Brave Indian Soldier

AN UNDAUNTED WARRIOR AND AN UNSUNG HERO - SUBEDAR JOGINDER SINGH 

Often when we hear about valor or bravery, we came across the name of a soldier from World's fastest growing economy and largest democracy with highest Demographic Dividend in world, India. Its said that every 6 person in the world is Indian, which possibly could be a fact as the nation has a staggering population of 1.3 billion and counting (excluding expats around the world).

Benediction of highest demographic dividend in the world means majority of the country's population falls between the age group of 18 to 35 years (approximately 64% according to Indian Census), these favourable figures suggests some serious flow of energy into the system by youth. Along with this data, it is quite astonishing that India has 2nd largest army in world after its not so friendly neighbour China.

When we talk about these two countries some where together, we often move back to the times of early winters in 1962 when these two countries faced each other in a bloody battlefield fought on the treacherous heights of Himalayas, though the result of war favoured China as it emerge victorious but India displayed sheer courage and valour even in the dearth of facilities and reinforcements.

One such brave-heart was Subedar Joginder Singh who for his exemplary courage received India's highest wartime gallantry award - Param Vir Chakra posthumously. Born to a farmer's family in the state of Punjab, India he served in British Indian Army (Colonial Times) and later commissioned into Indian Army (post-colonization).

THE BATTLE

Both India and China faced off with each other many a times due to the demarcation of land between British Indian Government and Tibet which is popularly known as MacMohan Line, China after the occupation of Tibet on historic grounds continuously claiming Indian territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh for which it has to face continuous protests from India like recent Doklam stand off between both countries that lasted for more than 70 days, even after serious protests  from the neighbor, Chinese incursions over the territory with gathering forces and undaunted invasion strategy were not halted.

Things got worsen when China attacked India on all fronts from Aksai Chin in Ladakh Region to Tawang in NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh) and a platoon under the command of Subedar Joginder Singh ordered to march forward to defend a strategic location of IB Ridge on Bumla Axis near Tawang Sector. It was strategically important for India as the feature was gateway to Tawang (important administrative division of Arunachal Pradesh).

The region being a part of Himalayan Ranges have extreme temperature upto minus 50 degrees which is sufficient to freeze any human being, but with a sheer display of courage and staunch approach Subedar Joginder Singh not only fought against the adversities but also persuaded his troops to keep their mental strength and motivation intact.

Within no time after they took their positions on IB ridge, they came under a substantial attack of Chinese who launched attacks in first wave of 200 soldiers. It was then only Subedar Joginder Singh's positive approach and motivation that even after injuries Indian platoon expunged the wave and left the Chinese red faced. After a short while, furious Chinese send another wave of same size with more firepower towards the Indian side, this time though Indians successfully crushed the wave but they too were reduced to half in no. while rest half were grievously injured along with the Subedar himself who got shot in his thigh.

Knowing about the situation on the battlefield, company commander Lieutenant Haripal Kaushik ordered platoon commander Subedar Joginder Singh to return to the base along with remaining men to which the latter denied saying "I won't come back, today if Chinese soldiers wants to reach Tawang they have to move over my dead body" following which he chanted the slogan of his Regiment (Sikh Regiment) - "Nishchay Kar Apni Jeet Karon" which is related to Sikh community's tenth guru - Guru Gobind Singh ji and literally means "Determine to Win".

This chant unleashed a new leader in him as he sent back his remaining soldiers to the base for healing and getting reinforcements, while he positioned himself with the lone machine gun and killed Chinese soldiers approaching towards him as third wave, but, soon he ran out of ammunition. Even though the ammunition was emptied, reinforcement was no where nearby, all his colleagues were either already dead or got back to fetch some help.

Here, he showed the heroic of a soldier, he picked up his defunct .303 rifle and killed dozens of Chinese soldiers with bayonets before being arrested by them. Even though, he was critically injured and was in custody of Chinese, he didn't betrayed his nation before succumbing to injuries.

For this undaunted courage he was awarded with Param Vir Chakra and now after more than 55 years, India is making a War Biopic, titled by the name of brave-heart

SALUTE !!

REST IN PEACE BRAVE SOUL !