We are back with the second part of Vikas Manhas’s story Paying Tribute to Army Soldiers by Meeting Their Families. So do read this inspiring story. If you haven’t read the first part, I suggest you go back and read it first; otherwise, you won’t understand a thing. So do it, and let’s continue listening to the story.
As I told you before, throughout the time, I have visited more than 500 families. They tell me everything about the soldier and his lifespan. These soldiers have different stories that motivate me a lot in my personal life. So let me tell you my favorite story that is very close to my heart.
Tribute to Army – Amit Bhardwaj Story
There was a soldier named Amit Bhardwaj in the army. He belonged to Jaipur Rajasthan. It was the beginning of the Kargil war when the Indian army got information that something suspicious was going on in the area. They decided to send a patrol to different areas to check and verify the condition and facts.
By the evening, everyone returned except a patrol of 4 Jats, including the leader Sourabh Kaila. Panic spread when the army wasn’t able to trace them. So they decided to search for them, and the next day Captain Amit Bhardwaj went on a search mission with 30 army soldiers.
However, things didn’t go as planned because they were ambushed when they reached around the Bajrang Dal post. Enemies were firing badly. He contacted his senior and disclosed the situation. His senior said, ‘We cannot go forward. Come back. We need to plan it properly.’ Captain Amit agreed but coming back wasn’t easy for them as someone had to give the cover fire. The Captain could have easily told anyone to stand there and give the cover fire, but he didn’t do it. Rather than involving his juniors, he stood there to cover other soldiers. He asked others to go down.
His fellow soldier Rajveer Singh insisted on staying back with them. Captain didn’t want it, but he had no other option left, so Rajveer Singh stayed back. They rescued the rest soldiers, but both of them didn’t return with the troop.
Mission report of soldier Sourabh Kalia and officers came in the newspaper, and Amit Bhardwaj’s family also knew about the truth. They tried to locate him, but the army didn’t disclose the truth. They kept lying and excusing the family.
Then one day, Amit Bhardwaj’s sister received a random call on her landline. The person said, ‘Don’t ask me who I am as I won’t be able to tell you. But you should know that Amit Bhardwaj is no more. The army cannot bring his casualty back because it’s coming under the enemy’s territory.’ He hung up, and now the sister knew that her brother was no more.
You won’t believe she didn’t tell anyone, not even her mother and husband. No one except her knew the truth. She kept it to herself. Then the Kargil War started, newspapers and TV channels were covering the war. News of soldiers losing their lives, getting into enemy territory was being published daily.
Captain’s family was also worried about him. His mother used to pray for him daily. His father was trying to contact politicians and army soldiers only to get some information about his son. Whereas his sister knew it, she didn’t speak it out as the army hadn’t announced it. She used to accompany her mother to temples, and in each ritual, she performed for the well-being of the Captain, but she didn’t reveal the truth.
Fifty days later, Indian army officials and Zee News announced their deaths officially. When they sent the casualties back to their families, they requested not to open the coffin. Captain’s sister said, ‘How will we know it’s him?’ They replied, ‘If we were to send you a random body, then we wouldn’t have waited for 56 days. We could’ve done it before. It’s him only, but he was there on the cliff for 56 days. So the casualty is in pathetic condition. There is nothing left to see. So we request you not to open the coffin. You won’t be able to stand the sight.’ She agreed, and they transferred the coffin.
She wanted a public cremation for her brother, so she contacted chief minister Ashok Gehlot and told her about her wish. At first, he denied it, but Sunita was adamant about doing it. She tried a lot, then within two hours, CM called her back and agreed to it.
At last, Captain Amit Bhardwaj was cremated in Albert Hall Jaipur. Locals and people from afar came to pay their homage. His sister was heartbroken, but she bore the pain for 50 days. She knew it but didn’t reveal it to anyone because it could have harmed her brother, family, and the Indian army. She went through it alone. Imagine the stress she might have gone through during that time.
Later, Sunita conceived a child only to keep her brother’s memory alive. She already had two daughters, but she still went for it. She suffered a miscarriage but tried again, and at last, she gave birth to a boy. She named him Kushinagar. People say that his activities, nature, body, features are precisely like Captain Amit Bhardwaj. He is a replica of his uncle. Such the love Sunita held for her brother. These army families are equally courageous as our soldiers. They deserve our utmost respect, support, and love.
This story is close to my heart. I’ve met the family and stayed in the Captain’s room for a night. It was indeed an honor for me. I updated it on my Facebook status. ‘Today Amit Bhardwaj’s room is my bedroom.’ Now, whenever I visit them in Jaipur, I sleep in his home.
Another story that I love the most is Manorama Devi. She was married to an army soldier who was serving in 1 Naga regiment along with his father. She lost her husband in a battle. Now, her two sons are serving in the same 1 Naga regiment. Even after such a significant loss, she didn’t stop her sons from joining the duty. Indeed, a courageous woman.
I have seen these families and army soldiers’ lives so closely without being a part of them. I feel that one can give nothing in return for their sacrifices because it’s priceless, and nothing in the world can stand in front of it. What they do for us is worth cherishing. We can never repay their debt. They sacrifice their lives and the standard of living, family, happiness, relations, everything that the commoner desires. They leave it behind only to protect their country. Our respect, salutes, appreciating words, and frequent visits are nothing compared to what they give. Still, I feel that they aren’t being treated fairly. They do suffer injustice. Let me tell you how.
In India, soldiers from the upper to lower posts have to pay their life insurance premiums from their salaries. Whereas in other countries, the government pays for it. The insurance amount is one crore, and there is a pension for each soldier. Once the soldier dies, the entire money and compensation are transferred to their parents but only when they are unmarried. If they are married, then his wife is the rightful owner of his property.
They could divide the insurance amount between them if the soldier had a will, but the pension amount is strictly limited to his wife. There is a provision for it. If the army soldier’s family earns less than 9k per month, 30% of the pension can be transferred to his parents. Otherwise, it all belongs to his wife. There are numerous cases where the martyr’s wife ate up everything, and his parents were left barehanded.
That means the government doesn’t value the sacrifice of his parents. When these soldiers join the Sainik School, 99% of them are unmarried. Some of them are below 18. So their parents send them to join the army, and later their sacrifice is not valued. Everything should be divided equally between his wife and parents. Why cut them down? In my opinion, the government is being unfair to their parents. Government must change this law.
In the end, I want to say if you feel inspired by my work and you want to do it. I’d say you don’t need to travel as much as I do. You can visit those families that are around you. Go to the nearest family and spend time with them. That’s more than enough! Connect with your local families first.
Don’t run after celebrities or politicians. Any soldier who goes into the battlefield is our hero. Follow their path and footsteps.
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