Lt. Shashank Tiwari, a 23-year-old officer was commissioned less than six months ago.

In an extraordinary display of courage, leadership, and comradeship, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari of SIKKIM SCOUTS of Indian Army made the ultimate sacrifice while saving a fellow soldier during an operational task in North Sikkim on 22 May 2025.

The 23-year-old officer, commissioned less than six months ago on 14 December 2024, was leading a Route Opening Patrol towards a Tactical Operating Base (TOB) in Sikkim – a key post being prepared for future deployment. Around 11:00 AM, Agniveer Stephan Subba – a member of the patrol – lost footing while crossing a log bridge and was swept away by the powerful mountain stream.

Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, selfless leadership, and unwavering commitment to his team, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari instinctively leapt into the treacherous waters to save the Agniveer, without a moment’s hesitation. Another soldier Naik Pukar Katel also followed immediately in support. Together, they managed to rescue the drowning Stephan Subba. However, Lieutenant Tiwari was tragically swept away by the forceful current. Despite desperate efforts by his patrol, his body was recovered 800 metres downstream by 11:30 AM.

Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari’s heroic action is a shining example of the Indian Army’s core values- selfless service, integrity, leadership by example, and the unbreakable bond between officers and men, which transcends rank and is nurtured in both war and peace.

At just 23 years of age, Lt. Shashank Tiwari embodied the finest traditions of the Indian Army – placing the life of a comrade above his own, leading from the front, and upholding the highest standards of military ethics and valour. The officer is survived by his parents and a sister.

“The Indian Army mourns the loss of a braveheart and a leader, who despite his tender age and brief service, leaves behind a legacy of courage and camaraderie that will inspire generations of soldiers to come”, release from the Eastern Command has said

The post Lt. Shashank Tiwari Lays Down His Life Saving A Comrade In Sikkim appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Today, we join the Trishakti Corps in remembering them and honouring their legacy.

1967 – Here is what had happened

On the morning of October 1, 1967, a Chinese platoon got into a heated argument with a forward platoon commander (Naib Subedar Gyan Bahadur Limbu) over the ownership of a boulder demarcating the boundary at Cho La, another pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border a few kilometres north of Nathu La.

In the ensuing scuffle, the Chinese bayoneted Limbu and took up aggressive positions. The famously gritty Gorkhas (of the newly formed 7/11 Gorkha Regiment) stood their ground. The Indian troops retaliated with a fierce counterattack against their enemy – who was forming up for an assault.

Section commander Lance Naik Krishna Bahadur led this charge and was hit by thrice by Chinese bullets. Despite being unable to use his weapon, the injured braveheart nevertheless urged his men on, gesticulating with his khukri till he was killed in a machine-gun volley.

Rifleman Devi Prasad Limbu charged at the Chinese with his Khukri after all his ammunition had been exhausted, taking five of them down before he too was martyred. His raw courage was later honoured with the Vir Chakra.

Another Vir Chakra was awarded to Havildar Tinjong Lama, who used his 57mm recoilless gun to knock out a heavy machine gun being used by the Chinese to unleash withering fire. Colonel KB Joshi, the commanding officer, too personally led a company attack to recapture Point 15,450.

An intense gunbattle at Cho La pass continued for the next 10 days. The Gorkhas’ fierce reaction eventually pushed the Chinese to withdraw three kilometres to a feature named Kam Barracks, where they remain deployed to date.

In a way, at least some ghosts of the 1962 war had been laid to rest at Nathu La and Cho La. And ever since, both the passes have remained firmly under India’s control. So has Sikkim.

Heroes of “Battle of Cho La”, Sikkim:

Debi Prasad Limbu and Tinjong Lama (11 Gorkha Rifles).

Debi Prasad Limbu alone with his khukuri dismantled Chinese forward defense wall opposite point 15450. He cut off heads of 5 PLA men and killed few more. Even Chinese officer asked the Indian counterpart ‘Who the hell was he?”. They were calling him ‘Tiger of Chola!’
He was awarded Vir Chakra.

The post THE GORKHAS BRAVES – Who Bloodied Chinese Nose in Cho La, Sikkim 1967 appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

But what about the forces themselves? Who do they celebrate?

When it comes to Kargil there is only One Hero – in fact, a LEGEND who stands the tallest. As far as the forces are concerned there is One Giant who along with his brave comrades literally saved Kargil for India, and that did not happen in 1999.

It happened in 1948, during independent India’s first war.

TheDC is proud to present the story of a Gorkhali legend who has continued to inspire generations of soldiers serving in the Indian army in Kashmir.

Independence Blues

Barely a few months after independence, Pakistan invaded India via Kashmir with an overwhelming number of forces, and such was the disadvantage our troops were in, that India was on the verge of losing the entire Kargil region to Pakistan.

The main problem was that our troops could not reach the battlefield due to a lack of roads, and they had to reach Leh via Zojila, Drass, and Kargil. Despite poor facilities and equipment, hard work by our Engineers helped in moving the Tanks to reach up to the Zojila pass – in what is called THE BATTLE FOUGHT ON DONKEY TRACKS – But it was still a long way from the actual battlefield.

Gorkhalis on the March

As in Kargil in 1999 when the 1/11 Gorkhas were the First battalion to be deployed for Kargil, back in 1948 it was the 1/5 Gorkha Rifles under the command of (then) Lt. Col Anant Singh Pathania, who was incidentally the first Indian officer to command the Gorkha Rifles and win a Military Cross, began moving northwards in the direction of Kargil.

During the course of the 1948 war, the most fearful battle was fought for the then Khera bridge which connects Kargil to the rest of India and it was vital to both sides from strategic, military, and geopolitical aspects.

Since the Pakistanis had captured the Kargil area, they were well entrenched in the area with superior firing positions and well-supplied armory. On the other hand, the Indian army had been on a move for a while and the supplies were not as regular, also they were in inferior positions which exposed them to firing by Pakistani troops.

The battle at Khera Bridge

The 1/5 Gorkha Rifles were engaged by a strong force of Pakistani defenders at the Khera bridge over the river Shingo. The battle was so fierce and the Indian troops were so disadvantaged that at one stage of the war the capture of the bridge seemed to be by all means impossible and unlikely. Until one Gorkha soldier decided that loss or withdrawal was simply not an option.

The main problem for the Indian troops was that the enemy was too well set and they could not keep on fighting the enemy from a distance, they needed to take the fight to the enemy or give up. The battle was fierce and most of the troops guarding the bridge were American-trained Pak soldiers with heavy machine guns.

Despite all the odds young Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana and his valiant men of 1/5 GR managed to cross the Shingo river, take the fight to the enemy in the positions where they had felt invincible, and beat them into surrendering or retreating.

Supreme Sacrifice

Sub. Harka Bahadur and many of his friends died in the operation but the Gorkhas marched ahead till they fought up to Kargil. As one of the pictures will show, before Sub Harka Bahadur and his friends decided enough was enough, it was Pakistan on the other side of the bridge, now the border is more than 5kms away.

Given that so many of our brave hearts have given their supreme sacrifice for our motherland in Kashmir, nowhere in Ladakh or the entire Kashmir will you see a memorial solely dedicated to a single person? The memorial dedicated to Sub Harka Bahadur is an exception.

Sub Harka Bahadur Rana earned that rarest of the rare honor not only due to his valor and dedication for our motherland but also for that rare indomitable spirit that turned the course of the war and helped in conjoining Kashmir with India forever.

We Remember

Lt. Col. Anant Singh Pathania who commanded the mission was decorated with Mahavir Chakra, and Late Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana won Military Cross for his bravery and exploits. Today a new bridge has been built by the Indian Army and is known as Harka Bahadur Rana Bridge.

In Military circles, it is said that the battle waged by Col. Phatania, Sub. Harka Bahadur Rana and their men of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles were one of the hardest battles ever fought.

While others chose to ignore or forget our brave hearts, we refuse to forget the real Legends of Kargil – like Harka Bahadur, without whom there would be no Kargil in India.

Jai Mahakali!! Ayo Gorkhali!!

The post Remembering the Original Legend who saved Kargil: Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana, Military Cross appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

When India and Pakistan became independent in 1947, the force was split between West Bengal and Pakistan and the Pakistani part became the East Pakistan Rifles. When in turn East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) became Independent, it was called Bangladesh Rifles, and recently in 2010, it was renamed Border Guards Bangladesh. The West Bengal (i.e. Indian) part of the force, however, retained the original name of Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR).

EFR has engaged themselves in several wars including World Ward 1-2, Indo-Pak War 1965, Bangladesh Liberation War, anti-Naxalite and anti-Maoist Movements.

EFR is not just a Force but is also deeply associated with the sentiments of Gorkhas, their insignia has “Khukuri” in it. Despite all the immense contributions made by EFR over decades, EFR as a part of military forces lacks its recognition all over India.

EFR presently with the strength of 3000 personnel shows a lack of Government interest towards this Force. No matter what, but Men in uniform be it from any background, have their own dignity and decorum, but since EFR as a force is at stake on my perception when I see my elders, brothers from my community of EFR with fewer facilities as compared to other paramilitary force, it hurts me.

In order to tackle this problem, EFR has to get recognition as a central para-military force, alike CAPFs, as the Jawans of the EFR fulfill the same criteria as other forces do, and are always available for the nation whenever in need. This will not just help this force to get recognition but at the same time, it will help generate employment and provide new avenues for the youths. It will also help secure the fate and future of this historic force, which has today become a pale shadow of itself due to the apathy and indifference of the state government.

My humble request to all the concerned authorities, MHA, MOD, Union Govt, State Govt to kindly please look into this matter, and deal with it in a very positive manner so that this premier fighting force that has served our nation gloriously for centuries can be saved.

The post THE EASTERN FRONTIER RIFLES – “The Warriors Of East” Need to be Recognized as a Central Paramilitary Force appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane handed him Rs 10 Lakhs on behalf of the grateful nation.

In ’71 war against Pakistan Lance Havaldar Dil Bahadur Chhetri’s Battalion 4/5 Gorkha Riflies (Frontier Force) was part of advance towards Sylhet in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). His Battalion was given the specific task of clearing a well fortified MMG enemy post at Atgram.

Rifleman Dil Bahadur Chhetri (later Lnc Hav), with complete disregard to his personal safety, fought fearlessly, charged the bunker, killed eight enemy troops with his Khukri and captured MMG post.

For his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, he was awarded Mahavir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award.

Tragically the Braveheart had to quit service on his own request, due to personal reasons before even reaching requisite pensionable service. He was discharged from service on 08 Apr 1976. Since then, he has been living a very modest life in a small remote village of Banke district in Nepal.

Life after quitting service filled with misery as had no major income and survived on gallantry award allowance. Due to his introvert nature, his condition also never got highlighted. However the case came to notice when one senior officer of his unit informed Defence Wing of Indian embassy in Nepal.

On hearing of a hero living a difficult life, Gen MM Naravane personally stepped in and arranged for a meeting with Lnc Hav Dil Bahadur Chhetri and handed INR Rs 10 Lakhs as a contribution towards his financial well-being in two trenches of Rs 5 lakhs each, the first of which was handed over on November 21, 2019, the remaining Rs 5 Lakhs was handed over to him on the 6th of Nov, 2020.

The post Lnc Hav Dil Bahadur Chhetri MVC of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles – Army Chief Hands Rs 10 Lakhs for Retired Soldier From Nepal appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Being an early riser (he would be up at 3.30-4 am) and as per habit, he would make his own cup of tea and then go on to be his study and to start the most creative part of his day when he would write and pen down whatever came to his mind. Amongst the many books that he has written, most of them would have been penned in this early part of the day. It was on one of such mornings, six years ago that he missed his step on the kitchen floor and fell first striking his head on the stone floor. While he physically recovered, this injury to the head imposed itself as a barrier between his razor-sharp mind and the world that we all live in and made us poorer to be privy to the wisdom that he held.

I first met him at the General Harbaksh Singh stadium at Delhi Cantt, when I was posted at Army Headquarters and had, as one of the responsibilities, the sustenance of Equestrian Sports and Polo in the country. Major Jaswant Singh’s (shall hereafter refer to him as JS, as that is how he wanted us to do so) nephew, Col Bhawani Singh, my good friend with whom my association started at the Service Selection Board where we both got selected for the 55th NDA course, who then was the Commandant of the President’s Bodyguards introduced me to him. JS had come to attend, unannounced (in his signature style, he never demanded attention) to the Delhi Horse Show, such was his love for horses, polo and all things, equestrian.

JS had wanted someone from a military background to join his staff and bring to it the rigor taught at Staff College of being detailed and be yet concise. It was on Bhawani’s recommendation that a while later after I had taken pre-mature retirement from the army after serving for 23 years that I got absorbed. I cannot ever forget my second interaction that took place in the imposing North Block Finance Minister’s office when he called me in on my first day at my new assignment. I walked in to find Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 wafting in the air, the smell and twirling smoke of incense sticks at the base of the Ganesha statue and sitting serenely at his chair, a very calm and composed JS. Very softly, he asked, “why do you want to work for me? And immediately correcting this, he said, “with me and not for me?” I don’t remember my fumbled reply as I was so struck by his humble depth that he didn’t want people to work for him but with him.

And this pretty much was the yardstick of my association that ran from 2003 till very much the time that he sustained his injury. While many are fully acquainted with his discourse in English language, he was equably formidable in his Hindi, Sanskrit and native dialect in which he wrote extensively. His love for music was spread across western & Indian classical which would always be playing in the background, there were times while sitting and discussing some very serious issues, he would recline, close his eyes and then relate to us the significance of the note that had suddenly moved him. Those hours at his study while working with him would always be fascinating as he would reveal to us, the nuances and deep understanding of our own tradition and culture. His success internationally and not just at External Affairs, was because he understood every region of the world not just by its current political present but by the very depth of its culture, history and traditions. He admired many soldier statesmen and his voracious reading habit would see him reading some 4/5 books simultaneously. In times before Amazon and Flipkart, many of his diplomatic colleagues who had served with him, would always be scouring for books that weren’t available locally. His prodigious reading, even at the zenith of his official responsibilities was unabated. When not working, he would just open up his book and with the music in the background, reinvigorate himself.

A no nonsense person, if any visitor waffled for more then five minutes in his presence, then he would switch off, smile courteously and gently ask the person if he had finished, a very soft dismissal. Off course later he would ask us, on his staff, as to why we hadn’t sufficiently established the veracity of why such a person had been ushered in. For those who engaged him, he was a rapt listener, carefully weighing in what was being conversed and then summarised with remarkable clarity.

There is so much more that comes to mind, but at this moment, let’s take a pause and reflect on what he had stood up for. And I conclude this short remembrance by the withering look that he had fixed on Tim Sebastian and his gravely responses during BBC’s “Hard Talk” interview sometime after the 1998 nuclear tests, that had made each Indian puff up with pride. And Tim Sebastian, combative that he always was, took that rare step back.

Writes: Ashwini K Channan

The post Major Jaswant Singh – A Soldier Remembers appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Today everyone wants to be part of the Indian Army or armed forces. Everyone wants to fight the Chinese. Everyone is angry and want to do their bit for India. Rather I should say …The “Josh” is very High.

In all this I am reminded of my days in college, when I too had a brief stint with the Army.

When we were young my father always wanted us to excel in studies. We were rarely given pocket money to explore the world. However money was always there for studies, exams and interviews.

One day a friend’s father told me that I should join the army. He told me that it was great to serve the nation at the forefront. Well for that I had to sit for an exam and then I would be called for an interview at SSB at Bangalore, Allahabad or Bhopal. The journey and stay would be all sponsored by the Indian Army. Well the second part was more exciting for me rather than the first, as I could then travel all by myself at government expenses. I started preparing for the written test. Competition Success Magazine came to my rescue of preparing me partially.

In 1996, I quietly filled up the UPSC form for fifty rupees and then one fine morning I told my father that I had filled up a form and Sunday I had to sit for an examination at TNSSS in Gangtok. He gave me a disappointed look. I was the only son so he wanted me to be around when he would be old. He didn’t say that but I could read that in his expressions. Mom just said OK but I could see that same expression on her face. They always thought going to paltan was equal to losing a son.

Saturday I came to Gangtok and sat for the exam on Sunday and then returned back. I was sure I had done exceptionally well . The second option of going around free was too tempting for me. Three months later the results were declared and I had cleared for both the Army and the Airforce. I again informed them about it.

Voila… the centre was 17-SSB at Bangalore just as I wanted. With all the requisite haircut, two white half pants, a white T Shirt, Black shoes and White keds, Trousers and formal shirts (both which I didn’t posses as I wore mostly jeans and T shirt) I boarded a train to Bangalore and reported at the centre.

Psychological test , Group discussion, Group Tasks and Personal interviews is what followed for the next four days. They wanted to test if I had “Officer like Qualities”. The assessments would start early morning at 8AM and we would be free by 12pm after lunch. The next 8 hours would be ours . We spent that time to explore the city and would rush back to the unit before 8PM in the evening. Bangalore was a fun city. I was having a roll.

Once I cleared the interview, I would then have to go through a preliminary Medical test before moving to Mysore for the PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test)…. What happened during the Interview is another hilarious story. I will share it someday. I prayed hard. I wanted to clear the SSB so that I could go to Mysore… just to see the city of course.

Surprisingly I had cleared the SSB interview. I felt nice that I did possess the Officer Like Quality… But was rejected by the medical board. First a temporary rejection due to my weight (I was 8 kgs over weight) and then due to knocking knees and flat foot…I could not go to Mysore

The reality was – I was rejected by the Army. Forever!!!

I called home and informed that I was boarding the train back. My father asked me if I had been selected, cause my voice did not sound disappointed enough. He did not know that my intentions of appearing for the SSB interview were different. When I told him that I failed. His voice suddenly changed. He couldn’t hide his excitement, yet he wanted to console me. I could actually feel the excitement on his face through the telephone line. As a father he thought I needed his assurances.

“Come back he said. There is nothing there for you. Don’t feel sad. The army does not deserve a bright kid like you” he said. I simply said “yes” and kept the phone back.

Many years later I asked my Mother about it. She smiled and said that my father was very happy that day. He actually celebrated my failure…

I never told him why I had sat for the test to begin with…

Well! he did not know that for me It was – Heads I Win, Tails They Lose

In Fifty rupees I had done Bangalore Darshan …

Writes: Dr. Satyadeep Chhettri

The post Heads I Win, Tails They Lose: 𝑀𝑒, 𝑀𝑦 𝐹𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑦 appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Capt. Amber Singh Gurung was born on 15th of Nov 1923 in Thurbo T.E. Mirik.

If you are surprised about how we know the accurate dates? Well, Capt. Amber Singh Gurung remembers everything, who at a young age of 97 has more energy, vigour and enthusiasm than most of us.

His outstanding performance in the army can be adjudged from the fact that he has received Burma Star medals 9 times.

In 2011, his contribution to the army was recognized and he was felicitated on Kargil Day celebrations held at Batasia War Memorial.

His love for the community and dream of seeing a state of our own saw him participate at the GJM led ex-servicemen’s rally in Delhi, he was only 88 years old then.

He is a soldier’s soldier, whose love for the country and the Gorkhali community is unsurpassed.

We salute Capt. Gurung and wish for his long life!!

The post Capt. Amber Singh Gurung (Retd) World War – II Veteran appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

This is the brilliantly inspiring story of Sujai Lama – one of India’s best Rugby players.

The Struggle

Born to Mr Shaktu and Bimala Lama of Line Dhura, Spring Side, Kurseong in the June of 1984 when the 1st and bloody Gorkhaland andolan was starting to pick pace, Sujay had a very difficult childhood. He comes from a family with four brothers and three sisters and at 9 strong, the family struggled a lot to make ends meet and given that it was the height of Andolan made an already difficult life – more difficult.

Sujai remembers that as a child eating two meals in a day was a luxury his family could afford only once in a while, wearing new clothes in Dasai remained a distant dream, that would get fulfilled once every three years or so, that too only if they were lucky. Each day was a struggle, and his whole family worked hard to make ends meet.

Such was the condition that during winters all the brothers used to work in construction sites as daily wage labourers. They used to earn anywhere between Rs. 20 per day to Rs. 50 per day. They saved every rupee they earned so that when the winter was over, all of them could have enough to pay school fees and buy books and stationery.

Their struggle seemed to be never ending.

Born to Play Sports

Whatever little time Sujai had left after working hard all winter as a labourer and being at school otherwise, Sujai spent all of it playing sports. He could play football, as well as Badminton, he excelled in track and field events and in every other sport he chose to play. He was Gifted!!

Economic hardships could not deter Sujai – a natural athlete from excelling in all the sports he took part in. Sujai was athletic since childhood and played football for the United Kurseong Football Club (UKFC) as well. He fondly remembers “Bimal Da” from his UKFC days who he recalls used to inspire him a lot.

Playing for UKFC gave Sujai the opportunity to play all over the district including Kanchenjunga stadium.

The Deceit – Stolen Opportunity

Sujai excelled in all the sports he played and went on to become District Champion in Badminton. His life would perhaps have been different today, but for the deceit and nepotism of a one Milan Sir who used to teach at RKSP.

Sujai was the District Champion and was all set to play at a state-level competition, but when they had to go for the tournament, Sujai’s name was mysteriously dropped by this Milan Sir from RKSP, who took his (Milan’s) cousin brother instead to play in the state-level competition.

Heartbroken, disgusted and dejected Sujai contemplated giving up sports altogether.

But fate had other plans for him…

Army to Rescue

After completing his matriculation in 2002 from St. Alphonsus School, Kurseong, Sujai immediately joined the Army – which he has continued to serve with pride – a soldiers soldier at 6/11 Gorkha Rifles

Recognizing his extraordinary skills in the field of sports, his PT instructors put him in the athletic division, where he chose Rugby as the game of his life.

Rugby – Life – Rugby

Playing Rugby helped Sujai overcome his teenage trauma of being deceived by one of his own community members, and helped him to shine in the way he was meant to – as a sportsman par excellence.

He took to Rugby, like a duck would to water. Merely 3 years after joining the Army, Sujai was selected to represent the Indian National Rugby team and has been playing for the team since 2005.

Rugby took him all around the world; he has played in England, Turkey, Netherlands, South Africa, Fiji, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Dubai and so on. He regards playing the world’s toughest rugby team the “All Blacks” and South African National Team “The Springboks” as the highlights of his career.

Playing for the Army Reds team – Sujai and his teammates have won the All India National Championships 6 times. They won the Gold Medal at the Guwahati National Games and he has represented India at the Doah Asian Games and their 1st ever Commonwealth Games appearance in 2010.

Unsung Hero

But despite his heroic struggles and success, this amazingly talented sportsman from amongst us is yet to get his due recognition. Maybe perhaps Rugby is not as glamorous an event as cricket, boxing or shooting, but Sujai’s achievements at such a high level is not a small feat. Yet there has been no formal recognition of his efforts from local government authorities.

At a very personal level, Sujai says, “I feel sad that while people celebrate the success of athletes from all over India, not even a single organization be it the GTA Sports or West Bengal government, has even bothered to say “well done” … despite the fact that I am the only one from Darjeeling district to have represented India at both the Asian Games and Commonwealth games…”

Such is the apathy that other than a few people in his neighbourhood and those who know him personally, no one seems to be aware of this sporting legend amongst us.

Final Thoughts

Ever humble, Sujai attributes his success to his Ama-Baba, his family, and his coaches who have pushed him on, despite all setbacks, and encouraged him to excel in life. He acknowledges the help and support he has received from Mr Bhaktiman Lama President of Prativa Parivar of Kurseong, who had been his pillar of support.

As a final thought, he says, “I hope no sportsman has to go through what I have gone through… I hope and pray that in the coming days, corruption and nepotism are eradicated from sporting bodies in India and particularly so in Darjeeling… those who play their hearts out should not have to bear the pain of being overlooked just because someone’s chora or cousin happens to also be playing the same sports… “

As a note to our youngsters he adds, “If nothing else, I want the youngsters to know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel… life may close one door for you… but it opens thousands more… life can be difficult and rough… but it is the pressure that brings out a diamond from the coal. Keep the faith!!”

We are hopeful that our youngsters will be inspired by Sujai’s incredible story… He never let his struggles, the deceit he has had to face and the several setbacks to deter his determination to excel.

He is inspiration personified!!

The post Sujai Lama – One of India’s best Rugby players appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Though born in Uttarakhand, Gen. Bipin Rawat is a Gorkha by Creed. He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles 5/11 GR in December 1978, from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’.

The CDS will act as the principal military adviser to the defence minister on all matters relating to the army, navy and air force. The appointee will be responsible for facilitating the restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, in the areas of operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three services within three years.

The tri-service agencies, organisations and commands relating to cyber and space will be also be under the CDS’ command and he will also function as the military adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.

WHO IS BIPIN RAWAT, INDIA’S FIRST CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

In a career spanning 41 years, General Bipin Rawat has had an illustrious military profile with vast operational and staff exposure. 

• Bipin Rawat is an alumnus of St. Edward School, Shimla, and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. 
• It was in December 1978 when Rawat was commissioned to the Fifth Battallion, the Eleventh Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army from IMA, Dehradun. He was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’. 

• General Bipin Rawat commanded an Infantry Battallion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector; a Rashtriya Rifles Sector; an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley; and, a Corps in the North East. 
• He also commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). As an Army Commander, he commanded a theatre of ops along the Western Front. 
• General Rawat’s staff and instructional assignments include, Instructional tenure at IMA Dehradun; General Staff Officer, at the Military Operations Directorate; Logistics staff officer of a Division in Central India; Colonel Military Secretary and Deputy Military Secretary in the Military Secretary’s Branch; and Senior Instructor, Junior Command Wing. He has been Major General Staff of the Eastern Theatre, and the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

• General Bipin Rawat is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command and National Defence College courses and, has attended the Command and General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, USA. 
• In his career, Rawat has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM; COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation. Whilst serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation.
• Bipin Rawat’s authored articles on ‘National Security’ and ‘Leadership’ have been published in various journals and publications. 

• He was awarded M. Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University, and holds two Diplomas, in Management and Computer Studies respectively. General Bipin Rawat completed his research on military media strategic studies and was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.

Pre-Independence Awards of Persons who Opted for 11 Gorkha Rifles include

• 01 Victoria Cross
• 11 Military Medals
• 05 Indian Distinguished Service Medals
• 06 Military Cross among others. 

The tally of awards Post Independence include

• 01 Param Vir Chakra
• 04 Ashok Chakra
• 01 Padma Bhushan
• 02 Maha Vir Chakra
• 03 Kirti Chakra
• 14 Vir Chakra
• 13 Shaurya Chakra
• 01 Ashok Chakra Class III
• 04 Yudh Seva Medal
• 8 Sena Medal
• 01 Arjun Awards
• 01 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the tally continues.

The laurels it won in adventure and field of sports are enviable. The Regiment has produced a large number of sports and adventure stars including Subedar P Narjit Singh in International Boxing and Subedar Jitu Rai in International Shooting.

Wherever the battle field, the Regiment has carved an enviable niche for itself and acquitted itself honorably in keeping with its motto of “YATRAHAM VIJAY-STATRA – We the Metaphor for Victory“, Regimental Battle Cry “JAI MAHA KALI AYYO GORKHALI” and salutation “JAI GORAKH”

The post India’s First Chief of the Defence Staff Officer Gen. Bipin Rawat is a Gorkha by Creed appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.