Family of Fallen Army Officer Appeals to Punjab Government Over School Name Removal
The family of a martyred Army officer has made an emotional appeal to the Punjab government, urging the restoration of his name on a local school in Jagraon. Lieutenant Manprit Singh Goldi, who died in 2001 during counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, was previously honored with the school being named after him. However, during a recent state-sponsored rebranding project to upgrade the institute to a "School of Eminence," his name was removed from the main gate, replaced with generic signage.
Legacy Erased in Rebranding Initiative
Lieutenant Goldi's brother, Harjit Singh, submitted an official petition on Tuesday to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on behalf of their elderly parents, Karamjit Singh and Amarjit Kaur. The family is seeking the immediate restoration of the school's official title: Shaheed Lt Manprit Singh Memorial Senior Secondary School. Karamjit Singh, an 80-year-old retired Master Warrant Officer with 40 years of service in the Air Force, expressed deep distress over the administrative change.
"For our family, this omission is deeply painful," Karamjit Singh stated. "It is difficult to accept that the name of a soldier who sacrificed his life for the nation has been removed from an institute named specifically to honour his memory." The family noted that the name was lost when the school administration repainted the main gate, with the new signage displaying only the "School of Eminence" branding and omitting the tribute to the lieutenant.
Importance of Naming Conventions for Future Generations
Karamjit Singh argued that such naming conventions are vital for ensuring future generations remain aware of the sacrifices made to safeguard the nation. He emphasized that the family has a long history of military service, with his father serving before independence. "We have the Army in our blood," he said. "We are proud of his sacrifice, but the government must respect its own decision to memorialise him."
Lieutenant Goldi's Sacrifice and Final Memories
Lieutenant Manprit Singh Goldi was only 22 years old when he laid down his life. A graduate of the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, he was posted with the 6 Mahar Regiment. In July 2001, just six months into his service, he was wounded during an encounter with terrorists in the Tangdhar sector and later died at a military hospital in Udhampur.
Harjit Singh, a researcher at IIT Ropar, recalled their final meeting in Chandigarh shortly after Goldi's training. He described his brother as a selfless individual who once walked 8 km to college for a month rather than worry his parents about a lost bus pass. The loss resonated throughout the region, with Karamjit Singh noting that the funeral procession was more than 2 km long.
Punjab Government's Response and Broader Context
The Punjab government's "Schools of Eminence" initiative aims to provide world-class education through upgraded infrastructure. However, the Goldi family maintains that modernization should not come at the cost of the state's military history. Their letter requests that the Chief Minister's office intervene to ensure the school's signage reflects the official government record, which includes the braveheart's name.
This incident highlights a broader issue of balancing progress with preservation of heritage, particularly in honoring national heroes. The family's appeal underscores the emotional and symbolic importance of such memorials in fostering patriotism and remembrance among citizens.
