FORCES (Gaurav Negi)

My Dear Young Indians, Nights and early mornings are cold now. However, we have all stay inside our homes with warm clothes on so it does not really matter to us what the outside temperature is. The capital of Delhi is at a height of 250 metres. At a height of 5,500 metres is a place called Rezang La in Laddakh (On the India China border) Temperature at this place in November is minus 15 degrees…. Imagine what would happen to us…if you and I had to sit at Rezang La in the open snow without adequate winter clothes ! On 18 November 1962 (59 years back) a company of Indian soldiers of the 13 Kumaon Regiment were posted at this place to stop the invading Chinese forces. They had inadequate winter clothes and weapons of world war 2 era (Thanks to Prime Minister Nehru) This Company was commanded by Maj. Shaitan Singh. Shaheed Major Shaitan Singh was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra for battle that was fought by him and his men in the morning of 18 November 1962 at Rezang La  (Laddakh) agai

My Dear Young Indians, Today is the martyrdom of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Maha Vir Chakra He was martyred on 17 Nov 1962 fighting the Chinese in Arunachal Pradesh (then called NEFA). After Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was dead, the Chinese cut-off his head and took it with them as a 'trophy.After the war was over, impressed by his bravery, the Chinese presented a brass bust of Jaswant Singh to India. Indian Army maintains a shrine/ memorial “Jaswantgarh” near Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh). Though Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was martyred, he is believed to be still alive! Locals in Arunachal Pradesh believe that he walks around in the night and his spirit protects the area.The locals call him Baba. A room that is maintained for him by the Indian Army has a bed that is made up every night (prepared for Baba to sleep.) Patrolling shoes of Baba are also kept in the same room. The room remains closed during the night. In the morning when the room is opened, the bed sheet is found cru

7 November   My Dear Indians, Today is the birthday of Bipin Chandra Pal He was born on 7 Nov 1858. He passed away on 20 May 1932. He was born in a place called Sylhet in Bengal which is now a part of Bangladesh. Bal, Lal and Pal were revolutionaries and freedom fighters but their thoughts were completely different from that of Mahatma Gandhi and Congress party. Sri Aurbindno and Bipin Chandra Pal were the creators of “ Purna Swaraj ” and “Swadeshi” movement. Bipin Chandra Pal was against caste system and was in favour of widow re-marriage. And he practiced what he preached….when his wife passed away he married a widow and joined ‘Brahmo Samaj’.     Who were Bal, Lal and Pal ?   They were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lal a Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal   One of you asked me, What does it mean - 'there thoughts were different from that of Mahatma Gandhi?'   If I can use the word 'extreme' .... then Gandhi ji was an extreme follower of non-violence. An example is the way he a

My Dear Young and Little Indians, Today is Bhai Dooj भाई दूज   or भईया दूज You all must have celebrated this festival toady morning. History of  Bhai Dooj भाई दूज  or भईया दूज   Yam and Yami यम और यमी are the children of Lord Surya सूर्य देव We know Yam as Yamraj यमराज and यमी as Yamuna यमुना- River Yamuna Yam and Yami are twins. Yami or Yamuna invited her brother Yam to her home many times but Yam could never visit his sister. Then one day Yam made a surprise visit to his sister Yami. That was the Second Day of the Shukl Paksh of the month of Kartik ( कार्तिक मॉस के शुक्ल पक्ष की द्वितीय तिथि ) Yami was so delighted to see her brother. She prepared delicious dishes for her brother. Yam was overwhelmed with his sister’s love and he asked Yami to ask for a boon. Yami asked her brother to visit her every year. Yam granted her this wish. From then on कार्तिक मॉस के शुक्ल पक्ष की द्वितीय तिथि is celebrated as भाई दूज On this day brothers visit their sist

3 November   My Dear Indians,   Today is the martyrdom day of Maj Somnath Sharma, Param Vir Chakra.   He was the FIRST recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.       After Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession and Jammu and Kashmir became a part of India, operations of the Indian Army commenced on 27 Oct 1947. Accession of Jammu and Kashmir     27 October was Infantry Day. We had talked about it. Infantry Day   On 31 Oct 1947, Companies of the Kumaon Regiment were flown in to J&K.   One of these companies- The D Company (Delta Company) was commanded by Maj Somnath Sharma. He and his men took position at a place called “Badgam” on the outskirts of Srinagar.   Please see this map…     I have marked places with Red and Green circles….   “Baramula” was occupied by the tribal raiders supported by Pakistan Army.   “Pattan” is the place (outskirts of Baramula) where Lt Col Ranjit Rai was martyred on 27 October.   The Srinagar airport is approximately at the place that is marke