BROWWA celebrates 25 years: Nimrat Kaur honours her father’s legacy of courage and sacrifice

Bollywood actor Nimrat Kaur inaugurated the bust of her father Major Bhupender Singh, a Shaurya Chakra awardee (Posthumous), during the 25th anniversary of the Border Roads Organisation Wives Welfare Association (BROWWA), celebrated here today. Accompanying Kaur was her mother, Abnash Kaur.

In 1994, Major Bhupender Singh, serving with the Border Roads Organization in Jammu and Kashmir, led a mission to construct Bailey bridges in a conflict zone. While undertaking a survey near Akkar village, his team was ambushed by militants. Displaying exceptional courage, he organized a counterattack, enabling his troops to break through and continue the mission. On January 17, 1994, he was kidnapped by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants, who demanded the release of terrorists. He refused and was brutally killed on January 23, 1994. The brave officer was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously.

Advertisement

Addressing the gathering, she spoke about her father’s legacy. “I stand here not just as an actress, but as the proud daughter of a soldier whose sacrifice reminds us every day of the true meaning of service. BRO families hold up the invisible backbone of this nation’s safety and security often away from the limelight but never away from the heart of duty,” she said.

President BROWWA, Sumita Raghu, wife of Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan, Director General Border Roads, spoke about the association’s steadfast support to the families of BRO personnel who serve in some of the country’s most remote and challenging terrains. “BROWWA has over the years, built its reputation as more than just a welfare group, it is a lifeline for emotional, educational and social assistance to those who often dwell far from urban comfort, ensuring that the sacrifices of BRO personnel are acknowledged and the dreams of their families are nurtured,” she said.

Lauding the BROWWA families for their unwavering dedication, resilience and sacrifices over the past 25 years, the BROWWA president said, “It is an honour to lead this association BROWWA which has remained a strong pillar of support to the families of BRO personnel. Our mission has always been to ensure their emotional, educational and social well-being, especially for those living far from the comfort of cities where their loved ones serve the nation. For 25 years, BROWWA has sought to ensure that no family is left behind, no child’s ambition unrealised and no sacrifice forgotten.”

With the central theme of women empowerment, the organisers highlighted the achievements of its women members pertaining to welfare initiatives, educational outreach and community support efforts. Later, BROWWA’s annual magazine Kutumb was also unveiled during the ceremony.