NEW DELHI, 2 Apr: Arunachal Pradesh Governor BD Mishra attended the launch of The Saga of a Braveheart – It is Glory to Die Doing One’s Duty, a documentary on Lt Col Ajit V Bhandarkar (Shaurya Chakra, posthumous), by union MoS for Electronics & IT Rajeev Chandrasekar, here in the national capital on 2 April.
The documentary, which was launched as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, showcases the valour and bravery of Lt Col Bhandarkar, who, in spite of being grievously injured, eliminated three militants before succumbing to his injuries. For his act of courage and supreme sacrifice, Lt Col Ajit Bhandarkar was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously.
Speaking on the occasion, Mishra recalled Lt Col Bhandarkar as a brave officer of the 18th battalion of the Madras Regiment who laid down his life fighting Kashmiri terrorists for the defence of the nation.
“His battle prowess and chivalry are worthy of emulation by all of us,” he said.
The governor complimented and hailed the martyr’s widow, “who, after the departure of Col Bhandarkar, so bravely, intelligently, wisely and with great fortitude and willpower, not only brought up her children, but also made them able-bodied young men and allowed them to join the security forces.
“Her eldest son, Major Nirbhay Bhandarkar, has joined his father’s battalion, ie, 18 Madras (Mysore) and the second son, Lieutenant Commander Akshay Bhandarkar, has become an officer in the Elite Submarine Corps of the Indian Navy,” the governor said.
“The armed forces, the officers and jawans make all the sacrifices in the highest spirit of our patriotism and for the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation. Equally and axiomatically, it becomes the obligation of the society to take care of the veer naris and their families. The society, therefore, must never forget the sacrifices of the soldiers and must recall it, always and every time,” he said.
Among others, the regiment’s Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, War Widows Association president Damayanti Tambay, and veterans and officers of the Madras Regiment attended the event. (Raj Bhavan)
