11TH NOVEMBER, 2001
(First Death Anniversary of Nawang’s Supreme Sacrifice)

How time flies ! It is exactly one year since Nawang was killed in action on 11th November, 2000. Nawang’s first death anniversary was a very touching moment for the family and friends. Many of us gathered at our residence and sat in a silent meditation for few minutes, paying tributes to his memories. His friends recalled the days spent with him and we all remembered him.

Three of us from the family, literally gave accounts of what we have been doing in Lt. Nawang Kapadia during the year.

Sonam, brother of Nawang, has been working hard to maintain the website as a tribute. During his busy day he has been talking to several friends in his banking circle, presenting them khukries and narrating its importance to everyone. He has shown the site, and the CD-Rom that we have made for Nawang, with great care and patience to all the visitors in our house, particularly the young ones. He never tires of talking about the Indian Army, Kashmir conflict and spreading awareness about the issues.

Nawang’s mother, Geeta still has tears in her eyes, but has dedicated herself to work for “Vatsalya Foundation”, an organisation which works for betterment of street children in Bombay. She works with dedication and explains to all of them the importance of the army, defence and life of Nawang. She has been associated with the army school in Mumbai and has been in constant contact with families of Nawang’s brother soldiers in 4/3 Gorkha Rifles. She has been also spreading messages to plant trees in Nawang’s memory. Through the internet she has sent messages about the army and Kashmir to many persons and organisations in Mumbai, India and the world over — even in Pakistan.

Nawang’s father, Harish, during the year has lectured at many places about the war in Kashmir and about the Indian soldiers, many of them, who like Nawang, are sacrificing their lives for defence of India. The first such event was within a fortnight