JJNSS: A beacon of support for martyrs’ families and patriotism in Surat

By MAJ GEN JAGATBIR SINGH, VSM ( RETD)

Driven by a sense of patriotic duty, Jay Javan Nagrik Samiti, Surat (JJNSS) is dedicated to providing financial assistance to the families of martyrs who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Whether a jawan martyred from the Armoured Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, including NSG, hails from Gujarat or has lost their life in the state, JJNSS extends a helping hand. The organization also offers financial aid for acts of special bravery, showcasing a commitment beyond the call of duty.

Established during the Kargil conflict, JJNSS, led by Mannarbhai Sanspara of Euro Foods Limited and Kanjibhai Bhalala, has disbursed nearly Rs Six Crores to families of over three hundred and fifty martyrs. The driving force behind this unique movement, Mannarbhai Sanspara, along with dedicated trustees and volunteers, has created a robust support network. Their recent events, meticulously organized on Kargil Diwas, exemplify a profound dedication to honouring martyrs and fostering a spirit of patriotism in Surat.

The Driving Personalities

The driving force behind this unique movement is none other than Mannarbhai Sanspara of Euro Foods Limited and Kanjibhai Bhalala who are driven by passion to carry out social work. They have established a vast network of friends, well-wishers and volunteers and can hold the audience spellbound with his oratory skills. A former Chairman of the Varachha Co-operative Bank, he is devoted to the cause.

To assist him are the main Trustees Sureshbhai G Patel, Mavjibhai D Mavani, Devchandbhai J Kakadiya and Devashibhai K Bhadiyadara, Manharbhai J Saspara, Savjibhai K Vekariya, Haribhai R Kathiriya, Bhavanbhai B Navapara, Kantibhai B Marakana, and Bhikhubhai V Timbadiya. In addition, there are a large number of people who are part of the Management Committee and my interaction was mainly with Bhikubhai Timbadia who was with me during my stay in Surat. A man who seemed to be everywhere at all times he was the main coordinator for a large number of activities and worked zealously to ensure the success of the event.

During numerous interactions he shared that all the money that is received as donations is paid directly to the beneficiaries and all other activities are sponsored separately and the volunteers are not reimbursed with any expenses for any activities including visiting the villages of martyrs.

Events Organised

This year the Events organized on 26 July on Kargil Diwas were wonderfully choreographed and organized with military precision. The day started with the ‘Pushpanjali’ at the Shaheed Samarak where floral tributes were offered and the Chief Guest Dr Sudhir K Mishra a former Director General of DRDO who was CEO & MD of Brahmos Aerospace spoke to the large audience.

There was a total of eighteen families of martyrs who had come for the event of which fifteen were from Gujarat and three from other parts of the country to include the families of Havildar Mandeep Singh from Ludhiana and Lance Naik Debashish Pratap kumar Biswal from Puri in Odisha who had lost their lives when the vehicle they were travelling in was attacked by terrorists in Poonch on 20 April 2023.

This was followed by a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ taken out from BAPS Mandir to Sardar Patel’s Statue, Sardar Chowk, Mini Bazar. The response was overwhelming; school children, workers and the citizens of Surat of all ages had lined up on the side of the street through which the procession passed and showered their affection on the participants. There was a sense of heightened patriotism and with emotional music playing a large number of people had tears in their eyes. Cries of Jai Hind were resounding and the josh was overwhelming during the rally which lasted for three hours.

At the end of the rally and after paying respects at the statue of Sardar Patel there was a Viranjali Blood Donation Camp organized by Shree Loksamarpan Blood Bank which is one of the largest Blood Banks in Gujarat. They also hold the Limca Book of Records for the maximum blood collected on a single day and by the end of the Camp they had collected 1118 units of blood. At the same venue there was a tribute through painting; ’Saptarangi Kalanjali’ wherein selected prominent artists of Surat sketched portraits of people and these were in turn sold and the money contributed to the welfare of martyr’s.

The Support Base

While they have a lot of donors who are based in Gujarat and have the backing of the Shree Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj, Surat they are particularly proud of the donations received from school children who parted with their pocket money for a noble cause.

People donate not only money but also in kind ranging from free food for one year for martyr’s families in Gujarat, to free education for their children, providing solar panels in the houses of all martyrs from Gujarat as also in organising events by providing the venue and logistic support. Help has been forthcoming from educational institutes, social and religious organisations, business establishments and the citizens of Surat who have always come forward to support the aims and objectives of the organization.

Incidentally, the Armed Forces have also supported Surat by a MiG – 23 which was presented by Air Marshal VK Bhatia, PVSM, AVSM, VrC , when he was C-in -C SWAC at Gandhinagar and is displayed at Sarthana-Jakatnaka, Varachha main Road and by the Army which gave a T-55 tank which is displayed at Katargam-Amba Talavadi Chowk.

These have become prominent landmarks in the city and the gifts have been greatly appreciated by the people of Surat. Both these were facilitated by Brigadier Balram Mehta, who has himself worked tirelessly for the cause and is a mentor and advisor to the organization. Incidentally, the tank is often moved around the city to places where functions are organized in Surat to instill a spirit of nationalism. Amongst the prominent supporters of the JJNS are Govind Dholakia Chairman of SRK Exports whose diamond factory we were privileged to visit, Varachha Cooperative Bank Limited, Lavji Daliya Badshah of Gopin Builders, Lok Samarpan Blood Bank, Varachha Medical Association and Euro India Fresh Foods Limited who sponsored the Samaroh. Jayanthibhai V Narola of the SRK Knowledge Foundation has sponsored solar rooftop panels on the houses of martyrs from Gujarat.

Future Plans

2024 marks Twenty Five Years of the Kargil Conflict hence plans are already in the pipeline for next year’s event which apart from honouring the martyr’s families Brigadier Mehta is planning to organize a Military Equipment Display at South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries , Surat with the help of its President Ramesh Vaghasia as well as ask retired officers to speak at selected colleges in Surat as well as the Chambers of Commerce to educate and motivate the people regarding the role of the Armed Forces and the security concerns which are posing a challenge to the country.

Conclusion

What stands out is how a trading and manufacturing town which has few citizens from their ranks who have joined the Defence Services has consistently supported the families of martyrs not just those from Gujarat but also from other parts of the country post the Kargil War. This sense of patriotism and commitment is something that needs to be lauded. This is undoubtedly a model that needs to be replicated by other cities.