Fulmaya stands in front of her son’s statue after its inauguration. A Telegraph picture

Tarabari Lalsara (Shivmandir), Jan. 15: This nondescript village, situated around 15 km from Siliguri, observed Army Day differently from the rest of the country.

Along with senior army officials from the Bengdubi cantonment, the Tarabari Lalsara villagers witnessed the unveiling of a life-size statue of 32-year-old Naik Kumar Thapa of Gorkha Rifles, who died in a transit camp in Leh on January 25, last year. He died after he fell into a deep gorge near the camp.

The statue was unveiled by Brigadier S.P.S. Bhalla, commander of 111 sub-area, who later, inaugurated a temple there as well. Both the statue and the temple have been founded by Thapa’s mother, 55-year-old Fulmaya Thapa. She spent over Rs 3.5 lakh from the compensation she received from the army for the two structures.

Thapa’s farmer father had always dreamt that his son would one day join the army and serve the nation. After Thapa passed his Class VIII exam from Central School, Bengdubi, the hope was raised. “His father’s dream came true when Kumar joined the army in 1993. He had even fought in the Kargil war,” Fulmaya told The Telegraph, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I also had a dream for my son. I wanted him to get married but that wish remained unfulfilled. He was supposed to be married on February 6, but just a day before he was to leave for home, he had an accident and died on the spot.” She lost her husband, Bhim Bahadur, six years ago.

According to the bereaved mother, she still has a few more lakhs from the compensation fund, which she will spend for the welfare of the village, including the education of the children. “I hope some of them will follow my son’s footsteps and serve the nation,” she said.

Thapa’s elder sister, Gita, who is also married to an armyman posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said: “Though he did not die fighting, the villagers still regard him as a martyr.”

Unveiling the statue, Brigadier Bhalla said: “This is a rare example that Thapa’s mother set today. May his eternal soul rest in peace.”