MARTYR LAID TO REST WITH STATE HONOURS

MARTYR LAID TO REST WITH STATE HONOURS

15-JUNE-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------Danish Alam, a 22-year-old Air Force personnel from Kayamnagar who was martyred while serving the nation on Saturday, was laid to rest with state honors on Sunday. Earlier, his mortal remains were brought to Bihta Air Force Station via a special Indian Air Force aircraft. There, Air Force officials paid their tributes with full honors. Subsequently, the martyr's mortal remains were transported to his native village, Kayamnagar, in a government vehicle adorned with flowers.

People lining both sides of the road between Bihta and Koilwar paid their respects to the martyr. Upon crossing the Koilwar Bridge, a convoy of hundreds of vehicles—large and small—escorted the martyr, with people holding the Tricolour in their hands. As the mortal remains passed over the Koilwar Bridge, the large crowd gathered there raised thunderous slogans such as "Martyr Danish Amar Rahe" (Long live Martyr Danish), "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" (Victory to Mother India), and "Jab tak suraj-chand rahega, Danish tera naam rahega" (As long as the sun and moon exist, your name, Danish, will endure). People paid their final tributes to their brave son with folded hands and by showering flowers. At every market along the route, large crowds bid farewell to the martyr with teary eyes. Throughout the journey to Kayamnagar, people remained teary-eyed, and the entire region was filled with a spirit of patriotism.

Massive Crowd Gathers for Final Glimpse: A sea of ​​people turned out to catch a final glimpse of Martyr Danish. Thousands from the village and surrounding areas paid tribute to their brave son with teary eyes. A hush fell over the entire area as Air Force personnel carried the Tricolour-wrapped mortal remains of Martyr Danish on their shoulders through the narrow lane towards his home. People who had traveled from far and wide lined both sides of the path to offer a final salute to this brave son. Upon the arrival of the mortal remains, the atmosphere turned somber amidst the wails and cries of his mother, sister, and family members. The lamentations of his loved ones brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.

Ya Allah. "Who will call me 'Ammi' now? Who will arrange my daughter's wedding? Who will be the pillar of support for this family? Give me back my son. My only plea to the government is to return my son to me." As soon as the mortal remains of the martyr, Danish, arrived at the doorstep, the atmosphere turned somber, filled with the wails of his mother, Akhtari Begum. His sisters, Shagufta and Ghazala, also clung to their brother's coffin and wept inconsolably; their tears flowed ceaselessly. The anguish of longing for one last glimpse of the family's only son—who deeply loved his parents and sisters—was clearly visible on everyone's faces.

His mother and sisters repeatedly pleaded with the officials to open the coffin and show them Danish's face, breaking down in sobs each time. Meanwhile, the beads of sweat on his father Farukh's face, his teary eyes, and his silence bore witness to an inner storm that words could not describe. There was pride in his son's martyrdom, yet also the agonizing pain of losing an only son—a loss that shattered the family to the core.

Due to the large crowd gathered at the house, the martyr's mortal remains were moved to the street outside, where the funeral prayers (*Janaza*) were offered. A large number of locals, relatives, and people from neighboring villages participated in the prayers. Everyone prayed for the peace of the martyr's soul and asked Allah to grant him a high place in Paradise. Following the prayers, Air Force personnel carried the tricolor-wrapped casket to the graveyard, where a ceremonial salute was accorded. He was subsequently laid to rest at the Kayamnagar graveyard in the presence of a large gathering.

The martyr was given a final farewell with full military honors; Air Force officers—representing the Air Force Chief, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and the Station Commander—paid tribute by laying floral wreaths. Wing Commander KK Jha, accompanied by ten Air Force officers and fifty airmen, paid tribute to the martyr. The soldiers fired a rifle volley into the air as a final salute.

During the ceremony, District Magistrate (DM) Tanay Sultania, Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj, and Ara Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vijay Shipra Chaudhary took turns laying floral wreaths on the martyr's mortal remains. Public representatives present at the site—including local MP Sudama Prasad, local MLA Raghavendra Pratap Singh, Agiaon MLA Mahesh Paswan, MLC Sonu Rai, former MLA Anwar Alam, Zila Parishad member Ravindra Kumar, Mukhiya representative Ranjit Kumar, and RJD General Secretaries Manoj Singh and Raghupati Yadav—also offered floral tributes. Thousands of people gathered at the venue bid a tearful farewell to the brave son of the soil.

The DM and SP offered condolences to the martyr's father, Farukh, who was overcome with grief, speaking with him right there at the burial ground. While consoling the father, they stated that Martyr Danish Alam’s supreme sacrifice stands as a testament to his loyalty, dedication, and sense of duty toward the nation. His contribution will always be remembered and will serve as a source of inspiration for the younger generation. The district administration assured the martyr's family of all possible support.

The entire Kayamnagar market remained closed; without any formal call to do so, local traders voluntarily kept their shops shut on Sunday. Consequently, the market was enveloped in silence. The marketplace, usually bustling with crowds, wore a hushed look upon the martyr's arrival. A massive crowd gathered along the Ara-Patna four-lane highway to catch a final glimpse of their brave son.