Maharashtra soldier Chavan returns home ahead of Holi

Indian Army soldier Chandulal Babulal Chavan, who strayed across the Line of Control (LoC), was reunited with his family here on Saturday, a day before Holi, the festival of joy.

Minister of State for Defence Suresh Bhamre accompanied Chavan, 22, till his Borvihir village. Chavan's village falls in the Minister's parliamentary constituency.

The soldier serving 37 Rashtriya Rifles had been reported missing on September 29, 2016, in the aftermath of the Indian surgical strikes on terrorist camps across the LoC.

Later, he was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army and after long negotiations released on January 21.

"I am very happy that he has been reunited with his family," Bhamre commented after seeing him off at the village on Saturday.

Chavan's brother and soldier Bhushan, with the 9th Maratha Regiment, family members, friends and villagers accorded him a rousing double-reception as he arrived in Dhule district and later at his village this afternoon, on the eve of Holi.

"Now, we shall be able to celebrate Holi joyfully...," an elated Bhushan told mediapersons at the village.

Barely two days after he was captured by the Pakistan Army, Chandu Chavan's shocked grandmother Leelabai Chavan died of a heart attack on October 1, 2016.

The family had not performed the ceremonies of disposing off her ashes in holy waters till his safe return.

An emotional Chandu Chavan grieving for his grandmother, who brought him up after his parents' death in childhood, said he would complete the 'aasthi-visarjan' ceremony after Holi next week.

--IANS

qn/in/bg