While watching the celebrations of the 66th Republic Day, the nation was imbued with a sense of pride and admiration for the might and preparedness of our armed forces.
This year the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, was given to Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh. Major Varadarajan led a team on April 25, 2014, to flush out terrorists who had killed election officials 24 hours earlier in Shupiyan village in Jammu and Kashmir. Though successful, he succumbed to his injuries. Naik Neeraj Kumar of Rajputana Rifles was recognised for the bravery exhibited in a search and destroy operation in Gudaji of Kupwara district of J&K and killing terrorists despite grievous injuries on August 24, 2014. He breathed his last in the hospital. Both were posted with Rashtriya Rifles when they died.
Their exploits give us a feeling of rightful pride but begs the question whether the nation really cares about those who have survived these heroes. Well, it is time for the civil society to introspect whether the family members of the armed forces martyrs are taken care of. The 65-year-old father of Major Varadarajan, R. Varadarajan, retired from bank and living in Chennai with his wife, is all praise for the Army’s role after tragedy befell the family.
“We received adequate support from them. Right from the passing away of Mukund (22nd battalion of Rajput Regiment) till date they have supported us all along.” He points out “a junior commissioned officer (JCO) was attached to help Indu, my daughter-in-law, to complete all the formalities connected with pension, gratuity, etc. This helped in avoiding red-tapism and bureaucratic hassles.”
“ The villagers who are uneducated do not understand and appreciate the sacrifice. On the contrary they feel that joining the Army is a risky proposition. ”
Echoing similar views, Parmeshwari Devi, wife of Naik Neeraj Kumar, describes the Army as “a family which stood behind us like a rock in the hour of sorrow.” She says, “Till now we have received full support of the unit and Raputana Rifles (13th) with whom my husband was.” Pointing out her immediate family and others, she praises them for standing besideher. She also feels that by bestowing the Ashok Chakra, the Central Government has “understood his sacrifice and honoured us for that”.
Parmeshwari Devi’s only regret is that the State Government of Uttar Pradesh did not bother to send an official representative to express their condolence and gratitude. Even though she has received financial help, this too was not delivered at her village, Devrala. “We had to have it collected from the tehsil office,” she says, sounding visibly hurt.
The Army Chief who met both the families has assured them that the force is always there for them and that they can contact him any time.
In terms of monetary help from the Army, it is heartening to know that the wives of both awardees are receiving a pension. “Indu is receiving a pension equivalent to Mukund’s last salary. The group insurance amount too has been received by her, our granddaughter, Arshea, my wife and me. The Tamil Nadu Government too has presented a cheque for Rs.10 lakhs. A rail card has been issued to Indu,” says R. Varadarajan. Having said that, what follows is ed was heart wrenching: “Despite all this we miss Mukund immensely.”
Parmeshwari Devi is also receiving a pension and has been assured of government accommodation in case she wishes it.
Schooling and college education of the children, including higher education of children of the slain soldiers, has been taken up by the Army. Parmeshwari says, “The officials should understand that I am unemployed with the responsibility of raising two children, aged 7 and 6 and also support my husband’s parents, both aged. Instead of my asking, which I will not, based on the perception of situation, the quantum and period of help and aid should be forthcoming.”
The urban-rural divide comes out when talking about appreciation by society of the sacrifices rendered by the two armymen. Parmeshwari Devi is pained to state, “The villagers who are uneducated do not understand and appreciate the sacrifice. On the contrary they feel that joining the Army is a risky proposition. The significance of the Ashok Chakra too was missed by them. Even those at the helm of affairs who are educated did not bother to express their condolence, then how can I blame the villagers?”
She is equally hurt at the absence of a memorial in the village. Yet she says, “I am glad that my husband considered the nation first and the family later.” Though with no other family members in the Army, she resolutely adds, “It was my husband’s ambition to educate our sons, Kunal Raghav and Labpratap Raghav, and make them officers in the Indian Army.”
Major Mukund’s father feels society has appreciated his son’s sacrifice. “Although many of my family members were and are in the forces, this is first time I realised the affinity of society with us.”
He has received many condolence letters requesting him to bless them especially those in the age group of 20 to 30. Several students called on him for this purpose. While he was visiting Indu in Bangalore, a young girl visited him. “I do not know if I am qualified to bless all the youngsters or not but I wish all of them well.”
In a lighter vein he says, “Even auto-rickshaw drivers who are notorious in Tamil Nadu refuse to accept hire charges from us.” He was equally touched when a police official expressed his sympathies while providing his contact numbers requesting the family to contact him in case of any need. “All of them are considerate and helpful.”
Apart from this one can find another FB page dedicated to Mukund. Overwhelmed by the public response, R. Varadarajan comments, “It has inspired and made me realise that I too ought to do something. I worked with a nongovernment organisation dedicated to tree plantation and helping villagers.”
While highlighting the common people’s efforts, R. Varadarajan zeroes in on the Army again. “Although now many are close to us it was the Army which throughout made us feel that they are with us and ready to assist and help.”
It has been debated for many years whether utilising the services of the Army to tackle internal disturbances like riots, terrorism, etc. is correct considering that their primary objective is defence of the borders and facing external aggression. R. Varadarajan says this sentiment has been echoed in a non-political meeting he attended by a retired judge, who said that the army’s responsibility is to stave off external forces. In all modesty he says, “Though I am not qualified to comment but yes, the police and other forces can be trained and equipped to handle the internal matters.”
The family of Mukund has had several members as part of the armed forces. “My cousin, whose father retired as a Squadron Leader, rose to become Air Vice Marshal while his sibling was a fighter pilot. Two of my brothers-in-law retired as Air Commodore and Punjab Regiment respectively. My nephew is in the Army and posted in J&K.”
It is imperative that tales of valour of the forces are not just consigned to books and films but become a part of our daily folklore.
