Swarnim Vijay Varsh: Veer Chakra recipient gets 'Vijay Mashaal'
A former officer of the Indian Army who fought the 1971 war against Pakistan as a Company Commander with 14 Grenadiers and was injured and captured by the adversary during a battle in Jammu and Kashmir was on Thursday honored with a symbolic torch for his valor in that war. Brig. (retd.) Hamir Singh, a Veer Chakra recipient, was honored with the Vijay Mashaal.
Swarnim Vijay Varsh marks golden jubilee of victory against Pakistan
Army officials said Singh was given the Vijay Mashaal - a symbolic torch - at a ceremony held in Jaipur as part of India's Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war.
During battle at Daruchhian, Singh was captured as a PoW
"Brig. (retd.) Singh is a third-generation Army officer. Commissioned in the Grenadiers Regiment in December 1962, he fought the 1971 War as a Company Commander with 14 Grenadiers," a senior official said. "During the furious battle at Daruchhian in Jammu and Kashmir, he was severely wounded and captured as a Prisoner of War (PoW)," the Indian Army said in a statement.
Singh was also awarded the Vir Chakra for his bravery
"He spent a year as a PoW and was later repatriated to India. For his bravery during the attack on Daruchhian, he was awarded the Vir Chakra," it said. "Singh belongs to an illustrious family which has rendered military services. He belongs to Bhagwanpura village in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. His brother Col. Pushpendra Singh commanded 8 Cavalry," officials said.
Singh served as an instructor in the Nigerian Defense Academy
"During his service, he had been an instructor in the Nigerian Defense Academy, commanded an infantry battalion and an infantry brigade. He had also been the Center Commandant of the Grenadiers Regimental Center. He retired in September 1992," the Army said.
Singh's father was captured by Germans during Second World War
"Singh's grandfather, Lt. Phool Singh was an officer in the Jodhpur Lancers and saw action in the First World War," the statement said. Singh's father, Major General Kalyan Singh, was an Artillery Officer commissioned in the 2nd Field Regiment. During the Second World War, as a Captain, he was captured by the Germans in North Africa along with then-Major PP Kumarmangalam.
PM Modi had lit Swarnim Vijay Mashaal on December 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 16 last year had lit the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in Delhi, marking the beginning of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of India's victory over Pakistan in 1971.
Singh's sons serving as Major Generals in the Indian Army
"Brig. Singh's both sons are serving as Major Generals in the Indian Army. Having commanded their respective divisions, they are now serving on staff. His grandson is a Gentleman Cadet undergoing training," the statement said. As December 16 marks the anniversary of the military victory, the nation will celebrate Swarnim Vijay Varsh through several events across India, and it will continue for a year.
