Martyr Puniram Bharali – Spent quality time with family

ALL FOR VALOUR

What I remember about his last visit was him telling me that I could manage the household very well and that even if he was not there I could mange alone without him. I told him not to speak in such a manner about him leaving us alone but that was what happened. It was almost like he could foresee that he would leave us alone, prophetic. It is something I cannot forget.

Puniram Bharali, a Havildar in the 29 AG Regiment of the Indian Army and a resident of Rodali Lahon Gaon under Mathurapur Police Station in Sivasagar district fell to terrorist bullets at Rambon in Kashmir where he was serving on December 24, 2000.

His wife, Meena Kumari Lahon Bharali said that she was too devastated by the news to ask how the incident took place.

When did you come to know that he had been killed?

It was December 24, 2000, a Sunday that we first heard that something had happened but were not told officially. I remember that evening my mother-in-law, who resided with us, had gone to watch a theatre show with my daughter and my son. The news first spread there and my sister-in-law asked me whether I had spoken to my husband that day. I remember having spoken to him from a nearby PCO that day, it being a Sunday and we regularly communicated with each other every Sunday. I had called him that day and he had as usual asked how we were all faring and especially stressed that I take care of our children and their studies. So, it was unbelievable that he had died. Although he did not die in the Kargil War, I was not aware much about either the Kargil War nor about terrorist attacks in Kashmir. It was the next day that the police from the nearby police station informed us about his death in a terrorist attack.

After how many days did his body reach the village? Was he the first shaheed (martyr) of Rodali Lahon Gaon?

The body reached after four days. I don't remember much. There were a huge number of people coming every day not only of our village but from nearby villages everyday since the news spread of his martyrdom. Thousands came, I had never seen so many people. They brought the body in a convoy of vehicles. One person also stayed for a week with us and completed all the bank formalities. My husband must have been the first shaheed of Sivasagar district, there were so many people coming to our house to share our grief.

Did the Army and State give you all your dues?

The Army gave us all the post death benefits without any hassles but the State government did not give us anything.

When was the last time that your husband had come home?

He had come home about a fortnight ago on casual leave and had not stayed for long. What I remember about his last visit was him telling me that I could manage the household very well and that even if he was not there I could mange alone without him. I told him not to speak in such a manner about him leaving us alone but that was what happened. It was almost like he could foresee that he would leave us alone, prophetic. It is something I cannot forget.

How many children do you have and how old were they when your husband died?

My daughter, who is the eldest, had passed matriculation that year, my second child, a son, was in class 8 and my second son was six years old at that time. At present my daughter and eldest son are married and I stay with my eldest son and grandchildren in this village. My younger son is working in the Fire Service,

What was your husband fond of eating when he used to come home?

He loved to eat Bara Saul, a glutinous variety of rice, and preferred simple home made food.

Was it for any particular reason that your husband used to take leave and come home?

He usually came when it was the time to cultivate our crop. He did not want us womenfolk to do the tough work of ploughing the soil and he always tried to make it during those times. The last time that he had come home was for this reason. He also liked to come during the Bihu festivals. He liked to participate in the festivities – the song and dance. He loved to play the dhol.

Anything else that you remember from his visits?

He used to mostly come on short visits and most of that time was taken up in the fields or keeping the house and surroundings clea, One particular aspect was that he used to take us on short day trips to visit nearby sites. He planned trips to Ranghar, Karrenghar and other beautiful historic places in Sivasagar and show me and the children around. One or two days were taken up in visiting the houses of near and dear ones.

Your children were still young when he died. How did you fend for yourself?

My husband had already worked in the Army for 21 years and would have retired after three years. His loss was devastating for all of us but since I had married in the village ,which was also my home, my brothers were there to take care of me. My nephews, three of them would one or the other come and sleep at night with us. That is why were not left completely alone. My husband's brother was not there as he was posted elsewhere in the CISF.

Did you get any facilities or concessions regarding the education of your children?

No. But the fault was ours and we did not have anyone to guide us. In those days the birth certificate which was issued was all hand written. My daughter's name was spelt wrong and even date of birth was wrongly inserted. We did not know how to get all these corrected so…

Have you or the people of the village put up a memorial in your husband's name? Has any road in the village been named after him?

No. Neither the villagers nor I have put up any memorial in his name. No road has also been named after him. I have made a shaheed bedi in front of our house and pay homage there every day.

Didn't your children want to follow in their father's footsteps and serve in the Army?

It wasn't that they wanted to follow or not to follow. It was something that just didn't happen. I am proud that my husband sacrificed his life for the country It is in the fate of very few people to give their life for their country. I will always respect and salute his sacrifice.

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