Among the dead is a son worried about his labourer father, a father about his girls’ schooling | India News – Times of India

DEHRADUN: Gunman Anuj Negi, 25, was one of the five soldiers of Garhwal Rifles who lost their lives when armed terrorists ambushed their convoy in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir on Monday. Hailing from Dobariya village In Pauri Garhwal district, Negi was the “financial backbone of his family“. He got married in November last year and is survived by his wife, who is two months pregnant, and his parents. His father, 50, works as a day labourer at the local forest service office near the village.
Speaking to TOI, Nandan Singh Rawat, Anuj’s uncle who lives in the same village, said Negi joined the Indian Army six years ago with the intention of improving his family’s financial situation and at the same time serving the nation.
“Anuj was a devoted family man. During his last visit home, he tried his best to plan his sister’s wedding but unfortunately, he made the ultimate offer “Before he could witness her wedding,” Rawat said.
Sateshwari Devi, another villager, said, “Anuj’s wife is two months pregnant. He was overjoyed when he heard the news and was excited about his new role in the family. However, fate had other plans for him.”
She added: “The women of the village have decided to take care of his pregnant wife and ensure that she has a healthy baby. We will also help her raise the child and share the heroic stories of the father as the child grows up. The entire village stands united with the grieving family during this difficult time.”
Among the other soldiers killed in the terrorist attack was Rifleman Adarsh ​​Negi, 26, from Thatti Dagar village in Tehri Garhwal district. The youngest of three siblings — a brother and a sister — Adarsh ​​dropped out of his BSc course after two years to join the army in 2019. His father is a farmer, while his elder brother works in a restaurant in the district.
“When Adarsh ​​​​cleared the Army recruitment test, he decided to quit his studies midway. His decision was motivated by the need to support his family financially. He last visited his village in April to attend his cousin’s wedding. His sacrifice has made him an inspiration for the youth of the village,” said Nandan Singh Rawat, one of his relatives.
In another village, Papri in Pauri Garhwal, residents recalled that Havildar Kamal Singh Rawat, 28, was very worried about the education of his two daughters, aged 3 and 5. His eldest daughter is in class 1, while the youngest is in LKG.
“That was all he talked about,” said villager Rajpal Singh Gusain. “Kamal was determined to provide his daughters with a better education, but it was difficult in his village, which is in a remote, hilly area. So he moved with his family, including his wife and mother, to a rented accommodation in Kotdwar town, about 70 km from his village.”
Naib Subedar Anand Singh Rawat, 41, was the only junior commissioner officer (JCO) among the dead. From Kanda-Bhardar village in Rudraprayag district, he had built a house in Dehradun three years ago, where he lived with his wife and two daughters, aged 13 and 15.