Neeraj Bagga

AMRITSAR, JULY 26

Two weeks after PM Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Moscow, Russia has, finally, initiated steps to transport the mortal remains of Tejpal Singh to his family in Amritsar. The move confirms that he died fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. The Russian government conveyed this to Tejpal's family through the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

A day after arriving in Moscow, Tejpal (30) had joined the Russian army after clearing physical and medical tests on January 13. Tejpal, who was killed in action on March 12, last spoke to his family on March 3, informing his wife, Parminder Kaur, that he would not be able to call often as he was being moved to the frontline. She learnt of his death when his friend, who was serving with him, broke the news to them.

Then began their struggle. Relentlessly, Tejpal's family wrote to the Russian government and its embassy in New Delhi to help get the body back. A month ago, in a communiqueacute; to the Immigration Department at the Russian Embassy, Parminder Kaur, pleaded: "I have no source of income, and at present, am looking after my family. I seek payment of his dues from the Russian government and request them to send the body of my husband and also issue a death certificate."

The family recently received an email from the embassy — on the request of the Russian government — seeking their DNA report. "This is regarding the death of Mr Tejpal Singh. The embassy has been coordinating with you regarding the transportation of his mortal remains to India, as informed to you on the phone. The Russian authorities have said as the body of Mr Tejpal, date of birth October 12, 1994, has not been identified, DNA testing needs to be done. The Russian side has conveyed that DNA test of close relatives, preferably mother, must be done and the report shared with it," read the email.

Tejpal's name was on the list issued by the Russian government of those killed in the war. However, it mentioned his date of birth as October 12, 1994, which was incorrect as he was born on October 2, 1994. They have been trying to get the mistake rectified, says his wife, who is unable to come to terms with his loss. A mother of children aged six and three, she knows life ahead will be challenging. But she takes solace in the fact that their long struggle has borne fruit and they can now perform Tejpal's last rites, as per tradition.