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One more warrior joins the league of brave
Dehradun, November 29 The first to get the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) after independence was Major Somnath Sharma of Kumoan regiment in October 1948. He was followed by Dhan Singh Thapa who also received the highest gallantry award. Uttarakhand is a unique state where 15 per cent of its total population comprise of ex-servicemen. Out of a total population of nearly 85 lakh, 1,37,000 ex-servicemen and their widows are registered with the state government. More than 65,000 men are also serving in the armed forces. A large number of them are also serving in various para-military forces. These families also have a big say in the economy of the hill state, as per rough estimates, nearly Rs 400 crore comes to the state every year as pension of ex-servicemen while the serving personnel also send Rs 215 crore annually to their families. Every family in the state is associated with armed forces by one or the way. Uttarakhand is also the first state to elect Maj. Gen. B.C. Khanduri (retd), a former army general as Chief Minister of the state. Since then, brave men of the state have won 23 Maha Vir Chakras (MVCs), six Ashok Chakras, 19 Kirti Chakras, 81 Shaurtya Chakras, 147 Vir Chakras, 419 Sena Medals and 67 mention in dispatches. Garhwal and Kumoan regiments, the two regiments of both the Garhwal and Kumoan regions of Uttarakhand have been the backbone of infantry of the Indian army. Since then, brave men of the state have won 23 Maha Vir Chakras (MVCs), six Ashok Chakras, 19 Kirti Chakras, 81 Shaurtya Chakras, 147 Vir Chakras, 419 Sena Medals and 67 mention in dispatches. During the Second World War, it was Darban Singh Negi who won the first Victoria Cross for showing exemplary courage in a battle in France. He was followed by Gabbar Singh Negi, who was also decorated with a Victoria Cross. Thousands of young men from the Uttarakhand participated in the two great wars. During the Kargil war in 1999, Uttarakhand had the highest number of brave men who laid down their lives. Out of total 572 officers and men, who died fighting, 75 were from Uttarakhand state. As per official figures, on an average more than 55 men serving in the armed forces are killed while on duty. These figures are apart from the men serving in various paramilitary forces. Still the state government has been paying pension to a total 3546 Second World War veterans and their widows.
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Khanduri for tougher laws
Dehradun, November 29 Paying tributes to Constable Gajendra Singh who laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Nariman House at Mumbai, Chief Minister Khanduri said the United States of America had made tough laws to deal with terrorism after the World Trade Centre attacks and was able to check terrorism on its soil. He appealed to politicians of the country to stand united on the issue and take tough measures against terrorism. Khanduri said efforts are being made to make adequate security arrangements for the Kumbh Mela to be held in Haridwar in 2010. He added that already more than four crore pilgrims and tourists visit the state every year and many prestigious national institutions are based here. “We are making foolproof security arrangements keeping in view the terrorist threat,” he added. The chief minister announced a relief of Rs five lakh for the family of Constable Gajendra Singh. He said Gajendra Singh has upheld the highest traditions of valour and courage of the people of Uttarakhand: “He will always be remembered for his bravery.” The state Governor B.L. Joshi also paid tributes to Gajendra Singh and all other officers of the armed forces and police who laid down their lives fighting terrorists in Mumbai. “All these brave men have made the entire country proud by saving hundreds of innocent people from all over the world,” he said. Meanwhile, Syed Ashraf Hussain Qadri, Naib Sunni Sahar Qazi, has condemned the terrorist attack in Mumbai. Paying tributes to martyrs, he said it was one of the most heinous crimes committed by terrorists and urged the Central government to deal with terrorism in a tough manner.
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Prayers, tributes for Mumbai terror
victims
Haridwar, November 29 The Congress party organised a meeting to mourn the death of innocent people. “Dharam Raksha Manch” organised “Deeepdan” in the memory of the martyrs at the holy Ganga river. Swami Hansdas, Satpal Brahmachari, Kulveer Singh, Kailashanand Barahmachari and Mahant Rajendra Das, among others, were present on the occasion. “Deepshikha Sahitya Manch” and “Sankritik Manch” organised a prayer meeting at Jgyanoday Academy, where a two-minute silence was observed in the memory of those killed in Mumbai. K.L Dewan, Dr. Shiv Charan, Santosh, Dr. Suryakant were among those present. Student outfits were also not behind in paying tributes and condemning the terrorist attacks. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) put up the photos of martyrs at Rani Pur Chowk and paid floral tributes to them. Student leaders condemned the attacks and vowed to unite in the fight against terrorism. Members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) burnt the effigy of terrorism and shouted slogans against the Pakistan-sponsored militants. They also condemned Raj Thackeray for igniting malice among people and weakening the society, which proved beneficial for terrorists, and rebuked him for not coming out with any statement against the terror attacks. A unique tribute ceremony was organised by a group of people at Alaknanda Ghat, where they saluted the NSG commandos and held hands for the people who died, while wearing pictures of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Sanjay Chopra, who organised the ceremony, said: “The commandos came as saviours and this is the time when the principles of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose should be adopted.” Besides, Congress and BJP members also criticised the terrorist attacks and urged the people to be united in these testing times.
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State leads in grant for martyrs
Dehradun, November 29 From the days of Second World War to the conflicts with China and Pakistan and then the Kargil intrusions, boys from Garhwal and Kumaon have always been at forefront in sacrificing their lives for the nation. As a mark of honour to the long list of martyrs and other decorated sainiks from the state, the Uttarakhand’s Maj Gen (retd) B.C. Khanduri government had in a historic decision recently decided to enhance the one time cash grant and annuity given to the gallantry award winners. An amount of Rs 25,00,000 as lumpsum and Rs 1,50,000 as annuity is now provided for a Param Vir Chakra winner, which is highest, in the country. Similarly for Ashok Chakra Rs 25,00,000 as lumpsum and Rs 1,20,000 as annuity is given. For Mahavir Chakra, Rs 15,00,000 is given as lumpsum and Rs 1,14,000 as annuity, Kirti Chakra Rs 15,00,000 as lumpsum and Rs 1,00,000 as annuity, Vir Chakra Rs 10,00,000 as lumpsum and Rs 66,000 as annuity, for Shaurya Chakra Rs 10,00,000 as lumpsum and Rs 50,000 as annuity, for SYSM 1,27,000 lumpsum and Rs 4,600 as annuity, for UYSM 1,27,000 lumpsum and Rs 4,200 as annuity, for YSM 36,000 lumpsum and Rs 3,800 as annuity, for SM/NSM/VM winner, Rs 23000 lumpsum and Rs 4,800 as annuity is provided. Significantly, the annuity is now payable to gallantry award winners and their widows. Uttarakhand also leads in providing highest monthly pension to its Second World War veterans. The state has a total of 3546 Second World War veterans and the war widows. A state led by an ex-defence personnel, Uttarakhand has always taken the welfare of ex-servicemen in topmost priority. Special instructions have also issued to commissioner and district magistrates to resolve the problems of serving soldiers.
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When district magistrate was king
Before the formation of Uttarakhand, aka Uttaranchal, the district magistrate in Dehradun was virtually the anointed king. There was none above him. And Mahesh Prasad was a very popular district magistrate here in 1965-67, and at 30, certainly the youngest-ever. Prasad has now written his memoirs, the book published under the title “No, Minister” by Macmillan India, was formally released on November 12 by finance minister Chidambaram at New Delhi's Hyatt Regency Hotel. In his chapter on Dehradun under the baffling caption of "Nehru children don't lie", Mahesh tells interesting stories and anecdotes in his own inimitable style. Mahesh was four months shy of 22 years of age when he was selected for the IAS in 1957. That made him the youngest in his batch. His first posting as district magistrate was at Pauri in 1962. Between the two postings, Mahesh Prasad had a fascinating and unexpected foreign interlude when he was sent to Cambridge in England for a year's course in development studies.
A prized posting
Dehradun district was always considered a prized posting for a variety of reasons and generally civil servants deemed to be in the good books of the powers that be were posted here. The people here were, and still are, hospitable and the very act of hosting the district magistrate at parties was deemed a badge of the blessed that the hosts would wear on their shirt sleeves. When the Prasads arrived in Dehradun, the first telephone call that Mahesh received was from a wannabe host and an important one at that. I will let Mahesh tell
the story: “Mr Mahesh Prasad, this is Kunwar Brij Bhushan, chairman of the Dehradun Municipal Committee.” We had not even unpacked our bags when the civic chief rang. “Your predecessor A.P. Dikshit has spoken very highly of you. Please have lunch or dinner with us.” I did not know how to respond to such an invitation from a total stranger. I tried to make an excuse but the caller was both persistent and persuasive. Eventually, I sought and got time till the following day. I called my “steno babu” and inquired about Kunwar Brij Bhushan. He was all praise for my wannabe host. “Sir, Kunwar saab nagar palika ke chairman hain aur bade rasookwale aadmi hain, aur jo bhi collector saab Dehradun mein post hote hain woh saab unke
ghar jaate hain.” Within the next few hours three or four more invites arrived and I noted the names and phone numbers of the callers, and promised to call
them back. I soon learnt that playing host to the District Magistrate was both a ritual and tradition in Dehradun, and was considered a status symbol by the local elite. Pauri, my first posting as district magistrate, was more like a serene and beautiful forest rest house, with no social or cultural life worth mentioning. Yet Garhwal exuded a natural ambience with its charming aloofness. Soon, I found myself swirling in the social whirlpool that was Dehradun.
An orange squash and
vegetarian food
Kunwar Brij Bhushan and a few others were vegetarians and practiced abstinence; and that suited me since I too was a vegetarian and teetotaler (and have remained so all my life). Thus, these parties ended early enough, giving me much time to attend to my files and other official engagements or read depending upon whether it was lunch or dinner. My wife, Mohini, too found time to look after our two children, and to indulge in painting that was to become her passion later. While in London, years later, she was to acquire diplomas in window display and fashion design from the College of Distributive Trades.” Thus, Mahesh and his wife felt much at home at these vegetarian parties that ended within a reasonable time. But then the vegetarian hosts were very few; most would serve meat dishes, and offer
alcoholic drinks. That did cause a problem of sort for the vegetarian and teetotaler Mahesh and his wife. It was not that they objected to other guests drinking and eating meat; what they didn't find palatable was that the food was the last item both on the menu and on the minds of the worshippers
of Bacchus. And what stratagem did Mahesh and Mohini devise to cope with the pangs of hunger at the parties that went on and on? Again, I would let Mahesh narrate this story. “Yet, there were other parties, different in a different sort of way. They would start with drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and appetisers and would continue either late into the afternoon or night, though in deference to my sensibilities, the host would be parsimonious in serving hard liquor, and would isolate the more boisterous of the imbibers. Invariably and inevitably, the ladies would converge into a separate group, and move to a secluded corner. Mohini was at her best then. Well-read and articulate, my wife would relish these moments with the crème-de-la crème of the Doon ladies, many of whom were equally, if not more, articulate, though, being the wife of the district magistrate, Mohini would be given the best 'say' by the chivalrous ladies.” Mahesh enjoyed meeting
people. As highly accomplished and articulate young collector, Mahesh enjoyed meeting and befriending people, especially those who were his intellectual peers. Yet, he was very discreet and discriminating in choosing his hosts. He scrupulously avoided those he suspected of having an axe to grind. Generally, he would party with school principals and headmasters such as those from the Doon School (John Martyn), Welham Girls and the RIMC. Though, his currying favour with The Doon and Welhams Schools too paid him dividends; His daughter joined the Welham’s and the son the Doon School. Some of the other regular hosts were limestone quarry owners, Sardari Lal Oberoi and Mela Ram Marwah, Rotary governors Dr S. N. Dhingra and Rajender Kumar Berry. Dhingra manufactured miniature bulbs and Berry was a jeweller. Verma brothers of Punjab Jewellers and Amar Bawa of Capri Cinema too were among his hosts. SP Kochhar of Madhuban Hotel was then a realtor; he was just content with developing properties and residential colonies. He too befriended Mahesh and their friendship has continued through all of these years.
Missing those good
old days
Mahesh's tenure in Dehra Dun lasted two months short of two years, yet in this relatively short period he had made many friends. And this relationship has continued even with their children. Mahesh and his charming wife Mohini were in Dehradun more than 40 years ago. All those who then entertained and befriended him, barring a few, are no longer in this world. And those of us who are fortunate to read his memoirs would heave a sigh and shed a few tears as a tribute to those good old days when personal relationships were above board and nurtured without any axe to grind.
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