Kin of soldier build study centre in village
RANCHI: The elder brother of a soldier killed in the Galwan clash with the Chinese troops has built a memorial complex at his village Kosafhalia, around 15 kilometres from Behragora town in East Singhbum district of Jharkhand, which will also be used to give extra classes to school going children from the village, in keeping with the wishes of the fallen soldier.
Dinesh Hansda, elder brother of 21-year-old Ganesh Hansda who was killed on June 16, 2020, said the complex has come up at a cost of Rs 22.5 lakh on a piece of land where the soldier was cremated.
“The complex has a park, besides a two-storied memorial and a museum. The rooms in the memorial will be used for giving extra classes by the village youths to the school going children. My brother wanted to see all children from our village do well in life. Besides paying a tribute to my brother and for generations to remember his sacrifice, this is a small step by us to realise his dream,” said Dinesh, who has currently resumed his intermediate studies after doing jobs for five years.
As part of compensation, Dinesh said, his family received around Rs 70 lakh from various departments, of which they spent Rs 22.5 lakh in construction of the memorial complex.
“We are also getting a water tank constructed in our neighbourhood. It will help around 10 families with drinking water and in irrigation of fields,” said Hansda.
In the memorial complex, the family has kept the coffin in which Ganesh was brought to the village on his last journey, said Dinesh.
“Besides the coffin, the uniform he was wearing and other belongings have been kept in the museum. We want this place to inspire generations to come,” Dinesh said.