People
An Officer and a Gentleman Farmer:
Daljit Singh Randhawa
VARINDER SINGH
He is a real-life hero who has fought many battles in life -- ranging from World War II to the one with cancer and is still ready to wage a war against adversities of life at 93 with a smile.
Colonel Daljit Singh Randhawa (retd.) is perhaps the lone surviving Military Cross winning soldier of Punjab. He saw action in different parts of the world, including Burma during the World War II. He was a part of the UN Forces in Congo and Lebanon.
Daljit Singh not only excelled in the Army in many ways but also proved his mettle in farming. He believes in the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer) coined by Lal Bahadur Shastri.
He turned his crops into gold in his 200-acre farm at Phuglana village of Hoshiarpur district in Punjab and won a number of prizes for his feat in progressive farming. Even at 93, this Hoshiarpur-based soldier-farmer is going strong and remains agile.
He was the first Parade Commander in India's first Independence Day parade in New Delhi, immediately after the Partition of Punjab and India, where a guard of honour was given to the outgoing Viceroy Lord Mountbatten.
"I remember the moment when Lord Mountbatten asked me from where I had got my Military Cross. I told him that I won it for services rendered in Imphal," recalls Daljit Singh, holding the hand of his wife Satwant Kaur at their palatial Model Town residence in Hoshiarpur. For him, it is a matter of pride that he was the youngest officer to win the prestigious Military Cross at the age of 24.
Daljit Singh flaunts another rare distinction: Seven generations in his family have served in the Army, the first being his great-grand father taking part in action during the Indian Mutiny in 1857.
Daljit Singh himself was decorated with the prestigious Military Cross in the battle field by General Slim for the chivalry displayed in the 1944 Burma campaign in Kohima.
As a Military Cross winner, he was given one murabba of land (28 acres) in Punjab (the part now in Pakistan) and it was re-allotted to him at Phuglana village of Hoshiarpur district after Partition.
He fondly recalls how he used to go hunting with General Wavell at 4 am in the morning at Rajasthan Rifles Centre at New Delhi. "As a soldier of the Indian Army in the Burma campaign, I had killed four Japanese in a fierce hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese during World War II on the road to Imphal and had to remain hospitalised at the War Hospitals in Calcutta and New Delhi for the injuries sustained in the conflict," says an emotionally charged Daljit Singh. "I remain a proud soldier as my seven generations have served the Army right from my great grandfather Col. Harnam Singh who, was part of the action in the 1857 Mutiny."
He said he was part of the Indian contingent deployed in Congo as part of the UN Peace-Keeping initiative. "In January 1963, I commanded 4 Madras as part of the UN Forces in Congo. We captured three European mercenaries in the 'Lufira River Battle' during their advance to Jadotville. I was also part of the UN troops deployed in Lebanon," he explains, with a sparkle in his eyes.
"After my first posting in 1943 in Mindoro (now in Pakistan), I never looked back. I can never forget the demarcation of the LoC by the Pakistanis in the Poonch sector were I discussed the area of deployment and control with the Pakistan Commander. We discussed the area of deployment and control in the 1947-48 seige of Jammu and Kashmir when I was deputed as a Major in the Poonch district," he adds.
Daljit Singh was born in 66 Chack village of district Montgomery (now in Pakistan). Like many others, his family too had to migrate to East Punjab after Partition.
A number of medals displayed at his home narrate the story of his chivalry.
Daljit Singh’s two sons, Colonel Jasjit Singh and Major Amanjit Singh are leading a retired life after having served in the armed corps. His grandson is a serving Major in the 69 Armoured Division.
Cancer afflicted Daljit Singh about 12 years ago but, the malady could not dim his enthusiasm for life, says his son-in-law Saravjit Singh Hothi, who retired as an Air Vice-Marshal from the Indian Air Force. Daljit Singh also served in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Word War II and remained stationed in Indonesia as a part of the post-World War regrouping.
[Courtesy: Tribune. Edited for sikhchic.com]
February 10, 2013
Conversation about this article
1: Harinder (Uttar Pradesh, India), February 10, 2013, 12:25 PM.
Sardar Daljit Singh is certainly the pride of the community and a hero.
2: N Singh (Canada), February 10, 2013, 5:29 PM.
Without even knowing it or even trying, his life is a legacy to all ... makes us hold our heads high and be proud of our collective achievements as a community. One of many unsung Sikh heroes. Thank you, Colonel Daljit Singh ji!
3: Iban Randhawa (Dehradun, India), November 03, 2013, 6:12 AM.
Proud of you, Dada ji. You are my role model ... you inspire us! Proud to carry the responsibility of seven generations.