Indian Military Legends

[Rakesh]

Starting this thread to recognize some of the legends that have adorn the uniform.

Moderators, please feel free to change the title if you wish. Thank You.

[Rakesh]

Air Vice Marshal Ajit Lamba (retd) passed away from leukemia. A legend of the Indian Air Force and veteran of the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

[Rakesh]

And, God gets a co-pilot in AVM Ajit Lamba
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2 ... lamba.html
30 Dec 2020

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/writetake/status/13 ... 81476?s=20 ---> A priceless picture - (From L to R): AVM Ajit Lamba, Commodore Prakash Lamba, Bhag Singh Lamba (their father who was the Salt Commissioner of India), Director General of Police Sarwan Lamba and Brigadier Narinder Lamba.

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/writetake/status/13 ... 85921?s=20 --> Thank you for all the great memories, priceless lessons, magical moments, plane stories, love, affection & many more. An aviator with a golden heart. You will be missed, Sir.

[Rakesh]

[Rakesh]

Siachen Hero, Colonel Narendra 'Bull' Kumar (Retired), Dies At 87
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/siachen ... 87-2346219
31 Dec 2020

Colonel Narendra ‘Bull’ Kumar, who helped secure Siachen for India, passes away at 87
https://theprint.in/defence/colonel-nar ... 87/577193/
31 Dec 2020

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1344602003037511680?s=20 ---> Colonel Narendra ‘Bull’ Kumar (Retd), the officer who helped Indian Army secure the Siachen glacier passed away at Army Research and Referral (R&R) hospital in Delhi today. Kumar, 87, was suffering from several age-related ailments.



https://twitter.com/SpadeX95/status/134 ... 16289?s=20 ---> The man who almost single - handedly ensured India’s presence at Siachen in 1981 is no more.

[Rakesh]

At age 87. Salute to the Hero. May the departed soul achieve Moksha. He was part of the India's first mission to Mt. Everest

[Manish_P]

Super idea of this thread, Rakesh ji.

Please add more of our legendary warriors - Lieutenant General Hanut Singh, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, ... just to start of with..

And also those who are still with us, like Col. Prithipal Singh Gill - the unique World War 2 veteran who is the only Indian to serve in Army, Navy and Air Force!

[Manish_P]

Also Rakesh ji, hope it's ok to post videos like this one in this thread

The Lion of Ladakh

[Rakesh]

You are welcome Manish-ji. IMVHO, this is a person who is among the greatest legends. He was the first Chief of an Indian military arm - the Indian National Army. Many pranams to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status ... 92263?s=20 ---> 30th December 1943...a day etched in the memory of every Indian, when the brave Netaji Subhas Bose unfurled the Tricolour at Port Blair. To mark the 75th anniversary of this special day, I had gone to Port Blair and had the honour of hoisting the Tricolour. Sharing some memories.

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/drajaykumar_ias/sta ... 40004?s=20 ---> Colonel Chewang Rinchen, a fearless lion of Ladakh, whose unparalleled gallantry will inspire generations & his name etched forever in Indian history as the guardian of Nubra Valley. Pay tribute to this this brave son of India at https://gallantryawards.gov.in

[Rakesh]

Click on twitter thread to read the rest. Also has a video...

https://twitter.com/Maverickmusafir/sta ... ucSfg1w1AA ---> On this day in 1948, Brigadier Mohammad Usman MVC(P) and his four men lost their lives in a shelling during J&K operations 1947-48. The govt honoured him with a state funeral, a rarity for a military leader. For his last journey, troops used a brand new caravan which Usman couldn’t...

[fanne]

I believe we are missing one of the greatest of them - Lieutenant General Sagat Singh. It looks like he was send by God to be in the right place at right time. Totally instrumental in 3 fights, bringing decisive victory fast, most of the time going against letter if not spirit of the command to secure victory - 1961 Goa, 1967 Nathu la , chola la and 1971.

[Rakesh]

From the twitter account of Captain Bana Singh, PVC.

Bana Sir now has an island (Bana Dweep) and a mountain (Bana Top in the Siachen) named after him.

https://twitter.com/banasinghpvc/status ... fYyi1nIs9g ---> Thank you to PM @narendramodi-ji for renaming 21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar to the names of the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, our true heroes. Love & Respect to the Motherland.

[MeshaVishwas]

Very good initiative by the Admiral.

-Col(Dr.) D PK Pillay, Shaurya Chakra

Twitter showed the post only now (years later) to me but felt real happy reading this.

Today in 1994 I had to make a choice-b/w life of a child Vs my own. I'm proud that the @adgpi credo "safety&welfare of my countrymen come before my own'. Happy to announce the wedding of that boy Dingamang who lived through an ordeal no child should. Pl bless the newly wed couple

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/cyrushavo/status/16 ... 25024?s=20 ---> Marriage: Sam with Silloo!

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/cyrushavo/status/16 ... 25024?s=20 ---> Marriage: Sam with Silloo!

Above picture is from this book....

https://twitter.com/cyrushavo/status/16 ... 39200?s=20 --->

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/TaraRao0112/status/ ... 59680?s=20 ---> My father's dear friend, Commodore KS Subramanian NM, passed away this morning. He was 94. My family has known him since the 1940s. I have such fond memories of him and his family. He was the first CO of India's first submarine, INS Kalvari. Rest in eternal peace, Uncle Subbu.

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/jai_samota/status/1 ... 93504?s=20 ---> Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar (retd), 6 Kumaon passed away yesterday at an age of 109 years and 7 months. He was born on 19 November 1913. He served with Faridkot State Forces and then with 6 Kumaon before retiring in 1963. May you rest in peace Sir.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/jai_samota/status/1719362 ... 74977?s=20 ---> The original Param Vir Chakra of Lt Col Dhan Singh Thapa, PVC of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles (now 3 Mech). He fought the battle of Sirjap during the 1962 war. 1/8 Gorkha Rifles was the first regular infantry battalion to be inducted in Ladakh under the 114 Brigade in April 1961. Before and during the war, Gorkhas held the posts on the banks of Pangong, Galwan, Hotsprings, Spanggur Gap, Gurung Hill and Magar Hill, the latter two posts were named after the sub-castes of the Gorkhas of the unit.

Jai Maha Kali, Aayo Gorkhali!!!

https://x.com/Sanjaygupts1996/status/17 ... 65870?s=20 ---> Was missing in action for one year, wife refused to perform last rites insisting he's alive, which he was. Son named Param after the gallantry award.

[Rakesh]

'Don't call me Uncle. Call me Sam'
https://m.rediff.com/news/column/syed-a ... 231201.htm
01 Dec 2023

By Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)

[Rakesh]

Twitter thread on Field Marshal SHFJ ‘Sam’ Manekshaw. Click on the link below...

https://x.com/Maverickmusafir/status/17 ... 92995?s=20 ---> Today, let us remember Field Marshal SHFJ ‘Sam’ Manekshaw on his 110th birth anniversary.



https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1775 ... 04183?s=20 ---> Remembering one of the greatest military leaders & Soldiers' General Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, MC on his 110th birth anniversary.

[Rakesh]

Twitter Thread on Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC. Please click on link below.

https://x.com/CestMoiz/status/1792922821540159727 ---> This day in 1999, a young Captain by the name of Manoj Kumar Pandey was going gung ho, clearing Pakis in Khalubar. Little would he have have known that he had just about 43 days more in this world, before he attained martyrdom, and with it, immortal fame...

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/jai_samota/status/1802715755785376080 ---> The Param Vir Chakra of Major Shaitan Singh, PVC.

"And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."

IC-6400 MAJ SHAITAN SINGH, KUMAON REGIMENT - 18 NOVEMBER 1962.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/VJSWRITER/status/1675740400055615488 ---> On his death anniversary, a true story of Captain Manoj Pandey, PVC-P.

His moral courage to refuse an order because it threatened to wipe out his attack column with zero chance of success. This was what troops across the Kargil war zone were facing in the first three weeks.

[Rakesh]

For folks who have not read his story, please purchase the book.

https://x.com/rahulsinghx/status/1823632219748909432 ---> The fortitude & dignity with which #IndiasMostFearless 3 hero Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) Ishan Mishra has turned his life around after losing a leg in a Su-30MKI crash is a powerful life lesson. An honour to have met him again in Sulur. Your spirit triumphs and warms the heart, brother.

[Rakesh]

Clambering Back Into A Cockpit With Only One Leg
https://iafhistory.in/2024/09/29/clambe ... las-bader/
29 Sept 2024

[Rakesh]

Lt Gen Sharma's elder brother is Major Somnath Sharma, the Indian Army's first PVC awardee. Lt Gen Sharma's younger brother is General Vishwa Nath Sharma, who served as Army Chief from 01 June 1988 – 30 June 1990. The father of this trio of Sharma brothers was Major General Amar Nath Sharma of the Director Medical Services (Army). Major General Sharma's daughter - Major Kamla Tiwari - was also part of the Indian Army Medical Corps.

The whole family is filled with legends!

https://x.com/sandythapar/status/1876476528000933890 ---> Lieutenant General Surindra Nath Sharma, former Engineer-in-Chief, 101 years old and his wife is 97 years old. Drives his own car and when asked what does he eat, says everything except tension and stress.

[Rakesh]

Military Digest | Remembering Air Marshal A D Joshi and his pioneering MiG-23 landing at Leh
https://indianexpress.com/article/citie ... h-9864151/
03 March 2025

A former commander-in-chief of the IAF’s Strategic Forces Command, Air Marshal A D Joshi pioneered many firsts that put India in a commanding position vis-à-vis China and Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s.

[Manish_P]

Interview with Mrs. Charulata Acharya, wife of Major Padmapani Acharya, one of the heroes of kargil

'His Karma Was To Sacrifice His Life For The Nation'

Major Padmapani Acharya was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his courage in the Kargil War.

A week after his 31st birthday, Major Padmapani Acharya made the supreme sacrifice in one of the bloodiest battles of the Kargil War.

On June 28, 1999, he was given the formidable task of capturing the Three Pimple Complex in the Drass sector.

The complex was heavily fortified, strongly held and covered with mines by Pakistan. Leading a company of the 2 Rajputana Rifles, the officer led his men with exemplary courage and ensured that the task was accomplished.

Despite grievous injury, he crawled up the enemy bunker and continued directing his men to charge while he continued to provide fire support.

For his act of conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Mahavir Chakra which was received by his father, a former air force officer.

Major Acharya had served in the army for five years and had been married for barely three years. His wife, Charulata Acharya delivered their child Aparajita three months after his demise.

His family spoke a lot about him so that his daughter knew her father. Aparajita visited Drass for the first time in 2019.

Mrs Acharya could only muster the courage to do so in 2023 when she turned 50.

"My daughter told me 'Mama, you should go. Don't run away from the fear'," she tells Rediff's Archana Masih in a two-part interview that reveals the courage of a soldier's wife.