A Hero

Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh, Kangra. His father was Major General Amar Nath Sharma, who was also a military officer and retired as Director of Medical Services (Army). His brothers Lt. General Surindar Nath Sharma (retired as Engineer-in-chief) and General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988–1990), and his sister Major Kamla Tewari (Medical Doctor), all were into Army.

He did his schooling at Sherwood College, Nainital. Then he joined the Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehra Dun and later on joined the Royal Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment):148 of the Indian Army on 22 February 1942. He took part in the Second World War in the Arakan Operations. Incidentally, he is the eldest brother of the son-in-law (Lt. Gen. Surindra Nath Sharma, P.V.S.M, A.V.S.M) of Savitri Khanolkar, who designed the Param Vir Chakra medal.

Somnath's company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. His left hand was in a plaster cast as a result of injuries sustained in the hockey field previously but he insisted on being with his company in this war and was given permission to go.

On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in the Kashmir Valley. A tribal group of around 500 raiders approached Badgam from the direction of Gulmarg. The company was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from the ongoing mortar bombardment. Somnath realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost to the enemy. Under heavy fire and outnumbered by seven to one, he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post.

When heavy casualties adversely affected the firing power of his company, Major Sharma, with his left hand in plaster, took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to his men, operating light machine guns. While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade headquarters when he last called before he was killed was: "The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round."

By the time the relief company of the 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the raiders made them change their initial plan to advance, giving sufficient time for the Indian troops to fly into the Srinagar airfield and block all routes to Srinagar. In this manner, Somnath Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan.

Major Somnath Sharma could have easily stayed back from this war as his left hand was in plaster. However, he decided to go to the combat zone fully knowing the grave circumstances of this step. On the battlefield also he did not care for his own safety and supplied ammunition to his men, running from one post to another amidst heavy firing from three sides. Again he had the option to retreat as his troops were heavily outnumbered. But he did not deter. What could one tell about his exemplary show of bravery!

For his this act of immense bravery and patriotism he became the first recipient of India's highest gallantry award,the Param Vir Chakra.

In the 1980s, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), named fifteen of their crude oil tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT Major Somnath Sharma, PVC was delivered to SCI on 11 June 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years service.

The first episode of the TV series on the lives of Param Vir Chakra winners, Param Vir Chakra (1988) showed Major Somnath Sharma's actions of 3 November 1947. In that episode, his part was played by Farooque Sheikh and this episode was directed by Chetan Anand.

Major Somnath Sharma would always be remembered as one of India's greatest sons for the time immemorial.A real son of the motherland!

A real hero!