Lance Naik dies on the day his wins are born

On April 19, Vishnupal Singh Bhadoria, a Lance Naik with 11 Rashtriya Rifles, called up his home at defense colony, Meghaninagar in Ahmedabad. The 25-year-old eagerly en-quired about his wife who was expecting and told his father Ravindra Singh Bhadoria that his two months’ leave had been sanctioned and he would he coming home next week. Instead, on April 23. Vishunupal’s lifeless body arrived at the Ahmedabad airport, opposite his small house.

Said his tearful father: "On April 21, some local Army jawans came and broke the news to us. They said the vehicle being driven by my son skidded off the road somewhere in Jammu and Kashmir and he died in the mishap. That’s all we know. His body was brought here on Monday night."

It’s a cruel twist of fate for the Bhadorias. While Vishnupal Singh was in the throes of death on April 20. his wife Rama gave birth to twin girls on the same day. ‘He died without knowing he has fathered twins.’ said his father, tears streaming down his face.

Vishnupal’s wife. Rama, is in a state of shock. The joy of giving birth to twins turned to sorrow in less than 24 hours when the news was given to her. She has not spoken to anyone since.

A pall of gloom has settled on the defence colony where Visnupal Singh grew up before he joined the Army about five years ago. "He was always a cheerful and enthusiastic guy. It’s almost seven months since became home and I was looking forward to meeting him. But now...I cannot believe what has happened." says his friend Pravin. Outside his quarters, men and women from the entire area gathered to console the grieving family. Inside, in a (lark room, the twins, both girls, are fast sleep, unaware of the wailing outside and the fact that they will never see their father.

In Vishnupal’s death, the family has also lost its sole bread-winner. Hailing from Agra, Ravindra Singh Bhadoria. who settled here about 40 years ago. worked as a mill-worker in the Sonu Textile Mills which closed down recently and is jobless now. His second son, Rishiraj Singh, has appeared for SSC, while a third son is just 10 years old.

‘We don’t know what to do now. We were dependent on Vishnupal till now. May be I will send my second son into the Army." Bhadoria says.

Republished from Indian Express