PARAM VIR CHAKRA: SOMNATH SHARMA

by Ian Cardozo, Rishi Kumar

About the Book: Param Vir Chakra: Somnath Sharma The very first recipient of the param vir chakra, indias highest gallantry award in the face of enemy, major Somnath Sharma exemplified unwavering valour in the face of death. Undeterred by an injury, major Sharma was instrumental in setting up defensive position in Badgam, a village about 8 miles south-east of Srinagar and stopped the raiders from reaching and taking control of the Srinagar airport in october 1947. major Sharma played a pivotal role in foiling the enemys plan at the cost of his own life. Outnumbered by the raiders, he and his company stopped the raiders till reinforcements arrived to destroy the enemy. his leadership, courage, and personal example has inspired and will continue to motivate officers and men of the indian army. About the Author: Ian Cardozo, Rishi Kumar Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai and studied at St Xaviers School and College. In July 1954, he joined the Joint Services Wing which later became the National Defence Academy. Here he was the first cadet to win the gold medal for being the best all-round cadet, and the silver medal for being first in order of merit. He was commissioned at the Indian Military Academy into the 1st Battalion the Fifth Gorkha Rifles (FF) in 1958 and was the first officer of the Army to be awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry on a patrol in NEFA in 1960. Wounded in the battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh in 1971, he overcame the handicap of losing a leg and became the first officer to be approved for command of an Infantry Battalion. He retired in 1993 from his appointment as Chief of Staff of a Corps in the East. Author of The Sinking of INS-Khukri: Survivors Stories and Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle, he has worked with the Spastics Society of Northern India. At present he is working for persons with disability as Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India and is the Vice President of the War Wounded Foundation. Rishi Kumar is a graduate from Delhi College

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2013

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Somnath Sharma - first to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra (India's highest military decoration). Really interesting to me how similar we are: how courage is a trait that is universally admired. I try to put that in perspective when I think about war: individuals who share similar traits - and if not for war there is a very good chance those shared traits would make them friends.

[Shwetabh Mathur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read...