On Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Mawalia family of Dhani Dulat village in Fatehabad district fondly remembers Grenadier Manohar Lal Mawalia, who laid down his life 27 years ago during Operation Vijay. His parents, Rameshwar Das Mawalia and Harkori Devi, still recall the day their son returned home draped in the Tricolour.
A Childhood Dream of Service
According to his father, Manohar Lal had dreamt of serving the nation since childhood. After completing Class 10 in the village, he joined the Indian Army at the age of 19. The family was preparing for his marriage when he was deployed to the Dras sector in Kargil.
The Ultimate Sacrifice in Dras Sector
On June 13, 1999, during Operation Vijay, the young soldier was killed while fighting enemy forces. Five days after his martyrdom, the family received his appointment letter as a Lieutenant – a moment that filled them with both pride and grief. His younger brother Rajesh Kumar Mawalia and other family members say he remains their greatest inspiration, and they light a lamp before his photograph every day.
Family Continues to Honour His Memory
The government honoured the martyr by allotting a gas agency and providing a government job to his younger brother. The government school in Dhani Dulat has been renamed after Manohar Lal, and a library also bears his name. However, the family has long demanded a grand memorial, park, or educational institution in Fatehabad district headquarters.
Demand for Memorial Finally Fulfilled
On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Fatehabad Zila Parishad member Ramniwas alias Mitthu Jhajhra announced that memorials for Martyr Manohar Lal Mawalia and Martyr Krishna Kumar Sevda will be built in Dhani Dulat village. Construction will begin on Sunday after the district council approved funds for the project. The memorials are expected to honour the soldiers’ sacrifice and inspire future generations with their courage, patriotism, and dedication to the nation.
