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Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Churian (Gurdaspur)/Sangrur, November 20

The body of sepoy Maninder Singh (28), who died in Siachen on Monday after being trapped in an avalanche, was cremated here today with senior Army and administration officers in attendance. He was a part of a seven-member group, all of whom lost their lives.

Those who were present to pay their last respects were Lt Col Manoj Somnathan, Major Sri Krishnan, chairman of Gurdaspur Zila Parishad Ravi Nandan Singh Bajwa, Batala MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and SAD Majha (Youth wing) incharge Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon.

Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said every type of help would be extended to the bereaved family. The deceased’s brother, Gurvinder Singh, said 12 years ago, Maninder was recruited in the Punjab regiment and for the last four months, he had been posted in Siachin.

“Yesterday evening I got a call from the Army headquarters in New Delhi that Maninder along with his companions were going to the base camp to drop a soldier of Dogra regiment as he was ill but on the way, the group was hit by an avalanche due to which five soliders, including his brother, and two civilian porters were killed,” he said. The deceased is survived by his wife Akawinder Kaur and their five-year-old son Ekamjot Singh.

Meanwhile, the body of Sepoy Veerpal Singh (22), who too was killed in the avalanche, was consigned to flames at his Gowara village in Sangrur with full state honours today. He had joined the Army around 20 months ago. “We got the information on November 18. He was the first member of our family to join the Army,” said Kuldeep Singh, elder brother of the deceased.

Meanwhile, soldier Dimple Kumar, who was killed in the avalanche, was cremated on Wednesday at his native Saidon village in Hajipur block of Hoshiarpur. The funeral pyre was lit by his cousin Harvinder. During the last rites, a contingent of the Army gave him the last salute by firing bullets in the air. Kumar had joined the Army 18 months ago.

Tribune file photo

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 20

Several war widows and their family members have approached the Congress government to fulfil its commitment to pay Rs 50 lakh grant-in-aid, in lieu of 10 acres announced in 1975. There are 100 eligible cases.

In 2017, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had directed the Sainik Welfare Department to expedite the disbursement of grant-in-aid.

After disbursing Rs 35 lakh in two instalments of Rs 20 lakh (October 2017) and Rs 15 lakh (July 2018), respectively, the state had not released the remaining payment of Rs 15 lakh over the last one year, said Gursewak Singh, a resident of Dulladi village in Nabha (Patiala). He said they had even met Finance Minister Manpreet Badal on the issue.

As per the government decision, the grant-in-aid was applicable to the dependants of martyred soldiers, besides permanently disabled soldiers of the 1962 Indo-China war, 1965 Indo-Pak war and 1971 Indo-Pak war.

“We belong to poor families and are tired of repeatedly visiting the government offices in Chandigarh. Since the family needs have grown with time, the government should release the remaining payment at the earliest,” said Surjit Kaur, a war widow from Bathinda.

The officers on special duty at the CM’s residence refer them to the office of Senior Adviser to the CM Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd). But it has also not helped them to get the remaining compensation.

The Punjab Government had in the past decided to give compensation in cash but it was rejected by the families since the amount was calculated at the rates prevalent in the mid-1970s. It came to around Rs 20 lakh per family. The residual agricultural land available for allotment is either locked up in litigation or in unauthorised possession, which rendered it practically impossible for the war widow allottees to take possession of.

Meanwhile, AAP Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema said the Congress government should be sincere towards the war widows and their family members in disbursing the entire amount promised to them. “It is because of them, we are free,” he added.

Policy introduced in 1975

• The policy for land to war widows or other legal heirs of defence forces personnel was announced in 1975.
• Over 1,500 war widows who applied in time were allotted up to 10 acres of rural farm land or cash.
• A grant of Rs 5 lakh in lieu of one acre, with the maximum of Rs 50 lakh for 10 acres as per individual eligibility, was approved by the government.

Pragya Singh Thakur. File photo

New Delhi, November 21

A controversy erupted after Malegaon blast accused and BJP MP from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur was nominated to the parliamentary consultative committee of the Ministry of Defence.

According to the government notification dated October 21, the 21-member parliamentary consultative committee is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Thakur, who defeated Congress heavyweight Digvijaya Singh in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year, also featured in the committee.

The 21-member Parliamentary Consultative Committee also includes the likes of opposition leaders Farooq Abdullah, TMC’s Sougata Roy, DMK’s A Raja and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Thakur had courted controversy with her remarks on a number of occasions.

She had landed in a major controversy when she called Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, a patriot.

The BJP had issued a showcause notice to Pragya over the remarks.

Thakur had also stirred a controversy by saying that then Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare had died during the 26/11 terror attack because of her “curse”. IANS

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has been included in a 21-member consultative committee on defence.

New Delhi, November 21

Detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) after being accused of having “tremendous potential to create public disorder”, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has been included in a 21-member consultative committee on defence.

The name of the 81-year-old National Conference leader, in detention at his Srinagar home for over 100 days, tops the list of members of the panel headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The committee’s other members include former defence minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, according to a notification issued by Parliamentary Affairs Ministry. Also in the list is controversial BJP MP Pragya Thakur, whose inclusion has been slammed by the Congress party.

Abdullah was detained on August 5, hours before the Union government scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories.

His son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah and another ex-chief minister Mehbooba mufti were also detained along with more than 5,000 others across the state.

Abdullah was slapped with the stringent PSA on September 17 on the eve of a Supreme Court hearing on a habeas corpus pertaining to his detention filed by MDMK leader Vaiko.

The National Conference chief and three-term chief minister has been booked under the ‘public order’ provision of the PSA under which a person can be kept in jail from three-six months without a trial.

Abdullah, the PSA order stated, “has tremendous potential for creating an environment of public disorder within the district (Srinagar) and other parts of the Valley”.

It also accuses him of being a person seen as fanning the emotions of general masses against the country. —PTI

A fast intercepter craft (FIC) from naval ship Kardip in Kamorta island rescued the woman from the village after getting information about need for medical assistance. File photo

New Delhi, November 21

In a swift medical relief operation, the Navy on Thursday rescued a pregnant woman in emergency labour from a remote village in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, officials said.

A fast intercepter craft (FIC) from naval ship Kardip in Kamorta island rescued the woman from the village after getting information about need for medical assistance.

The woman delivered a baby on the FIC and later both were admitted to a community health centre on arrival in Kamorta jetty, officials said. PTI

Some uncorrected mistakes often take on a life of their own, growing into big blunders that trigger tragedies. The detention of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah is one such multi-dimensional embarrassment which is growing by the day. The continued incarceration of this three-time chief minister, former union minister and India’s mascot against Pakistani propaganda at the UN convention in Geneva in 1994 is an embarrassment of gargantuan proportions for the Indian democracy and its diplomats all over the world.

Now, all that Pakistan needs to do is to point at Farooq’s continuing custody to punch holes in India’s democratic credentials and its position on Islamist secessionist terrorism in the Valley. India never had a bigger champion for its cause than Farooq and his son Omar Abdullah, and if they are not free, it will be difficult for the Government of India to claim normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. It is in this context that the government should respond to the demand of the united Opposition to free the Abdullahs at the earliest. The Congress party’s floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, raised this issue on Monday, pointing out the illegality of the preventive detention of Farooq. Though there is still confusion over the date of his detention, he has been in police custody since August 5, when Article 370 of the Constitution was abrogated.

Thereafter, the abrogation was debated in the Lok Sabha without its member from Srinagar — Farooq. Now, another session of Parliament has begun and the MP from Srinagar is still missing. The Centre, unfortunately, seems to be oblivious of the fact that the more it keeps Farooq in custody, the more it is adding credence to the anti-India propaganda of muzzling of democracy and dissent in the Valley. Let the Abdullahs and the Muftis be freed and let them organise protest marches if they want. After all, the best sign of normalcy is a protest march and not a barricaded, empty street. Only Kashmiri Muslim democrats can legitimise India’s genuine claim over the Valley, and hence, India needs the Abdullahs and the Muftis.

Army Training Command (ARTRAC) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Lt Gen PC Thimmaya calls on Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatreya at Raj Bhavan in Shimla on Wednesday. Tribune photo

After passing out from the Indian Military Academy with the sword of honour, Lt Gen Thimmaya commissioned into the 5th battalion Mechanised Infantry Regiment (14 KUMAON) on June 13, 1981

An alumnus of Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, and National Defence Academy, Pune, Lt Gen Thimmaya commanded his battalion during Op Parakram and an Independent Mechanised Brigade in the deserts

57^th Rezang La Day Celebrations

By

Col NN Bhatia (Retd)

Nothing thrilled me more than learning around New Year last December that my parental Battalion 13 Kumaon would be in Delhi on its peace tenure. I am a die- hard Kumaoni and I am very proud of my heritage be it 13 Kumaon where I was commissioned 56 years back or 2 Kumaon (Berar) that I had the unique privilege to command over 37 years back.

Of course, the tenure in the NCR could be rated as toughest peace station assignments with VIPs duties operational and internal security tasks around while the troops want to bring their families from their villages for treatment and kids’ education! Any emergent situation along our borders or internal security issues and ceremonial guards for the Indian and foreign dignitaries, troops in the NCR are always on the high alert.

Bhatia Family Reunion

Releasing Coffee Table Book ‘Reminiscing Rezang La Battle’

On 5 August 2019; the 50^th    raising day anniversary of

The proudest ‘The Bravest of Brave’ citation displayed in the Officers’ Mess, AVSM, SM, COR who hung his uniform on 31 Oct 2019, during the celebration dinner desired that I should write a Coffee Table Book on ‘Battle of Rezang La’ that could be released on 18 Nov 2019 – ‘The Rezang La Day’ culminating the high point of his professional career and the Colonelcy of the Regiment. Since we both are die-hard Rezanglaites, I just could not say no to his desire, though I humbly admit I am hardly a military writer and a historian! I got earnestly into 24×7 mode for the next 2 months and after 3 drafts, support of Brig Raghunath V Jatar, veteran of Rezang La Battle who did intensive proof reading from Pune on mobile phone and emailing and Brig PK Vij (Veteran from the Assam Regiment), CMD, Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, our publisher; we accomplished our publishing Coffee Table Book ‘Reminiscing Battle of Rezang La’ mission well in time.

The next day morning 18 Nov 2019 was the Rezang La Day & being from the 13 Kumaon since midnight onwards there were floods of WhatsApp messages and emails on Rezang La greetings. There was unit Mandir parade from 0800 hrs to 0900 hrs (prayer meeting colloquially called in the Army) kept optional for the distant invitees like me, followed by wreath laying from 0915 hrs to 1000 hrs which is the most solemn occasion as the sounding of the Last Post always moist my eyes! From 1000 hrs to 1030 hrs was the release of my Coffee Table Book ‘Reminiscing Rezang La Battle’. A special podium was erected and all the chairs in the lawn were fully occupied. Mercifully, the honourable Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying arrived in time inspite of the fact that Parliament session was starting from the morning on the same only. On the dais besides me, were seated the honourable minister, CO, Lt

‘Releasing Coffee Table Book ‘Reminiscing Rezang La Battle’

 Gen RP Kalita, the COR and Lt Gen BS Sahrawat, the former COR. Col Kamal Misra, CO gave brief introduction of the MOS and the need for publishing the Coffee Table Book written by me and the CO requested the MOS to release it amid loud applause and clapping by the gathering of serving, veterans, Veer Naris and the families. There was huge demand for the Coffee Table Book and Battalion may have to go for the reprint. Some veteran JCOs and NCOs and Veer Naris desired Hindi translated book for them to read and I conveyed their desires to CO.

                              The proudest ‘The Bravest of Brave’ citation displayed in the Officers’ Mess And these two Brave hearts martyrs got us the above citation and award ‘The Bravest of Brave’  Veterans’ Meet extreme right is ex- footballer Om Parkash, B Coy                 With smartest RP Hav of PaltanAfter a cup of tea in the Officers Mess some of us visited Motivational Gallery and Battalion Institutes while others relished chatting and exchanging old memories. I met some veterans with whom I had served from my day 1 in the Battalion while we all moved for Barakhana in the adjacent ground. Our soldiers are trained in multi-tasking and put up a grand cultural cum entertainment show. Attrah November Basath ko..’ ragni was a great hit but rather than in rustic joshila (जोशीला) Ahirwal tone and jarring music, it was more in the western Uttar Pradesh cum Bhojpuri Rassiya/ Gharana (रसिया/घराना) singing style as more Yadavs are being enrolled from other states than the Ahirs from the hard core Ahirwal region of Haryana and Rajasthan. My son Gaurav was pleasantly surprised that many super veterans of the Paltan of the days gone by, with glint in their eyes cracked and share old anecdotes with me with warmth, respect, fondness and camaraderie. I felt sad leaving the Barakhana a bit early after thanking the COR, CO, 2IC and Subedar Major Sahib as Gaurav had a flight at 1600 hrs back to Chennai. My head had emotionally become cocktail of haunting raginis ‘Attarah November Basath Ko Ik Hua Ghor Sangram’ and ‘Rewari Motor Adde and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ remembering nostalgically the ‘days gone by.’ and we left the Paltan for Palam airport with bagful of haunting memories…

 PS:- There is a good news that Lt Col Amit Malik is getting well deserve promotion and command of 13 Kumaon while Col Kamal Mishra is being posted in Delhi only. Our heartiest congrats to Amit for taking over the command of Rezang La Paltan and Kamal for extremely successful and professionally satisfying command of the Battalion! I wish both good hunting.

About The Author

Col NN Bhatia, popularly known as Nini Bhatia in the army was commissioned in 13 Kumaon (Rezang La) in mid 1963 and retired in Sept 1995 after 32 years of distinguished service. He is a diehard Kumaoni & written four books-Kumaoni Nostalgia, Industrial & Infrastructure Security in two volumes & biography of legendary Kumaoni mountaineer Col Narinder Kumar ‘Bull’ of the international fame-‘Soldier Mountaineer’. He is prolific writer & has been columnist with ‘Lahore Times’ & ‘Turkey Tribune’. He regularly contributes articles on matters military, national, industrial and infrastructure security and is a free lance industrial security consultant of national repute. He is deeply involved for the repatriation of 54 Indian prisoners of war (POWs) languishing in the Pakistani jails since 1971 war and welfare of retired soldiers in distress, ‘Veer Naris’ and their families. He can be contacted on narindrabhatia@hotmail.com and 9818044762.

About the Book- ‘Reminiscing Battle of Rezang La’

13 Kumaon became the first pure Ahir Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment prior to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. As there was no other Battalion with 100% Ahir composition, there were misgivings in some quarters. However, these were soon laid to rest when the Battalion faced its baptism of fire in Chushul in the 1962 Sino-Indian war and covered itself with glory. The gallant men of C Company of the Battalion under their redoubtable Company Commander, Late Major Shaitan Singh, PVC put up a fight at Rezang La, the like of which was never fought by any Unit in the Indian Army in its entire history and the nearest example perhaps could be ‘The Battle of Saragarhi’- both depicting bitterest irony of life that the greatest acts of the chivalry, bravery and sacrifice occur against the heaviest odds. Out of the 124 brave hearts, 120 were martyred pitched against overwhelming 4000-5000 Chinese hordes having superior weapons and logistic support! 

Since 1962 Sino- Indian War has not been de-classified, many authors have written articles and books on the ‘Battle of Rezang La’ but most of these are factually incorrect and lack firsthand knowledge of the troops, the terrain and the conduct of the Battle. Col Bhatia was commissioned in 13 Kumaon located at Darbuk half way between Leh and Chushul  after the Rezang La. He visited Chushul on the first anniversary of the Rezang La Battle and interacted with the few war survivors with whom he served for many years. He had for years discussed the epic Battle with late Lt Gen DD Saklani, PVSM, AVSM who was the Adjutant of 13 Kumaon during the war and Maj (later Brig) Raghunath V Jatar (Retd) who was deployed at Mugger Hill on that fateful night. He had access to the Battalion’s War Diary and rare photographs, maps and sketches of that period. According to author, ‘I hope this book written ‘straight from the heart’ of the soldier within me, will motivate our armed forces, youth and posterity. Reading the book with somewhat the same emotions that run in me, would eventually bind you to my writings -leaving you humming ‘Bedu Pako Bara Massa’ or ‘Attarah November Basath Ko’ synergizing your enjoyment while unfolding soul stirring Macaulay’s inscription on the Chushul Memorial constructed to commemorate the 114 fallen martyrs who fought against heavy odds on 18 November 1962 in the Rezang La Battle, replicating remarkable story of a valiant last stand on 12 September 1897 at the Battle of Saragarhi that would reverberate around forever.

‘Will you stand with me?

Fight and die if need be?

Hold against the hordes until the last man falls?

Will you sacrifice all you have gained in life?

Reject your comfort for a greater end?

Stand together never waiver,

Brave in the face of overwhelming odds,

For our future and for freedom,

We unite in liberty or death’.

 From When Myth and History Merged with Mystery.

                                                                           Matti Frost

Rezang La Day Celebrations

13 Kumaon was in a bit of spin due to formation training and other administrative activities, Biennial cum Reunion, Diwali and preparations for the Rezang La Day celebrations but Col Kamal Mishra, CO, Lt Col Amit Malik, his worthy second in command and the entire Battalion accomplished every task amicably with distinction. On 17 Nov 2019, Rezang La Battle documentary made by Maj Gen GD Bakshi (Retd) was screened in the Ashoka Hall, Manekshaw Centre followed by felicitation of the Veer Naris by Mrs Rawat w/o Gen Rawat, Army Chief who were the chief guests. The other dignitaries who were present were Lt Gen & Mrs  Manoj Mukund Naravane, atleast half a dozen 3 star generals that included new COR Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, AVSM, SM and atleast 4 former CORs, Lt Gen Rajinder Singh, some two star generals, many Brigadiers and scores of lesser mortals like me! Brig Raghunath V Jatar was the senior most Regimental and veteran of the Rezang La Battle who graced the occasion along with shipper son Ranbir coming  all the way from Hongkong. My own shipper son Gaurav gave us a pleasant surprise and after a long time four of us-self, wife, Neerja and Gaurav attended any military function. Pleasantly, my nephew Arvind (Maj Gen Arvind Bhatia) was there too and we met Cols Bhati & Shekhu (both old Rajasthani 13 Kumaon colleagues) and after much khama ghanis (खम्मा घणी) watched the documentary and enjoyed the Rezang La dinner in the Banquet Hall, Manekshaw Centre dinner.