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Lets Give Life A Better Chance Volume 2 Issue 8 August 2012 16 Pages Re 1

Are you sure your Donated platelets The Param Vir blood group is can be at a risk of Chakra is the O+ve? Did you contamination and highest gallantry know you of the is a major cause for award given to r a r e s t g r o u p ? concern in some Indian soldiers. Turn to page 16 countries. Read Read about it on to know more more on Page 5 Page 8 Project Prayas: Relief for Flood Affected Assam Floods are an annual event at Assam. They barely make news and the administration is usually prepared to handle the situation. However, in June 2012 the floods in the B r a h m a p u t r a b a s i n w e r e unprecedented due to heavy rains leading to a humanitarian crisis that left more than 6 million people displaced at its peak. Sankalp headquartered 3000 km away at Bangalore realised the gravity of the situation and initiated Project Prayas: Relief for the Flood Affected Assam was initiated on 11th July 2012 21:00 hrs. The next 11 days saw the implementation of the largest ever relief mission ● The daily reports from the State Disaster Management Authority, Assam were analysed on undertaken by Sankalp India Foundation in terms of daily basis to identify need patterns. the number of families supported. ● A 2 member field team was sent for field assessment within 5 hours of announcing Code The Challenge Red. The team in conjunction with the Control While working to ensure that the best possible Centre (setup at Bangalore) moved through the help is provided to the needy here are some of the affected area to get first hand reports. challenges that were faced in this event and how ● Regular calls were organised with the they were overcome: District Collectors of the affected districts to get as assessment of the situation from them. Identification of the Need With all these things happening in parallel the The following things were done to ensure that organisation zeroed upon Majuli in Jorhat district. Sankalp has proper and systematic analysis of the Approachable only through ferry, Majuli is the river need. island which was inundated from all sides by the ● A pilot from the Indian Air Force choppers river. Low lying agricultural land had residential who was part of the relief operations in Assam was localities which were found to be under 4-6 feet of approached to get the rough picture of the affected standing water. The people had moved to the area. Give me blood and I will give you freedom! - Subhash Chandra Bose Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 2 August 2012 embankments and the road for shelter. Food and m e d i c i n e s w e r e w e l l o r g a n i s e d b y t h e administration. However the people needed tarpaulin s h e e t s f o r b u i l d i n g temporary shelters. The administration requested for as many tarpaulins as possible.

On the north bank of the Brahmaputra, the district of Sonitpur reported a fresh round of floods after the 3 d a y d o w n p o u r . A n embankment breach had devastated an area which does not get flooded normally leading to utter chaos and pandemonium in the lives of absolutely unprepared poor country folks. 5 hours long field trip on an National Disaster Relief Force rescue boats covering 60 kms and about 20 villages exposed the gravity of the situation to the field team. All the villages were under 5-6 feets of water and people were forced to live in camps. The voice of the people, the Circle Officer - Noudar Circle (In-charge of relief) and the District Collector was in sync - they needed tarpaulins too . approached their own friends. Within two days a Logistics and Purchase huge human chain was working to raise The tarpaulin traders in Guwahati were pursued awareness and welcome participation for the relief relentlessly to get the best deals. In-spite of the program. With this report we send congratulations general market in Guwahati being in a very to the couple of hundred donors who made the exploitative mode - the organisation was fortunate seemingly impossible look trivial. From insufficient and persuasive enough to find a vendor who was funds for 400 tarpaulins, the organisation finally willing to offer the sheets at a very convincing rate managed to get 1947 sheets purchased. All of Rs 120/- per kilogram. thanks to the support of the numerous donors who contributed generously responding to the appeals Mobilisation of Resources of the organisation. The organisation followed the approach of keeping people informed about every minute With good funds coming through the organisation d e v e l o p m e n t t h r o u g h F a c e b o o k a n d was able to manage a second phase of relief SankalpIndia.Net. Friends were approached who program for Sootea. Once the funds matching the We will face the bullets of the enemies, we are free and will remain free. - Chandra Shekhar Azad Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 3 August 2012 projected expenses on the relief materials were At Sonitpur received the organisation stopped collections.

The Delivery of Relief

At Majuli The relief materials at Majuli were carried across the Brahmaputra in a ferry and then distributed. At places there was obstruction to movement with people who had already been given tarpaulins by other agencies asking for them. The team stood firm and ensured systematic relief distribution.

A list of villages was drawn which were completely submerged and allotment was made for each of them. The responsibility of ferrying the tarpaulins using NDRF boats and distribution was given to the Village Defence Party, Secretaries who come under the preview of the local police. The residents of the villages which received the tarpaulins were informed about the stocks being sent to ensure more transparency. The plan worked well and we had a smooth process of delivery of goods to the needy.

Financials A b o u t P u b l i c contributions: !Project Prayas led to the Public contribution of Rs. 3,38,498/- which was used for the purchase of relief materials. The balance from the Public contributions is Rs 1,770/- !A large chunk of public contribution (Rs. 37,761/- ) were contributed well beyond the final deadline for contribution.

A b o u t o p e r a t i o n a l contributions: !T h e O p e r a t i o n a l c o n t r i b u t i o n b y volunteers and close associates was Rs. 74,476/- Out of this Rs.50,960/- was spent on all operations including t r a v e l , t r a n s p o r t , Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it - Bal Gangadhar Tilak Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 4 August 2012 accommodation, food, communications and earned money of sensitive people who decided to some miscellaneous expenses. trust Sankalp India Foundation to carry feelings !The expenses on operations were largely and the much needed goods from them to the contributed to by travel and transport. The victims. The organisation is the carrier of your target locations were both far off from the gesture, your feelings, your expression of mainstream and also in remote areas. oneness with those who suffer in remote, !The balance Rs.25,286/- have been kept unknown corners of our nation. Sankalp aside as seed fund for next disaster. volunteers are proud to know such individuals.

Salient features Thank you everyone who contributed to making

!The mobilization of funds for Prayas was Prayas a success. done largely by individuals. !Mount Carmel College, Bangalore and SAP, Conclusion India supported Prayas. Mount Carmel Project Prayas, the attempt to extend relief to the College organized for a room-to-room visits victims of the floods ended with approximately with collection box. At SAP, a mail was sent to 10,000 individuals (average family size in Assam all the employees encouraging them to is 5) from the 1947 families which received in contribute to Prayas. !tarpaulins sheets sleeping in drier and more Commendable effort for fund collection was livable conditions. Far from the watchful lenses of put in by Sankalp Friends and well wishers at the media houses, far from the attention of the SAP, L&T, Fidelity and TCS. !mainland, the sons and daughters of our soil faced The acknowledgment receipts for tarpaulins neglect and apathy. Sankalp India Foundation is for each village are available on request. proud and honoured to have received the trust and support of those citizens who felt for the suffering A Note of Thanks people and decided to do something about it. It is difficult to put in words what difference it Sankalp invites organisations and individuals to makes when authorities and common people in join in the organisation’s Disaster Relief Partner Assam hear that their countrymen residing Program to ensure that next time the disaster thousands of kilometers away, got together and strike our soil, we put up a relief mission in a did their bit to ease their pain. Project Prayas will bigger, better and faster manner reaching out to be remembered by Sankalp volunteers as the our brethren when they need help, the most! project in which common folks alone came Complete Project Report is available on together to show that we all care. It was all the hard SankalpIndia.Net. Every tiny molecule of Ash is in motion with my heat I am such a Lunatic that I am free even in Jail. - Bhagat Singh Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 5 August 2012 Platelet Contamination - Lets Be Aware In September 2009 a six year old girl undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer in USA died after platelet transfusion. According to a lawsuit brought by her family, the cause wasn't cancer, but septic shock from a contaminated platelet transfusion!

Doctors say that after during her treatment for cancer she was doing well and receiving low-dose chemotherapy and routine maintenance treatments. But during a checkup, because her platelets were low, a transfusion was ordered. That sent her into septic shock and while antibiotics killed the bacteria, she suffered organ failure and after nine days suffered a massive stroke. Ten days after the transfusion she died in her mother's arms. Platelets can become contaminated if the donor has even a low-grade blood infection, or when the BACKGROUND skin isn't properly cleaned, drawing surface Although on first glance this may seem as a one off bacteria into the platelets during collection. Since incident due the negligence of hospital and blood 2004 efforts are being made to detect and limit bank authorities, a study proved otherwise. In a bacteria, generally by taking cultures of donated study of over four million platelet units the Red platelets to measure bacteria growth within 24 to Cross (in USA) collected and distributed to 48 hours. But bacteria levels may be too low that hospitals from January 2007 to December 2011, it early for detection, and studies show as many as 1 found 381 suspected septic reactions in platelets it in 1,000 units that tested negative were actually distributed, 38 definite or probable cases and four contaminated deaths. The report also claims that platelet contamination is the No. 1 infection risk in the U.S. HOW CAN PLATELET CONTAMINATION BE blood supply. Unfortunately though there is no DETECTED? data available for India. Although most According to a July 30 2012 report published in the transfusions are safe and well-tolerated. New Wall Street Journal, about 150 hospitals in safety standards adopted by some blood banks America have adopted a new contamination test, have reduced the average rate of fatalities from for platelets. This is a test that can be administered sepsis, or blood poisoning. Still, hundreds of immediately before patients get a transfusion. nonfatal sepsis cases and other adverse reactions Initially approved in 2007, it has one major barrier are still linked to contaminated platelets. icost: It adds about $25 to $30 to the average cost of a unit of platelets. WHAT IS PLATELET CONTAMINATION? A growing number of studies show that standard Other steps to improve safety are diverting some tests performed by blood banks before they ship initial blood drawn from the donor into a separate platelets to hospitals miss the majority of pouch to capture any skin bacteria, and swirling contaminated platelets. Unlike other blood blood bags to visually spot signs of contamination. components such as red cells, which are Hospitals should also watch patients for signs of refrigerated, platelets must be stored at room infection such as fever and chills after a temperature to remain effective, but during transfusion, and administer antibiotics if needed. storage periods that last up to five days bacteria can grow and multiply. Reference: AABB Journal, Wikipedia, Wall Street Journal article on health If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if it is not of service to the motherland. - Chandra Shekhar Azad Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 6 August 2012 Sankalp Event Roll For July 2012 In July 2012, Sankalp volunteers were collected there. involved in plethora of events and activities Capgemini, one of apart from the flood relief operations in the biggest all time s u p p o r t e r s o f Assam. Here is a peek into them Sankalp’s Rakta Kranti organized IGNITING YOUNG MINDS their 13th and 14th Sankalp’s efforts to build a drives with Sankalp better future of safe blood took on 5 and 6 July a new leap this month with 2012. The turnout close to 800 students being and support was good as usual with 323 donors rolling educated in 5 sessions. The up their sleeves to gift a unit of life. young kids were made aware of the problem of blood At the other extreme were Interra Systems and shortage, their roles in making Wipro Bangalore’s Sarjapur campus. Both these a difference to solve this and organizations made their debut Sankalp blood the other benefits of regular donation drives. So amazing was the employee voluntary blood donation. turnout to total number of employees ratio that 824 units of blood were collected at these places, with 783 1 session was held in Mitralaya High School in of them coming from Wipro alone in a 2 day event!. At Cubbonpet, Bangalore with an attendance of 153 Wipro the situation was such that more than 200 students. 2 sessions at Little flowers English High donors were sent back with the promise of another School in Domlur saw 137 students taking the drive as there was simply no time and space to pledge to donate blood once they are 18. A accommodate them in this drive. mammoth turnout of 5 0 7 s t u d e n t s a t Making the month even more special for Sankalp Lourdes High School Rakta Kranti were the public drives held at ING Life in Cubbonpet made office, Kalamandir saree shop @ Marathalli, volunteers believe Bangalore and one organized by H2H Foundation that there is better @ JP Nagar, Bangalore. The efforts and commitment hope for voluntary from organizers at these drives proved that where blood donation in there is a will, there is blood. Approximately 20 units Karnataka in the were collected at first 2 locations and 68 units in the coming years third.

RAKTA KRANTI BLOOD DRIVES. Sankalp India Foundation wishes to express their Blood donation drives are embedded into Sankalp’s deepest sense of gratitude to all these organizers that routine. Summer or winter, sun or rain, whatever is the helped in a collection of more than 1200 units of blood time of the year, fulfilling all blood requests through off in 1 month. A note of thanks also goes out to the blood the shelf voluntarily available safe blood is the goal. bank staff for making all these events successful and more importantly quality compliant. For the first time since it’s inception, Sankalp knocked on the doors of religious institutions for blood donation 9480044444 , drives. A positive response was seen by Bethel Mar Karnataka’s Thoma Church, blood helpline B a n g a l o r e - the hope and where a first of p r o m i s e o f it’s kind blood s a f e b l o o d donation drive t u r n s 6 i n was organized S e p t e m b e r. after Sunday R e a d m o r e prayers on 1st about it in the July 2012. 19 S e p t e m b e r precious units of 2012 issue of b l o o d w e r e Sankalp Patrika. When we stand, the Azad Hind Fauz has to be like a wall of granite; when we march, the Azad Hind Fauz has to be like a steamroller. - Subhash Chandra Bose Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 7 August 2012 The Shortest and Best Day Of My College Life This article has been penned by a student of emergencies. Jain College Of Engineering, Belgaum. This the benefits of donating blood comes after a successful blood donation drive regularly made held there on 4 May 2012. This student, Ms us learn a lot. Ashwini was a part of an enthusiastic team W e m a d e announcement red that worked on every aspect of the drive s and put up to make it one of the most memorable events p o s t e r s t o in their college. make people aware of the c a m p b e i n g A Blood Donation Camp was going to be held in h e l d . T h e our college for the first time and it was really a registrations by great thing for me since joining my BE course at the students, the college. On 16th April 2012 when a senior t h e i n t e r e s t Sankalp volunteer entered my class for the first they showed for time to make an announcement about the event donating blood we all were just happy and relaxed that we will be and the actual blood donations made us more allowed to get a break during normal class hours. happy. Finally on May 4th 2012, we the TEAMRED After the announcement when I was chosen to be were very excited and very happy. To see people a part of it I was happier than ever before. voluntarily donate blood made our day and the camp was worth conducted. I guess for me May We were all juniors and I had never expected that 4th was the shortest day of my life. We (Sowmya, we will be chosen to conduct such an event in our Nischita, Siddhi, Ashwini, Sujay, Praveen, college as it was not a fest or fun event but was a Summet, Omkar) and the Sankalp volunteer for serious matter. Donating blood to save life with no the day ended the camp with 84 donations self profit or loss is really wonderful. As we successfully and we are really proud of it. conducted the camp in our college we learnt how to deal with different people. We got to know what This article is testimonial to the commitment of are the thoughts and ideas about blood donation. Sankalp to bring students to be a centric part of the blood donation movement in their colleges While making students aware of blood donation, through the Rakta Kranti programme the problems being faced by people during Why Don’t You Organise A High Quality Drive In Your Organisation /Institution?

Be it Bangalore, Bidar, Udupi, Davangere or any place in Karnataka, it is time for you to make up your mind to come forward and organise a blood donation drive. Rakta Kranti team will happily co-ordinate with you to rope in publicity materials and create a good awareness among you're blood donors and also rope in a good and safe blood bank from your locality. Call us at 9880132850 or drop a mail to [email protected] with a subject line saying Request To Organise a Blood Donation Drive and we should be ready to help you get started!. Your zeal, effort and enthusiasm will help some unknown patient somewhere.

Come Let’s Fight Blood Shortage. Come let us join together To Usher a Rakta Kranti

It is only on the basis of undiluted Nationalism and of perfect justice and impartiality that the Indian Army of Liberation can be built up. - Subhash Chandra Bose Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 8 August 2012 Param Vir Chakra - An Ode To The Bravest Shaheedon ki chitaon pe The award has eluded our brave navy guarding us on the huge oceans has not yet received it! We can just lagenge har baras mele, imagine the supreme level of courage and valor Watan pe marne walon displayed by the recipients. We can just get inspired from their self-sacrifice to keep us safe. And we can just ka yahi baki nishan remember them. It was Kargil Vijay Divas on 26th July. hoga We celebrated the day by hoisting tricolor. But the victory had cost us 527 brave men who fought till their last breath to save our peaks. Lt. Manoj Pandey and These are the words Captain Vikram Batra were amongst the martyrs of the inscribed on the Param Vir war. These are the names that we should never forget. Chakra, highest gallantry Because if our independence was won by supreme award given to the most sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and others, it’s the selfless and brave soldiers of supreme sacrifice of these brave hearts that we are India Instituted on 26 Jan able to retain our freedom. They are the Bhagat Singh’s 1950, to recognize the most and Sukhdev’s of post-independence. conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent Naik Jadu Nath Singh didn’t leave his post in 1947-48 act of valor or self-sacrifice in war even when every other man of his company was the presence of the enemy, dead. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid Param Vir Chakra is the highest war-time award for single handedly destroyed three tanks using his gun armed forces in India. The award is the second highest mounted on a Jeep and laid his life in the process in by Government of India after Bharat Ratna. 1965 Indo-Pak War. Naib Subedar Bana Singh had the task to clear Siachen Glacier from intruders in 1987, the The medal is circular in shape, made of bronze, one highest battlefield in the world at 6500 mtrs. Though the and three eighth inches in diameter and on obverse, enemy was at height, he closed in on the enemy and four replicas of "Indra's Vajra" with the State Emblem moving from trench to trench cleared all the intruders. (including the motto), embossed in the centre. On its Each of these is a story of highest level of sacrifice for reverse, it has Param Vir Chakra embossed both in the country. Each is the story of highest courage and Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi selflessness. and English. It has a plain purple color ribbon. Indra’s Vajra is something very interesting in Chakra design. What is the significance of Vajra on the Chakra? One might think that it denotes power, as Vajra is one of the most powerful weapons in Hindu Mythology. However, Vajra signifies sacrifice and not power. The Vajra on the chakra denotes the sacrifice of his bones by Dadhichi to save the world. Param Vir Chakra thus demands for supreme level of selfless sacrifice.

The Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self- sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. The decoration may be awarded posthumously. In fact, of the 21 awardees, 14 received it posthumously!

The award is received by Indian Army 20 times and air force once. Grenadiers Regiment have received the WISHING ALL READERS OF most number of Param Vir Chakras, with 3 awards, one each for the Indo-Pakistan 1965 war, 1971 Indo- SANKALP PATRIKA Pakistan war and the Kargil War. The Gorkha Rifles have also received three awards, with the 1st Gorkha A HAPPY Rifles (The Malaun Regiment), 8th Gorkha Rifles and 11th Gorkha Rifles each receiving one. INDEPENDENCE DAY. Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. - Bhagat Singh Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 9 August 2012 First Indo-Pak War 1947-48 - War Heroes Rang apne lahu ka tujhe deke hum, getting upper hand in the war. Poonch was Marte bhi gaye, kehte bhi gaye, aazadi ke parvane relieved after more than a year and Gilgit forces Ki jeena to usi ka jeena hai jo marna watan pe jane were defeated. Indians were advancing in every place of the valley and recaptured Dras sector as well. The victory of Indian forces was looking October 27, 1947. Hardly 2 months had passed almost certain. since Indian Independence. India was still recovering from the shock of partition and was not However, at this time Pt Nehru thought to even united. There were many princely states in approach UN and the war ended more than 14 the country that did not consider themselves part months after it o f I n d i a n began when on republic. One 1 s t J a n u a r y such state was 1 9 4 9 U N Kashmir. And it imposed cease was on Kashmir f i r e . T h e that Pakistani consequence of forces marched t h e U N in claiming they intervention was n e e d e d t o that we lost s u p r e s s t h e about 2/5 of total r e b e l l i o n o n Kashmir. This s o u t h e a s t a r e a i s s t i l l Kashmir. under Pakistan and known as Kashmir’s King POK (Pakistan Hari Singh was o c c u p i e d quick to react Kashmir). and signed the Instrument of Accession War Heroes: The first with India, meaning that Kashmir was war of independent India saw some great acts of now a part of India. Thus began the first war courage and sacrifice. A total of 1500 soldiers lost between India and Pakistan. The war was fought their lives protecting our motherland. For bravery in several stages which started by Pakistan and selfless service, 5 soldiers and officers were offensive followed by Indian counter-attack and awarded the highest gallantry awards. ended with UN intervention.

Initially, Pakistani forces easily defeated Major Som Nath Sharma Kashmir’s state force and took over several border M a j o r S o m N a t h cities including Muzzafarabad. But instead of Sharma was the first advancing towards Srinagar, they remained in recipient of Param those cities to loot. This gave time to Indian forces Veer Chakra. Major to reassemble and launch a counter attack. Sharma was born on 31st January 1923 (the Over the next few months, Indian forces launched year Bhagat Singh a series of operations to get back several major d i e d ) i n K a n g r a , cities including Kargil. However, Pakistan had a Himachal Pradesh. He stronghold in Poonch, Mirpur and Gilgit and these came from army family areas were under their siege. Though Indian and his father was an forces were able to recapture some cities like army officer as were Jhanger, Baramula and Uri, they failed in his two brothers and capturing Poonch and Gilgit despite several sister. As such serving attempts. By 1948, the Indian forces started the nation was in his blood. The Government which attacks its own innocent subjects has no claim to be called a civilised government - Lala Lajpat Rai Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 10 August 2012

Major Sharma’s company was one of the first which was of critical strategic importance. Naik Indian company to attack the enemy. He was Jadu Nath’s battalion was stationed in Naushera. airlifted to Srinagar on 31st October, 1947. Even The expected attack came on 6th February 1948. though he was injured in a hockey match, he didn’t left the command and leaded his company with Naik Jadu Nath’s post was in front and had just 9 one hand in plaster cast. On 3rd November 1947, men. The enemy attacked in waves and his post his company was ordered on a patrol to Badgam had to face the full brunt. The first wave swept up village in Kashmir. As they reached Badgam, they to the post with ferocity. Displaying great valour were surrounded by around 700 enemy soldiers and courage and under his leadership, his men from three sides. fought so bravely that enemy ran away in utter confusion. Soon after, a second wave of enemy Heavily outnumbered, Major Sharma knew the attacked his post. This was greater than the gravity of situation. Losing the post would have previous one. Even though the enemy came very made Srinagar vulnerable. So he encouraged his close to his post, he and his men again showed company to fight bravely. But as they were extraordinary courage and fought bravely forcing outnumbered seven to one, his company was the enemy to retreat. However, by then all the facing much casualty. This had affected his others of his post were casualties. He was left company’s light automatics’ efficiency. Realizing alone and wounded. But this didn’t deter his this, he personally took the responsibility of filling determination. When the enemy attacked his post up the magazines of LMGs (Light Machine Guns) third time, he took a sten gun and came out of the with one hand. He also laid down air strips to guide post to attack the advancing enemy. The enemy aircrafts on targets, exposing himself to heavy fire. was completely taken by surprise by this magnificent display of courage and fled again. During the operation, a mortar shell blasted on Naik Jadu Nath however was shot on head and company’s ammunitions and Major Sharma was chest and laid his life. The enemy didn’t attack his killed from the explosion. His last message to post again and thus he almost single-handedly Head Quarters was "The enemy are only 50 yards saved Naushera. from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch He received highest gallantry award for his but will fight to the last man and the last round." By sacrifice. A sports stadium is named after him in the time reinforcement reached Badgam, his post his birth place Shahjahanpur. was overrun. However, due to many casualties the enemy could not advance to Srinagar. Thus, the Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba sacrifice of Major Sharma and his company saved Rane Srinagar from falling. Second Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane was Naik Jadu Nath Singh born on 26th June Naik Jadu Nath 1 9 1 8 i n K a r w a r, Singh was born in on Karnataka. He was November 21, 1918 c o m m i s s i o n e d i n in Shahjahanpur, Corps of Engineers on Uttar Pradesh. He 15th December 1947. was commissioned in 1st Battalion On March 18 1948, Rajput Segment. I n d i a n a r m y recaptured Jhangar In the early stages of a n d o r e o a r e d t o war, Pakistan had a d v a n c e t o w a r d s captured Jhangar, Rajauri. However, this Poonch and Mirpur highway was destroyed by enemy and many districts. They were obstacles and mines were laid on the way. Second in advantageous Lt. Rama Rane was given the task to clear the position and planned to attack Naushera section roads to facilitate army’s advance. It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend its freedom is his duty. - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 11 August 2012 As the section started clearing road mines on 8th Machine Gun). Though wounded by grenade, he April, two sappers were killed. Five others cleared this MMG with his sten gun fire. By now he including Second Lt. Rane were wounded. realized that he was lone survivor of his section. However, this didn’t deter them. Even undr heavy He was again wounded by another grenade. But enemy fire, they continued working till 10:00 pm with no regard for personal safety he jumped that night. On 9th April, he started working at 6:00 towards next enemy position and cleared that. As am and worked continuously till the diversion for he was charging the third bunker, he was shot in tanks was ready. He continued clearing roads that head and laid his life. But he made a final blow to day till evening and helped in movement of tank the enemy by hurling a grenade which cleared this column. On 10th April, he started at 4:45 am. Till bunker as well. now army had made significant movement due to his efforts. The next thousand yards was a mass of Due to his singular act of bravery and courage he roadblocks and blasted embankments. Also, this was awarded the highest gallantry award after passage was heavily covered by enemy machine war. gun fire. Displaying tremendous courage, Second Lt. Rane moved forward between fires and started Lance Naik Karam Singh MM (Military clearing the passage. He worked continuously till Medal) 9:00 pm and cleared a major portion of road. He Lance Naik Karam didn’t stopped even on next day and worked more Singh was born on than 17 hours on 11th April to clear the final 1 5 t h S e p t e m b e r roadblocks and open the roads to Chingas. Thus, 1915 in Barnala, Second Lt. Rama Rane played a vital role in the Punjab. He was the advance of army and recapturing of Chingas and fifth Indian to receive Rajouri. Param Veer Chakra.

Due to his selfless service and grim determination, T i t h w a l w a s he was awarded Param Veer Chakra after the war. recaptured by army He retired from army in 1968 as Major and on 23rd May 1948. received five Mention in Dispatches during his 21 The enemy made years of service. numerous attempts to recapture the city. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh On such attack was made on 13th October 1948 Company Havildar when an enemy brigade attacked Richmar Gali to Major Piru Singh was retake Tithwal. Lance naik Karam Singh was b o r n i n Vi l l a g e commanding a section at Richmar Gali. The R a m p u r a B e r i , enemy attacked by mortar shelling on the bunkers Rajasthan on 20th which resulted in communication cut from the may 1918. He was command. Also, several bunkers were destroyed. inducted into the But Lance Naik encouraged his men to fight and British Indian Army in continued fighting bravely himself. The enemy 1936. launched eight separate attacks that day and succeeded In making a foothold close to his On 18th July 198, his bunker. Even though severely wounded, with no section was given regard for personal safety, he jumped out of the the task to recapture bunker and attacked enemy with a bayonet. This a hill from enemy. demoralized the enemy and they broke the attack. The enemy was at the top of hill and highly advantageous position. Lance Naik Karam Singh died on 20th January He and his section were facing heavy grenade 1993, aged 77. attacks from the top. This resulted in heavy casualty and more than half of his section was wounded or killed. But he didn’t lose courage. With battle cries, he encouraged others to fight and rushed towards the nearest MMG (Medium Even if we lose the wealth of thousands, and our life is sacrificed, we should keep smiling and be cheerful keeping our faith in God and Truth. Sardar VallabhBhai Patel Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 12 August 2012 A Tribute To Captain Lakshmi Sehgal On 23 July 2012, India lost one of her precious daughter - Captain Lakshmi Sehgal who was a firebrand revolutionary, dedicated physician, freedom fighter, and commander of the world's first women's military regiment. As a tribute to her legacy and to pay homage to her soul, her life, work and commitment towards building a better nation have been captured in this article.

EARLY LIFE

Lakshmi Sehgal was born Lakshmi Swaminathan on October 24, 1914 in Madras to S. Swaminadhan, a talented lawyer, and A.V. Ammukutty, a social worker requested a meeting with him when he arrived in and freedom fighter, who later became a member of Singapore, and emerged from a five-hour interview independent India’s Constituent Assembly. with a mandate to set up a women’s regiment, which was to be called the Rani of Jhansi regiment. There She did MBBS from Madras Medical College in 1938. was a tremendous response from women to join the all- In the next few years, Lakshmi and her family were women brigade. Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan became drawn into the ongoing freedom struggle. She saw the Captain Lakshmi, a name and identity that would stay transformation of her mother from a Madras socialite to with her for life. an ardent Congress supporter, who one day walked into her daughter’s room and took away all the child’s Captain Lakshmi was the chief of the Rani of Jhansi pretty dresses to burn in a bonfire of foreign goods. Regiment- an all women regiment- the first of its kind in Lakshmi observed how in the South, the fight for Asia. The cadets of the regiment underwent military political freedom was fought alongside the struggle for and combat training with drills, route marches as well social reform. Campaigns for political independence as weapons training in rifles, hand grenades, and were waged together with struggles for temple entry for bayonet charges. The first qualified troop, numbering Dalits and against child marriage and dowry. nearly five hundred, passed out of the Singapore training camp in March 1944. 200 more were also FROM LAKSHMI TO CAPTAIN LAKSHMI chosen for nursing training. The regiment participated in the successful Imphal campaign of the INA. As a young doctor of 26, Lakshmi left for Singapore in 1940. During the Captain Lakshmi s u r r e n d e r o f was arrested by the Singapore by the British army in May B r i t i s h t o t h e 1 9 4 5 . S h e Japanese, in 1942, remained under Dr. Lakshmi aided house arrest in the t h e w o u n d e d jungles of Burma prisoners of war. until March 1946, Three years later she when she was sent met Netaji Subhas to India – at a time Chandra Bose, a when the INA trials m e e t i n g t h a t i n D e l h i w e r e changed the course intensifying the of her life. Lakshmi popular hatred of had heard that Bose colonial rule. was keen to draft women into the In an interview organization. She given years later, There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 13 August 2012 she applied for membership in the CPI(M).

Captain Lakshmi was one of the founding members of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), formed in 1981. She subsequently led many of its activities and campaigns. After the Bhopal gas tragedy in December 1984, she led a medical team to the city; years later she wrote a report on the long-term effects of the gas on pregnant women. During the anti-Sikh riots that followed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, she was out on the streets in Kanpur, confronting anti-Sikh mobs and ensuring that no Sikh or Sikh establishment in the crowded areas, near her clinic were attacked. She was arrested for her participation in a campaign against the Miss World competition held in Bangalore in 1996.

In 2002, the leftist parties of India nominated Captain Lakshmi as a candidate in the presidential elections. She ran a campaign across the country, addressing packed public meetings. She, the sole opponent to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, lost 1 lakh to 9 lakh votes. While frankly admitting that she did not stand a chance of winning, she used her platform to publicly question a political system that allowed poverty and injustice to grow, and bred corruption and economic divide. Captain Lakshmi recalls - "To say that it was Nehru who DEATH AND LEGACY saved the INA is absolutely false. It was the people of India who rose up in revolt and forced the British to A ninety-seven-year-old Sehgal, died or cardiac arrest release the INA prisoners. In a way the British did us a in Kanpur on 23rd July, 2012. A frail Capt Lakshmi favor by prosecuting Prem Kumar Sehgal (a Hindu), Sehgal, met patients at her Kanpur clinic even the day Dhillon (a Sikh) and Shah Nawaz Khan (a Muslim). The before she suffered the cardiac arrest. Even after three of them were charged for waging war against the death, as per her will, her eyes and body were donated King Emperor and the British were all set to sentence to medical college. The eyes went to the visually them to death. This created such a furore among the challenged and the body was used for medical studies. masses that it resulted in the entire country rising up and demanding the release of the three officers of the A name that shines bright in the noble tribe of selfless INA and the rage was such, that had they been patriots, who fought gallantly for India’s freedom- a set executed not a single Englishman would have gone of bravehearts who, over years, witnessed the rapid back alive. So the British were actually left with no demise of values they once stood for. Captain Lakshmi choice but to release them." Sehgal was a lady who chose to remain a fighter all her life. Captain Lakshmi had the quality of awakening a After Col. Prem Kumar Sehgal's release, Captain sense of joy and possibility in all who met her – her co- Lakshmi married him in March 1947. The couple workers, activists of her organization, her patients, moved from Lahore to Kanpur, where she plunged into family and friends. her medical practice, working among the flood of refugees who had come from Pakistan, and earning Her life was an inextricable part of 20th and early 21st the trust and gratitude of both Hindus and Muslims. century India - of the struggle against colonial rule, the attainment of freedom, and nation-building over 65 PIONEERING SOCIAL REFORMS tumultuous years. In this great historical transition, Captain Lakshmi always positioned herself firmly on By the early 1970s, Lakshmi’s daughter Subhashini the side of the poor and underpowered. Freedom had joined the CPI(M). She brought to her mother’s fighter, dedicated medical practitioner, and an attention for doctors and medical supplies for outstanding leader of the women's movement in India, Bangladeshi refugee camps. Captain Lakshmi left for Captain Lakshmi left the country and its people - a fine Calcutta, carrying clothes and medicines, to work for and enduring legacy. the next five weeks in the border areas. After her return

By "Revolution", we mean the ultimate establishment of an order of society which may not be threatened by such breakdown - Bhagat Singh Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 14 August 2012 National Sports Day Of India The 29th of August is a very important day The greatest patriotic moment expressed by him was in the 1936 summer Olympics at Berlin. After for sport professionals in India. It is victory, the team captained by DhyanChand raised instituted as National Sports Day as it the Indian tricolor in the dressing room and sang Vande Mataram an Indian nationalist song, rather happens to be the birthday of legendary than the British national anthem, which they were Indian hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand. obliged to sing. Impressed by his performance, August 29, 1905 was the day when India’s Adolf Hitler supposedly offered to make Dhyan Chand a Field Marshal in the German army, but the most talented hockey player was born in latter refused. Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Dhyan Chand retired from his service in army when he was 51 at the post of Major. Dhyan Chand contributed DHYANCHAND - THE SPORTING LEGEND to the game even after his retirement. After his retirement, Dhyan Chand earned a diploma in Dhyan Chand coaching from the National Institute of Sports in also known as Patiala, in Punjab. He was positioned as the Hockey M a j o r D h y a n Coach Chief at the National Institute of Sports in Chand because Patiala and also taught at many coaching camps in of his association Rajasthan. with the Indian army at the age of Dhyan Chand however died penniless in the year 1979 16. However, his and uncared for in a hospital, receiving a meagre mentor Subhedar pension.A year after his death, the Indian Postal Major Bale Tiwari Service issued a commemorative stamp in his honor. recognized his Major Dhyan Chand also has a stadium recognized by talent in the game his name as the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in and guided him New Delhi. through the initial stages of his NATIONAL SPORTS DAY career in the sport. Pankaj Since his death, DhyanChand’s birthday has been Gupta was the since celebrated as National Sports Day Of India. first coach of Dhyan Chand who taught him the game National Sports Day is mainly celebrated in and this made Dhyan Chand a master in ball dribbling educational institutes and sports academies all over and goal scoring. He also nick named the player with the country. Moreover, efforts are on to make the youth the name ‘Chand’ which means Moon in Hindi. aware about the advancement of sports in the country and is also motivated to make a successful career in Dhyan Chand also lead the Indian team as a captain different sports. Various sports events especially and was also awarded Padma Bhusha. Till date he hockey matches, prize distribution functions are remains the only player in hockey to receive the organized on this day. award.. During the period 1928 – 1956, Dhyan Chand won the gold Olympic medal 6 times in a row. The lifetime achievement awards in sports, which is regarded as the highest in the field in India, the Dhyan On the field he was named the "Wizard of Hockey" for Chand Award was initiated in 2002, to those who have he exerted complete control on the ball. It appeared contributed during their career in sports as well as have that the ball used to stick to his hockey stick while been major contributors in the promotions of the sports playing. So great was the magic of Dhyan Chand that after retirement. the Tokyo officials broke his hockey stick to search for a magnet inside, and tried to console themselves saying Special Award distribution event at Rastrapati Bhawan he had added some sort of glue. On one occasion, a makes this day memorable for many stars of the Indian lady from the audience asked Dhyan Chand to play sports world. Popular and renowned sport-related with her walking stick instead. He was supposedly so awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award fast that TV analysis of his game play was rendered too and Dronacharya Award are presented by honorable slow. president of India, to great sportsmen of the year.

Faith is of no avail in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work. - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 15 August 2012

BUILD YOUR BOND WITH THE PATRIKA! Participate If you are wondering how Sankalp Patrika’s operation is funded? This magazine is printed from the contribution of the volunteers of Sankalp India Foundation. Your participation and support is vital to keep this newsletter going. If you wish to contribute towards the publication of this newspaper, please contact the publisher at 9880132850/[email protected]. Contribute We invite you to contribute your articles and stories for Sankalp Patrika. You can mail the digital copy of your article to [email protected] or send them by post to the office of the publisher. Subscribe Are you interested in receiving a copy of sankalp Patrika regularly? Please write to the publisher or sms/mail us your name and address to 9880132850/[email protected]. "Need and struggle are what excite and inspire us." - William James Sankalp Patrika Volume 2 Issue 8 Page 16 August 2012 Get Tested For Bombay Blood Group People who think their blood group is O may staff attending to in-patients there is a risk of improper transfusion or even being taken for surgery without actually have Bombay Blood Group. It’s adequate blood arrangement. This situation could be important to get screed for Bombay Group. fatal, like it has been before. It is extremely important that people who believe their blood group to be O, get Read on to know more. themselves screened for Bombay Blood Group. Consider these facts: Getting yourself tested for Bombay Blood Group is ! In June a lady got admitted to undergo a neuro- simple and it does not cost much either. In fact, if you surgery at a prestigious hospital. The doctors are a blood donors, you can always insist upon the asked for routine tests to be done and 8 units of blood bank in which you donate blood to do the blood to be arranged. The Bombay Blood Group test for you. blood bank was shocked to Normally it is observed that for discover that her blood group blood grouping the technician was Bombay Negative. Her put's three drops of blood on a age was 60+. In next few days slide and adds chemicals (Anti-A, her brother (a reputed doctor Anti-B and Anti-D) to each of the practicing in USA) discovered drops to see if they coagulate. If that his blood group was also the first and the second drop do Bombay group. not coagulate then your blood ! In July a person underwent group is declared as O. In this a Kidney Transplant at a case, they should put a fourth r e n o w n e d i n s t i t u t e o n drop and put Anti-H in it. If it coagulates, your blood Hyderabad. After a couple of days of surgery the group is O or else it is Bombay Blood Group. complication continued until they shifted the person to Chennai only to discover that his blood It is easy, immediate and does not cost much. Typically group was Bombay group. All through his it could cost you only a few tens of rupees to get transplant the hospital thought it was O Positive. yourself screened for A f t e r w e e k s o f Bombay Blood Group. struggling, the patient Each blood banks who died. attend the blood donation ! In the recently help drives organised by Bombay blood group Sankalp are screening for meet several regular Bombay blood group as a Bombay blood group matter of routine. donors pointed out that they had given blood With more blood banks several times before screening for Bombay being informed by the blood group over the years blood bank that it was the situation has been Bombay Blood Group! improving but the number ! A l a d y w a s of people who donate u n d e r w e n t blood far outweighs those hysterectomy. Her who don't. The three things stitches did not heal as expected and she that can be done are: developed complications. When the doctors ! Public awareness, planned to re-operate her at a different hospital, ! Pro-activity on the part of blood banks and they discovered that her blood group is Bombay diagnostic labs doing blood grouping and Positive. ! O group blood donors insisting for the test This will go a long way in ensuring that people with this Sankalp Emergency Team came across all of these rare phenotype do not face unexpected and potentially instances in the last 2 months. This prompts the life threatening situations as they do now. organisation to believe that definitely there is a large To know where you can get yourself tested for number of individuals who have Bombay Blood Group Bombay Blood Group please call us on and who are unaware about it. The problem is that very 9480044444 or mail us at little awareness about rare blood types in the medical [email protected]

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