An 11-year-old daughter’s words of pride and courage have touched the nation, as the mortal remains of Sergeant Surendra Kumar Moga reached his home in Mandawa village, Jhunjhunu, on 11 May. Sergeant Moga, a 36-year-old Assistant Medical Sergeant in the Indian Air Force, was martyred during shelling by Pakistan in the RS Pura sector on 10 May.
As his body arrived wrapped in the Tricolour, his daughter Vartika stood with unshaken strength. In an emotional message, she said, “I feel proud. My father was a very good man. He fought the enemies bravely and became a martyr while protecting the nation.”
Vartika recalled their final conversation, which took place at 9 PM the night before the attack. She shared, “Our last conversation was at 9 PM. He said, ‘Not much is happening here. Drones are flying, but there’s no attack. I’m safe here and everything is fine.’”
With a maturity far beyond her years, Vartika sent a bold message to the armed forces. “Pakistan should be wiped out. The name Pakistan should not even exist. It should be destroyed.”
Determined to follow in her father’s footsteps, she added, “I will become a soldier like my father. I will take revenge for him, one by one.” Sergeant Moga, who joined the Indian Air Force on 1 January 2010, hailed from Mehradasi village in Mandawa, Jhunjhunu. He was the only son of Late Shishpal Singh Moga, a retired soldier, and Nanu Devi. He is survived by his wife, Seema Devi, his daughter Vartika, and his seven-year-old son Daksh.
On Saturday, the Rajasthan Chief Minister paid tribute to Sergeant Moga, saluting his unwavering bravery and sacrifice for the nation. But it is the voice of his young daughter — full of pride, defiance and duty — that is now echoing across the country, inspiring millions.
