Ramesh Chandra Rai -- Martyred in a terrorist attack

ALL FOR VALOUR

Remembering the past, Raimati further shares that she accompanied her husband to Lucknow and Madhya Pradesh. "During my days in Lucknow and Madhya Pradesh, I took part in a number of activities which were organised for the wives of the soldiers posted there. I learned how to make bags from plastic," recalls Raimati.

Raimati furthers mentions that her husband still receives love and respect from the armed forces. Whenever there is a meeting or programme of the Armed Forces, they remember and pay homage to him.

Naik Subedar Ramesh Chandra Rai lost his life on 28 July, 1993. He lost his life while fighting Pakistani terrorists in Operation Rakshak at Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. Operation Rakshak is an ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation that was launched in June 1990 at the height of the insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir. In 1991, the operation expanded from being just a "display of strength" to include extra directives such as "not to invade civilian homes," "not to smoke in places of worship," and "not to harm standing crops." Between 2007 and 2015, 753 Indian military personnel were killed during Operation Rakshak.

For the family of Naik Subedar Ramesh Chandra Rai, the news of his death via telegram, came as a shock. They could not even perform his last rites and bid him goodbye as his mortal remains were not brought home. The last rites were conducted by the Armed Forces. The family received only the ashes for ritual performance. Naik Subedar Ramesh Chandra Rai belonged to Odulaguri of Bongaigaon District, Assam. He was serving in 6 Assam Regiment. He left behind his wife and two children - a son and a daughter.

His wife Raimati Bala Rai shares with Melange memories about her late husband.

"There was no telephone like today in 1993. He last came home around July or August in 1992. When my husband died, we received a telegram from the Army. While he was posted in Jammu and Kashmir, he used to post letters to inform us about his well-being. I clearly remember, that the same year I lost my mother and my husband. It was a double blow for me," she recalls.

"When my mother died in March, I informed my husband about her death. And in the month of July, I received the news of my husband's death. On the 11th day, the day of Śrāddha of my husband, I received the letter which my husband had sent to me four months ago in response to the news of my mother's death," she narrates.

Ramesh Chandra Rai loved to work on his farm. When he came home on vacations, he would spend time in the field cultivating his land. According to his wife he was not a picky eater and he loved to eat everything. She says that she hardly recalled any food that he disliked. He loved and cared about his family a lot. He loved to spend time with his children.

Raimati shares, "My husband loved us a lot. He especially adored his kids. Whenever he came home, he always played with them. He never went out anywhere and devoted his whole time to his family. He met his friends only when he went out."

Ramesh Chandra Rai also loved singing. According to his wife, he was not a great singer but he loved singing. He used to enjoy and cherish the moments he spent with his family.

Currently, Raimati Rai stays at No 1 Nuapara in Bongaigaon district. After her husband's death, she built a house and has been staying there since then. Her daughter is already married. Her son has followed the footsteps of his father and is serving in the Indian Army in the post of his father. Raimati says that after her husband's death, the Army helped her with the education of her children. She was also offered a job, but as her daughter was very small, she forego the job and chose to look after their daughter. Her son was taken by the Army to Shillong where his education was taken care of and later gave him the job. She further mentions that she did not receive any help from the Assam government. The Army even helped her in conducting the Śrāddha rituals of her husband. She now continues to get the family pension and other benefits meant for the family of martyrs from the armed forces.

Ramesh Chandra Rai was loved by his friends and neighbours and they still talk about him. According to his wife, he was a very helpful person. He was very generous and honest. He was also very devoted to his family. His world revolved around his two children.

Remembering the past, Raimati further shares that she accompanied her husband to Lucknow and Madhya Pradesh. "During my days in Lucknow and Madhya Pradesh, I took part in a number of activities which were organised for the wives of the soldiers posted there. I learned how to make bags from plastic," recalls Raimati.

Raimati furthers mentions that her husband still receives love and respect from the armed forces. Whenever there is a meeting or programme of the Armed Forces, they remember and pay homage to him.

She adds, "Since the lockdown no programme has been organised by the Armed forces. They recently had a programme in Narangi in November and more recently on 7th December at Raj Bhawan. When I go there, I feel very proud of the supreme sacrifice of my husband. I really feel very nice that people from the armed forces still remember the sacrifice of my husband. But I also feel sad. Had my husband been alive, he would have been standing here with me now."

"After my husband's death I was very worried as to how I will run my family without him. He was the only support that I had. But thankfully I was staying with my in-law. They helped me to cope with this tragedy. They also helped me in looking after my children. We have also not built a memorial in his name. At the time of his death, we did not think about it, as I was totally dependent on my in-laws' family. As a wife I still remember him and cherish his memories. Twenty nine years have elapsed since his death, so some memories have become clouded, but I only remember the good times. His loss was a big blow to our family. Even though I try to forget the tragic day of his death, that day will remain forever engraved in my mind."

The villagers still love and respect Ramesh Chandra Rai. He continues to receive acclaim for his bravery. They hold him in high regard and cite his example. He was the first martyr from that area. The day they received the news of his death, the people cried along with us. They lost a beloved soldier and a very good person. It has been 29 years since he died, but he continues to live in the hearts of his family, friends and members of his regiment.