Statesman News Service


BAGDOGRA, Nov. 18- He lived a short life of 22 years, but for others.
Roshan Rai of 11 Gorkha Rifles turned out to be a true disciple of his father and died battling for the country. The 22- year-old sepoy died during a counter-insurgency operation in Gulgam forest in Kupwara (Kashmir) on 15 November.
His body was flown from Delhi to his hometown Kalimpong via Bagdogra airport in IC 7891 at 4 this afternoon. Rai, son of an ex-Gorkha soldier, Mr Mani Raj Rai was a resident of Eastman Road in Kalimpong.
He was scheduled to come home in the month of January to tie the nuptial knot, said his uncle, Mr Chandra Kumar Rai.
“Our child made us proud. He is no more today, but he would be remembered by the people of Kalimpong forever,” the bereaved uncle, said. Mr Rajiv Rai, the fallen soldier’s brother remembered the day when Roshan joined the Army and his father gave him the mantra to dedicate his life for the nation. “Dada kept his promise,” was the brother’s observation.
Col Surinder Singh of Station Cell, Bengdubi who was present at the airport, where the jawans of his cell presented guard of honour to the tricolor-wrapped body of Rai, informed that Rai would receive a military funeral by the Gorkha Rifles station headquarters at Kalimpong tomorrow morning.