A Brave Goa Officer who laid down his life for Nation
By John Aguiar
Goans are brave. The notion of them "fearing" the army is incorrect. While there are perceived low recruitment numbers from the state compared to other regions, historical records and personal accounts highlight significant contributions and acts of gallantry by Goans in the Indian Armed Forces.
Goa has produced numerous military officers and decorated war heroes who have served with distinction.
One among them was Lieutenant Narendra Atmaram Mayekar who was awarded the Kirti Chakra (posthumously) for engaging militants in a hand-to-hand combat and eliminating several in Assam. He was martyred leading from the front as a lion.
Lt Mayekar didn't just wanted to be a face in the crowd. His supreme sacrifice to protect his motherland made him a hero.
Lt Mayekar Narendra Atmaram hailed from Vasco da Gama, Goa. Son of Shri Atmaram and Smt Bhagirathi, Lt Mayekar joined as a Short Service commissioned officer and was commissioned into the Corps of EME, which supports Indian Army in areas related to the design, development, trial, inspection and refit of weapon systems and equipment. After completing his training he was posted to the North East and deputed to serve with 11 Sikh infantry battalion.
Assam Operation : 26th Feb 2000
During Feb 2000, Lt Mayekar was serving with 11 Sikh battalion deployed in Assam.As the AOR(Area of Responsibility) of the unit was affected by militancy, the unit troops were engaged in operations against the militants on a frequent basis. The unit launched regular patrols to monitor suspicious activities as part of their operations to keep militancy under check. The militants invariably belonged to ULFA (The United Liberation Front of Assam) a designated revolutionary rebel organization, which sought to establish an independent state of Assam.
On 26 Feb 2000, the unit launched an operation against a militant hideout based on the information from the local intelligence sources. Lt Mayekar was assigned the task of leading the operation. Within a short span of his posting in the area, he had carved a niche for himself.So terrified were the ULFA militants of hind that they nicknames him "Marshal".
Lt Mayekar along with his troops reached the suspected area in Bagariguri village and launched a cordon operation. On being challenged the militants opened fire and a fierce gun battle ensued thereafter. After tightening the cordon, he explained his intentions and told his troops, " I am going in there", then he asked his men to provide him fire cover, while he led the direct action.
During the exchange of fire Lt Mayekar got injured. Despite being injured, he gallantly handled the assault, killing some militants single handily. Though bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated till all the militants were neutralized.
He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Lt Mayekar was a valiant soldier and determined officer who led from the front and laid down his life in the line of his duty. Lt Mayekar was given the nation’s second highest peace time gallantry award, “Kirti Chakra” for his outstanding courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice.
Uday Deshprabhu a friend of Late Narendra Mayenkar was shattered by the death of his dear friend. "I remember Narendra as an ambitious per- son who despite facing hard times rose to the position of Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. His voice choked with emotion, he continued. He was an extremely caring person.
He was a bright student. He used to work to earn, in order to support his ' widow mother ' financially. His humble existence compelled to work in a small factory. Being very active he won the appreciation of his seniors. Later he worked in a transport company.
Once during weekly off, he happened to visit Belgavi along with his friends. Where he saw the hoarding on Army recruitment and later attended recruitment interview. Which resulted in " change of his life '. Later on within week, he was selected for the service in the ranks and proceeded for training. After returning from the training, Narendra was a changed man. He looked more confident, smart recollects Uday Deshprabhu.
He was ambitious and wanted to don a uniform with stars and finally one day he got a letter informing him that his name has been recommended to the Services Selection Board. He appeared for the SSB interview as a service candidate and passed the interview with flying colours. Mayenkar underwent further intensive training and was commissioned as Lieutenant thereafter he was posted to 11th Sikh Light Infantry. He was now happy with the two stars glittering on his shoulder.
Lt. Mayekar, lived in Girwade,, Mapusa at his uncle's place and attended New Goa High School ( Amonkar High School ) in Mapusa. While he was in school, his father died. After SSC he joined ' Govt. Polytechnic, Panaji ' for ' Diploma, Mechanical Engineering. During this period he became my 'friend' says Shri Deshprabhu.
He was Company Commander and his mission was "Operation Rhino" against ULFA militants. "He would write to me and recount all the adventures against the militants. Narendra would tell me how they would plan a trap and how he had killed another human being for the first time in his life during an encounter with the militants. Alas, I won't hear any more tales from him. He will never come back. Never...." says Uday softly,
The officer's brave wife Veer Nari, Smt Neha Mayekar was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously on his behalf of her husband at the hands of the President of India
His wife Neha expressed pride in her husband's bravery, dedication, and supreme sacrifice for the nation. She emphasized the need for society to remember and respect the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.
Their daughter Nidhi Narendra Mayekar
Has done M Com and now she is trying for job opportunities.
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