The great minds have said that some people are born to be heroes and the other school of thought propagates the fact that people become heroes by their hard work an inspirational deeds.  Late Hav Hangpan Dada, Ashok Chakra (Posthumous) graced the latter category, he has been institutionalized as hero by society due to the breathtaking journey travelled by him.  His courage of conviction to fight for his motherland and amazing leadership qualities has set the directional hands of society’s clock right and torched a baton of hope and inspiration for the youth of his town, state and the nation.

‘Dada’ – that’s how the small, quaint town of Khonsa refers to its hero. Born on      02 October 1979 in Village – Borduria, Khonsa, Late Hav Hangpan Dada was one soul who shook the small town of Khonsa from its deep sleep to an awakening reality.  Born in a heavily insurgent affected society where the youth was made to feel like an outsider from rest of India, should have had an identity as any other Indian citizen.  Dada’s childhood friend and fellow soldier Hav Hanja Matey recalls “Those were the days when the insurgent groups would demand certain portion of the salary of Army personnel residing here.  Dada defied this and refused to give in to their demands and surprisingly, the insurgents never asked us for money again”.

Dada laid down his life in May 2016, in Kupwara, J&K fighting terrorists trying to infiltrate into India.  Dada killed three out of the four terrorists before he was hit by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries.  The nation lost a valiant soldier and Khonsa lost its brave son.  Once an insurgent supporting & tolerating town, Khonsa was lulled with gloom for what it lost and the youth awakened to a buried reality of patriotism which Dada proved with his life.  Dada came back home for the last time, wrapped in the tri-colour, silently leaving a spark in the minds of youth, and inspiring generations to follow.

“Badlu Ram ka badan zameen ka neeche hai tho hamein uska ration milta hai” (The Regimental song of the Assam Regiment)……..these lines are now in the veins of natives, the people of Khonsa enjoy the freedom and celebrate Dada’a martyrdom.   “The body is perishable, but the dweller is eternal, indestructible and impenetrable” says the Bhagwat Gita and the saying holds true in Khonsa too as Dada’s indestructible soul has elevated the perspective of locals towards patriotism.  He had started a silent revolution, one that is bloodless yet vehement & the people of Khonsa young or old, agile or fragile understood what time had portrayed.  The mentality of the mob opened its eyes and graced the fact as more young men are dreaming to join the armed forces and carry forward Hangpan Dada’s legacy.  More and more young blood is getting into Army, Police, Task Force and what not – boys & girls alike aren’t only determined but adamant to make the change tangible.

Ask a young man strolling in Khonsa market that which tribe he belongs to and he smiles and says ‘India; ask the young junior Hangpan Dada what he’ll become when he becomes a fine young man.  With a toothless smile he answers, “Army Officer”.  In a peaceful realm of his native village, Hav Hangpan Dada sleeps peacefully in a deep, slumber in his memories watching over his town and his people.  The youth is no longer falling prey to vagrancy, they’ve a vision and they’ve a hero to idolize. (The writer is Deputy Commissioner Tirap). ( An article by an Indian Army officer)​

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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