Martyr’s wife delivers baby just hours before cremation

Thousands of people attending last rites of martyr Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh. (Inset) newly born baby and martyr. -Excelsior/Pervaiz
Thousands of people attending last rites of martyr Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh. (Inset) newly born baby and martyr. -Excelsior/Pervaiz

Thousands bid tearful adieu

Ajay Raina
RAMBAN, Oct 23: While arrangements were being made for last rites of martyr Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh at his native village Suligam, his wife delivered a baby in the District Hospital. Unfortunately, the brave Army jawan could not see the face of his first child, who came to this world 8 years after their marriage.
The body of 36-year old soldier reached his native village yesterday evening after wreath laying ceremonies at Akhnoor Garrison and Chanderkote Army Headquarters respectively. Hence it was decided by the family to perform his last rites this morning.
Last night, wife of martyr namely Simru Devi developed labour pains and accordingly she was rushed to District Hospital where she delivered baby in the wee hours. While she was holding baby in her lap and cursing her luck, Army men were making arrangements for last rites of Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh.

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Decorated with flowers, an Army truck carrying mortal remains of the Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh martyr reached Chamba-Seri cremation ground on the banks of river Chenab at around 12 noon amidst shouting of slogans— ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Amar Rahe Shaheed Ranjeet Singh’ by the mourners.
His wife could not control herself and made a request to the District Hospital authorities for attending the cremation of her husband. It was only after Simru Devi along with newly born baby reached the cremation ground in an ambulance that funeral pyre was lit and tearful adieu was given to the martyr.
The last rites were attended by officers from Delta Force 11 Sector RR, MLA Ramban Neelam Langeh, SSP Ramban Anita Sharma, Additional SP Sanjay Parihar and thousands of people. The martyr is survived by mother, father, wife besides three younger sisters and three brothers. After passing matriculation from Ramban, he had joined the Indian Army to fulfill his childhood dream in 2002.
While talking to media persons, Dr Dinesh Kumar, Gynecologist at District Hospital Ramban said that the wife of the martyr developed labour pain and was brought to the hospital at around 11:40 pm last night.
“As soon as she reached the hospital, we started the treatment and at around 5 am today, she delivered a baby”, he added.
One of the local residents, known to the family of the martyr said that the soldier waited for 8 years for the birth of his first child but destiny had something else in store for him. “I wish Ranjeet could have been alive to see these happy moments”, he said while feeling proud on the martyrdom of the Lance Naik.
“The entire village is in deep mourning but the arrival of the child is expected to help the family to overcome the grief”, he asserted.

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