The tales of the sacrifice and courage of the Indian National Army makes our chests swell with pride and eyes a little moist. They beat the cold and heat so you and I can sleep at night in peace. The stories of their bravery and valour should not be remembered only on one day, but they should always be cherished in our hearts forever.
Thousands of soldiers have given up their lives while protecting our land. Each and every one of them deserves our utmost respect. Listing every act of their bravery will be one of the most humongous tasks. Let us about these warriors and their heroic tale which inspired the youth.
‘Little did I then know that within the next forty-eight hours, he was to die a hero’s death and earn great renown, fighting most gallantly in very close proximity to where we then lay talking so leisurely.’
By- Maj. Sinha ,his comrade had said about Major Sharma,
ABOUT
- He was the first receipient of Param Vir Chakra awarded for his leadership and bravery, courage in Kashmir.
- Major Somnath Sharma belongs to the military family therein his father, brother and sister all served the country.
- Major General Amar Nath Sharma his father was a military officer (retired as Director, Medical Services (Army).
- Along with brothers were the Lt. General Surinder Nath Sharma (retired as Engineer-in-chief)and General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988–1990) respectively.
- Also his sister Major Kamla Tewari (Medical Doctor).
- On 31 January 1923 at Dadh, Kangra (then in the Punjab Province of British India) was the birthplace of Major Somnath Sharma.
- Major Somnath Sharma completed his schooling from Sherwood College, Nainital for further studies he joined Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehra Dun and later joined the Royal Military Academy.
- He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, the same regiment his maternal uncle Captain Krishna Dutt Vasudeva had served with.later posted to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.
- He also saw combat during the second World War in the Arakan Operations. Incidentally, he is the eldest brother of the son-in-law (Lt. Gen. Surindra Nath Sharma, P.V.S.M, A.V.S.M) of Savitri Khanolkar, who designed the medal.
- During his last chat with his friend Major KK Tewari, before flying to Kashmir, Maj. Som Nath had joked that either he would die and win the Victoria Cross or become the army chief.
BATTLE WHICH LED HIM TO BE MARTYR
- When Major Somnath and his company got instructions to march towards the Bagdam village on Nov- 1947, he was injured and plastered o his left hand which had broken n a hockey match. Although he was injured he insisted to be in the mission with his company.
- Bagdam was one of the routes through which Pakistani infiltrators marching towards Srinagar.
- Around 500 Pakistani raiders reached the Badgam village and they soon surrounded the company from three sides.
- The Company was under heavy bombardment and sustained heavy casualties.
- They are in the ratio of 7: 1 but still Major encouraged his company to fought against their enemy.
- Seeing the massive and crucial position of losing the Srinagar he started to ran post to post without thinking about himself and encouraging his company. and also, took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine guns.
- While fighting a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him and he was martyred. His exemplary bravery and inspiration led the raid to delay for 6 hours, thus gaining time for our reinforcements to get into position at Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy advance.
- In this manner, Somnath Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan.
LEGACY
- The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), named fifteen of her Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The first of the fifteen sister vessels were named MT “Major Somnath Sharma, PVC”, IMO No. 8224107.
- The Housing project of Som Vihar in Delhi was named after Major Somnath Sharma PVC.
LAST MESSAGE BY MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA
Last Message from Major Som Nath Sharma:
The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.
Students and Fellow Readers its so easy to write about them or hear about them but this act of sacrificing one’s own life for others needs courage which only a few men have. Let us all salute these men and see them as Our Role Models.
Jai Hind
Trishul Defence Academy Addresses
Corporate office: -Gayatri Dham Building, Milan Tower, Behind Max Mall, Civil Lines, Prayagraj (U.P.) 211001, Contact: 8400083030
Branch Offices :
AGRA:- 16,17,18 Balaji Complex Silver City, Gwalior Road Agra Cantt
Contact : 6399013030
BAREILLY:– 35A Civil Lines, Chauki Chauraha, Near Amaya Hotel, Bareilly (U.P.) Contact : 9690502728
RANCHI:- 6th Floor Jagganath Tower, 403, Circular Road, Lalpur, Ahirtoli, Ranchi (Jharkhand) Contact: 9934113030
GWALIOR:- 106 MLB colony, Near Miss school, Padav, Gwalior Contact: 6262063030
Website: www.trishuldefenceacademy.com
Mail us at– info.trishuldefenceacademy@gmail.com
