A series of books, including comics, salutes heroes of the Indian Armed Forces who brought laurels to the country on the battle front and were given India's highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra.
Roli Books has brought out the third and fourth comics of Param Vir Chakra series by Major General (retd) Ian Cardozo. These are on IAF Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and Major Shaitan Singh. The illustrations are by Rishi Kumar. The first two comics of the series were launched last year.
Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the Valley against Pakistani air attacks in 1971. From the very outbreak of the hostilities, he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination, maintaining the high reputation of Gnat aircraft.
The heroism, gallantry, flying skill, and determination which were above and beyond the call of duty, displayed by Sekhon in the face of certain death, have set new heights in Air Force traditions.
The battle of Rezang La, Ladakh, in 1962 will long be remembered in the annals of military history because of the incredible heroism displayed by over a hundred Indian soldiers led by Major Shaitan Singh against overwhelming hordes of Chinese. While the Chinese were equipped with modern weapons, Indian troops were armed with the .303 single-action Lee Enfield rifle which was an obsolete and outmoded weapon from the Second World War.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages of climate, terrain, and weapons, Major Singh and 'C' Company went all out to defend Rezang La on November 18, 1962. His leadership and courage inspired and motivated his men to face the enemy. A ceasefire to the Sino-Indian war was declared by the Chinese Army after this battle.
Journalist Rachna Bisht Rawat's "The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories" has 21 riveting stories about how India's highest military honour was won. Published by Penguin, "The Brave" takes the reader into the hearts and minds of India's bravest soldiers and paints the most vivid portrait of these men and their extraordinary deeds.
