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.

On a freezing and unforgiving November night, 123 Indian soldiers – frostbitten, weary, hungry and heavily outnumbered – defied the might of the rampaging Chinese Army.

On 18 November 1962, Major Shaitan Singh and men of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, forever passed into the mists of legend.

This is a story of unimaginable sacrifice. This is a story of men pitted against impossible odds. This is the story of Indian soldiers who looked death in the eye and did not flinch.

This is the story of the Battle of Rezang La.

In their initial assault on Indian positions in October, the Chinese had overrun border posts from Daulat Beg Oldie to Damchok, along the Karakoram Range. The defence of Chushul was the responsibility of 114 Brigade, which had a battalion less. An Infantry Brigade has 3 battalions. 114 Brigade had just 1/8 Gurkha Rifles and 5 Jat Regiment. When the danger to Chushul was realized, 13 Kumaon was rushed from Baramulla to augment 114 Brigade.

Other companies of 13 Kumaon occupied heights like Gun Hill, Gurung Hill and Mugger Hill. Charlie Company was given Rezang La, a pass 19 km away on the southeastern approach to Chushul. Rezang La was all rock, bitterly cold with bone-chilling winds and the troops were not acclimatized to such extreme temperatures. The company was deployed at a height of 16,404 feet above sea level, and the main company position was defended by the 7^th, 8^th & 9^th platoons. The surrounding mountains isolated it from the rest of the battalion.

The biting cold and the howling winds were accompanied by snowfall. Lack of protective winter clothing made the vigil more treacherous. And to add to the already impossible situation, Charlie Company was “crested to artillery”. This meant that there was an intervening feature, which did not allow Charlie Company the cover and protection of Indian Army’s artillery.

Charlie Company was without cover, without the support and on its own.

In the very early hours of 18 November, the Chinese Army attacked the 7^th and 8^th platoon.

At 0500 hrs, Charlie Company opened up with rifles, machine guns and mortars. The retaliation was so ferocious that hundreds of Chinese lay dead. The first wave of the Chinese Army was repulsed.

At 0540 hrs, Charlie Company came under intense artillery and mortar shelling, and under the cover of this fire, about 350 Chinese attacked 9^th platoon. The platoon, true to their training, held their fire till the last moment. When the Chinese were a mere 90 meters away, the 9^th platoon opened up with all their weapons. Their fire was devastating and hundreds of Chinese dead bodies littered the “nullahs”. The second wave of the Chinese Army was repulsed.

Major Shaitan Singh moved from platoon to platoon, firing at the enemy and encouraging his men. He ignored the grave danger to his life and kept fighting. They say that he fought like a man possessed, completely oblivious to his own safety.

For the Chinese, this horrific rate of casualties was not sustainable. They changed tactics. 9^th platoon was brought under withering MMG fire and under the cover of this fire, 400 Chinese attacked 8^th platoon from the rear. This attack was stopped at the platoon barbed wire fence. Simultaneously, a heavily armed assault group of 120 Chinese attacked 7th platoon from the rear. The 7th platoon responded with mortars and rifle fire. There were heavy casualties on both sides.

By now, the strength of 7^th and 8^th platoon was severely depleted.

When the Chinese again assaulted the 7^th platoon, our soldiers rushed out of their post and engaged the Chinese in hand-to-hand combat. The Chinese brought reinforcements.

The entire 7^th and 8^th platoon of Charlie Company was martyred. There were no survivors. 9^th platoon was very severely depleted and out of ammunition. So, the survivors fought the heavily armed Chinese with their bare hands. Naik Ram Singh, a wrestler, killed many Chinese soldiers with his bare hands before he was shot in the head.

Major Shaitan Singh was constantly fighting, moving from platoon to platoon, encouraging his men and leading from the front. During the course of the battle, he was critically injured by MMG fire. While being evacuated, the Chinese started firing at him and the two soldiers who were accompanying him. Not wanting his soldiers to be killed in such a manner, he ordered them to leave him with his weapon and rejoin the fighting.

Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon, repulsed seven attacks by the Chinese before the entire company was martyred in combat.

On 21 November 1962, a unilateral ceasefire was declared between China and India.

When the Indian Army visited the Charlie Company location after the war, Major Shaitan Singh was found holding his weapon. He had died fighting. The nursing assistant was found dead with bandages and a syringe in his hand. The mortar section commander was found dead, holding a mortar round. He kept firing till his position was overrun and he was killed. Out of the thousand mortar rounds that Charlie Company had, all but 7 had been fired.

Out of the 123 soldiers of Charlie Company, 114 were martyred and 6 were captured by the Chinese Army and kept as PoWs. They later miraculously escaped.

For conspicuous bravery and heroism beyond the call of duty, Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was posthumously awarded a grateful nation’s highest gallantry award, the Param Veer Chakra. The company was also awarded 8 Veer Chakras and 4 Sena Medals for exceptional bravery. Charlie Company was later re-designated as “Rezang La Company”.

I am from the Kumaon Regiment and I have studied the battle of Rezang La in detail. After all these years I still wonder what motivated Major Shaitan Singh and the entire Charlie Company to so willingly embrace martyrdom. It is unheard of, in the annals of modern warfare.

I don’t know if Rezang La was strategically important or not, but in those dark days of the winter of 1962, for an army facing reverse after reverse, Rezang La somehow became a matter of national honour. This was where the Indian Army dug in and said: “thus far, and no further”. Rezang La was not just about “izzat”. Somewhere along the way, it became “zidd”.

122 Ahirs from Haryana, led by Major Shaitan Singh Bhati of Jodhpur, fought for “Naam, Namak, Nishan” at -30 degrees centigrade. In freezing, inhuman cold, clothed in thin sweaters and jackets, wet canvas shoes, badly equipped and armed with Second World War vintage .303 rifles, they fought against an enemy who was far better equipped and armed.

When they were out of ammunition, they fought with their bayonets. When their bayonets broke, they fought with their bare hands. These young men from Haryana had probably never seen mountains so high. Most saw snow for the first time. But it is also true that the mountains of Ladakh had never seen such grit.

These brave 122 fought against 3000 attacking Chinese and counted over 1300 enemy dead before embracing martyrdom.

Today, a memorial stands at Rezang La, honouring the memory of those heroes. It reads:

How can a man die better
Than facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his Gods.

To the sacred memory of the Heroes of Rezang La, 114 Martyrs of 13 Kumaon who fought to the Last Man, Last Round, Against Hordes of Chinese on 18 November 1962.

– Built by All Ranks 13^th Battalion, The Kumaon Regiment.

It was today, 54 years ago, that Major Shaitan Singh Bhati launched Charlie Company into battle. It was today that they became immortal.

Writes: Major Gaurav Arya (Veteran), 17^th Battalion, The Kumaon Regiment, #adgpi

Disclaimer: 13 Kumaon and 11 Kumaon are both pure Ahir Battalions. There are other battalions in the Kumaon Regiment that have a mix of Kumaonis, Ahirs and a few other ethnicities. Some other battalions are pure Kumaoni, where the soldiers are from the Kumaon Region. My battalion (17 Kumaon) is a pure Kumaoni Unit with 100% troops from the Kumaon Region. However, in case of all infantry regiments of the Indian Army (including Kumaon), the officers are from all over the country.

This article was first published here.

The post The Bravest of the Brave appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

It has exactly been 13 days that he and his friends had gone missing at Himachal Pradesh, while on a patrol duty in Indo-China border. As the army truck stops in front of his house, loud wails and cries emanate.

It’s not only Govind’s family, but his entire neighbourhood who stand crying. They are still unable to believe, their favourite son is not coming back in person.

A massive crowd gathered at Binnaguri Football Ground, where people from all walks of life are assembled to pay their last respects.

Present are Binnaguri and Sukna GCO along with an array of Army officials. Conspicuously absent are the Alipurduar District Administrative Officials – representatives of the Govt of West Bengal, none of whom took time out to pay their respects. The only attending official is Banarhat Police IC.

The homage to the Martyr who died while making sure our borders were safe lasted for nearly 3 hours. School children, teachers, social workers, friends, neighbours completely unknown strangers were assembled.

After the homage,  a rally started from the Binnaguri Football Ground, with the air resonating with the cries of “Bharat Mata ko Jai”… “Govind Chettri amar rahos…”

As the rally progressed, the General Officer-in-Command went to the family members and talked to them, and said, ‘we are all with you, the entire armed forces are with you. Your son became a sahid for the country, we will not forget him… if ever you face any problems, please come to me…”

He hoped Govind’s son joins as an officer in the Indian army in the future.

Gradually Govind’s body was taken to Gairkata river, and with each minute, the rally of people standing on both sides of the road in respect of the martyr kept on getting longer, and chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” kept on getting louder.

This is the legacy of a martyr, they inspire the whole nation to unite.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the family members of Sahid Govind Chettri, it is their sacrifices that has helped made our country safer. We also stand with them in their hour of grief. May Gods grant them strength to overcome this terrible loss.

#JaiHind #JaiGorkha

Special Report: Nand Poudel

The post Govind Bahadur Chettri: The Legacy of a Martyr appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

The next day of the Balakot bombing, angry Pakistan sent a force of F-16s across our border at Sunderbani, Kashmir to target Indian military installations. Indian air force promptly rose to defend. In an aerial dogfight, Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flying a MIG -21, shot down an enemy aircraft before he was hit. Not much was known of his fate till Pakistan started releasing videos. First, it claimed that they had two Indian pilots, which of course, was wrong news. Two videos released by Pakistan showing Abhinandan went viral across the world faster than wildfire. It appeared that after his MIG-21 was hit, the officer had ejected himself and landed on the Pakistani side. Viewers cringed to see him being violently manhandled by a mob in a pool of water before being taken by Pakistan soldiers heard saying ‘Zinda chahiye’. To add further, the second video showing him being interrogated by Pakistani Army added more fuel to the fire. A visibly injured Abhinandan, blindfolded with hands tied, first said he was hurt and if he could have some water. Thereafter, the officer faced questions, which he answered with great dignity and presence of mind. Whatever Pakistan hoped to achieve by these media propaganda, God only knows, but it sure backfired on them also bringing in world pressure. All Indians, on the contrary, felt encouraged with the poise of the Officer. By the same day, they quickly posted another video where a cleaned up Abhinandan was shown sipping a cup of tea and praising the Pakistani Army.

Finally, Pakistani PM Imran Khan attempted on boosting his image by announcing that Abhinandan would be released as a gesture of peace and blamed the Indian government’s role as an election drama. Who attacked first? It all started with the gruesome massacre of 40 soldiers at Pulwama by Pakistan based JeM. Pakistan appears to be in the clutches of a self-created Frankenstein of terrorism and badly stuck.

Pakistani propaganda was at its best or worst throughout the week. They tried hard to demoralise Indians and give steroid boosts to their citizens. They criticised even the way Abhinandan was received. Express-News expressed that Abhinandan should have been received with a bouquet of flowers and a salute. Why only a handshake? It appears that Pakistani politicians and media remain glued to Indian media and social tweets, and take their cues from it.

While the nation awaited the whole day for Abhinandan’s return on Friday, two CRPF Personnel and two J & K policemen loss their lives in an encounter against terrorists at Kupwara, J & K. Firing continues everyday across the line of Control and soldiers continue to lose their lives. Scores of Indian prisoners of war captured way back in 1971 still remain with Pakistan.

The post Media Feeds on Media appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Their “Paltan”, or Battalion, is one of the finest in the army. It is the 3rd Battalion of the 5 Gorkha Rifles, abbreviated as 3/5 GR.

It is going to be their Battalion’s first foray in the Kargil War.

Meanwhile, in a world that is non-existent to them, in New Delhi, some powerful men, oblivious to the condition of the soldiers up there, blissfully take decisions which play with the soldiers’ lives in a way similar to the strings of a puppet being controlled by a rookie.

“Under no conditions will your men cross the Line of Control, as it may escalate the conflict manifold. Reduction of flying sorties by fighter squadrons from Srinagar and Pathankot to be put into immediate effect.”

Many applaud this stance of the government. But the reader is smart enough to judge its prudence. Either you take the risk or lose men’s lives…

Meanwhile in Kashmir…

The young boy strips his rifle, cleans it and reassembles it. He slings his sheathed “Khukri” around his waist, over his ammunition pouch. Full of patriotism and the mystical “Josh”, he gets ready to be a part of the Battalion’s advance party to the objective which they are supposed to take.

The young Lieutenant gets briefed by his Battalion’s Commanding Officer. He is to lead the advance party into the enemy’s plain sight and capture the enemy’s machine gun post, to serve as a decoy to cover the advance of the Battalion’s main segment towards the objective. He is aghast. His mission is similar to a fanatical, suicidal mission. But he has learnt to obey without questioning. With a brisk salute, he leaves the Commanding Officer’s den. He writes out the last letter to his family, which is a custom in the forces, whenever a soldier goes on a mission during the war. He remembers his parents, kisses the photograph of his sweetheart for the last time, gets into the jeep, and proceeds towards the magazine to collect his weapons…

Artillery shelling begins. It comes as a precursor to the Indian attack on the hill feature by 3/5 GR. After thirty-five minutes of non-stop shelling by the Artillery Units, the Gorkhas move in. The young officer, with fear in his heart and an unconcerned look on his face to hide his fear―which is contagious―charges towards the enemy lines, his men following him. The Battalion’s war cry breaks the silence of the cold morning, and the enemy is caught sleeping. However, the enemy soon mans its posts and the initial advantage of surprise that the Gorkha advance party had, dies out. The young Lieutenant knows the worst, for the responsibility of his men’s lives rests upon his young shoulders, as the leader.

The young soldier follows his Lieutenant. He forgets all of his erstwhile patriotism when he sees blood splutter from one of his close comrades’ mouth, who has been hit in his abdomen. The Lieutenant urges him to move ahead and take cover. The young soldier knows that the orders are the most sensible, but he just cannot leave his friend at death’s door, in the enemy’s plain sight. Suddenly, his dilemma ends as a second bullet penetrates his comrade’s skull, thereby martyring him.

Overcome by a rare mixture of anger and fear, the young boy makes a solitary charge at the enemy position and jumps in front of the enemy machine gun. The Lieutenant tries to restrain the boy from exposing himself to the enemy, but the boy moves as a man possessed. He dodges some of the enemy bullets and reaches up to the enemy’s machine gun post. He knows he has received multiple shots. He does the best thing that a real man could have done. Knowing that there is no going back, he grabs the enemy’s gun barrel―sticking out of the machine gun post, firing at the rest of the advance party―and takes an entire burst of the enemy’s machine gun fire in his chest, thereby entering the league of the revered few who get the chance to live and die for their motherland.

The Lieutenant is enraged and amazed at the same time. In a war, you pay for time with blood—the Lieutenant knows this only too well. As soon as he sees the temporary lull in the enemy barrage due to the young soldier’s actions, he moves up to the machine gun post with a platoon, and lobs grenades into the MG post, thereby pulverizing it and achieving his objective. Out of the thirty men assigned this task, eighteen survive. The casualty count could have been much higher, but for the action of the young Gorkha soldier. The officer knows this fact very well. His voice breaks down as he informs the Commanding Officer about the victory. He doesn’t want to fight as an officer ever again. An officer in the Indian Army is always responsible for his men. His men are celebrating but he is a hollow man. He has led his men to victory, but only he realizes what he has lost.

Meanwhile, the decoy provided by the Lieutenant’s men allows the Commanding Officer to attack the main hill feature. Upon reaching the top of the hill, each soldier of the Battalion’s main assault part unsheathes his “Khukri” and pounces upon the enemy bunkers like a tiger. As the enemy realizes that it has met its match, it flees to regroup. As the tricolour flies on the hilltop, a solemn Lieutenant observes it from the captured MG post. The Battalion is victorious but he has lost a part of his heart with all the men whom he has lost. His first battle has been a success and he is praised by all, but he knows that if he ever has to fight again, it will not be for the Battalion, not for God, not for good or evil. It will be for the man next to him, and the billion people who trust him with their lives—who can have a good night’s sleep because of him being out there; who can live normal, civilized lives because people like him are out there to live an abnormal, extraordinary life, ready to sacrifice it for their sakes…

“No one remembers a warrior until the enemy is at the gate.”

Write: Shivansh Tripathi

The post The Warrior appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Amid the frequent shelling across the border and the simmering threat of a full-blown war, the 24-year-old soldier is sneaking in study time for an exam to fulfil his dream of becoming an army officer and leading hundreds like him into battle.

The Gorkha soldier returns every night from a punishing patrol along narrow jungle trails, keeping a cautious watch on a maze of routes Pakistani infiltrators could take to sneak into India across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

He races to remove his combat helmet, un-slings his assault rifle and grabs a copy of the Competition Success Review. “Even if I can study only for five minutes, I will. My father was a havildar, I want to return to the LoC as an officer,” says Thapa, who is preparing for a personality and intelligence interview spread over five days to enter the Dehradun-based Army Cadet College (ACC).

Soldiers are groomed to become officers at the ACC for three years before they are packed off for a one-year course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, which churns out freshly-minted lieutenants.

Soldiers are groomed to become officers at the ACC for three years before they are packed off for a one-year course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, which churns out freshly-minted lieutenants.

Thapa is not the only one. Riflemen Milan Gurung and Churamani Bhusal are also chasing the same dream as they battle combatants along an inflammable stretch guarded by one of the army’s largest brigades.

All three soldiers, part of the 5/4 Gorkha Rifles’ Alpha company, have cracked the written exam and are slogging away for the final Services Selection Board interview in November.

Becoming an officer will bring honour to his family and inspire other underprivileged kids in the tiny Nepal hamlet he grew up, 23-year-old Gurung says.

In the few hours they get off work, the exam hopefuls get together but watching TV is a rare luxury, allowed for only two hours daily in the bunker complex’s entertainment room.

“If I am assigned duties around that time, I try to watch it the next day to stay updated,” says Gurung, who shares a tiny bunker with eight other soldiers.

Amid the haze of conflict, Bhusal looks forward to a game of chess to sharpen his mental faculties, crucial for him to crack the upcoming tough exam. Food also uplifts their mood and the prospect of chicken curry for dinner after a gruelling day at work revs up the Gorkhas.

Positions held by the Pakistani army on the towering Kopra ridge in the Poonch sector overlook Thapa’s post, which is frequently bombarded by the enemy with mortar rounds and rockets.

Other army posts dotting the breathtaking landscape are just as vulnerable.

“Being under direct observation puts us at a disadvantage. But my boys are doing a splendid job holding ground right under the enemy’s nose,” says Colonel JV Singh, their 40-year-old commanding officer and a Shaurya Chakra awardee.

The Gorkhas know there’s no lowering their guard. “Either we kill them or we destroy their bunkers when we hit back. We don’t waste ammunition,” says Thapa.

No one knows when a lull in hostilities will give way to full-blown conflict. “We train hard to make the enemy cower in their bunkers. They fear the Gorkhas,” says the colonel.

Lieutenant General RR Nimbhorkar, who commands the Nagrota-based 16 Corps, says the Pakistanis enjoy a clear advantage in the Poonch sector, but India’s defences are extremely robust.

The post Along LoC, Jawans Squeeze in Study Time to Become Officers appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Havildar Gurung displayed exemplary selfless courage under fire and an unmatched spirit in killing two militants in Kupwara, J&K till his martyrdom

During a search operation in Kupwara, though bleeding profusely, he realised the threat to his team and with utter disregard for his personal safety, moved to eliminate the militant.

Though grievously injured, he eliminated another militant before succumbing

We extend our solemn salute to the brave-heart Gorkha family. It is through their sacrifices, we continue to remain safe.

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INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri

During his lifetime, ex 2/1 Gorkha Rifles, later INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri was denied national recognition for his musical contribution to Indian history. While his music stirred India to national pride, he remained an unsung hero until his demise in 2002. While India sang and played Kadam Kadam Badaye Jaye everywhere including at The Beating of the Retreat on the evening of Republic Day, the composer remain unacknowledged. His letters and pleas remained unanswered causing much anguish to a man whose passion for India was a lifelong obsession, the motivation for his sterling and eternal patriotic music.

The gauntlet for his quest for recognition was picked up the Indian Gorkha community soon after his death. We strove to spread awareness of this great Gorkha. On 15 August 2006, the Capt. Ram Singh Thakur Memorial Football Tournament was inaugurated in Dharamshala, the day being his birthday and Independence Day. Efforts of all from the local Gorkha and Gaddi community laid the foundation of a highly anticipated annual event under Retd. Capt Bhagwan Singh Gurung, the President of the Memorial Association.

From 15 to 25 April 2010, Dharamshala’s Kangra Museum of Art held the first ever Exhibition on the History and Culture of Himachal Gorkhas, Language and Culture Department, Himachal Pradesh. A resounding success, the exhibition received top media coverage, visited by members of the Government and most of all, Indian Gorkhas from Darjeeling Hills and Dehradun. Panels displaying INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakur received attention and created an unprecedented awareness all over. The Gorkha people of Sukna, Darjeeling Hills erected his statue of him with the road named after him. In 2017, at Khaniara village Dharamshala from where Ram Singh hailed, the government named a senior school, road and Bhavan in his name.

The Padma Vibhushan 2018: After about twelve years of efforts we were in a position to claim his long overdue national recognition in the field of music. With research and compilation for the nomination conducted by Gorkha History writer Jyoti Thapa Mani, the initiative was undertaken by Shri Ravinder Rana, President of the Himachal Punjab Gorkha Association, and Gorkha community including Capt. Bhagwan Singh Gurung, Shri Naveen Gurung, Shri Anil Gurung, Shivraj Thapa of Khaniara Village, Dharamshala.  Things come together at when the time is right. But it is essential to be prepared from before.

This year, the prestigious Padma Awards Committee has received 15,700 nominations. The government has laid stress on honouring the country’s Unsung Heroes, a great initiative of the Modi Government.

The nomination as compiled by Jyoti Thapa Mani went on such:

Impact:

Very few are born to leave an impact to bind a nation with music for eternity. Late Capt. Ram Singh Thakur was one of those god-gifted ones whom India was fortunate to have in the right era.  When he was born on 15^th August 1914 (coincidently the same day as Independence Day) to a Gorkha family in Khaniara village, Dharamshala, (HP), no one ever imagined that one day 1.34 billion Indians would remain united with his music of Jana Gana Mana, Kadam Kadam Badeya jaye and Sare Jahan Se achha.

Capt. Ram Singh’s entire life has been actively devoted to creating peace and patriotism through music in highly eventful phases—as a Gorkha soldier of the 2/1 Gorkha Rifles, as the Bandmaster of the INA and as the most active musician of Independence’s formative years and lastly as the Bandmaster of PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), Lucknow.

Fond of music and dance from early childhood, he was expected to become a soldier but he never compromised and pursued his passion for music. If music was the mainstay for thousands of INA members, the man behind it was Capt. Ram Singh. In 1943, his composition the tune for INAs Quami Tarana was first played to thunderous applause at the Cathay Building in Singapore.

Singer, Composer, Conductor and Musician, Capt. Ram Singh composed many rousing Patriotic songs, the mainstay for thousands of INA members. His music continues to be soul of Independent India.

1942-1945: Capt. Ram Singh created the music for the INA anthem “Shubh Sukh Chaina ke Barkha barse (Quami Tarana)” and wrote the lyrics and music for “Kadam Kadam badeya jaye”. He gave the exciting martial beat to Tagore’s Hymn, our national anthem today. His composition as pefrormed by Calcutta Youth Choir can be heard. He is the man whose ‘Kadam Kadam’ fills every Indian heart with pride and joy.

May 1946: Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patelji suggested that Capt Ram Singh set up an orchestra of musicians (all from INA, e.g. Ganesh Bahadur, Gulab Singh Thapa, Avtar Singh, Ram Saran, Nar Bahadur Thapa) under the supervision of Col Rathuri, Col Sahgal and Col Ahmed. It was named as “All India INA Orchestra”. Patelji gave Rs 5000/-for instruments from Bombay and other expenses. They travelled around the country to light up national unity through patriotic music and songs with full gusto.

15 August 1947, Red Fort:  Capt. Ram Singh and the Orchestra played the Kaumi Tarana “Subh Sukh” at the flag hoisting occasion at Red Fort. Ram Singh played the tune on the violin presented by Netaji who had told him “You will play this violin at the Red Fort when India gets her Independence”. On 15^th August 1947 when he played the stirring instrumental version of “Shubh Sukh Chaina ke Barkha barse (Quami Tarana of the INA)” on his violin at the Red Fort, the music added as is said in Hindi ‘Chaar Chand Laga diya’ to the historic occasion.

Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri performing for Gandhi ji

7 July 1981. Ceremonial installation of Netaji’s Chair at Red Fort, New Delhi: Capt. Ram Singh played the eternal two tunes on his violin on this occasion.

Awards:

• George VI Medal 1937.
• Netaji Gold Medal (Azad Hind) 1943.
• 1^st Governor Gold Medal, 1956.
• President Police Medal 1972. UP Sangeet Natak Academy (UP Music and Drama Academy) Award 1979.
• Sikkim Government Mitrasen Award 1993.
• The First Azad Hind Fauz Award by West Bengal government in 1996.

In 1945 the British had declared Capt. Ram Singh’s composition “Kadam Kadam badeya jaye” as seditious, and banned its recording at the British Gramophone Company in Kolkata. Two weeks after Independence, on 29 August 1947 the ban was lifted (source: The Hindu, 20 Sept 2015).

1948: Capt. Ram Singh was appointed as DSP with the Provincial Arms Constabulary (PAC) band of Uttar Pradesh Police. On retirement in 1974, he was awarded the title of ‘Emeritus Musician’ and lifetime service, Govt. of UP.

27 May 1971,Teen Murti Bhawan, Delhi: Ms Padmaja Naidu, Governor of West Bengal invited Capt. Ram Singh with his musicians for an evening of patriotic songs on the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. For the Morning Prayer, Capt. Ram Singh Thakuri played his composition “jalta hoon aur hasaan karta hoon” to the sacred ‘eternal diya/flame’. In the evening Capt. Ram Singh played the two eternal tunes of “Kadam Kadam” and “Shubh Sukh Chaina ke Barkha barse” along with the INA officers, All India Radio singers and National Drama Division.

September 1977, Delhi: Former Col Sahib Singh Verma (CM of NDA Govt. Delhi) invited Capt. Ram Singh to play the two eternal songs in the Delhi Assembly.

Citations:

Late INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakur, Music Composer of  ‘Jana Gana Mana’ (the martial music), ‘Kadam Kadam Badeya Ja’ (music and lyrics) and ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ (music).

National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’

1) “Till Netaji came to SE Asia, Vande Mataram was sung at all military and civil gatherings and could never be sung in a inspiring way as no one knew it correctly… Netaji called for a meeting and said he felt Jana Gana Mana would be more appropriate as the national anthem. Only two things had to be changed –the highly sanskriticised words had to be translated into simpler Hindustani and the tune should be martial and inspiring. A committee was set up and the results to be produced within a week. Capt. Ram Singh Thakur and his group were given the task of setting the music. Within a week they did and Netaji approved. The musical score was sent to Germany and transcribed by experts to be played by a full military orchestra. This proved to be an unforgettable composition of Ram Singh Thakur”. –Late INA Lt.Col. (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal.

Letter from Capt. Laxmi Shehgal confirming the fact that Capt. Thakuri gave music to “Jana Gana Mana”

2) Compositions (music and some lyrics also) by Capt. Ram Singh as endorsed by Late INA Lt Colonel Dr Lakshmi Sahgal:

• Subh Sukh Chain ki Barkha Barse
• Sare Jahan Se Achha.
• Kadam kadam badhaye jaa.
• Aao Milkar Gaye Geet.
• Aao Laheraye Tiranga Pyara.
• Gayee Raat Aaya Prabhat.
• Netaji ki Yaad.
• Bharat Mata Tujhko Karoo Pranam.
• Inhe Raah do.
• Sabse Ooncha Hai.
• Hanste Hanste Jeena.
• Netaji ka Pharman.
• Rani Jhansi Brigade ke Geet.
• Ham Maut ko barh kar Choomenge.
• Aise Chalenge.
• Chalo Dilli Chaley Ay Bhai.
• Inquilab Zindabad.
• Rah Jayega Phakat.
• Kaumi Tiranga Jhande.
• Jeetey Desh Hamara.
• Shere Hind.
• Azaad Hi Jiyenge Aazaad Hi Marenge.
• Delhi Chalo.
• Hind Sipahi.
• Netaji ka Sapna.
• Wo Shaane Hind aa gaye.

National Contribution:

Nationally, Capt Ram Singh Thakur’s contribution to ‘Jana Gana Mana’, ‘Kadam Kadam Badeya jaye’ and ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ stand timeless in shining colours. After the disbandment of the INA, he continued enriching India with music for the rest of his life.

Original record of the Indian National Anthem

Capt. Ram Singh was a truly secular musician who performed all kinds of music with equal passion — Bhajans, Sufi music, Qawwalis, Gurbani, Christmas Carols and folk music, performing at any event whether it maybe at Sports/ Founders day/Children’s Day at schools and colleges. He and his band were always there. His forte ranged from Western to Indian music. He created revenue generation and goodwill by establishing the PAC – UP Police Brass -Pipe band. He also went on to provide music to late Bimal Roy’s film ‘Sipahi ka Sapana’. He turned down offers from Bollywood as his genre and interest was only patriotic music. His music has been credited in Shyam Benegal’s film “The Forgotten hero” and for ‘Kadam Kadam’ in the film “Raag Desh”. Capt. Ram Singh’s recordings with Doordarshan and All India Radio, Lucknow stands testimony to his extraordinary contributions. His recognition will also serve as a tribute to the Gorkhas of the INA for their part in India’s Freedom Struggle.

Capt. Ram Singh breath his last on 15 April 2002 and was cremated with State honours at Bhaisakund, UP. He is survived by sons, Ramesh and Uday Shankar Thakur.

Links for Video references:

Original voice recording

Indian Army Marching Song Kadam kadam music and lyrics by Capt. Ram Singh Thakur.

List of documents submitted:

• Testimonial to the martial tune of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ by Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal.
• Compilation of 27 songs and music by late INA Capt Ram Singh Thakur endorsed by Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal: Page 1
• Compilation of 27 songs and music by late INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakur endorsed by Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal: Page 2
• Letter from Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal to provide recognition to Gorkhalis in the INA
• Endorsement of The Pioneer newspaper article o Lucknow Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Laxmi Sahgal and attested by her.
• Letter from INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakur to then Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. 1997 Pages 1. Endorsed by Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal
• Letter from INA Capt. Ram Singh Thakur to then Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. 1997 Pages 2. Endorsed by Late INA Lt Col (Retd.) Lakshmi Sahgal
• Letter from Padmaju Naidu.
• References: The Khukri Braves-The Illustrated History of the Gorkhas by Jyoti Thapa Mani. Rupa publishers. 1.
• References: The Khukri Braves-The Illustrated History of the Gorkhas by Jyoti Thapa Mani. Rupa publishers. 2.
• Photograph: Ram Singh Thakur plays the Quami Tarana to Gandhiji.
• Record: National Anthem sung by Ram Singh Thakur
• Photograph: Ram Singh Thakur
• Photograph: Ram Singh on AIR.
• Jacket of Delhi Chalo CD with commentary by Ram Singh Thakur
• Statue of Ram Singh Thakur at Sukna, Darjeeling Hills.
• Ram Singh Thakur in performance
• Ram Singh Thakur meeting Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
• Gorkha certificate of Ram Singh
• Letter of authorisation to Jyoti Thapa Mani by Himachal Punjab Gorkha Assn. (Regd.)

Putting rest to all controversies relating to his ethnicity, this Gorkha certificate confirms that Capt. Thakuri was a Gorkha

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