In difficult time like this

Martha J *

It was a normal Wednesday like any other. The routine started in the morning.

Children went to school and the Indian Army officers went to perform their duty.

Everyone was busy in their own affairs. That day turned out to be black for three officers of the Indian Army.

Wives of the three officers only knew that they are going for duty and will be back by lunch time like any other normal day. Nobody could have known that they are saying goodbye to them forever.

At around 0825 hrs it was discovered that there is loss of contact with one of the Chopper which had gone to fly over south of Kohima. After that the news came an Army helicopter in which these three brave Indian Army officers had gone is missing.

Still there was a hope that the helicopter might be safe. The crew of officers might be safe. They might have landed somewhere.

A search and rescue team at Army Cantt Jakhama was immediately told to go for search. The weather was bad. Nowhere this helicopter was seen due to bad weather and clouds.

Army search team was searching for its missing chopper and the most valuable three officers. It was a very difficult task, suddenly the news came that some villagers had heard a loud noise.

The helicopter had crashed into the slopes of Teyozhu mountain situated at an altitude of 2339 meters above sea level. Some volunteers from Viswema Village near Kohima came forward to offer help. They trekked up the steep mountain slope bravely .

The hope was still there that even after the crash someone is alive. The venture was only to save lives.

But alas they could only get the bodies and the debris of helicopter at around 12:30 pm . The Naga Villagers helped and guided the Army rescue team in reaching the spot.

It took almost two and half hours to reach the crash spot by foot from the Viswema approach road above NH-39. The bodies of three brave soldiers of Indian Army were recovered with great effort.

In difficult time like this without the help from the locals retrieval of bodies would not have been possible.

The immense help from locals to Army is an example of humanity, goodness and values in people of Nagaland. All the Naga organisations incl civil administration, and police helped. All were united to help. They did not forget to offer condolences.

Floral tributes were paid in the evening before the bodies were taken to Jakhama. Later on the bodies were identified as Colonel PK Pal, Sena Medal of Lucknow, Major Rakesh sharma of Hamirpur Himanchal Pradesh and Major Nikhil Prakash of Deolali, Nasik.

Col PK Pal is survived by wife Mrs Roli Pal and two small children , Major Rakesh Sharma survived by wife Mrs Neha Sharma and 2 years old daughter, Major Nikhil Prakash son of Major General A. Malhotra survived by wife Major Madhu Rana.

These soldiers from different places of India came to Nagaland to perform their duties . Such unfortunate incidence was a shock to everyone.

Another battle to fight with emotions and struggle to come out of shock and trauma is there on the way ahead of these families. Everyone equally shocked and depressed came forward to offer help and aid to the grieved ones. The shock and trauma caused due to this great loss was so much that it will be very difficult to come out of it for the families.

However the wives of these brave soldiers of Indian Army will definitely face this situation bravely. The good wishes and condolences can not make up the loss but definitely gives the strength to go ahead. After all life is like a river, it has to flow ,it can not stop.

Time is the only healer for such wounds. In difficult time like this only one thought is coming to me.

When we all come together and show display of unity, humanity, goodness, values and ethics in difficult time why do we forget this in normal time. Why don't we fight all that is evil, bad and criminal in the society.

We the human beings are blessed with all goodness and kindness then why don't we use it for well being of others. Our endeavour should be to spread goodness and happiness in the society. We should all work hard for the progress and betterment of society.

This will solve all the problems which we are facing today and make a cordial environment to stay in the world.