Uttar Bharatiya Sangh Honours Families of Four Soldiers Who Made Supreme Sacrifice

On Independence Day, the Uttar Bharatiya Sangh paid tribute to the men who laid down their lives in the service of the nation by honouring the families of four soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. As part of the Independence Day programme in Mumbai, the organisation presented Rs 1 lakh as a tribute to each of the four martyr families, along with a ceremonial felicitation. The initiative was led by Uttar Bharatiya Sangh president Santosh RN Singh.

The families of Naik Sunil Kashiram Nakhate, Lance Naik Ratnakar Ramji Kalambe, Naik Manik Bhimrao Damdame and Sepoy Eknath Bhiku Mane were honoured during the event.

Naik Sunil Kashiram Nakhate lost his life during Operation Rakshak in Kupwara, Srinagar, on September 16, 2004. Lance Naik Ratnakar Ramji Kalambe, who served with the 7 Maratha Light Infantry, was killed in action in the Doda sector of Jammu and Kashmir on March 5, 2001, during Operation Rakshak.

Naik Manik Bhimrao Damdame of the 12 Maratha Light Infantry was killed on May 4, 2001, at Timbrah village in Poonch district during Operation Rakshak. He served in challenging operational and high-altitude conditions and received several service distinctions, including the High Altitude Medal, Sainya Seva Medal (J&K), J&K 9 Years Long Service Medal and 50th Independence Anniversary Medal. He later served with 17 Rashtriya Rifles.

The fourth soldier, Sepoy Eknath Bhiku Mane, made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Nagaland, where he was killed in an ambush in 1982.

For the families, the recognition carried significance beyond the financial assistance. Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms Nakhate said that the gesture was a reminder that the sacrifice of their loved one continues to be remembered even years after his death.”

Addressing the gathering, Uttar Bharatiya Sangh president Santosh R. N. Singh said that financial assistance could never measure up to the loss suffered by a martyr’s family.

“No financial support can ever fill the void created by the loss of a soldier. But remembering these heroes and supporting the families they left behind is a responsibility that society must uphold. Our gratitude should not remain limited to words or ceremonial occasions,” Singh said.

The programme also highlighted the broader community-oriented work undertaken by the Uttar Bharatiya Sangh. The organisation has been involved in initiatives focused on social assistance, community welfare and recognising people who have contributed to society.

The Independence Day event therefore became an occasion not merely to celebrate freedom, but also to reflect on the sacrifices that made it possible. For the four families, the felicitation served as a reaffirmation that the memory of their loved ones continues to command respect.

While the country marked another Independence Day, the Uttar Bharatiya Sangh used the occasion to remember four soldiers whose lives ended in the line of duty and to remind the gathering that the debt owed to the families of India’s fallen heroes can never truly be repaid.