Click to play videoSivasagar, Assam: Jatin Phukon had got used to the pain he felt over the death of his youngest brother 40 years ago. The sadness has returned.
Mahendra Nath Phukon, an army Jawan, died in a plane crash in Himachal Pradesh in 1968 and lay there until an expedition team stumbled on the body early this month. His body is coming home after 40 years.
The Phukon family recently got news that an expedition team had found Mahendra’s body in the mountains. “It seems like a dream. I am happy and yet I am sad. I am waiting to face reality," says Jatin.
Tuben Phukon, another brother, remembers Mahendra with fondness. "He came for my wedding in 1967. He went back and never returned," says Tuben.
A lot has changed since 1968 but the Phukon’s family’s relationship with the Army has remained constant. Mahendra’s brother Tuben retired from the army in 1985 and all brothers have sons who are soldiers in different corners of India.
Mahendra was the first soldier in the family and joined the army in 1965. The Pukon brothers organised a symbolic funeral after they got news about Mahendra but are undecided about the final date of the last rites.
For a family which lost a son 40 years ago the final wait is the most painful.
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