Sirmaur bids farewell to Lance Naik Manish

Grief hung heavy in the air as Baraban village in Sirmaur district received its brave son, Lance Naik Manish Thakur draped in the Tricolour. His mortal remains arrived in an army vehicle and were met by tearful eyes amid cries of “Shaheed Manish Thakur Amar Rahein” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”

His mother collapsed the moment she saw the coffin. His wife, married just three months ago, stood in disbelief. The silence that followed the wails spoke volumes.

Manish, a devoted soldier of the Dogra Regiment, laid down his life in the line of duty on Sunday evening when a sudden landslide struck near Chatten in North Sikkim. He was 27. He had recently arranged a home in Ranikhet for his wife, where he was to be posted.

As the funeral procession wound through the village, hundreds walked alongside the coffin with folded hands and moist eyes. Children, elders, friends and neighbours mourned a young man remembered for his smile, humility and unwavering sense of duty. The Army honoured him with full military rites. As the bugle sounded its final call, the pyre was lit.

Joining the grief-stricken family and villagers were several dignitaries who paid homage to the braveheart. BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal, member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap, Paonta Sahib MLA Sukhram Chaudhary were present to offer their condolences and salute the sacrifice of Lance Naik Manish Thakur.

Local residents holding back tears, recalled Manish as a brilliant student and a pillar of the community. “He had dreams — for his family, his village, his future. He built a home for his family, donated to temples and never forgot his roots. He was more than a soldier; he was the pride of Baraban,” they said.