Sepoy Rakesh Kumar's cremation in Ravalsi village in Mandi district was preceded by an equally heart-rending scene. His teenaged wife of three months filed past his body in full public view rendering a soulful Aye mere watan ke logo (the song sung by Lata Mangeshkar after the 1962 war) before fainting.

After attending these two and at least 18 other cremations of Kargil martyrs, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal realises that the nation owes them much more than the usual cash relief. ``We have to shoulder the responsibility of their families for ever,'' he says, ``remarry youngwidows, most of whom are less than 20 years of age; ensure a decent education for the children; and make plans for the aged parents of the martyrs''. The state has already charted out a ``sensitised'' rehabilitation plan for the affected families.

Dhumal feels his government's responsibility towards the affected families is more than that of other states as Himachal is one of the main recruiting bases of Indian armed forces. Martial vocation has been a tradition with the people, and the state, Dhumal points out, sends the highest number of men to the forces in proportion to its population. ``Of the 43 students in my class in standard IX, I remember 37 had joined the Army,'' he says.

Like most other states, Himachal is paying Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the families of Kargil martyrs - Rs 2 lakh immediately, and the rest as long-term saving certificates to ensure for their children's future. The state is also contemplating schemes for remarriage of widows of Kargil martyrs and for their aged parents. It hasalso offered free education for their children.

In the case of Vir Singh's wife and daughter, the government has offered to bear the full cost of their treatment. Dhumal claims to have also ordered the opening of a new school in a village where a martyr's widow was left with two young children so that she could get a job. Besides this, Himachal would be naming schools, roads and projects after Kargil martyrs.

Dhumal expresses amazement at the high morale among the people and their enthusiasm to join the battle.