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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU Excelsiordaily Established 1965 Are we really honouring Dogra martyrs? Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra K B Jandial company from three sides. They came under hold the enemy at Uri at all costs and to the last Sharma who is organising Maj. Somnath Sharma heavy fire and mortar bombardment and sus- man". And he virtually did that. Despite his criti- Balidaan Divas for last six seven years, has Ensure priority passage hird November was the Balidaan Divas of tained heavy casualties. Despite massively out- cal injuries in the operation, he continued to demanded a life-size statue of PVC awardee at Maj. Somnath Sharma, first recipient of numbered seven to one, Maj. Sharma didn't lower inspire his men to fight. He got Uri Bridge blown Srinagar Airport entrance, replacing his bust. But for fruit-laden trucks TIndia's highest gallantry award, Param Vir the defence knowing well that Badgam was very off that held back Pakistanis till 27th October is this enough? He deserved much more, at least Chakra (posthumously). Commissioned in 19th crucial and loss in their position would make when the reinforcement came. He is often called on two counts: being Dogra and first awardee of ruits , especially the apples being perishable Hyderabad Regiment (rechristened as 4th Srinagar and the Airport vulnerable. The young 'Saviour of Kashmir' and was awarded India's India's highest gallantry award. Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army) in 1942, he Major kept motivating his men to fight bravely first Maha Vir Chakra posthumously. One wonders why Jammu lacks vision, politi- commodities, need hassles free passage of exhibited exceptional valour and leadership qual- movement from Kashmir valley to ensure and started filling the magazines and giving these Right from the childhood, we are told about cal will, commitment to Jammu cause and respect F ities, "seldom equaled in the history of Indian to light machine gunners, running from post to the famous couplet for all those who sacrifice for Dogra heroes? Just to make a point, when early, prompt and remunerative marketing . Any Army" and laid down his life at the age of 25 post. Keeping his nerve, he skillfully directed the their lives for the nation and often repeated at the Maharaja Hari Singh was sent to forced exile to type of unwarranted stoppages en-route from origi- years while defending Srinagar city and the fire of his section into the advancing enemy. He martyrdom of gallant bravehearts: Bombay under a conspiracy while other Rulers nating points right up to Mandis could only be termed Airport in 1947 Kashmir operations. He had com- successfully laid out cloth air strips to guide Shaheedon Ki Chitaon Par Lagen Ge Har were made Rajparmukh, there was shamefully mitted: "I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight Indian aircrafts onto their targets in full view of Baras Mele, hardly any uproar in Jammu. On the other hand, as avoidable impediments . In fact , the administra- to the last man and the last round." And that's tion must tone up the slew of required facilities to the enemy. Watan Pe Mar Mitne Walon Ka Baakee Yahi Sheikh Abdullah rewarded those who used their what he did and saved Srinagar Airport and Moments before his martyrdom, he had Nishaan Hoga. influence to prevent even protest statements, by apple growers and traders to transport their fruit con- State's capital. flashed his last message to Brigade HQ: "The But does it actually happen? The events expe- nominating at least one of them as Member signments to the Mandis across the country. Late Another Balidan Divas was on 26th October. enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are heav- rienced in last over twenty years don't support it. Parliament. October to early December is the peak but limited It was in the memory of another warrior-hero, ily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I Having associated with Maj. Gen. Goverdhan It is, indeed, very heartening to see that at last, Brig Rajinder Singh who too displayed excep- Jammu has woken up to Dogra hero, Maharaja season during which the entire harvest should reach tional courage and leadership qualities in stop- Hari Singh after about 60 years of his forced exile its respective destinations or else chances of the ping the marching columns of Pakistani invaders It is, indeed, very heartening to see that at last, Jammu has and now reinvented him. Newspapers are flooded fruit getting damaged in quality colour and taste and at Uri, Kashmir before Indian Forces landed. He woken up to Dogra hero, Maharaja Hari Singh after about with articles on his birthday listing his good work was awarded the country's first Maha Vir Chakra even get perished could result in tremendous pecu- besides organising well attended public functions (posthumously), second highest gallantry award. niary losses to the traders. Having said so, it looks 60 years of his forced exile and now reinvented him. besides two statues, one with beautiful park. A rare feat for a Chief of the State Forces to fight totally unacceptable that most of the fruit growers and from the front against enemy, he fulfilled the Newspapers are flooded with articles on his birthday listing Similarly, the memory of Brig. Rajinder Singh has traders should complain and even protest against command of the Maharaja Hari Singh by stopping been revived and the people now respect his val- alleged impending and obstructive measures the advancing columns of Pak invaders at Uri for his good work besides organising well attended public our and sacrifice. Nothing of the sort is witnessed five days "till the last bullet" in 1947. This feat, he about Maj. Somnath. Why can't JMC name one adopted by some authorities in the smooth passage functions besides two statues, one with beautiful park. Chowk after him and also put his statue? of fruit laden trucks along Srinagar- Jammu National achieved with hardly 100 gallant soldiers pitted against 6000 fully armed enemy. Similarly, the memory of Brig. Rajinder Singh has been Jammu needs to rise above sectarian loyalties Highway. Apart from identical exceptional gallantry and and set up an impressive all inclusive Balidaan Had there been mere allegations and accusations military leadership qualities, another commonali- revived and the people now respect his valour and sacrifice. Museum to honour befittingly all J&K gallant on flimsy grounds from these fruit traders, there would ty they had: both were proud Dogras who didn't awardees including Defence services, Police, Central Para Military Force, listing their saga of not have been spontaneous protests from scores of think for a second to lay down their lives in line shall not withdraw an Singh Jamwal (Retd) from of the service to the nation and thwarted the evil STRAIGHT TALK bravery etc. Even Shaheed Maqbool Sherwani traders and growers across 13 major fruit mandis in inch but will fight to late eighties to create and Sikh martyrs of Beerwah, Khag too can be designs of Pakistan to grab J&K. The supreme our last man and our awareness about Brig the Valley. They are within their rights , other things sacrifice of both gallant Dogra warriors is a saga considered. remaining the same, that such unwarranted stop- last round". A little later, a mortar shell exploded Rajinder Singh's supreme sacrifice and his role in Jammu Municipal Corporation should take of bravery, leadership and unyielding fighting in the ammunition and he was martyred in the saving Kashmir, he has, by now, got public and the initiative for it, alone or in collaboration with pages and halts accompanied by long waits along the spirit that continue to inspire generations in the explosion occurred near him, but not before Govt recognition to his martyrdom which other JDA. This activity falls in its mandate and should National Highway should be stopped as also the Army. inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, estimat- proud Dogra, Maj. Somnath regrettably still crav- seriously consider it. The State Council for authorities should ensure a smooth and hassles free Maj. Somnath Sharma actually hailed from ed at 200. It slowed down enemy's advance, giv- ing for. The sacrifice of both Dogras, one at his Educational Research and Training should be village Dadh, Kangra Himachal Pradesh but the ing enough time to Indian forces to block all prime youth and the other at the level of Chief of passage of the concerned trucks carrying the fruit family had lived in Jullaka Mohalla of Jammu asked to include appropriately the authenticate consignments but without compromising on security routes to Srinagar. His leadership, gallantry and the Force, is associated with J&K for 1947 oper- also. His one the brothers, who rose to be Army tenacious defence were such that his men were ations. account of these Dogra heroes including Dogra measures and precautions. While on the one hand, Chief, Gen V. N Sharma, was married in Jammu inspired to fight the enemy despite being outnum- Realisation of doing justice with their martyr- Rulers, Maj. Somnath Sharma, Brig Rajinder the Central Government is taking measures to pro- to the daughter of Jammu's leading surgeon, Dr. bered and as such played a pivotal role in prevent- dom even after several decades, like Jammu did Singh and other PVC/MVC awardees in the vide help and remunerative sale stability to the fruit Barkat Ram. Maj. Somnath belonged to an army ing the fall of State's capital, and perhaps, for Maharaja Hari Singh, is still hugely welcome. school text books published by J&K Board of family. His father, Major General Amar Nath Kashmir.