
Late Bhadreswar Roy of Bhotana Saderi, Patacharkuchi, Bajali was a very dedicated person who lost his life in the Kargil War on August 21, 1999. He was serving as Naik in the Assam Regiment at Jammu and Kashmir. He left behind his wife and three children. His younger son was only 1 year old when the tragedy struck.
For his family, the day 21 August will forever remain engraved in their memory. His wife Hiren Kumari Roy, tells Melange how proud she is of her husband. Even after 23 years of his death, the family fondly remembers him as a very kind and generous person. Recalling the tragic day, his wife tells us, that the martyr was on vacation when he was called for duty. Recalling the incident, Hiren Kumari Roy shares, "It was the monsoon season when we received the news of his death. I got a telegram from the Army that my husband lost his life while fighting for his country in the Kargil War. We received his body after four days, that is on 25th August, 1999. The Army Officials from his battalion had accompanied the body and they also helped us in conducting his last rites. My children were very small at that time. My eldest daughter was 7-years-old, my middle son 4-years-old and my youngest son, 1 year old. They barely remember their father. My elder daughter does have some memories of him, but my boys do not remember him."
She further said that it was very devastating for the family as they lost a very important member of the family.
She shares that the incident remains vividly in her memory. "After he was called for duty on July 1999, we could not reach him. At that time we did not have mobile phones, and the telegram was only source of communication. There were PCOs though. But even after writing numerous letters there was no response from his side. During that time, we were also seeing in the news, the ongoing situation of the war. At that time, I had all kinds of negative thoughts like what if something bad happened to him, etc. Every passing day was like a living hell to me. I never expected that when we received news about him, it would be of his death."
She further tells that he came home on June, 1999 for his month-long vacation. The day he came home he hugged his kids lovingly. He was so happy to be with his family. We were a very happy family. Although our family condition was not good financially, but we were happy. He was very happy with his work because he could take care of the needs of the family. We lived in a small house, but it was enough for us and our family.
Late Bhadreswar was very dedicated towards his family. He even had cordial relations with his neighbors.
"When he was home on his holidays, he spent most of his time playing with his kids. He loved to watch theatre. He would also take me and our kids to watch theatre when he was home. We also went on trips to Tezpur and Guwahati. He was a very family oriented person," Hiren Kumari narrated.
She said that the Army and the Assam Government helped with the finances. After his death, they received a grant of Rs 32000 from the Army and a grant of Rs. 5 lakhs from the Assam Government. The Central government also promised them a grant of Rs 7 lakhs, but till date they have not received the money. She further said that she faced a lot of difficulties in raising her children. She did not receive any help from the Army in financing her children's education. She was offered a job by the DC of Bajali, but she could not accept the offer as her children were very small. Her children were her priority as there was nobody to take care of them. Her two brothers, helped her in raising her kids. One of her brothers was running a business and the other one was also working in the Army. They loved and cared for her very much, so they helped in taking care of her and her three children.. They took care of her financially and supported the education of her three children. They also built her a home to stay with her children. They even helped her in marrying off her elder daughter.
The villagers loved late Bhadreswar Roy. They still praise him for his courage and his love towards his country. They regard him as a very good person and cite his example to everyone. He was the first martyr from their area. The day when they received his body, the people in their area cried along with the family members. They had lost a beloved soldier and a very good person.
Hiren Kumari Roy said that her husband was a very kind hearted person. He was a very good person. He was very concerned about everyone and was very devoted to his family. He used to enquire about the wellbeing of his. He never had any ill feelings towards anyone. She said that she was very happy that her children have followed the footsteps of their father and are equally kind hearted. She said that she had erected a small memorial in front of their house.
"I felt a sense of loss when my husband died. But I am very proud of his sacrifice for the country. My two boys are not permanently employed and I just wish the government and the Army help in securing jobs for my boys. When I am called to meetings at Tezpur Headquarters of the Army, I tell them about giving some secure job for my boys. I have also written to them numerous times, but I am yet to get a positive response. My husband died for his country; I will also die some day. My only wish is for my boys to get secure well-paying jobs. I would never mind if my boys follow the footstep of their father and join the Army. I have also written to our Deputy Commissioner to look into this matter. With a small pension, I am now running the family which at times becomes very difficult. I will die happily, once I see my boys settle down," Hiren Kumari added.
It has been twenty-three years since Roy bravely gave his life to save the nation. But he continues to exist in the hearts of his loved ones, friends, and co-workers. For his entire village, his service to the nation will always be a source of pride and inspiration.
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