A remarkable ....Page 4 SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Wisdom of the..Page 2 THE HERO OF BERIWALA BRIDGE Anil Paba the actions of Bravo Company find special mention in the said James A. Garfield once said, "A brave man presentation, the heroism of Major Singh becomes synony- mous with the B Company's achievements. The counter attack is a man who dares to look the Devil in the launched on 5/6 Dec 1971 by B Company was the third by 4 face and tell him he is a Devil". Major Narain JAT, the first two were on the nights of 3rd Dec and 4th Dec 1971. Singh is such a valiant name in the history Lt. Gen. BS Nagal PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd) freshens up of Indian Army that has not only earned his memories that Major Narain Singh was his first Compa- ny Commander when he joined 4JAT in July 1970. "My intro- honour and respect nationally but duction to him was in nature of directions through which I internationally too. got to know the man in command. Thereafter I reported to him further for next set of directions. After a couple of days The love-hate relationship that India and Pakistan share he gave a long list of duties and assignments which would is of global interest now. The boundaries they contest for and make one familiar with the administration of the company, the wars they fought have been a history for both of them. handling of personal problems, training of man, welfare Indian war heroes have earned golden words even in enemy's measures to ensure transparency and preparation for train- books. Lion-hearted Major Narain Singh is one such son of ing maneuvers due in the winters." Dogra soil whose name re-surfaced in the galleries of brave Reminiscing the aura of his Commander, Lt Gen Nagal hearts when Pakistan appointed General Raheel Sharif as the writes that he was very deliberate in his action, took his time Chief of Army Staff, who happens to be the younger brother to evaluate options but once he had made up his mind, he of Late Major Shabbir Sharif of 6FF. General Sharif's appre- would demonstrate great resoluteness in completing them. ciation of the Indian soldier's bravery freshened up the mem- This personality trait came to the fore during the counter ories of martyrdom in 1971 war. attack where he had laid down his life in the service of the The Dogra brave-heart was born on 19th August, 1936 in nation. "He opened up very gradually revealing some of his Krimachi-Mansar village, some 14 KM North-west of Udham- sterling qualities to us. He was not given to becoming famil- pur town to an army man Th. Kartar Singh and Smt. Dhan iar hastily, slowly but surely he made known his desire to excel Dei of Bhatyal Rajput clan. Being the eldest son of the fami- in all that sought to be part of his career and personal life. He ly, he was lovingly called Kaku. had a burning desire to be a winner in all that he did, be it a The diligent boy completed his primary education from low level company issue or, as demonstrated by him, a Nation- Krimachi, middle school from Udhampur and joined Army al cause". Boys Company from where began his career in Army. He was Quoting an eye-witness Lt. Gen Nagal says that the count- much disciplined and hard working besides being a very good er attack that Major Narain Singh led on the intervening night artist. His leadership qualities made him distinguished, and of 5/6 Dec 1971 was a day after I was injured by a machine gun earned good books of the senior officers of Army resulting in burst in the counter attack earlier night: "I came to know about his getting commissioned in 4 JAT on 30th June, 1963. Dur- Major Narain's saga of supreme sacrifice though brings tears in the eyes on his gallantry and bravery from injured JCOs and men of B Com- ing the 1965 Indo-Pak war he was sent on deputation to Assam pany who were admitted to the hospital along with me." Rifles and was posted in North-East. It was on 9th Feb., 1966 both the sides of LoC, yet the sense of pride that his martyrdom infused in Though Major Narain Singh along with many others died in he got married to Smt. Urmila , a daughter of another Army the generations to come will always serve as a source of strength to those the counter attack, but Major Narain Singh was truly a very family and the couple was blessed with a son in 1968. brave and daring person, with courage of conviction rarely seen After General Sharif's tributes to Major Singh's valour, who value their country's honour more than material pursuits. amongst middle level officers. There is a famous quote " Born Indian media did discuss his bravery but only very superfi- to be remembered", I with humility submit, it was he who knew cially and perfunctorily as a half-hearted ritual only, without erwise despondent time for the nation. It was the battle of Major Shabbir Sharif. " According to another Pakistani ver- that one day he would be in the league of such people. a due ballad to the warrior on the occasion. However, show- Majors-one from each side, both hot-blooded and fierce-who sion, Singh charged on their positions with his company and Nodoubt the versions differ, but both the sides agree that ering of praises by the author from Pakistan is a true recog- wrestled for the control of a key bridge which finally ended in lobbed a grenade at Sharif, injuring him slightly. When Indi- the battle of Beriwala was one of exceptional bravery during nition of the courage and valour displayed by the officer who hand-to-hand combat. Major Shabbir Sharif, a company com- an soldiers prepared to fire at Sharif, Singh stopped them and the 1971 war and Major Singh fought it bravely, setting an proved his mettle facing the enemy fearlessly with unfalter- mander of the 6 Frontier Force who had already been deco- opted for a ' man-to-man' combat. He was killed by Sharif who example for the world to quote it to posterity. Though he too ing , undaunted and unflinching courage at Beriwala Bridge. rated in the 1965 war, was asked to capture a bridge on the died a day later at the same bridge after he was shot at by an was one among those thousands of valiant soldiers who laid Fazilka town is testimony to one of the fiercest battles ditch-cum-bund(DCB) near the Indian town of Fazilka which Indian T54 tank. down their lives in the past 55 years during wars fought against fought during 1971 Indo-Pak War ; its soil still sings the saga he managed to do on December 3-4 by over running BSF posi- The author regrets "... had soldier like Maj Narain Singh enemy countries including Pakistan, yet what made him dif- of Major Narain's bravery. During 1971 in a surprise action, tions on the border. The attack on Beriwala was a crucial Pak- been with Pakistan army, the story would have been different." ferent from others was his audacious and enviable act of brav- Pakistan made an attempt to capture Fazilka town. However, istani move on the western front in early December to divert Col. (retd) Vijay Singh, the then adjutant of 4 JAT who ery which won the hearts and minds even of his adversaries the grit, determination and courage shown by the brave Indi- Indian resources from the east where General Niazi's men received the body of Major Narain Singh on 18th December who could not resist appreciating his gallantry, that too open- an soldiers thwarted the enemy's sinister designs and left him were facing a rout. 1971 after cease fire, narrates a different story. According to ly. Maj Narain's wife Urmila Bhatial, who was only 22 when with a bleeding nose. Major Narain Singh, a company commander of 4 JAT him Sharif was killed by Major Narain Singh as it was a very she lost her husband, added, "I am proud of the supreme sac- It was on the evening of 3rd December 1971 that the ene- was chosen to launch a counter attack a day later and recap- brave and courageous battle between the two. He asserts that rifices made by hundreds of martyrs, including my husband, my ,disguised as civilians and under heavy shelling, infiltrat- ture the key bridge which could be used by the Pakistani Army Maj. Narain did not die on the spot. He breathed his last while while serving our mother land." ed along with fleeing villages of Beriwala into Indian territo- for a strong armor attack. Pakistan Army's Major Shabbir he was being taken by the Pakistani authorities to their med- Shaheedon Ki Samadhi is a monument of memory which ry and captured Beriwala Bridge on Sabuna Ditch Cum Bundh Sharif died in the battle in Punjab's Fazilka sector. His hero- ical room. "Major Singh managed to reach the Pakistani posi- is being maintained by the people of Fazilka at Asafwala vil- (DCB). Pakistan attacked the Indian defense with approxi- ics won him the Nishan-e-Haider, the nation's highest gal- tions after going through a hail of fire but was badly injured lage and a chowk has been named after the brave Major Narain mately one infantry brigade of 2500 men and 28 tanks. Sup- lantry award. Major Narain Singh, who led the Indian count- by the time they invaded stronghold, " he added . He recount- Singh in Fazilka Army Brigade area. Every year on Baishakhi ported by heavy artillery fire, they captured village Pakka by er attack also laid his life in the battlefield; he was awarded ed proudly that the Pakistani side treated Maj. Singh with and Vijay Diwas (16 dec) Melas are being organized by civil the dawn of 4th Dec 1971. Thereafter the enemy headed the Vir Chakra. respect. They picked up the unconscious Major and were tak- society and Army at the Samadhi in remembrance of the brave towards Fazilka with tanks and heavy force. Their attacks Though these facts are well established but there are two ing him for treatment when he died. Singh's official citation Army men whose ashes have been preserved at the site. however, were beaten back with heavy casualties. 4 JAT contesting versions of what had actually happened in the bat- for the Vir Chakra also reflects this: Major Narain's saga of supreme sacrifice though brings attacked valiantly from Gurumukhkhera village to prevent the tlefield. The Pakistani version, which was spread by word of " Major Narain Singh led his men and charged the objec- tears in the eyes on both the sides of LoC, yet the sense of pride enemy's advancement further from Beriwala Bridge towards mouth and also mentioned in a book 'Pakistan's Crisis in Lead- tive. In the process, he was hit by a burst from a machine gun that his martyrdom infused in the generations to come will Fazilka. Fierce battle was fought for fourteen days to prevent ership' by Pakistan army Maj Gen(retd) Fazal Muqeem Khan but he continued to direct the operation during which he was always serve as a source of strength to those who value their the enemy from making any further gains. Both sides suffered which was written with an aim to make analytical introspec- mortally wounded." country's honour more than material pursuits. This is what very heavy losses in hand to hand fight around Beriwala tion to find out why the nation lost the war against India in The counter attacks at this warfront have been discussed our former Prime Minister Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi meant Bridge. 1971. Major Gen Fazal Mukueen Khan, says: "In the ensuing at various levels including visits by the Higher Command when she once said "Martyrdom does not end something, it In Pakistani folklore, it is one of the most talked about bat- hand-to-hand fight, this brave Indian Major Narain Singh Course. The unit of Major Narain presented its version in 1979 is only a beginning." tles of 1971 war; one of the few operations glorified in an oth- was killed by another extremely brave company commander at the actual location. There is no denying the fact that though (The author is a social activist) CBSEExam Preparation Tips Sandesh Kumar Bhat reach. Make realistic targets for a day .Even Rome was not built in a day. Of the 5 or 6 subjects pick up 2 or a maxi- Exams, be it at the entrance level, university level mum of 3 subjects and pick up a topic or two from each go or even at the school level, can be big causes of into depth of it instead of skimming 8 to 10 topics. stress. The CBSE board exams, considered to be Mix and Match the most important exam for students about to Plan your day well. Like a good meal, it is important to complete school, has been known to be the biggest have all the essential ingredients while studying as well. Do not have all easy topics/subjects a day or do not over reason for stress, anxiety and depression among burden yourself with topics that you find difficult..To max- students. This need not be the case if your imize your output start your " study day " with a light sub- preparation for the boards has been consistent ject for an hour or so , once you get warmed up take up over the last one year leading up to the exam day. a heavy subject or a topic. Solve Sample Papers The key to performing well in the exams, apart from, It is often said that there is no better practice than match studying hard, grasping everything and retaining everything, practice. Solve one CBSE sample paper available on is, being able to study smart and in a proper manner, so that cbse.nic.in each day, preferably from 10 A.M to 1 P.M. in an your efforts translate into performance. The CBSE has environment as close to the one you expect at your exam- declared the board exam datasheet for 2018.It is high time ination centre. After you have solved the paper, mark your- that we review our preparation strategy for the exams that are self as per CBSE marking scheme. Pick a different subject for book, Almost the whole question paper comprises of Con- Section C contains 10 questions of 3 marks each and Section scheduled to start on 5TH March, 2018. each of five. Six days. Assess yourself at the end of the week cepts and Formulas that are given in NCERT book. Besides, D of 8 questions of 4 marks each. I have tried to put forth some preparation tips that you, as and try to rectify them in the weeks to follow. Ensure CBSE solve most of NCERT EXAMPLER'followed by CBSE sample There will be no overall choice. However an internal choice an exam taker should follow with just one month and few days issued sample papers only as these papers are closest pos- papers. has been provided in four questions of 3 marks each and three to go for the CBSE boards. sible papers to the real thing available to you. e) For Low achievers; Do not worry if you cannot solve questions of 4 marks each. Follow a Proper Schedule/Time -Table Strictly avoid any kind of distraction like mobile, com- the whole book. Pick up scoring and easy chapters like puter etc till your exams are over. polynomials, Real numbers , Linear Equations, circles, Pre- TO PARENTS Sleep early, get up early in the morning ,have a proper scribed(06) Theorems, A.P. Constructions ,Statistics and In the end, Iwant also request parents to please ;- breakfast and then study. Do not stay up late or waste time For class 10th Maths probability and after that do what extra you can . I assure i) Encourage your wards and boost their morale without doing something that is counter productive like worrying a) The class 10 Math's formulas are otherwise very gen- zero failure in Math. Go ahead with confidence. Never fear exerting any under pressure in the last moment. As close to about what might happen. Takeout an hour or two to relax eral , but sometimes it is seen in previous question papers exams. Try to attempt all questions and not to waste time examinations, some students are stressed out as they are and not think about exams. Read, sleep, play or whatever you that the questions are asked from the middle of such numer- on a single question. Start with section D followed by C,B trying to meet the aspirations of their parents and teach- think diverts your attention away from exams. ical which you have to identify it. and A .Presentation need a proper care, ers. The fear of Failure andpoor performance givesthem Don't have too much on your plate b) The concepts/formulas sheet should be kept ready and f) As there is change in syllabus and design of question Nightmares. revised daily. Munch on healthy food while you study and say no to junk paper from this year, the distribution of marks and design ii) Facilitate good quality of sleep and Balanced Diet c) You should know the usage of all the Math's formu- foods. Exercise your brain in a constructive way and do not of question paper in Math is as under;- iii) Advise the children to reinforce what they have las clutter it with lot of thoughts. Be clear in your mind and do Design of Question Paper; -There will be 30 Questions already studied instead of looking for new books or new d) If you really want to excels in Math's ,then it is real- not pressure yourself to cover things that are beyond your divided into 4 sections. Section A contains 6 questions of 1 chapters. ly important to completely be in sync with your NCERT mark each. Section B contains 6questions of 2 marks each. (The author teachers at Kendirya Vidyalaya No 1 Gandhi Nagar, Jammu)