Indian Army during the Republic Day Parade. Sikh Light infantry regiment.
Param Vir Chakra is the highest gallantry award given by the Union Government of India for highest degree of valour, self-sacrifice during war. The award is equivalent to the US Medal of Honor, Cross of St.George of Russia and similar to the British Victoria Cross. The award was established on 26th January 1950, the date India officially became a Republic with its own constitution coming into power. The Param Vir Chakra was designed by Eva Maday who was actually born to a Hungarian mother and Russian father. She had a great fascination for India and Indian culture. She changed her name as Savitri and married Capt. Vikram Khanolkar.
Param Vir Chakra awarded by the Union Government of India.
The then Major General Hira Lal Atal was given the responsibility of naming India’s military decorations. Soon after Indian independence, Savitri was asked by General Hira Lal Atal to design India’s highest award for bravery in combat against enemies. Ms Khanolkar took her inspiration from the mythical Rishi Dadich who donated his thigh-bone to the Gods to make a Vajra (thunderbolt). Coincidentally, the first PVC was awarded to her elder daughter's brother-in-law Major Som Nath Sharma. The Param Vir Chakra is generally awarded posthumously as very rarely the recipient survives combat. The monthly stipend for a Param Vir Chakra awardee is Rs.1500/- which is disputed and criticized.
When India got independence there was a huge unrest across the country. Many Hindus and Muslims died during the partition of India. Hindus left towards India and Muslims left for Pakistan. Immediately, India and Pakistan fought a war in 1947 due to Kashmir dispute.
Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the first Param Vir Chakra.
During the India-Pakistan war in 1947, on November 3rd, 1948, Major Somnath’s company belonging to the Kumaon Regiment, 4th batallion was fighting in Bagdam village in Kashmir valley. He was soon surrounded by the enemy from all sides and his company sustained heavy casualties due to constant artillery bombardment. He realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost. His company came under heavy fire and was outnumbered seven to one. He urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post to fight against the invaders.
While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ received a few moments before he was killed was as follows: "The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round”.
Even today after 62 years of Independence, amidst sophisticated technologies the courage of the Indian Army and men is very much admired across the globe and even from the opposition. India being a Union of multi-lingual, multi-ethnic diverse states and Union territories has never been imperialistic and under any stage of human history she hasn’t invaded any country with territorial ambitions.
Lance Naik Karam Singh.
Even today, India still continues to have border disputes with its neighbors namely Pakistan and China. At the same time as Somnath Sharma was fighting, Lance Naik Karam Singh was also playing an important role in securing titwal sector. India and Pakistan fought for securing the position in the Titwal sector. India captured the sector but lost it soon due to strong counter-attack by Pakistan. Lance Naik Karam Singh belonging to the 1st batallion, Sikh Regiment was commanding a forward outpost in the Richhmar Gali area when the enemy launched the attack. During the initial attacks, all the bunkers in the platoon area were destroyed by enemy's heavy shelling. The communication to the command was also destroyed and hence Karam Singh was unable to update his position or ask for reinforcements. He was unable to contact the headquarters. Although wounded, he brought back two injured comrades to the frontline to the main company position and defended Richhmar Gali.
Twice wounded by the fifth enemy attack, Lance Naik Karam Singh refused evacuation and continued to hold on to the first-line trenches. When the enemy soldiers secured a position close to the frontline, Karam Singh jumped out of his trench and bayoneted the two intruders to death. This bold action demoralized the enemy and they broke off the attack and withdrew from the sector. Totally, the outpost was attacked eight times on that day and the Sikhs repulsed the enemy every time. For his outstanding role in the battle of Tithwal, he was honored with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra. Karam Singh was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Lance Naik Karam Singh proved himself to be a dauntless leader of men in crisis representing the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Nothing could subdue him and no amount of fire or hardship could break his spirit.
Major Rama Raghoba Rane
On 8 April 1948 during the Indo-Pak war, the Indian Army advanced to protect Rajauri sector. Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane was ordered to clear mines and roadblocks. The enemy started shelling the area with heavy artillery fire. Undaunted by fire, Rane worked for three days tirelessly clearing about mines and road blocks. Rane made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance on Rajauri. It also helped in saving many innocent lives in Chingas and Rajauri.
Havildar Piru Singh
On February 6 in early 1948, a show of strength took place at Naushera between armed tribesmen and units of the Indian Army. The tribal force supported by the Pakistani Army was repulsed twice but they attacked a third time with increased numbers. Naik Jadu Nath Singh belonging to the Rajput regiment rushed out of his trench alone with a sten gun in his hand and then opened devastating fire on the invaders. The invaders were taken by shock and surprise. Naik’s courage, strength, valor made them courageless and they fled the area. The outpost was saved but Jadu Nath Singh died on spot. For this ultimate act of personal sacrifice for the sake of the sovereignty of the nation and to shoo away the invaders from the motherland, Naik Jadu Nath Singh was decorated with the nation's highest award of gallantry-the Param Vir Chakra.
-To be continued...
-Krishna Kumar.S
1 comment:
really nice one!!!!
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