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Jawan Chandu Chavan's family elated on his return, thank MoS Defence Bhamre for hope

Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said Union MoS for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre gave the family confidence that the government was doing everything to bring Chandu back.

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It has been two days since the news of Jawan Chandu Chavan’s return from Pakistan to India flashed in the media but celebrations at the Borvihir village near Dhule show no signs of stopping. The Chavan family is overjoyed and is still grappling with the reality. 

Chandu Chavan, a 22-year-old soldier from Dhule posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles was on duty at the India-Pakistan border and had inadvertently crossed it and was held by Pakistan. This incident took place in September, immediately after India had launched the surgical strikes across the border.

“Given the situation between the two countries at that point of time, it seemed very difficult that Chandu could come back home at any point of time,” said Chandu’s brother Bhushan Chavan, also an army soldier, posted with 7 Maratha Light Infantry in Jamnagar presently.

The brothers, who lost their parents when they were very young, have been brought up by their grandparents. While Chandu was held by Pakistan, his grandmother could not bear the shock and died of an heart attack. While the family was coming to terms with two drastic situations, they also had to get their sister admitted to a hospital for the delivery of her baby, on the same day. “It has been a very tough time for our family. We just sailed through the time,” Bhushan recollects.

Though the tough time for the family, it was the government that extended a hand of support. Bhushan states, “It was the union minister for state for defence Dr Subhash Bhamre who also hails from Dhule, visited us and gave us the confidence that the government will make all efforts to bring Chandu back.”

I had written a letter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) that informed me that the matter was being handled by the Defense Ministry, and that the DGMO was holding talks with the Pakistani officials. I had met the Defence Minister and the Foreign Secretary who had sent two letters to their Pakistan counterparts. Through all this, Dr Bhamre was  giving us hope. He was in touch with us to find out how we were and to give us feedback and updates on the efforts, he said.

Bhushan said that their hopes were raised when Pakistan accepted that Chandu was with them. “But the situation on the border was not calm. Also the other country was under going a change in their military leadership. I was hoping for the firing across the border to stop. In spite all the odds, the government kept their efforts going and the results are seen today.”

The family is elated. “We have no official communication of his return but I saw him on TV walking through the Wagah border and I wasn't able to control my emotions. All I wanted to do was run to my brother and hold him close.”

The Borvihir village, in Dhule district, that has more than 100 men in the army, is excited too. Crackers were burst to celebrate Chavan's return and sweets were distributed. “Boys in the village danced to music. The celebrations don’t seem to stop even after two days of his return. The village didn't really celebrate Diwali or other festivals but since the news of Chandu’s return, the celebrations have been going on,” Bhushan said happily.

Speaking about his brother, Bhushan said, Chandu, though the youngest among the three siblings has always been the strong guy. “He has good potential and I have always tried to motivate him.”

“It is only because of the efforts of the government that my brother is back,” Bhushan said, adding “I want to thank God and Dr Bhamre and the Indian government for bringing my brother back.”

Bhushan however has a request for the government, “We have not immersed the ashes of my grandmother. We had decided that we would do that after Chandu returns home. My request to the government is only that they send Chandu home for a day or two so that we can immerse the ashes of our grandmother.”

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