“I don’t believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.” – said Maya Angelou.
Garud commando Jyoti Prakash Nirala laid down his life in the line of duty during an encounter with terrorists at Bandipora, Jammu & Kashmir, on November 18, 2017. He died saving the lives of his injured fellow commandos. For his sacrifice and bravery, he was posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra during the 2018 Republic Day celebrations, which is the highest peacetime gallantry award given in India.
IAF Garud Commando Corporal J P Nirala who martyred yesterday in line of duty during the raging gunfight at Hajin, J&K. Om Shanti Braveheart! 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/aTWWfLwmqN
— प्रkash™ (@iPraksy) November 19, 2017
Nirala, who sacrificed his life for his country and killed five terrorists in different encounters, had some loyal fellow soldiers from the Indian Air Force’s Garud Commando Force. As it is said, a friend in need is a friend indeed, they all stood by him and his family even after his death and honored the martyr by collecting funds for his sister’s wedding in Patna.
Nirala’s family was under precarious condition because of financial problems as the martyr was the sole bread earner of the family that has four daughters and was finding it extremely difficult to ensure there were proper funds for the marriage of Nirala’s sister, Shashikala. This is when the martyr’s fellow commandos chipped in to help the family.
But how the wedding was possible? Each commando in the force contributed a sum of rupees 500 from their pockets. Collectively, they raised approximately 5 lakh rupees for the wedding. And just two days ahead of the wedding, 50 commandos of the Garud unit reached the house and took charge of all the arrangements.
The 50 commandos participated as brothers in the various wedding rituals. Not just that, the reason why this incredible story went viral is that the commandos were seen laying their palms, making way for the bride walk of Nirala’s sister.
Shashikala lost one brother, and on her wedding, she found 50 more brothers who belonged to different parts of India.
This kind gesture did spread a beautiful message of respect, honor, and brotherhood.