Kargil Hero Gangaram Das Remembered, But Martyrdom Still Neglected
Balasore, 28/07 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
On the solemn occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the quiet village of Harida in Odisha’s Balasore district came alive with emotion, pride, and deep reflection. The people of the village gathered to honour one of their own—Martyr Gangaram Das, whose supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War remains a source of pride, though his recognition has long remained overdue.
The event was organized by the Shaheed Gangaram Das Smruti Parishad, a committee formed by villagers themselves to preserve the memory of the fallen hero. The ceremony began at his residence, where a full-body statue of Gangaram Das stands in stoic silence, a reminder of the cost of freedom. Floral tributes were offered, candles were lit, and the national anthem marked the start of a commemorative public meeting filled with poignant speeches and heartfelt appeals.
Presiding over the gathering was Vijay Kumar Das, the committee’s president. The keynote address was delivered by Colonel Kshetramahon Mohapatra, who not only recalled the challenging conditions of the 1999 Kargil War but also celebrated the courage and discipline of Indian soldiers. "The battle was fought at bone-chilling heights, where the enemy held the vantage point," he said. "And yet, our jawans, including Gangaram, turned the tide of history."
Among the invited guests were educationists, activists, and local leaders. Prof. Prabhat Kumar Parida (Retd.), Dr. Sangita Mohanty, Principal of A.B.A. College, Pranati Priyadarshini Mishra, Principal of Nilakantha Degree College, and Shashibhusan Kar, Principal of Nilakantha Junior College, all took turns to speak. Sudhakar Sethy, a known voice in the human rights sphere, and Sarpanch Anjan Kumar Nayak offered their thoughts on the need to honour not just the memory but the legacy of the martyr. His aged father Shyamsundar Das, and widow Manimala Das, stood among the crowd, their faces a quiet tapestry of pride and longing.
The program also included a spirited speech competition among students from nearby colleges. The young voices of Bhavabhanjan Panda, Aneesha Priyadarshini Nayak, and Pabitra Kumar Barik—who won the top three prizes—echoed with admiration for Gangaram Das’s bravery. Shreya Sandipta Panda, Subhadra Khilar, and Archita Puhan received consolation prizes, trophies, and certificates—ensuring that the spirit of sacrifice continues to live through the next generation.
Yet the event was not merely ceremonial. Speaker after speaker raised pressing concerns about the state’s continuing neglect. Despite repeated requests, no memorial gate has been constructed, no public statue erected beyond the family courtyard, and no official road bears his name. The cremation ground, where the martyr was laid to rest, lies in disrepair—its silence echoing a deeper national oversight.
Among the major demands made during the event were Renaming the stretch from Kuruda Square to Palaspur Square after Gangaram Das, Establishing a martyr’s memorial gate at the village entrance, Constructing a library-cum-museum to educate future generations, And renovating the cremation site with dignity and state support.
Local volunteers and contributors such as Subedar Tarun Kumar Biswal, Nirakar Bhuya, Jitendra Kumar Das, Uttam Kumar Raut, Shailendra Mohanty, Dharmendra Sahu, Ritesh Raut, Satyabrata S., R.K. Mohapatra, Gopal Krishna Bugudei, and Gautam Pani played vital roles in organizing the program.
