Deswal had followed in the footsteps of his father Subedar Major Rishi Ram Deswal (retired) to join the artillery regiment. Now, after his death, his wife wants to follow in his footsteps.
Major Deswal's father said his wife Neeta, 33, had given SSB interview and had been selected. She will be joining soon.
Kisi ko reservation chahiye to kisi ko azadi bhaii...humein to kuch nahi chaiye bhai bas apni razai. CAPTAIN PAWAN KUMAR’S LAST FACEBOOK POST