Entire Nation Celebrates Diwali, Except Antehri Village

BENGALURU: As the Diwali “diyas” (lamps) glow nationwide, Antehri paid respect to the martyred army “jawan” Mandeep Singh’s act of valor. Mandeep was recently killed in a terrorist attack at the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. As the body arrived at Antehri, covered with the Tricolor, the jawan was honored with a state funeral. Mourning the jawan’s death, during the festive season, people of the village decided to light “diyas” in each household in his memory.

Mandeep’s father, Phool Singh lit the funeral pyre while the jawan’s wife Prerna saluted her husband’s pyre. Residents of the village chanted slogans like “Pakistan murdabad” and “Shaheed Mandeep amar rahe”. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria, and the army officials were also present at the funeral. As a financial assistance for the martyr’s family, the Chief Minister assured a sum of Rs 50 lakh.

Strongly opposing the terrorists’ heinous act, Mandeep’s family members are expecting strict action to be taken against Pakistan. The family has also made an appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the matter.

Antheri, popularly known as the ‘village of soldiers’, has produced several young men who are currently serving the Indian Army. The funeral was held in a part of agricultural land owned by Mandeep’s family. This Diwali, Mandeep was planning come back to the village and shift to his new house constructed right next to the agricultural land.

Prerna, Mandeep’s wife, who is also a head constable in the Haryana Police Department, stated that the family was unaware of the fact that Mandeep was posted near the Line of Control.

The martyr’s brother, Sandeep Singh says, “We are very proud of his work. The last drop of his blood went to the service of the country.”

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