Ghatshila: Kargil war hero continues to make the rounds of govt offices for electricity and road

Mail News Service

Ghatshila, Dec 18: A Soldier who played an emphatic role in the Kargil war, retired Nayak Subedar, Sugda Mardi has been making rounds of government offices for years to get electricity connection and road connectivity to his Dakpathar village in Kadaduba Panchayat under Ghatshila Subdivision, but to no avail. It is an irony that although the nation celebrated Vijay Diwas on December 16 in honour of soldiers, the Jharkhand government claimed to provide all amenities to soldiers in the State, the pledges and action seem hollow as Sugda Mardi and there may many more like him, is forced to make the rounds of government offices for getting electricity connection and road connectivity. And this has been the tale of woe since his retirement from the Indian army that he served diligently for almost 33 years.

Sugda Mardi, a Naik Subedar in the army, who fearlessly fought against the Pakistan army in the Kargil Victory, spoke to The Avenue Mail correspondent over the phone and lamented on the indifference being shown by the government department for the provision of electricity and road connectivity. Mardi served in the army for about 33 years. After retirement, he settled in his village Dakpathar where he built a house on his land.

Mardi said, “I have been making the rounds of government offices post my retirement, for electricity connection and road for my village and even after prolonged years, I have been forced to pursue my hitherto unrealized demand for these two basic amenities. The electricity department has asked me to install a pillar near my house and only then electricity connection will be provided and about the road construction, I have been meted out groans and grunts to my pleas.”

 In Sugda Mardi’s case, the claim of the Chief Minister of Jharkhand that the state was committed to giving high respect to all the soldiers, somehow seemed ridiculous especially in view of this brave soldier from the tribal community has been made to run from pillar to post only to be met with a wall of irresponsibility. It may be mentioned that the then President of India, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma had honored Sugda Mardi with a letter of honour for his valiant services in the Kargil victory. Is this not a cruel joke on brave defense personnel who have to face the brunt of discrimination?