Brave Bengal sons return home in coffins, grief-stricken families can’t deal with loss

The  mortal remains of two soldiers martyred in the attack on Uri were brought to the city on Monday evening by IAF flight C-130 Super Hercules.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled their deaths and saluted their sacrifice for the nation. Refusing to give any reaction to Sunday’s attack, she said: “This is not the right time to give any comments. Let us overcome the situation at present and I pray for speedy recovery of all the injured persons. Our ministers will be visiting the homes of the martyrs from Bengal tomorrow.”

A pall of gloom descended when the news of their sacrifice reached their homes. Dholui was from a small hamlet Jamunabalia at Jagatballavpur in Howrah, while Ghorai was a resident of Ganga Sagar village in South 24 Parganas. Both were farmers’ sons and had struggled to secure jobs to earn a livelihood.

23-year-old Dholui, known for his  athletic skills , had bagged the job while in the first year of his BA course at Sovarani Memorial College at Jagatballavpur, Howrah. His father Onkarnath Dholui used to be busy at his farm. His job had brought relief to his family and brother, who studies in Class XI wanted to pursue higher education.

The situation, however, was a bit different in Ghorai’s home. He was the lone bread-winner of the family. Though his father owns a piece of farmland, cultivation on such a small plot was not enough to sustain the family. 

His job, which he had secured about two years ago, had brought security not only to his parents but to his two younger siblings.

The IAF aircraft reached Kolkata via Ranchi around 7.30 pm. The remains were kept at the Command Hospital after wreath laying ceremony at Kolkata Airport. 

Dholui’s body will be taken to his home in Howrah on Tuesday, while Ghorai’s body will be taken to his house at Ganga Sagar by a special IAF helicopter. The Army will conduct the last rites.