The family of Navy officer Lieutenant Manoranjan Kumar, who lost his life trying to save others during the mishap on board submarine INS Sindhuratna in February, has now refused to accept the Shaurya Chakra which was awarded posthumously to him. The family has blamed the government for negligence leading to his death.
Rukmini Devi, mother of Lt Manoranjan Kumar, said, “They sent my son’s body in a box and now they want to give us an award. I don’t want any award. I don’t want anything. What I wanted is now gone.”
Navin Kumar, Manoranjan’s father, said, “He was my support. We had so many hopes, but now he is gone.”
Lt Manoranjan Kumar’s heroic act helped in saving the life of 15 of his colleagues, but he got locked inside a cabin and could not be rescued in time. His parents blamed the Navy and the government for their apathetic attitude.
Rukmini Devi said, “He saved everyone’s lives but no one saved his. We got to know that the submarine was faulty. If that was the case, then why was my son sent on it? Why didn’t they break down the cabin when they realised a man was missing? If the government paid attention, then such tragedies would never happen.”
The neighbourhood where Lt Manoranjan Kumar grew up salutes his martyrdom.
Chandrasekhar Thakur, a neighbour, said, “Bihar is still crying over the loss of Manorajan Kumar.”
But for Manoranjan’s parents the big honour was no solace for the irreparable loss they have suffered.
