Wed, 09/14/2011 By Sarita Brara
New Delhi, Sept 14, 2011 (Washington Bangla Radio / PIB India) It was year 1999. A young army officer from one of the North Eastern states lay on a bed in one of the wards of the army hospital in Delhi. His leg had been amputated after he hit a land mine during the Kargil conflict. He was one of the over 1500 personnel who had been injured in the conflict.
“How are you?” I asked the young officer.
“I feel one and half Kg lighter!” he said with a smile that lit up his whole face. Brave words indeed!. How could a man in a situation like this have the courage to make light of his grievous injury? I managed to smile back but in the heart of hearts I saluted the spirit of the young man.
Twelve years later I met Lt Col Shoban Singh Danu again. This time for a story on the year of the disabled soldier. I remember that Shoban Singh Danu’s leg had to be amputated after he stepped on mine planted by the militants in the Poonch- Rajouri sector. After his artificial limb fitment he insisted on going back to the same battalion. Why? He says he wanted to boost the morale of his men as three others in the battalion had also lost their limbs in the land mine blast.
Retired Subedar LD Sharma too lost his limb in a land mine blast. Had he not been hit by a mine land blast he would have retired two ranks higher. But he has no regrets. “I did this for my country!” he says with his head held high. “I am ready to serve my country any time I am called to do so.”
These men as they defend our borders, battle against insurgents and take part in other operations, many a time suffer spinal injuries rendering them paraplegics and tetraplegics. Major Mahesh Bisht suffered spinal injury in one of the operations but today he is looking after the administration at the Kirkee (Khadki) Paraplegic Rehab Centre and is a source of inspiration for the paraplegics living there.
Rifleman Latif was on VIP protection duty in Jammu and Kashmir where after an IED blast his vehicle met with an accident and he suffered a spinal injury. He may have been depressed initially but today he is completely transformed. Last year he won three gold medals in national paralympics in Wheel Chair Race, Discuss Throw and Javelin. Latif who belongs to Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir is now staying at the paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre at Mohali with his family.
Gunner Ajit Kumar Shukla had suffered bullet injuries. When he came to the Kirkee Paraplegic Rehab Centre he was very depressed. Today, leaving behind his pain, he too has not only won medals in the sporting events but also worked on contract basis as data operator with one of the government schools in Chandigarh.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Defence Minister inaugurates IGNOU Gyandeep Centre for Army
New Delhi: The Union Minister for Defence A.K. Antony today inaugurated the 'Gyandeep Centre of Excellence' at the Ashoka Auditorium, Manekshaw Centre in the capital. The Centre will be established at the main campus of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) which will function as a national-level coordinating body between the Army and IGNOU Community Colleges to promote educational facilities for the army personnel.
"The main objectives of the Centre shall be to promote job opportunities for the retiring army personnel, develop compatible curriculum and promote partnership with other universities / institutions. It will facilitate and encourage inter-disciplinary higher education and research facilities at IGNOU and affiliated universities/ institutions/ other centres of excellence," said V-C Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, in his address.
Over 3.5 lakh students have already enrolled in Gyandeep Project and nearly 1.5 lakh candidates have been awarded Certificates, Diplomas and Associate Degrees.
The Associate Degree holders are also admitted in the third year of IGNOU Degree programmes through vertical mobility. More than 300 officers have already been admitted for the MBA Programme designed specifically for the officers in the Indian Army.
For IGNOU, this centre means a phenomenal increase in the strength of students and the campuses. For the Army, it would be a great welfare measure and gainful use of resources. For soldiers, this programme has the potential to transform the post-retirement life by equipping them with a formal qualification and preparing them for competitive job avenues. And for the country, it means a boost in the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) as well as the Gross Graduation Ratio (GGR).
The Indian Army and IGNOU began its association in July 2009. In a short span of time, this association fructified into a path-breaking collaborative effort — in the form of Project Gyandeep, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Army and IGNOU on September 4, 2009.
Gyandeep was dedicated to the nation by President Pratibha Patil on November 19, 2009. Since then, the association between the Indian Army and IGNOU has progressed in all spheres. Project Gyandeep, a visionary and revolutionary idea, has created an impact in the educational arena at both national and international levels.
Gen V.K. Singh, Chief of the Army Staff and Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal were present along with senior defence officers and academicians.
Defence Minister inaugurates IGNOU Gyandeep Centre for Army
Rezangla War Memorial
1. I take pleasure in informing you that foundation stone for Rezangla War Memorial has been laid by Ch Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana on 16 sep 2011 at Rezangla Chowk near DSOI Gurgaon in Sector-23 of Palam Vihar:
(a) The construction of the same has started and Memorial will be inaugurated on 18 Nov 2012 conciding with 50th year of Battle.
(b) The function had the presence of almost entire Haryana cabinet & Gen (Retd) NC Vij, Admiral (Retd) RH Tahiliani & Air Chief Marshal (Retd) SP Tyagi & Sh AS Bhatotia Ex DGP, and large number of retd Lt Gens, Maj Generals & other high officials of Armd force and civil services.
(c) It was a touching scene to meet widows & next of kins of ‘C’ company of 13 KUMAON who were invited. They were honoured during the function.
(d) Military band was also in attendance and played the patriotic tunes.
(e) Hon’ble Chief Minister while addressing the gathering said that Dr TC Rao has taken a noble task to pay tribute to the Martyrs of Rezangla battle. The memorial will give a feeling to next of kins that Nation salutes them. CM added that he is aware of the difficulties faced by Ex-Servicemen and Govt of Haryana will do his best to look after them. He assured the martyrs widows & next of kins that he is always approachable for their difficulties.
(f) Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Power, Forests & Environment, who is also an Ex-Servicemen assured the next of kins that Haryana Govt will always be concerned for Ex-servicemen difficulties.
(g) Dr TC Rao, while thanking the Hon’ble CM & Minister & Ex-Chiefs said that Rezangla War Memorial of Gurgaon will be land mark in Delhi, Gurgaon & NCR which will be decorated with Tank & Guns & will inspire the youth to join Armed Forces & we will always salute the martyrs. The function ended with Nation Anthem.
Jai Hind
Dr TC Rao, Veteran
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