The Soldier

Soldier soldier

You are the pride and Gaurav 

Of the nation!

You are the braveheart

Who protects the borders 

From the infiltrators and terrorists,

You are the heroes 

Who wakes up all night 

And guard our country,

So that we could have a sound sleep.

Till the time you are there,

We do not need to be tensed about 

What is happening in the borders.

You are our pride our Gaurav

Soldier soldier!

This story is about an Indian soldier who rose up to the opportunity and guarded the country's borders against a heavily outnumbered attack from the enemy. The enemy attacked not once or twice, but eight times that day! But Lance Naik Karam Singh and his regiment held on to his post and protected it!

Subedar Karam Singh was born on 15 September 1915 in Sehna village of Bernala district. He became inspired by listening to stories of war veterans of his village and decided to join the army. He enrolled in the 1st battalion of the Sikh regiment on 15 September 1941. He was awarded the Military medal for showing outstanding courage and valor in the Battle of the Admin Box.

He was among the five soldiers who got the chance to raise the Indian flag for the first time after independence in 1947. He was selected by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

After independence, India and Pakistan fought over Kashmir. Pakistan's Pashtun tribal militants occupied Tithwal which was a strategic post along the line of control.However, the Indian army got its control on 23rd May 1948. The enemy launched counter-attacks.

The battle of Tithwal continued for many months. On 13 October the enemy launched back-to-back eight attacks on the forward post where Lance Naik Karam Singh was commanding a 1 Sikh regiment at Richhmar Gali.

The Indian unit was outnumbered ten-to-one, but not one bunker fell into enemy hands. Although all the Indian bunkers were destroyed by heavy shelling by the enemy, Karam Singh ran from post to post helping injured soldiers and telling his men to keep on fighting. He himself was injured.

Many times he repulsed the enemy by throwing grenades at them. His unit even fought hand to hand battle with the enemy when the enemies reached their post. Singh himself killed two enemy soldiers with his bayonet!

The Sikh regiment lost 15 men and around 260 injured while the enemy lost nearly 300 men and around 500 injured. The enemy could not conquer even a single bunker!

For his absolute courage and disregard for his own life for his nation, Singh a die-hard patriot was awarded the prestigious and highest military honor of the country, the Param Vir Chakra!

Karam Singh was the first non-posthumous recipient of this award. His exemplary courage and leadership saved the coveted post of Tithwal and changed the course of the war in favor of India!

He retired from the military as Subedar and Honorary Captain and died on 20th June 1993 at the age of 77 due to natural causes. He is survived by his wife Gurdial Singh and his children.

He is still remembered as the 'Sardar', the man of steel, who did not deter in the face of extreme challenges and attacks. He will always be remembered as one of the country's greatest soldiers ever and would continue to inspire the forthcoming generations forever!