Jammu, Ocotober 27 (Scoop News) -The 63rd Martyr day of Brigadier Rajinder Singh was celebrated at his birth place village Bagoona of Samba district by the district administration in cooperation with the village committee.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Salathia, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, District Development Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh, SSP J L Sharma, Maj General (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal and others were also present on the occasion.
Also present on the occasion were Usha Parmar and Urvashi Pathania , the daughters of late brigadier Rajinder singh.
On the Occasion army contingent of 168 brigade presented a gun salute in the honour of the great Warrior.
Brigadier Rajinder Singh was born at village Bagoona on 14th June 1899 and commissioned on 14th June 1921. He rose to the rank of Chief Of military Staff (SF) on 24th September 1947.
After the Pakistani Invasion and fall of Muzzafrabad on 22nd October 1947, the Maharaja Hari Singh ordered him to defend Uri. He alongwith 100 gallant soldiers fought four battles between Garhi and Rampur, Buniyar to hold over 5000 invaders from 23rd to 26th October 1947. His last action was at Mandir on 27th October 1947 and on the same day at Buniyar he laid down His Life. He saved Kashmir and earned the title of “Saviour of Kashmir”. He was conferred the first Gallantry Award of Mahavir Chakra (MVC) of independent India for his supreme sacrifice and conspicuous bravery. On the field where courage was the rule his courage was the dominant feature in the true spirit of “PRASHASTA RANVIRATA” the Moto of the state force.
Paying rich tributes to the Saviour of Kashmir , Minister for Industries and Commerce, Surjit Singh Salathia described him as a hero of Jammu and Kashmir in general and of Dogras of Kandi belt in particular.
the Minister said that we are proud of the fact that such a great warrior was born among us at this place .He saluted Him for his deeds of bravery and exhorted upon the youth to follow his footsteps and take pledge to be always ready to safeguard the honour of their country and make their country and fellow men proud of them. He also thanked the people of Bagoona who gladly donated the land for the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Memorial Park.
Salathia said that the government was doing everything possible for the development of this area which is the proud legacy of the Dogra warriors. He said the widening of various linking roads interconnecting the villages of this Kandi Belt will be soon taken up, while announcing that the sanction for double Lanning of Rhaya to Suchani road has been obtained .He appealed to the people of to safeguard and become extra cautious regarding maintenance of their water bodies in view of decreasing availability of ground water .He directed the concerned Officers to expedite the works on the renovation and cleaning of the Pond at Bagoona so that it could be dedicated to the public in the memory of late Brigadier Rajinder Singh. He said “it is high time that we start working towards adapting environment friendly techniques to raise Ground water levels and lay more emphasis on plantations of trees to avoid water shortage in coming years.
Minister also appealed to the people to improve their educational standards and become more aware of the levels to be achieved in this age of competition so that their wards do not lag behind in any field.
Cash annuity on the occasion was given to the captain Sansar chand (MVC) and Ex subedar Kesar Singh,smt.Rajkumari mother of sepoy suraj Prakash, Rajni Devi wife of Ashok Kumar(Shurya Chakra awrdees) .
A cultural programme on the theme of valour and bravery of soldiers was also presented by school children.
Present on the occasion were ADC, ADDC, ACR, ACD, and district officers of Samba along with the prominent persons, School children, Villagers and other guests.
DDC Mubarak Singh in his welcome address said that Samba district is has the distinction of having largest number of ex servicemen and Gallantry award winners in J&K.