Memorial to be laid in martyrs' honour
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, July 23 — The district administration has decided to name the road passing through the Shantmai chowk to Sonepat road as Vijay Path to commemorate the memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives while fighting the Pakistan-backed intruders in the Kargil sectors.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, announced this while paying tribute to Naik Suresh Kumar of 5 Rajputana Rifles at Mokhra village. He also presented a cheque for Rs 2.50 lakh to his widow. The remaining amount of Rs 2.50 lakh, he said, would be paid after completing certain formalities. The IMA and the Patwari and Kanoongo Association presented cheques for Rs 11,000 each to the family members of the war hero.

Mr Arun Kumar said the chowk opposite Shantmai would be named as Vijay Chowk and at the Sonepat road as Shaheed Chowk. A memorial gate would be erected near the Shantmai chowk towards the Gohana road.

He said on Vijay Chowk and Shaheed Chowk names of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and belonged to Rohtak district would be inscribed.

The total project, he said, would cost Rs 12 lakh which would be contributed by the District Red Cross Society. The red society has also contributed Rs 51,000 to each family members of the martyrs.

Farewell to two gallant jawans

HOSHIARPUR (UNI): Sepoy Des Raj of 18 Grenadiers who was killed in a landmine blast in Dras sub-sector in Kargil on July 20, was cremated with full military honours at his ancestral Bhatiara village on Friday.

He is the 17th Kargil martyr from the district.

The pyre of the 27-year-old soldier was lit by his elder brother, Baldev Raj, amid sounding of the last post by Army buglers.

Des Raj is survived by his widow, Neelam, and a five-year-old daughter.

The Deputy Commissioner, who was present on the occasion, said Government Primary School at Bhatiara and the link road from Datarpur to his native village would be named after his name.

Another Kargil martyr Sepoy Sukhchain Deep Singh was cremated at Khudani Kalan village, 19 km from Khanna in Ludhiana district, with full military honours.

Thousands of persons from nearby villages, jawans and officers from the Army and civil officers were present.

Sepoy Sukhchain Deep Singh had joined the armed forces at age of 23 in 1994 and was posted in the Batalik sector for the last one and a half year. He sacrificed his life on July 20 while defending his post.

Dhumal visits soldiers' families

HAMIRPUR (FOC): The Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, visited the house of martyr Praveen Kumar at Sunbani village and consoled the bereaved family.

The Chief Minister said the nation was proud of the sacrifices made by valiant soldiers and it was the first and foremost duty of the government to help their families to lead a respectable life.

He gave a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to his family members and said one person of the family would be given government job.

He also visited the house of injured Sepoy Bhupinder Singh, at Mahre Kawsa village. He gave him Rs 5000.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Co-operation, Mr Rikhi Ram Kaundel.

More contributions for jawans
From Tribune Reporters

LUDHIANA, July 23 — The management and staff of Malwa Khalsa Senior Secondary School has contributed Rs 11,000 to the Army Central Welfare Fund.

The District Taxation Bar Association (Income Tax and Sales Tax) has also donated Rs 1,07,500 to the fund as a token of respect for the families of brave soldiers who have laid down their lives while fighting the enemy in Kargil.

Employees of Jain Udhay Fabrics Limited, too have made a contribution of Rs 9351 towards the fund.

BILASPUR: The Himachal Public Works Department division No. I has donated Rs 81,314, division No. II Rs 1,28,612, Ghumarwin PWD division Rs 91,583 and tenth circle office of PWD here Rs 11,300 for Chief Minister's Sainik Welfare Fund.

The Danwin Ghrati Yuva Seva-Dal has donated Rs 2100 for the fund and hold a "langar" during Naina Devi "Sharawan Ashtami fair" in memory of the martyrs of 'Operation Vijay'.

Principal Susheel Kumar Pundir said that District Education and Training Institute (DIET) at Jukhala near here has donated Rs 8100 and has also introduced "house system and has named these houses after the martyrs.

Swami Krishanananda founder of Shri Naina Devi Guffa and Sadhu Ashram has donated Rs 1100 for the fund while district unit of the Fire Brigade Employees Union has donated Rs 4975 for the fund.

Doctor Madan Lal Sharma, Assistant Director, Animal Husbandary, said the department had sent a draft for Rs 58,866 for the fund while the Gram Vikas Samiti Berry and the Motor Market Association, Berry, jointly donated Rs 11,000 and Mahila Mandal Nalag-Harkhar president, Mrs Sangeeta Jaswal contributed Rs 2100.

KAITHAL: Contributions to the Chief Minister's War Heroes Relief Fund has gone up to Rs 45 lakh till now. More reports of contributions have been received and the DFSC, Kaithal, Mr A.K. Gaur, handed over a draft for Rs 1,21,200/- to Deputy Commissioner on behalf of officials and the employees of his department. Major K.K. Sirohi, Principal, RKSD College, here contributed Rs 51,000 to the fund on behalf of teaching and non teaching staff and members of the governing body of the college.

Besides this, the DDPO, Mr Om Parkash Sharma, and BDO, Mr Liyakat Ali contributed Rs 1,45,100/- on behalf of the different panchayats. The BDPO Rajound, Mr Raj Kumar has contributed Rs 1,10,600/- on behalf of different panchayats of the Rajound block. Besides this Kheri, Raiwali village panchayat donated Rs 20,000/- panchayats of Guhna, Shergarh, Dhons, Kheri Sheru, Chhoth Chandana, Narar, Kakot and Sega have contributed Rs 10,000/- each. Village panchayats of Deora, Manas, Franswala, Titram, Sangan, and Padla have donated Rs 5000/- each to the fund. Bhanpura panchayat donated Rs 5100/-. Panchayat of Kotra village donated Rs 50,000/-, Kookerkanda and Beerbangra panchayats Rs 25,000/- each, the panchayat of Karora Rs 7500/- and Bhana Rs 3100/-.