The native village of Dhukra in Sirsa district witnessed a somber and emotional farewell on Tuesday as the mortal remains of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) soldier Surjeet Singh were consigned to flames with full state honours. A large gathering of villagers from Dhukra and surrounding areas assembled to pay their last respects to the martyred soldier.
A Nation's Final Salute to a Brave Son
Emotional scenes unfolded at the cremation ground as Surjeet Singh's parents, Kaushalya Devi and Bhanwarlal, along with senior officers from the SSB, bid a tearful adieu. The funeral procession, carrying the soldier's body, had earlier made its way from his ancestral village of Gudayakhedan, located near the Rajasthan border. Villagers there paid their heartfelt homage before the procession moved through Chaupata and Jamal, finally reaching Dhukra around 2 pm.
The tragic incident occurred on December 20 in Guwahati, where Surjeet Singh lost his life in a road accident after a truck overturned. His family received the devastating news on December 22 and subsequently traveled to Delhi. The soldier's body was finally brought to Sirsa on Tuesday morning, culminating in the final journey to his village.
A Community in Mourning and a Legacy Remembered
Villagers thronged the family home to console the bereaved relatives. Among the dignitaries who paid their respects was INLD national president Abhay Singh Chautala, who offered floral tributes and expressed his deep condolences to the grieving family. Surjeet Singh's father, Bhanwarlal Singh, is a farmer. Surjeet was the eldest of three brothers, which include Amar Singh and Ramesh Kumar.
Surjeet Singh had joined the SSB in 2013 after completing his Class X education from a government school in Dhoodka village. He is survived by his wife, Seema Rani, a resident of Nejadela Kalan village, and their two sons — Rahul, who is a Class X student, and Ashwani, studying in Class VII. Family members shared that Surjeet had returned to duty on December 20 after a 15-day leave. The family received the heartbreaking news of his demise shortly after his departure.
A Soldier's Enduring Impact on His Village
As the village mourned his loss, residents fondly remembered Surjeet Singh's contributions to the community. He was credited with playing a key role in developing a playground in the village. Furthermore, he actively guided and mentored young men in the area who were preparing for recruitment into the armed forces. His discipline and dedication served as an inspiration to many aspiring youths in his community.
The final rites were conducted with full military protocol, honoring the sacrifice and service of a soldier who dedicated his life to the nation's security. The event highlighted the deep bond between the armed forces and the rural heartlands of India, from where countless bravehearts emerge to serve.
