18 YEARS OF BEING FAUJIS

(An article contributed by Mrs Anu Bakshi)

As on 18 March 2024, SS 81 Batch celebrates 18 years of COMMISSIONING.

18 years ago, few dedicated and committed young Gentlemen from different parts of country at OTA Chennai were all set to serve the Nation with honour and pride. Families and friends were there to see them walk with pride to serve their Motherland. Their commitment to duty inspires many of us. As a citizen of Bharat, I may not know you all but we citizens stand together in admiration and gratitude for your tireless efforts in protecting our Nation’s sovereignty and safeguarding our freedom. May SS 81 batch continue to shine brightly as a symbol of Honor and Courage. Salute to FAUJI SPIRIT.

Grateful to the course mates of these soldiers who remember them with pride.

Few of the young men from SS 81 batch made SARVOCH BALIDAN:

LIEUTENANT N PARTHIBAN

KIRTI CHAKRA (P)

5 JAK LI

Lieutenant N Parthiban was born on 21st August 1983 to Major V Natarajan (Retired) and Mrs. Tamil Selvi. He was a second generation officer. Lt Parthiban’s unit was deployed in the Gurez sector of J & K during 2006. He was the post commander in the area of Gurez sector when his unit received information about some heavily armed terrorists who were hiding in the nearby forest, waiting to cross the line of control.  He and his team rushed to the suspected area.

Lt Parthiban instructed his team to provide covering fire and along with his buddy, inched closer to the suspected hideout. Suddenly, two terrorists sprang up from behind the boulders and fired on him indiscriminately causing severe bullet injuries to him. Undeterred by the injuries and unmindful of his personal safety, Lt Parthiban fought with those two terrorists, engaging them in close combat and killed them. Later, he too succumbed to his injuries. Lt Parthiban and his team’s swift action resulted in a  huge quantity of arms and ammunition being recovered from the hideout.

Lieutenant N Parthiban was awarded the second-highest gallantry award during peacetime “Kirti Chakra” posthumously, for his conspicuous bravery and exceptional service to the nation. He was the youngest soldier to have been bestowed the honour, which was received by his father. He was just 23!

Lieutenant N Parthiban is survived by his mother Tamil Selvi, father Major V Natarajan (Retd), and his sisters Ms. Pushpa Anand and Mrs. Karthika Balasasi.

Lieutenant N Parthiban with his parents on Commissioning Day.

CAPTAIN UPMANYU SINGH

SENA MEDAL (P)

52 ARMOURED /22 RR

Capt Upmanyu Singh hailed from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and was born on 08th Feb 1982. He completed his schooling from Gwalior and later on graduated from the city’s Science College.

On Dec 2010, Capt Upmanyu Singh’s unit 22 RR was at Sopore in Baramulla district. On a regular basis, the battalion used to conduct operations as the area was affected by large scale militant activities. On 07th Dec 2010, based on the inputs, he was tasked to lead an operation in Sopore’s Model town area.

 He reached the suspected area along with his troops and launched a search and cordon operation. Soon, a contact with the militants was established. They found one terrorist to be holed up in a house. Capt Upamanyu decided to flush out the terrorist and moved forward to engage the terrorist. However, in the ensuing gun battle, he received gunshots and was seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries and made SARVOCH BALIDAN.

Capt Upmanyu Singh was awarded” Sena Medal” for his bravery, commitment and devotion to duty.

A fine officer, gone too soon at 28. 

MAJOR MUKUND VARADRAJAN

ASHOK CHAKRA (P)

22 RAJPUT/42 RR

Major Mukund was born on 12 April 1983 to R. Vardarajan and Geetha. Major Mukund completed his schooling and got a Bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism.

In his brief career of eight years, he had served as an Instructor in the Infantry School, Mhow and he was also part of the United Nations Mission in Lebanon. In December 2012, he was deputed to serve with 44 RR in J & K.  On 25 Apr 2014, Maj Mukund’s unit received inputs about the presence of some hardcore terrorists. A Quick Response Team under the leadership of Maj Mukund moved towards the suspected house and cordoned it. Although the troops established contact with the terrorists, they could not make a headway even after an hour of firefight. Maj Mukund decided to employ some other operational tactics. Maj Mukund and his buddy Sep Vikram Singh crawled towards the entrance of the house, while their men provided the covering fire. Maj Mukund was successful in blowing up the entrance of the house with the use of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). He also shot down one terrorist.

The remaining two terrorists escaped from the house, while lobbing grenades on Maj Mukund and Sep Vikram. They too followed the terrorists and lobbed another grenade at the outhouse killing one terrorist. But Sep Vikram Singh had been shot at, by Jaish-e-Mohammed commander Altaf Wani and was grievously injured.  Maj Mukund soon sprayed bullets at Altaf, killing him instantly.  During the gunfight, M Mukund too had received gun shots. He was rushed to 92 Base Hospital but succumbed to his injuries eventually.

Maj Mukund was awarded the nation’s highest peace time gallantry award ‘Ashok Chakra’ for a display of valour beyond his call of duty and supreme sacrifice.

Major Mukund with family on Commissioning Day.

MAJOR MANISH GUSAIN

11 KUMAON

Major Manish Gusain, a young tough Pahadi boy hailed from the hills of Uttarakhand. He was an avid mountaineer and scaled many peaks.

But as we say Destiny has some other plans for all of us. Major Gusain was all set to conquer a new peak under the command of Col Ajay Kothiyal –  Kirti Chakra,Shaurya Chakra.

They were on a mountaineering expedition to Mt Kamet after their camp was hit by an avalanche near Ghastoli in Chamoli district. Major Manish was part of a 41-member team that were to summit 7,756-metre-high Mt Kamet.

Major Manish made SARVOCH BALIDAN while serving the nation on 21^st September 2010.

MAJOR GAURAV SAWHNEY

Major Gaurav Sawhney was in Jessami coy while in OTA.

 Major Gaurav Sawhney lost his life due to illness.

MAJOR AMOL ARAVIND NILANGE 

611 EME

He made SARVOCH BALIDAN while serving nation in Barmer, Rajasthan.

CAPT ARUN SINGH

225 MED REGT 

Captain Arun Singh was in Meiktila Coy while in OTA Chennai. He was commissioned into 225 Medium Regiment on this day in year 2006. Captain Arun was just 2 years in service when he lost his life due to Meningitis. But one who dons a Uniform is a brave soldier forever.

Homage to all VEER BALIDANIS.

Best Wishes to all Officers of SS 81 batch and homage to all VEER BALIDANI.

While this write up mentions bravehearts and who can no more be a part of the course celebrations physically, it is dedicated to each and every Officer of SS 81 batch.  We are thankful to you for your services to Nation.

From a Grateful Citizen of Bharat,

Mrs Anu Bakshi