53-yr-long wait for state recognition
By Suman Sachar

THESE words are engraved on the plaque of the memorial to the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Kohima. The Indian forces (under the British) halted the Japanese troops from invading India in April, 1944. Such war memorials are a small but glowing tribute to our soldiers who fight for the security and safety of the country.

It is painful to learn that it took Himachal Pradesh more than 50 years to lay a memorial in the memory of Major Som Nath Sharma — our first recipient of the highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra, as late as in 1950. Born in 1923, the 23-year-old Major exhibited exemplary courage by fighting against the pak infiltrators, who tried to capture the Srinagar Airport on November 3, 1947.

This officer of the Kumaon Regiment fought bravely in spite of having his right arm in plaster. Before the Major laid down his life after driving away the Pakistanis and foiling their attempt of taking control of the Srinagar Airport, he spoke about the situation, "We are surrounded by guns and fire all around, but we will fight against the enemies to our last breath." The Major was killed in a bomb explosion. The enemy soldiers are said to have shamelessly removed the clothes from the bodies of the Indian soldiers. The invaders, however, covered Major Som Nath’s body with the torn pages of the sacred Bhagavadgita, which he always carried in his pocket.

The family of Major Som Nath Sharma — his brothers V.N. Sharma, who retired from a top position in the Indian Army, and Surinder Nath and sister Kamla who also served in the Army — has established a Major Som Nath Charitable Hospital at Dadh near Chamunda Devi in Kangra. The hospital provides free medical aid to people. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, P.K. Dhumal, honoured the valiant Major by installing his bust in Palampur on November 3, 2000. Engraved on it are the last words of the Major: "Mein akhri jawan tak, akhri goli tak ladata rahoonga."