Red Shield dedicates park to Major Jyotin
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2011: Despite steely resolve to curb the human instinct, emotion betrayed her as the sister of martyred Indian soldier Major Laishram Jyotin shed tears inconsolably when the gentle winter breeze swayed the curtains to uncover the bust of the army Medical Corps Officer before its official unveiling at the Red Shield Division bastion at Leimakhong today.

Invited along with other family members and accorded the honour to unveil her younger brother's bust at the military camp, Dr Binakumari Devi could no longer hold back the tears for the moment undoubtedly brought back the fond memories the Laishram siblings shared when they were young and full of life.

Honouring the supreme sacrifice of Maj Jyotin, who hailed from Nambol Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district, GOC 57 Mountain Division Maj Gen Binoy Poonnen led officers and ladies of the red Shield Division in dedicating Major L Jyotin Memorial Park to the people of Manipur.

Mrs Poonen consoles the grieving sister of Late Maj Jyotin

a tearful Dr Binakumari was seen consoled and encouraged by the GOC's better half Annie Poonnen to offer floral tribute at the bust of her lion-hearted brother.

The Park, developed on a gentle slope, has amusement facilities for children and water fountain and is located besides a rivulet.

Born in May 14, 1972, Maj Jyotin was commissioned in Army Medical Corps on February 15, 2003 and joined the Indian Medical Mission in Kabul in February 2010 for providing humanitarian medical care to the people of Afghanistan.

On February 26 the same year, armed terrorists attacked a hotel in Kabul where Indian doctors and other country-men were residing.

Maj Jyotin challenged one of the terrorists with bare hands, wrestled down the attacker and prevented him from lobbing grenades or firing from AK-47 rifle.

Unable to carry out the nefarious mission, the terrorist detonated his suicide vest killing himself and Maj Laishram Jyotin Singh.

This selfless act of the brave officer, with utter disregard to personal safety, saved the lives of his many colleagues trapped inside the hotel in hostile foreign land, recollected an officer through the public address system as Dr Binakumari and other relatives of the martyred Major were guided round the Park by the GOC and his better-half Mrs Annie Poonnen.

For his act of exemplary courage, indomitable spirit, conspicuous gallantry, selfless grit and valour, in the face of armed adversary, Maj Laishram Jyotin Singh was conferred with the highest peace time gallantry award 'The Ashok Chakra (Posthumous)' on the occasion of Independence Day celebration last year.

The Park will be a source of inspiration for the people and State of Manipur, a monument of patriotism and selflessness which will groom and inspire the younger generation towards nationalism and importance of dedication to duty, a PIB (DW) release quoted Maj Gen Poonnen as saying.