Where saviours of Fazilka fell is sacred ground

By Praful Chander Nagpal

The “sanctum sanctorum” of Asafwala War Memorial, 7 km from Fazilka on the national highway, is not a place of worship, but a large number of people stop here to pay their obeisance to the brave sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives defending this strategic town in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. 

Every year on Vijay Diwas (December 16), a mela and marathon are organised with the help of the Army and civil administration at the memorial to commemorate the martyrs. Thousands of youths participate in the marathon at the border village of Asafwala, where the magnificent memorial is managed by a committee set up by the locals. 

One of the most ferocious hand-to-hand combats was witnessed in the Fazilka sector. The Army stalled the advancing enemy, forcing it to retreat. Of the 1,600 casualties in the war, 229 soldiers, including 19 officers, lost their lives in this sector. 

Moved by their sacrifice, some residents of the area got together and cremated the mortal remains of the “saviours of Fazilka”. They raised a memorial on half an acre of land donated by Ram Rakha Mal Thakral. The then Chief Minister of Punjab, Giani Zail Singh, unveiled the memorial on September 22, 1972.

They also constituted Shaheedon Ki Samadhi Committee to look after the memorial, which now spreads over 5  acres. A war museum has also come up at the complex that houses photographs of martyrs and busts of Maha Vir Chakra recipient Lance Naik Drigpal Singh of 15 Rajput Regiment, Major Narain Singh (Vir Chakra) of 4 Jat Regiment, Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia (Vir Chakra) of 15 Rajput Regiment and Lance Havildar Gangadhar (awarded Vir Chakra posthumously). The ashes of Major Gen RK Suri, who led 4 Jat Regiment, have been preserved in the memorial, as per his wishes. 

“Setting up a war memorial museum was a dream project of the committee. We wanted to inculcate a spirit of patriotism among visitors, particularly the youth,” says octogenarian Amar Chand Bhateja, senior vice-president of the committee. 

“The marathon is organised to acquaint the younger generation with the glorious past and the sacrifice of the martyrs,” says Sandeep Gilhotra, president of the committee. Vijay Diwas would be celebrated over two days. On December 15, residents of Fazilka and senior Army and civil administration officers will participate in the victory procession. Thereafter, the Army would organise a light-and-sound show, depicting the history of the 1971 war and the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs. The Army would also recognise the services of civilians who have been managing the memorial. On December 16, hundreds of people would pay tributes to the martyrs at the memorial complex. 

Committee members contribute from their own pocket for the upkeep of the memorial. “It is one of the best war memorials in the country being managed by civilians, who maintain the memorial with dedication and stand by the family members of the war heroes through thick and thin,” says Urmila Bhatiyal, a frequent visitor and widow of Major Narain Singh. 

The Amogh Division of the Army and the committee is also running a computer training centre at the complex for girls of border villages. About 400 girls have been imparted basic computer knowledge free of cost, says Shashi Kant, treasurer of the committee. A government school, dispensary and community centre are also being run at the complex. 

“It was a memorable day for the committee when the kin of the martyrs from across the country were honoured in a state-level programme held at the memorial on April 13, 1987,” says Umesh Chander Kukkar, vice-president of the committee.  Residents believe that the souls of the martyrs come to their rescue and shield the town from natural calamities. Another belief is that the wishes of people bowing their heads at the memorial are fulfilled. 

The committee has proposed to give the memorial a facelift at a cost of about Rs 50 lakh. The president of the committee feels that the memorial should be given the status of a “national memorial” since it is one of the best maintained memorials from among the 50 in the state.