Today, we all are living happily because of soldiers. To save our lives, they sacrifice their lives. To make sure we all sleep peacefully, they sacrifice their sleep. Sometimes, I feel the most underrated job in India is the Indian Army job. In some parts of India, people don’t even give respect to them. I feel very sad whenever I hear disrespecting words towards them.
Soldiers are the true Indian heroes. However, media and people give more importance to “reel heroes” rather than to the real Indian heroes. It’s time to salute to the Indian heroes whose heart is filled with courage. Here are some inspiring stories of Indian soldiers who died for our country.
1. Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav – The Man Who Destroyed Enemies By Sustaining 12 Bullet Wounds
At the age of 19, Yogendra Singh Yadav received the Param Vir Chakra award on 4th July 1999 during Kargil war. This courageous and brave soldier volunteered to capture the three strategic bunkers on the tiger hill situated at the 16,500 ft high cliff face.
During the mission, he was hit by many bullets but he still kept climbing and reached the top of the cliff. He completed his mission by killing 4 Pakistani soldiers and destroying two bunkers even in the state of injury and immense pain. Yes, for him, security of the nation is important than his personal safety.
Yadav said, “I had sustained 12 bullet wounds on my arm, legs. An enemy soldier also took an aim at my chest and fired a bullet, but it ricocheted off the Rs 5 coins I had kept in my pocket. The God kept me alive so that I could share the tales of valor of six of my fellow colleagues who martyred”.
2. Brigadier Mohammad Usman – The Man Chose To Stay With Indian Army
Born in Bibipur, Uttar Pradesh, he joined Indian army in 1934. Even though he had an option to become the Chief of Pakistan Army during partition, he chose to stay with the Indian army. He never got married and donated a large sum of money to needy children. While defending Jhanagr, he attained martyrdom on July 3, 1948, just 12 days short of his 36th birthday. He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest military decoration.
His last words were “I am dying, but let not the territory we are fighting for…. fall”.
3. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat – The Hero Of 1962 Indo-China War
In the 1962 war, the soldiers were asked to vacate their posts due to heavy casualties but Jaswant Singh continued to fight. Jaswant Singh alone held the post and did firing from different bunkers. He killed more than 300 Chinese soldiers. Yes, he was the lone rifleman who opposed them.
When he sensed that he was about to be captured, he shot himself with the last bullet rather than be captured by the Chinese forces. He was posthumously decorated with a Mahavir Chakra. The Indian Army continues to treat Jaswant Singh with the fanfare of a serving officer and his shoes are regularly polished.
4. Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran – Even Though He Was Shot In The Chest, He Killed Enemy Soldiers
Seems “Bahubali – The beginning” movie war scene is inspired by these real heroes. After returning from the Sri Lanka operations, Parameswaran was shot in the chest. In spite of being badly injured, he snatched the rifle from the militant and killed him. Yes. this is the real incident, not the movie.
Even though he felt his own demise near, he continued to shout orders and command his soldiers. He continued motivating his soldiers because of which Indian soldiers killed 5 militants, and discovered two rocket launchers.
He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honor in India. Major Parameswaran did not get any compensation and honors because operations in Sri Lanka were considered sensitive and all political parties in the state openly opposed the deployment of Indian army units there at the time.
5. Major General Ian Cardozo – The Man Who Cut His Own Leg With Khukri After Stepping On A Landmine In 1971 War
In 1971 war with Pakistan, Major stepped on the landmine during the war, which led to the injury in his leg. When the doctors could not cut his leg, he cut off his own leg with the Gorkha Knife. Yes, and it’s not that everyone can do. He defeated many two-legged soldiers in spite of his physical injuries and became the first Indian officer in Indian Army to command an infantry battalion.
The list goes on and on. People treat movie actor and actress, cricket sportsmen as God who works and plays for money. I don’t know how people treat them as God. If you are also one among them, then just analyze. Did they give you eyes to see, legs to walk? Did they pay for your education? Do they share your sorrow? No! Then don’t follow them blindly. Just watch a movie or match, and leave it. Know about these great personalities and take inspiration to lead a better life.
Let us salute to these brave sons of India for whom the country was the first priority. If you have heard any other similar stories of Indian soldiers, share us in the comments. Spread the bravery of the real heroes of the nation by sharing this with many people Do you? There are war wounded Indian soldiers who inspired many youngsters to join military. Read here.