CHANDIGARH: In a historic moment, Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill, Air Officer Commandingin-Chief of Central Air Command, flew a three aircraft close formation sortie on Hawk Mk132 with his son, Flying Officer Shahbeg Gill, also part of the same formation at the Bidar air force station in Karnataka on Saturday.
When Air Marshal Gill was asked as to how he felt flying a sortie with his son, he replied, “I can easily say that Indian Air Force is the elitist service in the world, that’s why I am leaving half of myself with the Air Force.” He said it was a historic moment for the Air Force and a proud and memorable moment for him. He wished to see more brave sons of the great land opting for flying and fighting for the nation.
When the father and son landed after the sortie, Ranjeet Gill, Shahbeg’s mother, was emotional as she said, “The two people dearest to me have flown together in a close formation and I cannot describe the feeling in words. Obviously, I am the proudest wife and mother.”Air Marshal Gill hails from Patiala and is an alumnus of the local Mohindra College. He was commissioned into the flying branch of the Air Force in December 1977. In a career spanning 38 years, he has more than 7,000 hours of incident-free flying experience. While commanding the IAF station at Leh (world’s highest air field), he was instrumental in recommissioning of two airfields. During his command, Air Force Station, Leh, was declared the Pride of Western Air Command.
For his distinguished service and exceptional professionalism, he has received three Presidential awards. In his earlier days, he has been the member of the 7th and 8th Antarctica Expedition, wherein for displaying extraordinary courage he was awarded with Vayusena Medal (gallantry) in 1990, Yudh Seva Medal in 2005 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2010. He had also commanded Air Force Station, Patiala, from 1999 to 2001.Air Marshal Gill is married to Ranjeet Gill, a homemaker. The couple have two daughters and a son. The son, Flying Officer Shahbeg Gill, is undergoing stage-III training in fighter stream. Ranjeet Gill is an alumna of St Fatima School, Patiala, and a graduate from GCG Patiala.
Flying Officer Shahbeg did his matriculation form St Peter’s School, Patiala, and Class 12 from Army Public School, Patiala. Flying Officer Gill says right form childhood he wanted to be like his father and today he has taken a major step towards that.
In 2013, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, then Chief of the Air Staff, flew with his son, Squadron Leader Omar Browne, in Sukhoi-30 at Lohegaon airbase in Pune. It was the last sortie of Air Chief Marshal Browne.

Tribune News Service
Haridwar, December 3
Armed forces are providing better and lucrative career opportunities, thus attracting a large number of youths.
RM Mittal, director of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) AVSM, VSM, stated this here today at the 17th foundation day of College of Engineering, Roorkee.
In his address, Mittal said the college, in just a decade and half, had become one of the most prestigious educational institutes for engineering in northern India.
Citing India’s strong emergence in the global arena in the recent times, he attributed it to the youth power as in most fields, ranging from science technology, software technology, sports, academics, engineering, medical, armed forces to private sector, the younger generation had shown its skills, class and supremacy.
“Set targets, work hard and don’t forget your roots, upbringing and culture. Innovation is the key to success, so be prepared for it and achieve success,” Mittal said.
As many as 29 teachers from the college were felicitated by the BRO
director for being inspirational teachers, who mentored students in innovative teaching methodology.
President of the college trust JC Jain, Shreyans Jain, Subash Jain, Dr V Gupta, Romesh Sharma, Dr DPS Kulkarni, Gunjan Aggarwal, BS Verma, Pramod Kumar, Anand Singh, Rajendra Saini, Madan Singh, Raj Kumar Chauhan, Pankaj Mehta, Anshish Rawat, Ansushka Goyal, Mitali Bhatt and Kumar Vasisth were present during the function.

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, December 29

The public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been preferred over the private sector to partner Russian helicopter giant Kamov in producing military helicopters in India. This will be another major defence project with Russian help in India after the MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets, T-90 tanks and Brahmos missiles.HAL-Kamov will produce 200 copters at a cost of nearly Rs 6,500 crore or Rs 32 crore per copter. It will be an inter-governmental deal like the ones earlier for the Russian Sukhoi-30-MKI fighter jets in India or the T-90 tanks. The HAL is owned by the Ministry of Defence and has previous experience at making copters.Earlier, there was talk of a private sector company walking away with the Russian co-production offer. Sources said HAL pipped other private sector aspirants because of its ongoing partnership with French engine-maker Turbomeca for its indigenously developed copter, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), called the Dhruv. The Kamov 226-T is also fitted with Turbomeca engines, but a different variant. Past experience also weighed in its favour.HAL in the past has licensed-produced the French origin Cheetah/Chetak Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).The twin-engined Kamov 226-T will replace the single-engine Cheetah/Chetak, usually deployed for surveillance, dropping small loads and for rescue, including of troops posted at forbidding heights such as the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region.The twin-rotor Kamov 226-T light will also be used for armed reconnaissance, to direct artillery fire on enemy positions and fly in quick reaction teams for special missions. It has a flight ceiling of 18,700 feet — covering almost the entire Siachen Glacier and has a superior carrying capacity.The three services and the Coast Guard currently have 430 Cheetah/Chetaks helicopters. They are based on the 1950s’ designed Alouette Aérospatiale 315B Lama of France and lack modern avionics like instrument landing and omni-directional and ranging systems.The forces need some 800 LUHs over the next decade. The gap will be filled by Kamov 226-T and HAL’sDhruv. The Kamov-HAL joint venture will have an annual production capacity of 30-40 helicopters.Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had in February announced a two-pronged plan to ramp up chopper production in India. Speaking at the Aero-India show, he said the first part was to ramp up capacity at HAL and, the second, to invite foreign participation to collaborate with Indian companies.The first part of expansion of HAL will kick off this Sunday — January 3 —when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for HAL’s new helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumkuru, 100 kms from Bengaluru. HAL currently produces just 20 ALH copters every year against the requirement of 100-120 annually. The second part of plan will take off after Kamov-HAL starts producing the LUH.

ਰੋਹਤਕ— ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਬਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਰਮੀ ਚੀਫ ਜਨਰਲ ਦਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁਹਾਗ ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ। ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿਚ ਕਈ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਕ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਸੀ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਂਝਾ ਕੀਤਾ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਕਈ ਅਫਸਰ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਬਿਸਾਨ ‘ਚ ਅਜੇ ਤਕ ਕੋਈ ਧੀ ਫੌਜ ‘ਚ ਅਫਸਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਅਫਸਰ ਬਣਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਰਹੇਗੀ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਿਹੜੀ ਧੀ ਕਰੇਗੀ।
ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਬਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਹਰਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਸਥਿਤ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ਸੁਹਾਗ ਨੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕਈ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਸਾਂਝੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸਕੂਲ ਵਿਚ ਪਿੱਪਲ ਅਤੇ ਕਿੱਕਰ ਦੇ ਦਰੱਖਤ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੈਂ ਜਨਰਲ ਦੇ ਅਹੁਦੇ ਤਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਫਿਰ ਅੱਜ ਤਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਕਈ ਸਹੂਲਤਾਵਾਂ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਇਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਕਿ 100 ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਜੋਸ਼ੀਲੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੌਜ ‘ਚ ਲਿਆਉਣ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਭਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਕਰਨਗੇ। ਹਰ ਉਸ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਭਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜੋਸ਼ ਹੈ। ਤਕਰੀਬਨ 3000 ਦੀ ਆਬਾਦੀ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ 130 ਲੋਕ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਬਨ, ਜਦਕਿ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ 250 ਰਿਟਾਇਰਡ ਫੌਜੀ ਵੀ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਛੋਟਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਪਿੰਡ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਹੈ। ਸੁਹਾਗ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਡੀਕ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਆਰਮੀ ਚੀਫ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਆਵੇ। ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹਾਂ।

Tribune News Service

The Mughal forces, Hilly Rajas’ forces had laid seize to Anandgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib for about 8 months, in 1704. The Mughals and Hilly Rajas wanted Guru Gobind Singh to leave the fort they swore on Gita and Quran to give a safe passage to Guru. The Guru decided to leave the fort. Guru Sahib, four Sahibzadas, Mata Gujri, Guru’s Mahil (wives), five Panj Piaras and a few hundred Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the chilly night of 20 December 1704 towards Ropar. In the intervening night of 20–21 December, the rnemy breached the vows and attacked Guru’s entourage at a site on Sarsa rivulet some 25 km from Anandpur Sahib. Guru’s family separated. This spot is now known as Parwar Vichhora. Mata Gujri with two younger grandsons, accompanied Guru family cook, Gangoo, a Brahamin, to his village, Saheri near Morinda. Guru’s Mahil left with Bhai Mani Singh, towards Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh with two elder Sahibzadas, 5 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs proceeded towards Chamkaur and reached there, in the afternoon of 21 December. Both are in Ropar Distt.(Pb.). The famous Chamkaur battle, took place on 22 and 23 December 1704, where two elder Sahibzadas, 3 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs laid down their lives. Mata Gujri and two younger Sahibzadas were arrested by Morinda Police at Saheri village. From there, they were handed over to Suba Sirhind. They were imprisoned, in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower). A farcical Trial began, in the Kacheri, (Court) of Suba Sirhind. It lasted for three days. On 27 December 1704, a heinous and cold-blooded crime was committed in the Sarzameen of Sirhind. Guru Gobind Singh’s two younger sons, Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh aged 7 and 9 years were bricked alive and later killed in the presence of the Assembly of Shaitans, presided over by Suba Sirhind, Wazir Khan. Two younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri were cremated by a devout Sikh, Diwan Todar Mal, at a spot, know known as Joyti Saroop Gurudwara.

Samat Bikrmi dates and year: Leaving of Anandpur Sahib,5 Poh 1761, Battle of Chamkaur 6, 7 and 8 Poh 1761, Saka Sirhind 11,12 and 13 Poh 1761.

Chhotte Sahibzade (Punjabi: ਛੋਟੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ) of Guru Gobind Singh attained martyrdom on 26 December 1705 at a very young age. This is known as Saka Sirhind. Every year on 26 December, Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised at Fatehgarh Sahib, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom.

Following are series of events related to Saka Sirhind:

• Eviction of Mata Gujri, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh from Anandpur Sahib siege.
• Arrest of above three at Morinda and hearing at Sirhind.
• Arguments at Sirhind Court.
• Sher Muhammad Khan defended young Sahibzadas.
• Declaration of Innocence of Sahibzadas, by Qazis and other officials.
• Provocative arguments by Diwan Sucha Nand Brahmin and young Sahibzadas to support prosecution.
• Found guilty of keeping ideology rebellious to Mughal Government and religions.
• Punishment – Bricked alive
• Aftermath

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25Keeping in view the huge rush at the historic Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara during the Jor Mela from December 26, the district police have decided to install 40 CCTV cameras to keep a tab on anti-social elements during the fair.About 3,500 police personnel would be deployed in town as more than 3,510 lakh devotees are expected to pay obeisance during the three-day Shaheedi Jor Mel to be organised to commemorate the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive in Fatehgarh Sahib.Senior Superintendent of Police Jatinder Singh Khaira said the town had been divided into five sectors and each sector would be headed by an SP-rank official. He said 10 check barriers, 51 nakas and 19 free parking lots have been set up for the smooth conduct of the fair. He said 12 Superintendents of Police, 28 DSPs and 89 Inspectors would be deputed for the security of devotees during the three-day fair.

SOME OF YOU TUBE SONGS IN HONOR OF SAHIBZADA: THOS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO LISTEN: HOMAGE TO SAHIBZADAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqVwCej9lhI

Dasi Kalgi Waleyan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxfl_CARps&list=RDO2zJv6u8bPs&index=3

Miss Pooja – Putt Gobind Singh De – Proud On Sikh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3QzSVN8e6k

Nikhil Bhardw,jTribune News Service,Jalandhar, December 23

Making Jalandhar proud, a city youth, 23-year-old Jai Deep Singh, has been commissioned in the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a flying officer in the fighter stream. Jai is one of the four selected from Punjab and as many as 209 from across the country selected for flying the fighter plane in the Air Force.A resident of Defence Colony and son of Tajinder Singh, a local businessman dealing in medicines, Jai was commissioned in the IAF on December 19 by the Chief of the Army Staff in Hyderabad. Jai is set to join on January 3, 2016 as a flying officer in the ‘Hawk Aircraft Base’ based in Bidar, Karnataka.Jai, a student of St. Joseph’s School and Police DAV School, had cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam in 2011 after class XII following which he joined the NDA the same year. After undergoing three years of intensive training in Pune and one year of rigorous training in flying all kinds of aircraft, including transport planes, helicopter and fighter jets, he was commissioned in the IAF in the fighter stream.Jai was ranked 113th in the NDA of the 350 candidates selected. Jai had also scored merit positions in class X and class XII exams.Jai, whose grandfather Mahinder Singh was the caretaker, Parliament House, credited his family for the success. He said after rigorous training, 48, including him, were commissioned in the IAF as a fighter plane pilot while the rest were given other assignments in the IAF including flying transport aircraft, helicopters or ground duties.He also credited Squadron leader Rahul Basoya for training him in the fighter stream.Jail, who received the inspiration to join the Army from a Hollywood blockbuster ‘Top Gun’, said he had been nurturing a dream to join the Air Force since childhood and now his dream had come true.An elated grand-father Mahinder Singh and grand-mother Satwant Kaur said, “We had been wishing for Jai to join the Army and we had motivated him but Jai had something else in mind. He wanted to join the IAF, that too in fighter stream. We are feeling proud as our son would serve the country and bring fame to the family as well as the nation”.Jai’s father Tajinder and mother Harjit Kaur said, “It is a proud moment for us as our son made it to the IAF”.

New Delhi, December 21Seeking to make defence acquisition process simpler and transparent, the government today launched a new “Make in India” website that will provide an interface with industry and promised to finalise the new revised defence procurement procedure by January.Stating that it is an “uphill” task to change mindset, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today rued that “process” had become more important than the goal itself and asserted that the government is in the process of creating a level playing field with more transparency.“The last 10 years have seen that procedure has become more important than the target. The target is to provide modern equipment to the armed forces in a timely manner,” he said.The minister said the ministry he had inherited was “full of mistrust” but the situation has changed to a large extent.He hoped the website (www.makeinindiadefence.com) would act as an enabler for the industry to get the latest news and notification regarding various aspects of the defence production. “They (officials) should ensure that the portal works,” he said.On the much awaited new Defence Procurement Procedure, Parrikar said that the document is in the final stages of finalisation.He said that the Defence Acquisition Council would meet either in the last week of December of the first week of January to finalise the DPP which will focus on ‘Make in India’.He said the aim is to have 40 per cent of defence procurement under ‘Make in India’ initiative from the current 30 per cent and raising it to 70 per cent indigenisation in the next five years. The portal provides information related to all policy and procedural issues relevant for defence manufacturing industry.It provides link to industrial promotion policies and programmes of various states and UTs. The portal also gives an opportunity to an individual company to seek clarifications or ask questions. Defence Ministry officials said these would be answered within three working days.“And if the matter is related to a third ministry, then an interim reply would be given and full answer would be given later,” an official said. — PTI

Jammu, December 20

Delta Force, under Operation Sadbhavana, has constructed two additional classrooms and toilets for students at Government Higher Secondary School, Kilhotran, in Doda district.The newly built infrastructure was handed over to the school today.Following the request of parents, school principal and Kilhotran residents, the Rashtriya Rifles constructed two additional classrooms and toilets for the students at Government Higher Secondary School, Kilhotran, a defence spokesperson said here.Principal TC Sharma, Kilhotran sarpanch, school staff and students, besides a large number of villagers were present on the occasion— TNS

Army teaches Poonch girls basic computer skills

Tribune News Service,Jammu, December 20

In its ongoing efforts to improve teaching facilities for the students of the border areas in Poonch district, the Army organised an IT course for girl students at Ghani village.The closing ceremony of the course was held on Saturday.The course covered basic computer skills like Microsoft Soft Word, Microsoft Soft Power Point, Microsoft Soft Excel, internet operating and its uses. The classes were organised with an aim to impart basic computer knowledge to the girls, a defence spokesperson said.A total of 36 girl students from IX to XII classes benefited from the course. The course was organised by the Romeo Force towards the empowerment of the students, the spokesperson added.The closing event was attended by the school staff.Speaking on the occasion, the sarpanch of Ghani village applauded the efforts of the Army and said small-scale industrialisation and IT development was needed for remote areas.

Sainik School alumni felicitated

Tribune news service,Jammu, December 20

Ex-students meet of Sainik School, Nagrota, was organised at the school auditorium here today.Alumni, from different parts of the country, participated in the meet to relive the memorable moments of their sojourn in the school.Prof Keshav Sharma, Management Studies, Jammu University; Prof Deepak Raj Gupta, Director, Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu; Jahangir Iqbal Ganai, Advocate General, Jammu and Kashmir; and VK Seghal, Founder Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Tourism Promotion Council were felicitated during the meet.The 1990 pass-out batch of the school commemorated the silver jubilee year and as a token of honour handed over key of a new TATA 407 to the Principal of the school.Principal Col KD Koushal appreciated the gesture of former students and congratulated them for making their alma mater proud.

The spirit of accommodation between the state and soldiers must never be strained to the limit where the armed forces’ discipline and steadfast conduct get compromised. The current duelling between the government and veterans is an ugly sight.

About two months ago, the Western Command Headquarters inaugurated their first “Old-Age Home” at Panchkula (Haryana) as an internal initiative. Napoleon had set up the first state sponsored old-age home in the heart of Paris around 1790, not far from the Arc de Triomphe. Ultimately it became Les Invalides, a state-funded establishment for retired soldiers (especially those devoid of any living kin) and its upkeep was patronised by the Emperor (head of state in this case) himself! Admittedly, times have changed since, but that idea of the state and soldier bonding in a kind of camaraderie should certainly not be out of place, even today.Closer to our times, my mind goes back to one among the several mega-celebrations organised in the UK in 1995 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of WW-II. It was appropriate that the Indian contingent to the celebrations would include soldiers decorated with the Victoria Cross (VC), the foremost British award for gallantry on the battlefield. Of the 32 Indian awardees of the VC during the war, only 11 were alive in 1995.Four VC veterans could not undertake the journey to the UK due to age and infirmness, but the remaining seven were glad to participate. Of these, the six doughty Gorkha veterans had various grades of flab around their midriffs but the seventh, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Umrao Singh, over six-foot tall, of ram-rod stance, flat bellied and broad chested, became the cynosure of all eyes. The way he walked up to Queen Elizabeth in the Audience Hall of Buckingham Palace, any drill sergeant-major from the Coldstream Guards Brigade would have been envious. Little wonder that breaking precedence of ceremonial etiquette, the gathering burst into spontaneous applause!The following day when Prime Minister John Major happened to drive past some invitees and from the corner of his eye caught the sun glinting on their VC medals, the Prime Minister had his car halt. Walking up to the veterans, he saluted and greeted each with a firm handshake. In the UK, if a man (nationality notwithstanding) with a VC or MC pinned on the chest were to walk out, chances are that nine out of 10 passersby would halt mid-stride, smile and nod in salutation. In India, even though righteous wars and warriors have been glorified by the gods through the epic Mahabharata, yet not one in a thousand Indians will know what a PVC, MVC or VrC looks like, leave alone greet its bearer.Dismissing his car, John Major escorted them to the venue of the function. Striking a conversation, he inquired if the veterans had any hardships that needed attention. Umrao Singh was prompt to state that although the prevalent currency exchange rate was Rs 50 to a pound, yet the VC pension handed out to them was at the paltry exchange rate of 1945. He asked, would it not be fair to revise their pension, which was last fixed in 1945, and bring it on a par with their counterparts in the UK? John Major was visibly upset at the injustice and promised that Her Majesty’s Government would rectify it.Six months later in March 1996, Christopher Thomas, South Asia correspondent of The Times (London), drove to Umrao Singh’s home at Palra village (Jhajjar district, Haryana) with the news that Her Majesty’s Government had enhanced their VC pension from 100 pounds per annum to 1,300 pounds! And it would be admitted at that day’s prevailing currency exchange rate or a subsequent rate, whichever was higher, but never lower than that day’s!Obviously, Umrao Singh was astounded at this windfall. He rushed to his wife who was frying “parathas” on a wood fire and declared, “Vimla, now we can live in style.” Umrao Singh brought out an unopened bottle of rum. He filled two large steel tumblers almost to the brim. Handing one to Christopher and holding his own in the left hand, Umrao came to attention, and giving a smart salute said, “This is for John Major, the Prime Minister of Britain! He has made me happy and proud.” He could now pass his allotted days with the dignity due to a VC. He passed away on November 22, 2005.When Umrao Singh was in dire financial straits, a VC collector from the UK had made him an offer of 35,000 pounds. Umrao Singh’s response was, “If I give away my medal, I will dishonour the soldiers who fought and died alongside me.” This is how soldiers cherish their medals.The spirit of accommodation between the state and soldiers must never be strained to the limit where the armed forces’ discipline and their steadfast conduct on battlefield get compromised. Unfortunately, nothing seems to have been learnt as there are already dark rumblings of further disconnect between the state and soldiery, emanating from the proposals of the Seventh Pay Commission. Let us not stoke fires of ugly dissent any further, lest we singe the heritage of the spirit of valour of a famed armed force irretrievably.