Governor Syed Sibtey Razi at the war memorial. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 31: His face was shining with pride when Vincent Ekka met the first lady of the state Chand Farhana at Dipatoli here today. His eyes gave way to his feelings as the president of the Army Wives’ Welfare Association, Manju Singh, introduced him. Ekka was one among the many silent spectators who had come for the inauguration of the Army War Memorial at Dipatoli.

Ekka is the son of tribal brave heart and Paramvir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka and he was a special invitee for the function. Ekka had come with his wife and son Dijon from village Jhari in Gumla to witness the ceremony as army personnel saluted the “amar jyoti” in memory of Albert Ekka and other martyrs of the 21 Infantry Division who had laid their lives for the honour of their motherland.

The war memorial was inaugurated by governor Syed Sibtey Razi in presence of chief minister Shibu Soren, S.R. Ghosh, the general-officer- commanding 1 Corps, and A.K. Singh, the 21 Infantry Division general-officer-commanding.

The war memorial, the only one of its kind in the state was conceived by the army to pay tribute to its martyrs. The foundation stone of was laid by Albert Ekka’s widow Balamdina Ekka in February 2007. Though Balamdina could not come for the inauguration due to ill health, Vincent came with his family to witness the ceremonies.

Vincent had tears in his eyes as he talked about his father. “I did not want to join the army after my father’s demise, because one had to stand up for the family. The army has helped us in our time of grief and it keeps a watch on us. I practice agriculture in my village which is enough for sustaining the needs of my family,” Vincent said.