Kolkata,A solemn felicitation
function was held today at the Albert Ekka auditorium in Fort William to honour
50 Veer-Naris from West Bengal, whose husbands or sons were martyred in various
wars and operations in the service of the nation.
The
brief ceremony held under the aegis of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA)
was presided over by Regional AWWA President (Eastern Command), Smt Kiran Rai.
Also present were Regional AWWA President (HQ Bengal Area), Smt Prema Dhawan
and other association members.
The poignant ceremony was surcharged with emotions as names of
the 'Veer-Naris' and of their martyred warrior-husbands or sons were read out.
While it was understandably difficult for some to restrain their emotions,
senior AWWA functionaries present consoled and reassured them of the avowed
support of the organisation.
“Although the felicitation of veer-naris are held every year, we
remain in touch and reach out to them all through the year and take care of
them,” said Smt Rai of AWWA's deep commitment towards their welfare.
Among
the veer-naris present was Smt Asmerry Marandi from Murshidabad, whose late
husband Sepoy Koranelius Marandi was killed in action in Sri Lanka on August
17, 1999. She was accompanied by son Marcareus, who was constantly by her side
as she could not walk unassisted.
“My mother stopped eating for nearly six months after hearing the
news of my father's death,” said Koranelius. “She also did not utter a word for
over two years thereafter,” he added, explaining his mother's health status
post the shock. Now in a much better state, she proudly comes to the event
whenever invited, he stated.
Among others present also was Smt Rama Mazumdar, widow of late
Naik Swapan Mazumdar who served with the Territorial Army. Her husband died in
an operation against the militants in Tripura in 2002. A glint of pride was
clearly evident in her eyes as she disclosed that her only son had also joined
the army in April, this year. What made her even more proud was that he joined
his father's former unit.
For the benefit of the veer-naris facilities such as specialist
medical check-up, informative and interactive stalls by Rajya Sainik Board,
Army Welfare and Placement Node were set up at the venue. Officials from
Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), Allahabad were also present
to assist the special invitees on the occasion.
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