“ECHOES OF PATRIOTISM”
During recent wars with Pakistan, the echoes of patriotism from my mohyal brahmin community have been particularly profound.
The community events had taken on a patriotic tone, with gatherings to honor those who sacrificed their lives.
In our small brahmin community, we honor our heroes, the defence veterans and celebrate our cultural heritage & showcase the deep-rooted sense of pride, we have for our nation.
These echoes serve as a reminder that even in a small setting of our community, our collective commitment to our country’s values and our history since last many centuries, shines brightly.
“I lead; follow me: If I retire; shoot me: If I die: forget me” with these stirring mantras,
there are a few contributions of mohyal community, during recent wars, with Pakistan, which I would like to share with you.
The Echoes are:
1. 2nd Lt. Pushpinder Vaid, 20, infused a spirit of bravery amongst his comrades of the Battalion of Punjab Regiment in Poonch (J&K), in the gallant army operations on 10 December, 1971, known as Nangi Tekri Attack, in the war with Pakistan. Pushpinder and his 26 comrades perished in the fierce battle that followed, leaving behind memories of classical bravery of high order. The battalion was awarded one Mahavir Chakra, two Vir Chakras and one Sena Medal.
2. When the Instrument of Surrender had been signed in Dacca on 16 Dec. 1971; 24 year old Capt. Hitesh Mehta, a mohyal brahmin, bearing the white flag of peace in his hand, marched into the lines of the enemy, who were not yet aware of the inglorious defeat of Pakistan and was greeted by a hail of cannon fire. He fell down a martyr on the spot. He had earlier carried the message of the Indian Commander to Lt. Gen. A.A.K. (Tiger) Niazi, with the legend: Abdulla, the game is now up, you surrender to me and I will look after you. Hitesh Mehta was awarded Sena Medal posthumously by the government, while the people of Delhi named a road and a park after him in Malviya Nagar. Hitesh was great grandson of Mehta Sham Dass of the Mohyal Gazette fame. His father, Sub Maj. K.G. Mehta, presented a silver trophy to the regiment in memory of his son, to be awarded to the winner team of the Regimental.
3. The Profile of a Hero
In the midst of fantastic blitz of celebrations of the 50th year of our Freedom, on 15 Aug. 1997, the focus on the electronic and print-media was on one hero, namely, 24 year old 2nd Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt, who was awarded posthumously the highest peace time gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra. The award was instituted in 1947 and till now only twenty eight persons have received it. The award was given by the President in the Republic Day Parade 1998 to his widowed mother, Anita Datt, as thousands, the stands on the resplendent Rajpath now (kartvya path) and millions glued to the TV sets shared the solemnity of the moment. They may even have flicker of emotion. She stood on the podium in stoic grace, her heart melted in tears, on the loss of her only son, as she received posthumous Award-a bittersweet memento of Puneet’s burning valour. An Infantry officer, 2nd Lt. Puneet Datt, died fighting insurgents in the mercenaries before laying down his life in Shoura village located 7 km north Kashmir valley on 20 July 1997. The young officer killed three mercenaries before laying down his life.
Punit was the only son of late Maj. P.N. Datt, who had served in the same 1/11 Gurkha Rifles Battalion and the scion of the illustrious clan of Ch. Prem Nath Datt, Advocate of Jaipur hailing from Sialkot. With his death, the noted family had lost its only surviving male descendant.
As a six year old child, Puneet would wear his father’s Gurkha hat and his grandfather’s army boots and pretend to be an army officer. When in high school, he would pray at the Hanuman temple every Tuesday, so that he could be selected to the NDA. When he went into the NDA, he would write to his mother asking her to pray that his squadron would win the cross country trophy. And when he went to Kashmir in April ’97 with less than two years service, he pledged to return with atleast two ribbons, including one for gallantry. The story of 24 year old 2/Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt was one fit for heroes.
The Kargil War (5 May 99 – 15 July 99)
The Kargil war was fought in the high mountains, peak by peak, in the swirling fog. Nearly 586 Indians were killed in the hail of the enemy fire. Amongst them were three Mohyals:
Hav. Navin Kumar Vaid of 23 Rajput Rifles belonging to Yamuna Nagar laid down his life while fighting the infiltrators, on 22 May 1999.
Capt. Kamal Bakshi, 25, who was first believed to be taken prisoner of war to Pakistan and later declared ‘missing’ but never traced.
Fighter Pilot, Flt. Lt. Gaurav Chhibber, 24, who had earlier taken part in air strikes to evict the intruders in the Kargil sector, lost his life on 7 Aug. 99 when his Mig 29 crashed near Naina Devi in Himachal Pradesh, during post Kargil reconnaissance operation.
About 6 months before to the break out of the Kargil war, a valiant Mohyal Maj. Nitin Bali son of Dr. S.S. Bali of Kurukshetra was killed at Batalik Hills in the Kargil sector of Kashmir.
Maj. Nitin Bali and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defending the motherland.
Let us therefore remember those who gave everything for our nation – the martyrs, the true national heroes. Their courage and selflessness continue to inspire us, & remind us that the fabric of our country is woven with the threads of their sacrifices. Each heartbeat of freedom is a tribute to their unwavering dedication. We honor their memory with gratitude, cherishing the lessons they’ve left behind and vowing to uphold the values, they had fought so valiantly to protect.
Reference Mohyal History by Shri PN Bali
