Thousands of mourners rush to native village
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 13: Failing to live by his promise made with his parents that he would marry after coming on leave next time, the valiant Navy Commando from a Bishnah village lost his life when his Parachute got entangled in high tension wires during a training session at Agra in Uttar Pradesh last Thursday.
The body of para commando, Ankur Sharma whose Parachute after getting entangled in a high tension wire in Agra during a training session last Thursday and caught fire was consigned to flames at Cremation Ground Purmandal in Samba district with full military honours this afternoon. Earlier the mortal remains of the Commando were brought to his native village Kothey -Sadorian in Bishnah this morning.
His body was first brought to his home and later taken to Purmandal area of Samba for last rites as per the family tradition, officials said.
The body of the soldier reached Bishnah tehsil from the Jammu airport after it was flown from Uttar Pradesh as thousands of villagers turned up to bid a tearful adieu to the son of the soil.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, body of the Commando was shifted to Purmandal where he was cremated with full military honours, including a gun salute, the officials said.
Senior officers of the Navy, Army, Air Force and police besides civil officials attended the last rites, they added.
As the body reached his native village, a pall of gloom descended in the entire area. The people were in shock and grief as the para commando who was very social and a caring youth not only for his parents and relatives but his co- villagers also had commanded a good respect among the people of the area.
Not only his native village but the pall of gloom descended in entire area after the people came to know about the death of Commando Ankur Sharma and they rushed to his residence as the news spread in the area that Commando’s body has reached the village.
Emotional scenes were witnessed as the wailing relatives, including his parents and siblings, tried to reach the coffin wrapped in the tricolour to have a last glimpse of the fallen hero.
The mourners were unable to console the mother and other family members of Ankur who were totally in shock and were unable to understand what has happened.
The shell shocked villagers said words fall short to console the wailing parents of Ankur who had met a sudden tragedy as they had never expected that their young son will met such a quick end.
This dare devil Navy Commando was always ready to face any challenge in the life and while joining as para commando when he disclosed the same to his family members, his father Sham Lal Sharma, a retired teacher had suggested him not to join the training as it is a daring devil job full of dangers, said a relative of Ankur.
He said turning down the suggestion of his father Ankur had told him that when he has joined the Navy and decided to serve the nation he should not be afraid of taking risk. Surrendering before the wish of his son, Sham Lal told him that he is free to do as he likes.
His other family members said that during the militant attack on Hotel Taj in Mumbai in the year 2008, Ankur after seeing the dare devil act of commandos brought for action had said that he too wanted to be a commando and glorify his own name as well as name of his country.
Ankur, besides his father is survived by his mother, a brother and a sister. He was the only unmarried member in his family and his parents were planning to get him married now. During his last leave on May 5, he had made a promise with his parents that he will solemnize his marriage when he will come on leave next time but the fate had something else in store for him, said one of his neighbours.
He said Ankur who served the Navy for 11 years was an intelligent and courageous person. His elder brother is also serving in CRPF.
The villagers said that they are proud of him as he was always saying to glorify his name as well as the name of his country and he did that.
Former MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma, who also visited the residence of Ankur Sharma, said he was really a brave soldier who was always ready to face any challenge how tough it may be.
He said the entire area feels proud of this dare devil youth who was never afraid of dangers but was ready to play with fire. “We salute his valour as he was an inspiration for the younger generation’’.
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