By C.M. Paul
Darjeeling, March 3, 2029: In the wake of the media hype on the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan, a web news portal in Darjeeling has started a campaign to bring home Rifleman Govind Bahadur Chettri.
Chettri along with four comrades from 7 JAK Rifles – Naik Videsh Chand, Rifleman Rajesh Rishi, Rifleman Arjun Kumar and Rifleman Nitin Rana — went missing since the 22 February, 2019 after an avalanche stuck Namgia Dogri area of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
Chettri is a resident of DS Colony in Binnaguri in the Dooars.
The Darjeeling Chronicle (TDC) writes, “His family members have informed us that he had last come home during Diwali, and was supposed to come on a leave again in March. He is the only earning member of his family, and has two children 1.5-yrs-old son Akshay and a 6-month-old daughter, along with a wife and an aging parents.
“His wife Menuka is stressed beyond what a normal person can endure, but she is struggling to hold the family together,” writes TDC.
“Wasn’t my husband and his friends serving the nation too? Aren’t their being missing worthy of mention in any news? Shouldn’t our nation stand together and pray for their safe return too?” Menuka questions with tears in her eyes.
“We request all our readers to kindly join us in praying for the safe return of our jawans,” appeals TDC.
[https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/the-forgotten-bravehearts]