Florine Roche

Karwar, Jul 23: It has been 13 days since the death of BSF jawan Vijayanand Suresh Naik of Karwar who was killed in Chattisgarh in anti naxal operations. He was cremated with full state honours on July 12 amidst chants of ‘Vijayanand Amar Rahe’ that reverberated throughout the candle light procession of his funeral ceremony. The house located in Komarapanthwada near Kodibagh still has a steady flow of visitors who come to pay their homage to the young and brave jawan and also to pacify the grief stricken family which is trying to come to terms with the unfortunate calamity. The family has been trying to put up a brave face despite undergoing the trauma of losing their son at the prime of his youth. There is another flex at the entrance of his home and the friendly photo of Vijayanand stares at every visitor and for a fleeting moment one forgets the very purpose of the visit to the house.

“Officially, we had not received any news about his death and I refused to believe with a flicker of hope inside me that the news is false. However, the next morning the news of his death was confirmed. I could not fool myself anymore believing Vijay is alive and my wife and I were shattered by the sad news,” Suresh Naik says. Suresh looks quite composed though the agony and the ordeal he goes through can be seen in his forlorn looking eyes. Suresh cannot afford to show his pain openly as his wife Vidya Naik who has poor health needs his support and empathy.

The family did not open the coffin to see his body. “We only touched his feet because I wanted the picture of my son’s smiling face which I saw last during his recent visit to remain in my memory. I am confident that Vijayanand will take birth again and will serve the country,” says Suresh Naik.

The people of Karwar showered their respect to the local boy who had attained martyrdom by attending his funeral in large numbers. It was their way of expressing their solidarity with the bereaved family. “I am overwhelmed by the support and respect we got from the people of this city who flocked in thousands to pay homage to my son despite heavy rains on the day. I try to console myself with the thought that my son died in his service to the nation. Though I am sad of losing him, if I had another young son, I would definitely encourage him to join the army or BSF,” says Suresh Naik amidst tears. “People who visit us say that we are fortunate to have a son like him. I will be happy if Vijay has inspired other parents and youngsters to join any force that is engaged in safeguarding the security of the country,” Suresh declares.

While talking to his family members, relatives and his friends, it is clear that Vijayanand, true to his name, always spread happiness around him. Though he was only 28, he was helpful, friendly and kept the family chain intact with regular interaction. He was always concerned about his mother’s ill health and was calling at least 3 times everyday mainly to enquire about his mother’s health. On that fateful day of July 9, though he tried to call home, he could not get network and the family plunged into a pool of sorrow when a late night phone call from his friend informed them about the incident. On hindsight, it can be said that Vijayanand must have had the premonition of his death and hence tried to be happy and spread happiness during his short stay.

Vijayanand who had joined the BSF in 2014 had spent a month’s holiday in April this year and went back on May 1. Suresh says his son never disclosed the family that he was working in the naxal infested state of Chattisgarh as he believed that would create tension to his parents. He had told them that he is posted in Orissa which was untrue. Suresh who retired in 2014 from state government’s revenue department recalls that Vijayanand was not like other kids. He had won the ‘Veergran Award’ for sports when he was in UKG. He always asked for machine guns or helicopter as his toys. He never asked anything else. He says that Vijayanand was inspired by his grandfather who had served in Assam Border Force. Vijay was fond of his grandparents and grew under their love and care. He had joined the BSF against the wishes of his parents who wanted their son to remain back in Karwar.

“We were planning to get both our sons married next year. But I am not destined to see even my son alive leave alone conduct his marriage,” says Surresh tearfully. “I know the family has lost him forever. The only solace I have at this moment is that he was a brave son of India who sacrificed his life for the country.”

Vijay’s mother Vidya is devastated having lost her son and no words can console her. “He was always worried about my health and that was the reason he used to call home every day. He maintained close ties with all relatives and visited them during his holidays,” she says amidst sobbing.

Vijays older brother Vishal though grief stricken, has to bear the onerous responsibility of consoling his parents. It is not easy to do that considering that they all go through the same trauma, pain and agony.