By Matters India Reporter
Ranchi: The Catholic Church on April 16 joined political and social leaders in Jharkhand to mourn the death of Balmdina, widow of Albert Ekka, the first tribal soldier to win India’s highest military decoration.
Balmdina, wife of one of the greatest heroes of the Indo-Pakistan War who was posthumously conferred the Param Vir Chakra (Greatest of the ultimate brave), died in sleep on April 16 at Chanpur in Gumla. She was 91.
Her son Bhimset Ekka told reporters that his mother was perfectly healthy despite her advanced age. She slept after having dinner. However, around 2 am his uncle was the first see his mother dead.
The widow was living with her son, who works as a clerk. Her mortal remains were taken to Jari, her native place some 55 km west of Gumla, where the final rites were held later in the day. Scores of people watched as she was buried near the tomb of her husband.
“Heartfelt condolence to the family of paramveer Albert Ekka. May the departed soul of Balmdina (wife of paramveer Albert Ekka) rest in peace,” says a condolence message from Archbishop Felix Toppo of Ranchi and his Auxiliary Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the death of Balmdina, who he said was “the symbol of struggle.”
Soren’s condolence message prayed for peace to her soul and strength to her bereaved family to bear the loss.
Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Balmdina. She hailed Balmdina Ekka as a great patriot like her husband. She was a woman of simple and noble heart for whom the nation was first. The governor also said that Jharkhand is also identified with personalities like Albert Ekka and great nationalist Balmdina. Balmdina was also a philanthropist, the governor added.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, expressing grief over his death, tweeted, “The sad news of the death of Balmdina Ekka, wife of martyr Lansnayak Albert Ekka, who was awarded the Paramveer Chakra, was received. She breathed her last at Chanpur in Gumla. May God grant them infinite peace. Humble tribute.”
In January, 2016, Balmdina visited her husband’s burial site near Agartala, 44 years after his death. The 21 sector of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force under defense organization, facilitated the war widow’s visit. Her son Vincent Ekka, family members and some officials of the Jharkhand government had accompanied her.
They visited Sripalli in Dukli area, south of Agartala, where Ekka and another solider Joseph Topno of the 14 Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards were laid to rest days before Pakistan army surrendered to the Indian counterpart and Bangladesh liberation force on December 16, 1971.
Besides Ekka and Topno, 10 other soldiers died December 3, 1971, in a fierce clash to capture an advance enemy post at Gangasagar in Bangladesh.
There is a now no visible sign of graves and Bhuvan Das, a local resident, claimed the army buried two and cremated 10 soldiers with help of local volunteers.
The Ekka family members entered the burial site, which is now inside a private house, to pray and collect earth to take home.
The then Jharkhand government and the army organized the family’s travel in a bid to dispel confusion after they refused to receive Albert’s Urn.
In December 2015, Raghubar Das, who was the state chief minister then, wanted to hand over soil from Ekka’s grave to his family but they were not convinced about its authenticity.
Albert Ekka was born on December 27, 1942, in Jari, and joined the Bihar Regiment in 1962.