The legendary Major Somnath Sharma needs no introduction. He gave up his life in the months just after Independence. He sacrificed their lives for the country. As an officer, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the 19th Hyderabad regiment in the year 1942.
Major Somnath Sharma Success Story – The brave sons of India
This brave former Indian army officer is spoken in the same annals as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar Azad. The only difference is that the names quoted were of the pre-Independence era.
Their lives, valour, should be an inspirational success story for each and every Indian. Beyond living for oneself and creating the necessary material wealth and comfort for the family, everyone needs to contribute for the society and country.
Before reading about the valour and the great courage shown by Major Somnath Sharma, it is necessary to know about one of India’s greatest Institutions, namely the Indian army.
Facts on the Indian army
The Indian army as we know it today is the second largest standing army in the world. It has more than 12 lac active troops and around 1 lacs reserve troops. The president of India is the supreme commander of the Indian army.
The army day is celebrated on 15th January every year. This is to commemorate the takeover of the Indian army from by Lt General Cariappa froGenral Francis Butcher who was the last commander-in-chief of the British Army.
The Indian army has fought several wars in its chequered history. They played major roles in both the first and the Second World War. In the post-Independence era, they have played stellar roles in protecting the borders of the country from Pakistan and China.
The major was fought against Pakistan in the years, 1947, 1965 and 1971. This apart there was the Kargil Confrontation against Pakistan in 1999. The other war was in the year 1962 with China. Apart from this, the army has been involved in internal insurgency operations in militant prone areas like Kashmir, Punjab, Northeast.
In the year 1987, the Indian army was involved in a major operation to protect the island nation of Maldives. From 1987 to 1990, the army played a key role in implementing the Indo-Sri Lanka peace accord. On the international front, it has been involved in UN peacekeeping operations in Cambodia, Vietnam, El Salvador, Mozambique, Namibia, and Angola.
One of the finest professional forces in the world, which has been totally apolitical, the army is a standing example in the Motivational story for success. Its brave officers and Jawans have given up their lives in the line of duty, in fulfillment of duty.
Major Somnath Sharma: First Recipient Of Param Vir Chakra
Major Somnath Sharma is a legend in himself and the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra which is the highest military decoration in India. He was posthumously given the decoration for laying his life in preventing infiltrators from entering the Srinagar airport in the first Indo-Pak war of 1947.
He was born in the year 1923 in the pre-independence undivided India in Kangra District. His came from a family which for generations had martial service. Most of Major Sharma’s sibling was also Military officers.
After his schooling, Major Sharma undertook his military training from Prince of Wales Royal Military College at Dehradun. Subsequently from Royal Military College Sandhurst.
The regiment saw involved in the well-known Arakan campaign of 1942-43 in Burma. This was a major allied offensive against the Japanese which had already conquered Burma by then. Officer Sharma was noted for his bravery and charge offenses against the enemy. He served under the Command of Col Thimmaiyya who would later become chief of Indian Army Staff.
In the post-1947 Independent Indian army, Major Sharma was to become the hero in the Battle of Badgam which would become the immortal motivational story of Indian Army. When Pakistani raiders invaded Kashmir, which was part of the Indian Territory on October 22nd, 1947.
His battalion the Kumaon Regiment was airlifted to Srinagar on October 27, 1947, and Major Sharma insisted on going with them in spite of the fact that his hand was in plaster due to a previous day hockey game. The unit was put on patrol duty to block any infiltrators coming into Srinagar.
Despite being fired from the local residents, he and his unit refused to fire back to avoid innocent casualties. Suddenly a force of about 700 infiltrators approached Badgam from Gulmohar side. Major Sharma decided to hold on to his position at any cost. As ground ceding would mean access to Srinagar and its airport for the infiltrators.
He was outnumbered 7 to 1 but still fought bravely. To ensure continuous fire, he decided to distribute the ammunition to the unit Jawans who were handling Light Machine Gun fire. While doing this an enemy mortar shell exploded on him and thereby creating a Martyr. The infiltrators were able to overrun Badgam but the casualties were so heavy that they did not advance anymore.
The Param Vir Chakra was honored to Major Somnath Sharma for the first time has since then been awarded to 17 military officers for their valour and bravery on the battlefield.
