Martyr Joy Chandra Das: A Soldier and an Expert 'Dhuliya'

ALL FOR VALOUR

Lance Naik Joy Chandra Das was born in 1976 in Baligaon village of the Balipara region in Sonitpur district of Assam. He was the second of five children born to his father Bhadeshwar Das and mother Seujee Das. He married Joonmoni Das from Jorhat and had two children by her, one boy and a girl.

He joined the armed forces in April 1996, and was posted as a Lance Naik in the 119 Infantry Battalion (TA) of the Assam Regiment. He was posted on border patrol duty on the Indo-Bangladesh border in the Indian state of Tripura when the incident which took his life happened.

On December 28, 2008, Joy Chandra Das and his team left at 7 am for patrol duty. The team did not have much knowledge about the local terrain of the region. The team of 17 soldiers was ambushed by militants who started firing at their vehicle, including the rubber tyres. Once the vehicle was damaged and some soldiers were injured, the insurgents surrounded the vehicle and started firing indiscriminately at them. The attack left 16 brave soldiers of the team martyred and only one survived to relate the horrific tale.

The son was a little older than 3 years, while the daughter was about 8 months old when their father was martyred in 2008. The son has now completed a professional computer course and currently preparing for his future while the daughter is studying for her bachelor's degree from Handique Girls College in Guwahati.

His wife Joonmoni Das mentioned that the last time she talked to him was around 3-4 days before the attack took place. About a week before the event, he had sent a greeting card to wish them a Happy New Year. A relative had informed the rest of the family, but keeping the children in mind, she was not told.

"I called him up to ask something regarding my son's school admission. I knew the person who picked up my call and he told me that my husband had gone on duty. He asked me the reason for my calling and said that he would convey the message once he returned. I told him and disconnected the call. The news came out as there were many men from the nearby villages engaged in the same unit. I initially thought he must be injured and did not expect the worst, " recalled Joonmoni Das.

The body was bought home by army personnel and they took care of the last rites of the fallen hero. The unit offered to build a memorial in his name, but a local committee declined the offer, saying that it will be constructed by the local people to honour the first martyr of the region. But it has not been done to date.

A job was offered to her as the next of kin, as compensation from the Armed Forces. Keeping the age of the young children in mind, Joonmoni Das did not take the position. The younger brother of Joy Chandra Das accepted it in her stead in the same regiment.

"He was a very amicable and helpful person according to all his near and dear ones. He was also very loving and emphatic towards everyone. He was very open-minded and lacked jealousy towards anyone. He used to tell me not to worry about finances even in case of his demise. He wanted me to bring up the kids as good citizens of the country even if he was not around," said his wife.

"He loved to travel a lot. Whenever we had time, we used to visit relatives and friends. He was also into agriculture and took care of the farm when he was on leave. He also took care of the education of his younger brother and sister along with the health and well-being of his parents. We used to miss him a lot when he was not around and always made plans for his next visit," Joonmoni recalled.

There used to be special celebrations when he came home during the festivals like Bihu and Puja. Special plans for 'Na- khua' celebrations were something the whole family waited eagerly for. He loved to play football and was an expert 'dhuliya' (one who plays the traditional Assamese 'dhol') who participated in the Bihu celebrations.

"Ours was a love marriage. I first saw him when he was posted in Jorhat on an assignment," his wife reminisced.

"When the committee failed to build the memorial, we decided to make one at our home itself. We pay homage to him regularly and try to keep his memories alive. I wanted both my children to join the forces and follow in the footsteps of their father. But my son does not seem interested in the job. Our daughter would like to apply once she completes her studies," She commented.

"I feel sad about the loss, but my solace is that he died for the country. As a mother, I can never forget my son. I do see him in my dreams every now and then. He used to tell me that he might die someday and I will get a lot of money. But I used to reply, telling him to come back, and asking what will I do with the money without my son. He wished to shift me to a pucca house from the kuchha house we used to live in," remembered Saujee Das, mother of the brave Martyr.

"He also told that he would bring a big fish and clothes for everyone and have a good feast whenever he came home. I miss him most during our festivals. He used to work as a labourer before getting the job and buying clothes for his younger brother and sisters. He loved his daughter the most but unluckily he could not watch her grow," said the mother in a sad tone.

A place was allocated near the Government Hospital in Balipara to build a proper memorial for the martyr. But the local committee never completed it. The family wishes for the project be completed so that people will remember him.

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