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Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
New memorial awaits inauguration in land of bravehearts
Gumla: The district, whose men have left behind a legacy in various branches of the armed forces for more than seven decades, will now have a dedicated memorial in their honour. Veer Smriti Smarak, which has been built within Birsa Munda Park premises in the town, will honour 55 bravehearts, including Param Vir Chakra recipient Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who laid down their lives fighting for the country. Built at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, the structure features a 33-feet high red granite pillar, a grand obelisk around it and three semi-circular walls symbolising the wings of the country's armed forces. All three contain the names of 55 martyrs from the army, paramilitary forces, and Jharkhand police. A triangular structure encompasses the map of India, encircled by grass, flower beds, and standard-sized poles for lighting up the whole masonry work inside the govt owned Birsa park. A brainchild of former deputy commissioner Karn Satyarthi, who was transferred last week, the memorial is already attracting visitors even though it is yet to be formally inaugurated. District sources said plans were being worked out to get the memorial inaugurated by chief minister Hemant Soren in the coming months. "Collection of the names of so many martyrs is unique for this place, as even the learned can't recall the great legacy of the district boasting of producing so many heroes who laid down their lives either on the frontiers for the sake of duty and the nation," said district tourism officer Manoj Kumar. Former DC Satyarthi said, "It was one of my last projects. Gumla has produced so many brave hearts for our country."
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Serving the nation: A legacy in Indo-Pak war hero's native village
Gumla: Villages in the Albert Ekka (Jari) block of Gumla district , particularly the Jari village and its neighbouring areas, have maintained a strong legacy of their young men joining the armed forces and various central security organisations over the distinguished son of Jari village, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who sacrificed his life in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, received the nation's highest military decoration, the Param Veer Chakra (PVC). He is the only PVC recipient from eastern India, so far. Two of Ekka's siblings, Ferdinand Ekka (now retired) and Lt Jerom Ekka, also served in the these regions, mothers have immense honour and pride when their sons join the Army and other central forces, including the BSF. The residents of all 52 villages in this block have at least one or two family members serving in the Army or other security forces. Currently, Basant Minj from nearby Asro village, which boasts of having 40 Army personnel, is defending the nation against adversaries in to the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, Abrensia Tirkey, mother of Dinesh Tirkey and wife of an ex-Army man of Kanji village, told TOI, "I sent my son to serve the country. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar It gives immense pleasure. He was posted in Kashmir. Mothers like me from our area feel proud of sending sons to safeguard the country."Similarly, Tarsheela Lakra, the mother of BSF jawan Bimal Lakra, said, "Our children joined the Army to serve the country. I was very happy when my son was selected for the BSF. He went to protect the border areas of the country in Jammu & Kashmir. He returned home after completing his job last month."On the ceasefire, the elderly Tarsheela added, "It's also a matter of relief for those who worked in the very difficult situations to safeguard the country."
