Raju Bista , Gorkha MP , Darjeeling paid his deepest respects to Havaldar Satpal Rai ji at Bengdubi, Military Base in Bagdogra.

By Sanjay Mall Gorkha International - December 12, 2021

From FB post of Raju Bista , Gorkha MP , Darjeeling.

On behalf of the grateful nation, the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars and Gorkhas from across India, today I paid my deepest respects to Havaldar Satpal Rai ji at Bengdubi, Military Base in Bagdogra.

Living up to the finest traditions of the Indian Army and Gorkha Paltan, Hav Satpal Rai of 5/11 Gorkha Rifles served our nation for the past 21-years and unto his last breath. He was a very highly regarded soldier and someone very close to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat ji. I have been informed that Hav Rai had wanted to retire, however Gen Rawat had told him to wait so that they could retire together. It was perhaps fated that two brave warriors were together till their last.

The role and contributions of Gorkhas towards our nation building is unparalleled. There has not been a single year since Independence, when a Gorkha soldier like Satpal Rai ji did not sacrifice for our nation. I pay my respects to him and his family, especially his son Rfn Bikal Rai who is also proudly serving our country in the same paltan as his father 5/11GR. It is their sacrifices that makes our existence possible.

Today the entire nation is showing their gratitude to Satpal ji and others. From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, from Ahmedabad to Arunachal, today, India is one in paying our respects to the brave martyrs. Today, our entire nation is united in remembering the fallen and are getting inspired by their dedication and duty towards our nation.

We are fortunate that our region has produced many sons and daughters who have made our nation proud. Havaldar Satpal Rai ji is one such hero, for whom the nation will forever remain indebted and we all are inspired by his selfless service to our nation.

I assure his family that they are not alone, and that we all stand with them, like a family, today and always.

I once again pay my deepest respects to Havaldar Satpal Rai ji, Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col H Singh, Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, Sqn Ldr K Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Nk Gursewak Singh, Nk Jitender, L/Nk Vivek and L/Nk S Teja. I also pray for the early recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh, who is bravely fighting for his life.

Today, I joined the people of Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars who were assembled to receive the mortal remains of Hav. Satpal Rai at Bagdogra Airport.

In these difficult times, we all stand together with the bereaved family.

We will continue to draw inspiration from the selfless service and dedication of Hav Satpal Rai and others who sacrificed their lives for our nation.

On Dec 8, Darjeeling lost a brave son Hav. Satpal Rai ji. Living upto the finest traditions of the Indian Army and Gorkha Regiment, Satpal ji served our nation till his last breath.

On behalf of the grateful nation and the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars and Gorkhas across India today, I met with Rfn. Bikal Rai ji the brave son of Hav Satpal Rai, to extend our solidarity, support and condolences. Though Bikal is only 22-yrs old he, like his father, is resolute, brave, strong and willing to serve our nation to the best of his abilities. His strength and patriotism in even such trying times is truly inspirational.

Only the luckiest few get to serve our nation with such honour, and today the entire nation is mourning the loss of Hav Satpal ji and other bravehearts who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. I have informed Bikal that they are not alone, Indian Army, Gorkha Regiment, Gorkhas from across India and our entire nation is standing with them.

I have also received concerns from some quarters regarding the delay in the repatriation of the body. I have been informed that due to the accident the DNA samples have been sent to Hyderabad for testing, and the process is expected to take another day or two. The bodies will be sent home through Special Flight immediately after the tests and related protocols are completed. I am in regular touch with Hon'ble MoS Defence Sh. Ajay Bhatt ji and closely coordinating with the Defence Ministry Officials to ensure timely repatriation of the body. I request people to kindly be patient and support the family in these difficult times.

डिसेम्बर ८ तारिखको त्यो दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दिनमा दार्जीलिङ्गले आफ्नो एकजना बहादुर छोरा हवल्दार सतपाल राईज्यूलाई गुमायो। भारतीय सेना र गोर्खा रेजिमेन्टको उत्कृष्ट परम्पराहरूको पालन गर्दै, सतपालज्यूले आफ्नो अन्तिम साससम्म हाम्रो राष्ट्रको सेवा गर्दै आफ्नो सर्वोच्च बलिदान दिनुभयो।

कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र र दार्जिलिङ पहाड़, तराई अनि डुवर्स तथा भारतभरिका गोर्खाहरूको तर्फबाट आज मैले हवल्दार सतपाल राईका बहादुर छोरा सिपाही विकल राईज्यूलाई भेटेर हाम्रो ऐक्यबद्धता, समर्थन र समवेदना प्रकट गरेँ। विकल २२ वर्षका मात्रै छन् तर पनि उहाँ आफ्ना बुबा जस्तै दृढ़ निश्चयी, साहसी, बहादुर, मजबूत अनि आफ्नो सम्पूर्ण क्षमताका साथ राष्ट्रको सेवामा तत्पर गोर्खा सैनिक हुनुहुन्छ। यस्तो कठिन समयमा पनि उहाँको आत्मबल र देशभक्ति साँच्चै प्रेरणादायी छ।

यस्ता भाग्यशाली केही मात्रै हुन्छन् जसले यस्तो सम्मानको साथ हाम्रो राष्ट्रको सेवा गर्न पाउँछन्, र आज सम्पूर्ण राष्ट्र हवल्दार सतपाल राईज्यू अनि हाम्रो राष्ट्रको लागि अन्तिम बलिदान दिने अन्य वीरहरूको असामयिक निधनमाथि गहिरो शोकमा डुबेको छ। मैले विकलज्यूलाई जानकारी गराएको छु कि भारतीय सेना, गोर्खा रेजिमेन्ट, भारतभरिका गोर्खाहरू अनि हाम्रो सिङ्गो राष्ट्र यस दुःखद घडीमा उहाँहरूको साथमा छ।

दिवङ्गत हवल्दार सतपाल राईज्यूको पार्थिव शरीरलाई उहाँको जन्मथलो लैजाने प्रक्रियामा अबेर भइरहेको सम्बन्धमा केही पक्षबाट चिन्ताहरू व्यक्त गरिएको मेरो संज्ञानमा ल्याइएको छ। मलाई जानकारी दिइएअनुसार DNA नमूनाहरू परीक्षणका लागि हैदराबाद पठाइएका छन्, र यस प्रक्रियामा अझ एक वा दुई दिन लाग्ने सम्भावना छ। परीक्षणहरू भएपछि अनि सम्बन्धित सबै प्रोटोकोल पूरा गरिएपछि पार्थिव शरीरहरूलाई विशेष विमानद्वारा तत्काल उनीहरूका घर पुऱ्याउने व्यवस्था गरिएको छ। म रक्षा राज्यमन्त्री श्री अजय भट्टज्यूसँग निरन्तर सम्पर्कमा छु र पार्थिव शरीरलाई यथाशीघ्र घर पुऱ्याइयोस् भनी सुनिश्चित गर्न रक्षा मन्त्रालयका अधिकारीहरूसँग निकटताका साथ समन्वय स्थापित गरिरहेको छु।