How would you feel if you were a Mother who loses her only son at his prime age of 21, and then be unable to be present for his last rites and never be able to visit her son’s grave for a lifetime? Some pains can be forgotten, some forgiven, but for Mrs. Thressiamma Joseph from Kerala, this one riled her for over 25 years.
Unknown to this pain, a course of Army Officers get together to celebrate their 25 years of passing out from the Indian Military Academy. Their plans to meet up in Dehradun are being worked out. Will it be possible to gather all the mates after a gap of 25 years? How many will turn up finally?
Jun 1992, somewhere in the North East. 2Lt ET Joseph is looking forward to catch the train in a day to go back to his hometown on leave cum posting. His posting order had come few weeks ago from the Gorkha Battalion that was his home for over a year. Though commissioned to Army Intelligence Corps a year back, he felt at home in the paltan that he was serving now. He was dined out from the Unit the previous day and had been stuck off strength.
The officers are relaxing in the Mess, suddenly they receive reports of some terrorist movement. The unit is tasked to neutralize them. The CO gets his Quick Reaction Team together. 2Lt ET Joseph knew the terrain well. He volunteers to go with the team for the operation at night so that he could be back by early morning to catch the first convoy out. The others asked him to chill. But ET feels that he should join the boys in the operation. He has time till the morning to get back. Unknown to many, God had other plans…..2Lt E Thomas Joseph lays down his life for the nation in the firefight that night.
Far away in Shillong, the next day, another serving soldier, Sub Maj AT Joseph, is preparing for his dining out in the JCO’s Mess. He is looking forward to reaching Bangalore, his next posting station. As he reaches the JCO Mess, he receives the news. Heartbroken and devastated Sub Maj Joseph leaves for Nagaland accompanied by two of his colleagues. They reach the temporary camp location on the 3rd day after the death of his only son. The mortal remains of brave heart 2Lt ET Joseph are laid to rest in his father’s presence. Due to poor connectivity those days, it is not possible to transport the body to the soldier’s hometown. ET’s father leaves the place within two hours of burial at the Army cemetery. He is terribly broken due to the unimaginable grief of losing his son. He is in a state of shock.
When the news of the loss reaches Mrs. Thressiamma Joseph, she and her two daughters are inconsolable. Sub Maj AT Josephis unable to come to terms with the biggest loss in his life and on his request, gets his retirement sanctioned from Indian Army. He comes back to his family in Kerala the same year. He does his best to educate his two daughters, ensure the family lives decently, over the years he gets his daughters married. The husband and wife then look towards the twilight in their lives.
Deep down, both Joseph and his wife Thressiamma try their best to overcome their grief. But a sadness that had no closure couldn’t be overcome. The mother in Thressiamma, longs to visit the burial place. But they are unable to afford the long journey. Where would they gather that kind of money? How would they travel thousands of miles? Who would know the place? Who would help them? With old age catching up, the hope just fades away. They hope to meet their son at God’s abode one day.
New Delhi: Feb 2016 – Jun 2016: The plans for a big bash for the 88th Regular and 71st Technical Course to celebrate 25th year of service to the nation gets underway. The core team gather information of all the officers who had stepped out from Indian Military Academy on 08 Jun 1991. Slowly the number of officers and families who agree to travel to Dehradun increase. The show is getting bigger and better each passing day, as news of some buddy who had lost touch trickles in. Amidst all the plans to make the reunion memorable, one evening Vikram Gill one of the leading organizers of the event, calls up Sajan and says “We have to remember and honour those who have fallen amongst us. We have to make their families proud”. They decide to design an apt memento for each next of kin (NOK) of the Martyrs, invite and felicitate them.
Vikram then sets out to find out the addresses of the NOK of Martyrs, who had laid down their lives at various points. His tireless efforts, reveal to him, a list of 19 brave hearts. 2Lt E Thomas Joseph is first in that list. A memento is made for each NOK of the Martyr. Their families are contacted and invited to join the celebrations at Dehradun. However Sub Maj AT Joseph and Thressiamma could not be contacted as they had shifted from their address.
Eight Veer Naaris, Brothers and Sisters of Martyrs, travel from far and wide including Australia and take part in the three day celebrations in the last week of June 2016, where over 140 officers, nearly 100 ladies and over 100 children attend with full gusto.
The events aptly commence with felicitation of the Veer Naris and NOK of the Martyrs. A film painstakingly made by Anirban & Jacob is screened which brings memories of yesteryear’s spent with these brave hearts. The course together has won 1 Ashok Chakra, 2 Kirti Chakras, 6 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Yudh Seva Medal, 32 Sena Medal Gallantry, 8 Sena Medal Distinguished, 7 Vishisht Seva Medal, 5 Mention in Dispatches. Truly we are among the bravest ones. The celebrations are great, well planned and heart touching. Bonding is amazing meeting up with buddies who are reuniting after a gap of 25 years. The Veer Naris who attend feel honoured and thankful to the course for the great gesture. Vikram requests the memento’s be personally handed over to the NOKs who could not attend. The responsibility to hand over ET Joseph’s memento rests on the shoulder’s of Shamsher who is posted at Kochi.
Shamsher searches for ET’s parents. The address he had is old. One rainy day in
Kerala lady luck finally smiles when he locates Sub Maj AT Joseph’s humble abode near Kottayam. He reaches there and presents the memento to the proud parents. The fact that their son was still being remembered and honoured by his buddies even after 25 years really makes the parents extremely happy. Over a cup of coffee, Thressiamma, pours her heart. She talks about her unfulfilled dream of making a trip to the North East and pray near her son’s grave.
Shamsher returns to Kochi and informs the course in their social group the need to help a mother to fulfill her long standing dream. A decision is taken that the course will rise to the occasion. The hurdles are many. The old age of the parents, the finances, the long travel, and most of all…..to find the location of the grave. A quarter of century has passed and the knowledge of the event has faded. Not much is known.
Robi who is posted in the North East volunteers to search for the grave. His efforts each day results in despondency. Then one fine day ‘Eureka’, the grave is located. It is dilapidated. So a new dimension is added to the long list of pending tasks. How to get the grave restored?
Egged on by Shamsher, the course contributions starts pouring in. Course mates of E Thomas Joseph, from Army, Navy and Air Force, from 78 NDA Course and 88 Regular/71 Tech Course rise to the occasion. As I write this, the figure has crossed Rs 2,30,000.
Indigo Airlines Salute to the Martyr. A course mate working with Indigo Airlines, contacts their Management, who on hearing the story straightaway agree to sponsor the travel of the parents and sisters from Kochi- Bangalore- Kolkatta- Dimapur through Indigo airlines. The tickets sponsored by Indigo for Sub Maj AT Joseph , Thressiamma and two sisters are already with the parents. This is an extraordinary gesture by the airline and goes a long way in giving it back to the nation in their own way. Kudos to Team Indigo for showing a unique way to the country, how to show gratitude and salute its heroes!
Course mates in various places are arranging stay at all these places. The grave is being done up. Permission is being sought from various authorities to ensure the visit goes on without any hassles. The Army will also play a part to ensure the visit goes well. A Senior Officer in the rank of Army Commander has assured all help.
78 NDA & 88 Regular/ 71 Tech courses are unique. ET’s parents lost one son but got back 300+. Each of the sons are striving hard to ensure the trip goes smooth. Vikram Chauhan in Delhi, Robi in North East, Shamsher in Kochi, Manoj with Indigo, RN at Kolkatta, Atul Salunkhe, Lalli Virk, Sanjay Tripathi, Viju Sundaresh, Joseph George and many others are working tirelessly to make The Closure. This journey also reveals the kind of passion the service officers work with qualities like Camaraderie, Regimentation, Sacrifice, Selflessness, Espirit-de-Corps, Bonhomie, Commitment and Friendship which all were the essence of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
The trip is planned for October 2016. Cheers to this Band of Brothers, and to Indigo Airlines who have magnanimously chipped in!
A mother’s dream is about to be fulfilled! Await this space for more on this journey…
Post Script:
Kerala’s No 1 News Channel has picked up this story. You can watch the news clipping here
Indian Express publishes this story in all India editions on 03 Aug . The online link is here
I have no words to convey my hearty gratitude to all those who have strived to make this happen. Feels good. Great show Pongos. God bless you all.
Great writing Sir, as always.
Wonderful to see the efforts put in. Truly well done.
Kudos and well brought out Sir.
A most amazing story!
Wonderfully written.
Congratulations to the coursemates of Late ETJ
On their effort and the comradarie which gave the proud parents their moments of joy and which will fulfill their long standing wish. Kudos to resilience of the team.
Great work buddies.” God Bless”.
Touched deeply by the gesture of his coursemates. It’s only possible in our military. I salute them all.
Wow. Hats off you guys. Cheers
Dear Sajan,
Great effort, heart rendering story. A true closure for parents of a martyr – the least that anyone could do for them. Kudos to the course spirit and off course Indigo Airlines.
Rajive Sinha (Veteran)
83 Regular
M 9650862726
Wonderful display of course-spirit. Hats off to you all. God bless.
A Great effort in deed. An example only seen in the Defence Forces. The efforts taken by the blood brothers is commendable. They are all blood brothers as their blood spilled on the battlefield will flow together to the veins of their mother earth and motherland – irrespective of their caste. creed or religion. Remember the opening scene of the Bollywood blockbuster – Amar Akbar Antony.
It’s a saga of valour and remarkable recognition by those who value it most. He showed, he is “One for all” that fateful night. 25 years hence his course have shown ” All for One”. Great guys amazing comradrie. Please let me know if I can contribute in some form.
Thank You.
Stories like these warm the heart…am grateful to the Lord to b associated with an institution like ths…where brotherhood still counts…where men choose to lend a helping hand to their comrades…yrs n yrs later
Proud to have been an army wife
Poonam (w/o late Lt Col Surinder mehra)
Kudos to the coursemates of ET Joseph in bringing about this noble task of ‘Closure’ for ET’s parents. A squadron mate, ET was a noble and gentle soul. May God shower his Blessings on the Finest Band of Brothers who serve the Indian Defence forces and their families.
Well done all offrs of 88 Regular…a great gesture indeed. Keep up the good work. Proud of you guys.
My salute to the course of selfless, bonhomie and valiant men of war. Their deeds inspire us to do atleast 10% of what they have done.
All the best.
Special thanks to Sajan sir to tell us this story so effectively.
Cdr Shyam
My salute to the course of selfless, bonhomie and valiant men of war. Their deeds inspire us to do atleast 10% of what they have done.
All the best.
Special thanks to Sajan sir for narrating this story so effectively.
Cdr Shyam
This has no words. The deed§ by one and all need to be appreciayed.. Great vo ordinated efforts. We keen observers of this saga.. salute with earnestness.
RIP ET Joseph! Trained with him at the NDA, in H Squadron. Wonderful soul!
Great job guys! No words to describe my feelings!! A big thank you to all those who are making it happen.
Hats of to the course, really motivating. Makes one feel proud of having dawned the uniform. Cheers!
Truly a great example of camaraderie …. a story ‘the nation needs to know’ and be proud of their men in the defence forces. My salute to those who took the initiative and those who stepped forward to make this happen!!
Beautifully written Sajan. Thanks for sharing. Makes me feel proud to be associated with such an organisation.
God bless!!
Dear Sajan, wonderful piece of writing. Well deserved tribute for ET. Wherever he is, will be smiling at all of us. We the band of brothers. It has also been a sincere effort from Indigo to make our dream a reality.
ALL FOR ONE
A good gesture by the course. This die hard spirit distinguishes us from all other professions. I hope others emulate us .Well done and keep it up.
Testimony to what teamwork and spirit can do…Kudos IA!
Keep up 88th course. Other courses can also take similar action. Why this heart touching story not covered by media. Shame on this ungrateful nation.
Amazing example of camaraderie amongst coursemates, and a lovely gesture by the course to honour the parents of a departed colleague.
To The 88th & 71st Course of IMA.
Really proud of each of you. You have done something to make a Course mate’s parents see their late son again……in each of you. Only a Soldier & his family will understand what this means, what value of a soldier’s life means. God bless each one of you.
When will our Country, it’s people & Governments under, what they need to do.
I do hope & pray this trend will continue & the grave will be maintained & parents honoured.
Hats of to the management of the Indigo Airlines too, who have been genuinely good & true to the Soldiers.
Well done 78NDA 88Reg ……proud of you. Well documented Sajan…. thanks for sharing
No words can probably express the feeling that I have at this particular moment , wish I could also be someway associated to the absolutely selfless and great human task that the course and associates took up and accomplished. Hats off to these gentlemen and a big salute to those who are probably watching us from above after laying their precious life for the country.
amazing. This is what fauj ia all about. zindagi ke saath bhi aur zindagi ke baad bhi.
Amazing. this is what Fauj is Zindagi ke saath bhi and zindagi ke baad bhi.
A great show of solidarity and brotherhood. you made parents fulfil their long desired to visit their sons grave.This will give them peace of mind and Shanti
Sajan sir….Bajwa here. …Choked with emotions and flooded with tears… I offer my deepest respects. ……!!
Thanks GDS. Appreciate
Guys..great …truly the course has shown what we all stand for and believe in…Jai Hind….
A superb event to cherish,it meant a lot to th parents.
Well Done brothers. This is a great achievement for men in uniform and an example of bondness and caring. Hats off to the batch for their persistence and wish the family a safe journey to fulfill their wish.
Sajan,
An amazing story painstakingly re_visited, resuscitated and reproduced in such a candid and moving fashion that makes one feel, that we are watching a movie…and removing cobwebs of time…
So wonderfully written, my friend..
Kudos to all Band of Brothers of the 88th & 71st Tech..
Very Moving.
Great job,78/88! Hats off guys. Col Sandeep Singh, K-76-77
Sajan, thats a moving account of what you course mates have done for a martyr – hats off to the course – and long live the ilk like yours – tc
Sajan,
Truly Awesome effort by the Coursemates and a great story. God bless all of you.
This Brotherhood is just Amazing. Hats of to you all and also A Salute to the example you set for others to follow.
Possibly I too will visit his grave to pay Homage to the young Martyr during my motorcycle rides.
Thanks to INDIGO airlines too.
An Awesome article as usual of a reality which brings tears to my eyes even as I read and remember our dearest ET. Life is such that we must return to the community which has made us everything . This closure to our dear Aunts wishes to see her sons Grave and also to see it shifted to their home town is something we should have thought about years ago but we learn by the passing day and we evolve as a closer band of brothers as we reach the late forties now. Salute the undying efforts of the complete course and that of the main players . Jai Hind Jai Bharat ki Sena.
Salute u proud parents. Wonderful comradiership.
Great sacrifice n commendable recognition by course officers
Congratulations. Such thought process develops only in the armed forces personnel. Keep it up. An Old Soldier.
great initiative, jai hind
amazing Camaraderie!!!
Oh vow!!! What a gesture… salute to you guys..
What an amazing story about a young Man who’s short stint on Earth is remembered by so many despite the march of time….25 years and counting..
The sagacity, camaraderie and esprit-d-Corps makes the Profession of Arms worth serving. Hats off to all 88’ers & 71 Tech’ers for their whole hearted support and kinsmanship..
Love you guys..
And to the Story Teller Sajan, keep recording history..
God Bless All of You.
This is what the Military Is all about . Keep it chaps , we ( The Veterans) are with you in all your Moves all along. God Bless India.
” The Closure “A mother’s dream.,is an overwhelming narration of the efforts made by this special 88and 71regular and technical courses. It’s overwhelming. A great effort and an unforgettable objective achieved in the history of the great defence institution. You guys have immortalised yourselves in the lives of the Josephs. Nothing could have made them more happy than what all of you have done. Hats off to the entire course . Such things can only be done by our bravehearts.
78th NDA/88th IMA from an old fogie 30th NDA/39th IMA (those days the difference was nine). Number of times different people crib “NDA no longer the same, IMA and Services gone to dogs, not as good as it was there in our time.” Your course unity of purpose and spirit towards a fallen comrade worthy of highest commendation. You all have proven the “in our time” snobs totally wrong and that nothing has changed, NDA, IMA, other Service Academies and Armed Forces as a whole are still the same, the finest organisation in the Country. I, on behalf of my Course would like to salute 78th NDA/88th IMA for setting such a fine example of what these institutions stand for. Keep it up guys, well done. 78/88 UP UP!!, Brig KS Verma, Veteran.
Thank you so much Sir.
Lots of Respects to you for encouraging us.
Regards
Sajan
This is FAUJI INDIA magazine (https://faujimagazine.blogspot.in), we would like to carry this article in the mag’s Oct issue. Please get in touch with us on our email – faujimagazine@gmail.com to seek your kind permission and sharing high res pix.
My email is sajan@renergetics.com
This post of yours came to me from each of the three fauj related Whatsapp groups that I am a member of, almost within seconds of each other.
I read it once at 5.10 AM this morning. It kept ringing in my mind when I was on my morning run thereafter.
I read it again soon after getting back from my run.
I read it a third time before leaving home for work.
The first thing I did after reaching office, was to e-mail the post to all my colleagues and forwarded the Whatsapp version to an army of friends, relatives and acquaintances.
I then read the post once again and then chanced upon this blog page which even has the photos of all the dramatis personae.
I cannot remember any other write-up of recent times which has touched my heart so deeply.
My heart goes out to 2Lt Thomas Joseph. I salute him for his devotion to duty and his supreme sacrifice.My heart goes out to his parents. How I wish I could do something to share their sorrow of losing a brave son.
I am proud of being a fauji. I am proud of the fauj in which such great gestures as thought of by 78 NDA / 88 IMA / 71 TGC are carried out.
All the very best.
With Warm Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (Retired)
(54 TGC, 8th Pl, ‘N’ Coy, IMA)
Chief Administrative Officer,
IIM Indore,
Prabandh Shikhar,
Rau-Pithampur Road,
Indore
453556
Tele: (Office) +91-731-2439600
(Residence) +91-731-2439648
Mobile: +91-9902027826
ktudupa@gmail.com
Sir hats off to all of you! Very touching and May God bless the departed hero and his family and all our brave soldiers!
Excellent effort and finally justice done to the old parents of your old course mate & collegue.
Hats off to the indomitable spirit of the 78NDA/88 IMA/71 TGC!
Excellent, difficult to explain in words
An amazing Real life story which would touch anyone deep in the soul. My salute to 78 NDA/ 88 IMA / 71 TGC for this fantastic gesture. As a young veteran it gives me a great sense of satisfaction that the Army that I served in still is made up Officers and Gentlemen in the true sense. Bravo Sajan to all of you.
Jai Hind
Lt Col V Srinivasan
75 IMA
None but our Armed forces can have such a we feeling, towards their brother officer n did such commendable job. I really feel proud of these great ones who made our forces proud, in which I am also a part .
Major Annamma Mahil
I first saw the narration of this unforgettable touching saga on what apps of various fauji groups one is member. Then I chance to see your Blog.I too must have read it time and again ,narrated to my wife told my grand children and children about our NDA and great bond which joins us for ever. Yes , we too felt that the old traditions and values were probably not being maintained by newer generations.I have no shame in admitting ,I was wrong. 78 NDA ,88 IMA n TGC have displayed spirit which we all can be proud of .
Well done you wonderful boys .God bless you all.
Col Umesh Bhargava
Eleventh NDA
Hats off to the work being done by the course mates and Indigo Airlines.
I wish to know the contribution of the unit.
Col KS Chaudhry, Retd
51 Tech
9313341763
kscs58@yahoo.com
Sir
We have done the needful, why bring the unit in. Robi himself is a Gorkha Offr who is stepping in.
Regards
Sajan
The unit has been contacted, the CO will be ensuring the parents are looked after.
Great spirit !! Hats off to the course !!
You brought tears to my eyes. God bless you all for taking on this most difficult task.
Take care
What can one say
There is not a day
That a mother does not cry
But today even my eye ia not dry
This is absolutely a super display of comraderie and course spirit. I am sure the distant dream of the aged parents will be blessed. Our prayers for them as they venture out and connect the threads.
Our course 39 NDA / 48 IMA meets every year and this year we leave for Uzbekistan and Russia tomorrow and day after i.e. 3 and 4 September. The message of the blog will find a pride of place at our meet and I think courses need to share such stories and support each other.
Rgds
Brig RE Williams (Your Adjt IMA when you passed out)
Thank You Sir.
Regards
Sajan
Salute Lt ET Joseph for his bravery and sacrifice to the nation and his parents for the upbringing that they gave young Joseph and their sacrifice.It is such heroes who courageously and bravely defend our nation and make it great. Kudos to 78 NDA, 88Regular and 71 Technical Courses, for making it happen-Allowing a Brave Mother and Father o Visit their Martyred Son’s Grave after 24 years, hats off to you guys and your course spirit.We know that with Guys like you in the Defence Services, India is in safe hands.God Bless you guys and your families.Good Luck and God Speed Always- Col A Sunder Rajan 46NDA/55 IMA Regular Course
My heart is almost bursting with pride in reading this incredible saga of selfless devotion to duty, the forlorness of parents and the commitment of the course! 78/88 course you guys are true leaders and I feel proud to have passed out from such hallowed institutions as NDA and IMA! Long live the spirit….. Never forget never let go.!
It is heartening to note that entire course has put in all out efforts to fulfill a grief stricken mothers wish . The entire course desrve accolades for the camaderie exhibited and these examples further strengthen our bondings in uniform and as well as veterans.
Jai Hind
Brig M Sreekumar(veteran)
Signals
Sajan, thank you so much for this real story live. Got goosebumps… Hats off to all the officers who r making family’s dream true. Salute to the Hero who lost his life for our country…
A great salute to indian defence spirit.
The path shown by 78NDA and88IMA is worth emulation by all. One rarely comes across an example of this kind inspite of our trg . Institutions teaching us Best wishes to the course. Regards Gp Capt Rakesh Nanda 48|H
A well written account of an young officer who laid down his life for the Nation . The brave heart sacrificed his life voluntarily as he need not have undertaken the mission as he was already his way out from that unit . The sad story came out to light after a long span of 25 yrs due to the painstaking efforts of his course mates Hats off to the officers of the course , their spirit, love ,bonding & ability could make possible the tough task to find out the parents of the brave heart who changed their abode in course of time and fulfill his mother ‘s desire to visit her son’ grave. Kudo
s to the 78 NDA & 88 regular/71 Tech courses…their bonding should be an example to the other courses
Beautifully written article…really tugged at my heartstrings… I am proud to be the mother of one of the officers of this gallant course…for their pains taking efforts the story of a brave heart who sacrificed his life voluntarily at the prime of his youth for the Nation has come to light after a long span of 25 yrs ….
Very touching efforts by Course mates, a hearty tribute to a Soldier, after 25 yrs, fulfilling the wishes of a great mother. Salute to the departed Soul.
Thanks and great respect to friends & colleagues for organizing this trip for the entire family to NE. Thanks to Indigo Air line for showing respect to AFs.
True spirit of camaraderie and empathy reflected in this real life story. Our salutations to the entire fraternity of defence personnel who left no stone unturned to ensure that a mother’s dream remains fulfilled!
Thank you to all of you amazing officer’s
Sir(s), really feel proud to be a part of armed forces seeing the course spirit and more than that the humanity, compassion and passion to honour a martyr displayed by your course.. Also hats off to Indigo Airlines for respecting the sacrifice of a soldier
It’ll indeed be an extremely emotional moment for parents and sisters of Lt. Thomas Joseph to visit & pay their tributes to their beloved soul after unimaginable 25 long years. God only knows with how much difficulty this span of 25 years has passed for the bereaved family – for them it must be looking like centuries. How sad that his family could not even have a glance before being laid to rest. Certainly similar were many numerous cases of our martyred soldiers during last three wars, that their Paltan performed their last rites at the battlefields. Surely our countrymen won’t know of such intricacies.
Our Nation and our politicians / bureaucrats will never value the sacrifices being made by soldiers every day, staying away from their families and staying in hostile environment with absence of even much needed basic facilities. Thanks to their Course that they’ve organised visit of Lt. Joseph’s family to his cemetery.
Sir ,yesterday you have come to our school aps Ambala cantt
I was there in the career counseling session
I am deeply motivated .
I would like to request you to write in your blog
related to ssb interview NDA.
Thank you.