Excelsior Correspondent
R S PURA (IB), Oct 24: Braveheart Martyr Gurnam Singh is an icon of motivation for the youth of this border belt who inspires them to join the force as they want to follow his foot-steps.
Even in his death, Gurnam, the BSF soldier who attained martyrdom after he was injured in a sniper attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua sector, has become an inspiration for the youth of the border belt, who want to join the force like him.
As the mortal remains of 26-year-old Gurnam were consigned to flames at his native village Bhalesar today hundreds of youth took a pledge to follow the footsteps of Singh and join the BSF.
“When he was alive he was an inspiration and now after his martyrdom he has become a role model for the youth in our area,” Gurjeet Singh, a class 12 student who had come to attend the funeral, said.
Gurjeet said he would work hard to follow the footsteps of Gurnam and join the BSF to guard the border of the country.
“I want to follow his footsteps and join BSF or Army to defend the borders of our motherland,” Pankaj Kumar, a third year graduation student, said.
Thousands of people gathered to bid their final adieu to the brave son of the soil.
Several senior functionaries and ministers of the ruling alliance partner BJP, senior BSF officers and local police also attended the funeral of Gurnam Singh.
“He was a young boy and his family was planning to see him get married, but destiny had something else in store for him, but in his death also he has become an inspiration for the people of this border belt,” Surinder Kumar a local resident, said.
Kulveer Singh, Gurnam’s father, said he feels proud that his son attained martyrdom while defending the country.
“It is a proud moment for us and our entire family that our son has become an inspiration for others to follow. His martyrdom will not go waste and he would be remembered for his sacrifice for times to come,” he said.
Kulveer said his son always wanted to join the BSF as it was his childhood dream to don the uniform and defend the borders.
“When he was in school, he used to say that he would join the BSF and five years ago when he joined the force, he was the happiest man,” Kulveer said.
The BSF had said it would recommend the name of Gurnam Singh, who was instrumental in repulsing a major infiltration bid along the International Border, for the highest gallantry award posthumously.
When asked if Gurnam’s name would be recommended for the highest gallantry award, ADG BSF Western Command Arun Kumar had told reporters yesterday, “Absolutely the gallantry award would be a lesser possible award for him as he deserves much more… But we will be recommending for that.”
“With his supreme sacrifice he has made not only the BSF but the whole nation proud,” Kumar had said on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony.
Earlier, amidst emotional scenes, the mortal remains of BSF Jawan Gurnam Singh, were consigned to flames at his native village in Bhalesar here today with full military honours.
Thousands of people from all sections of life took part in the final journey of the brave solider who laid down his life while defending the boundaries of the country.
Several state ministers, BSF officers, district administration officials and BJP leaders attended the last rites of Gurnam who succumbed to injuries at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu on Saturday night.
“He was a brave son and we are proud of him,” his father Kulveer Singh said.
As soon as the mortal remains of Gurnam were taken out of his house for the last rites, the atmosphere reverberated with the slogans like “Gurnam Singh Amar Rahe”, “Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega, Gurnam Singh Tera Naam Rahega”.
People were also raising “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogan.
“We demand stern action against Pakistan, we want peace but Pakistan keeps on disturbing the peace every now and then by killing people on our side, we want this to stop once and for all.
“Pakistan must be taught a lesson so that no mother has to ever loose her son again,” Kulbushan Kumar, a local villager, said.
Jat Biradari held a meeting under the chairmanship of its President and Former MLA Choudhary Piara Singh and has paid tributes to the martyr jawan of BSF Gurnam Singh. Choudhary Piara Singh has urged upon the Government to provide adequate compensation to the bereaved family.
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