Uma Dey, who lost her husband Mrinmoy 25 years back, was caught by surprise on Wednesday evening as she found a group of his colleagues turning up at her house in Mainaguri of Jalpaiguri and extending a helping hand for her daughter’s marriage.

“I was overwhelmed to see them at my house. They came and handed over a cheque for ₹one lakh to me. I had no inkling that they remembered their slain colleague,” said Uma, a homemaker.

Back in 1997, Mrinmoy, who was serving in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was posted in Manipur. While on duty, he died in an attack by terrorists.

Since then, Uma, who resides in Subhashnagar of Mainaguri, took the task of raising her children, a girl and a boy.

Recently, she found a match for Chandrima, her daughter, who is in her early thirties. Somtirtha, her son-in-law, is a contractual employee at the district court in Jalpaiguri.

“Yesterday, they tied the nuptial knot. It was a great day for me as I could finally deliver my responsibility. I was busy at work when some relatives informed me that a group of CRPF personnel had come to meet me,” said Uma.

As she met them, Rajendra Mohan, an assistant commandant who was there in the team, handed over the financial assistance to her.

“We came to know that the daughter of one of our former colleagues, who died in his line of duty, is getting married. We arranged the money from our welfare fund and handed it over to them soon after the marriage. We believe it will help the family meet the expenses,” said Mohan.

The newly-wed bride and the groom were also present along with Uma to receive the cheque. “It was nice to see that my father’s colleagues have not forgotten him and his family. Their decision to lend a helping hand would surely help my mother,” said Chandrima.