Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 10
The mortal remains of Brig Sant Singh (retd), one of the country’s most highly decorated soldiers who had passed away on December 8 at the age of 94, were consigned to the flames with full military honours here today.A large number of relatives, friends and well-wishers attended the funeral. He had been decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award, twice for his actions in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.A ceremonial guard was provided by his unit, 5 Sikh Light Infantry, which reversed arms as a mark of respect, while buglers sounded the Last Post. The Commanding Officer and the Subedar Major of the battalion were also present. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Brig Sant Singh had commanded this battalion that had played a key role in wresting the difficult OP Hill feature in Jammu and Kashmir back from Pakistan after the ceasefire post-1965 war. A contingent from a Dogra battalion based locally acted as the pall bearers.Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, KJS Cheema, represented Parkash Singh Badal and Brig JS Arora (retd), Director Defence Services Welfare, Punjab, represented Defence Services Welfare Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon.Brig Sant Singh, who hailed from a village near Kotkapura in Punjab had settled in Chandigarh after retirement and was actively engaged in welfare issues of ex-servicemen and gallantry awardees. He also served as a nominated member of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.Meanwhile, in his condolence message, Badal said Punjab had lost its brave son, who would always remain a source of inspiration for future generations. Recalling his gallant actions, the Chief Minister said everyone was indebted to this great son of the soil, who always remained on forefront to defend his border.
The mortal remains of Brig Sant Singh (retd), one of the country’s most highly decorated soldiers who had passed away on December 8 at the age of 94, were consigned to flames with full military honours here today.A large number of relatives, friends and well wishers attended the funeral to pay their last respects to the departed warrior. He had been decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), the second highest gallantry award, twice for his actions in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.No representative from the Chandigarh Administration, however, was seen.A ceremonial guard was provided by his unit, 5 Sikh Light Infantry, which reversed arms as a mark of respect, while buglers sounded the Last Post.The Commanding Officer and the Subedar Major of the battalion were also present.As a Lieutenant Colonel, Brig Sant Singh had commanded this battalion that had played a key role in wresting the difficult OP Hill feature in Jammu and Kashmir back from Pakistan after the ceasefire post the 1965 war. A contingent from a Dogra battalion, based locally, acted as the pallbearers.Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, KJS Cheema, represented Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal while Brig JS Arora (retd), Director, Defence Services Welfare, Punjab, represented Defence Services Welfare Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon.Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Punjab CM, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry, Lt Gen NPS Hira, and other dignitaries.Former Chief of Army Staff Gen VP Malik, who is also the honorary Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry, was also present.Lt Gen SS Sihota (retd), Brig KS Chandpuri (retd), Brig NS Sandhu (retd) and Capt Reet MP Singh (retd), all gallantry award recipients and officer-bearers of the War Decorated India, an association of gallantry awardees, of which Brig Sant Singh was a founder-member, also paid their tributes along with a number of other serving and retired officers.Brig Sant Singh, who hailed from a village near Kotkapura in Punjab, had settled in Chandigarh after retirement and was deeply engaged in welfare issues of ex-servicemen and gallantry awardees. He also served as a nominated member of the Chandigarh MC.In his condolence message, Badal said Punjab has lost its brave son, who would remain a source of inspiration for future generations. The CM said everyone would be ever indebted to this great son of the soil, who always remained on forefront to defend its border from the external invasions on the one hand and upholding the supreme traditions and glory of the armed forces on the other
Tearful adieu to Indo-Pak war hero Brig Sant Singh
5 SIKH LI TO WHICH HE BELONGED RENDER MILITARY FUNERAL HONOUR; NO HIGH-UPS FROM UT, MC PRESENT AT CREMATION
CHANDIGARH: It was a tearful adieu as a number of people from all walks of life, including army officers, bureaucrats and close family friends, came to pay their last respects to Brigadier Sant Singh, 94, who was among the only six persons to be awarded Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) & Bar. He died at Fortis Hospital, SAS Nagar, on Tuesday night.
GURPREET SINGH/HTPersonnel of the 5 Light Infantry paying last respects to Brigadier Sant Singh at the Sector 25 cremation ground in Chandigarh on Thursday.The soldiers from 5 Sikh Light Infantry (LI), which Brig Sant Singh had commanded in the past, had come from Mamun Cantonment, Pathankot, to provide military funeral honour.
The wreaths were laid on behalf of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh, Army Commander Western Command and Commanding Officer of 5 Sikh LI Colonel K Sandeep Kumar.
Born in Khera village of Faridkot district, Brigadier Sant Singh had joined the Army around the World War 2 in Burma (Myanmar). He also fought wars with Pakistan in 1948, 1965 and 1971; besides the 1962 war with China, and won the MVC both in 1965 and 1971 wars, before retiring in 1973.
Special principal secretary (to the Punjab CM) KJS Cheema and SAS Nagar senior superintendent of police GS Bhullar also paid their tributes.
Surprisingly, no senior official from the UT administration and the Chandigarh municipal corporation, were present, or, laid wreath on their behalf.
General VP Malik (retired), who led the Army to victory in the Kargil War, commented, “A brave soldier… we will never forget Brig Sant Singh’s contribution to the country.”
Lt Gen Gurbaksh Singh Sihota, who retired as Army Commander of Southern Command, and, is currently president of the War Decorated of India (TWDI), said, “He was a great man and pride of The War Decorated of India (TWDI). He did a lot for us. He looked after widows and their children, worked for our cause, and brought glory to Punjab. Even raindrops coming from the sky today are a sign of the heaven’s blessings upon him.”
Colonel Kumar said, “He commanded my unit from 1964 to 1968. During the Indo-Pak war in 1965, he captured Op Hill for which he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra. Recently, we celebrated golden jubilee of 5 Sikh LI, and his recorded message was played to soldiers.”
NO UT ADMN OFFICIAL PRESENT
“It’s shocking that no UT or MC official was present at the cremation of decorated soldier Brig Sant Singh. He was the last surviving veteran, who got the MVC twice. It shows how much respect the powerful lobby has for the saviours of the country,”said nominated MC councillor Major DS Sandhu (retired).