Param Vir Chakra: Manoj Pandey

by Ian Cardozo, Rishi Kumar

About the Param Vir Manoj Pandey The 1999 Kargil War brought out the best in Indian soldiers. Amongst them were four heroes whose actions helped to turn the tide in Indias favour. These four were awarded the Param Vir Chakra, Indias highest gallantry award in the face of the enemy. They were Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav. Lieutenant Manoj Pandey was instrumental in throwing the enemy forces out from the Batalik sector. Lieutenant Manoj Pandey could always be counted upon as someone who took up the most difficult challenges in the Army. His unmatched daredevilry is what enabled him to destroy four Pakistani posts during this war. He charged towards the last bunker with a grenade in his hand and the war cry ayo gorkhali on his lips... the many guns that pointed at him ineffective in inciting any fear in the braveheart. About the 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 Survivors Stories and Param 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 Rehabilitatio

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2013

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Lt. Manoj Pandey and why he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (India's highest military decoration). Lt. Pandey 'cleared' three enemy positions singlehandedly; he was fatally wounded while leading an attempt to clear a fourth enemy position. He continued to urge his men on until he was fatally shot. An amazing story of courage.

[Shwetabh Mathur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read...