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Portrait
of a Martyr
Special
Feature
“A
man’s destiny is always passionately interesting if he achieves it
passionately”
—Albert
Camus
Martyrs never
die. They become immortal. History records their names in golden
letters. Lt. Triveni Singh, Ashok Chakra, is one such martyr. In a
rare act of courage he killed two heavily armed militants at the
Jammu railway station on January 02, 2004 and saved hundreds of
helpless passengers at the platform before he succumbed to his
injuries.
Before attaining martyrdom Lt. Triveni Singh saluted his GOC, Maj.
General Rajendra Singh, in the true army tradition. His last words:
“ Mission accomplished, Sir”. Lt. Triveni Singh was posthumously
awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest bravery award
during peacetime for displaying conspicuous gallantry, utmost
courage and making the supreme sacrifice in the highest tradition of
the Indian Army, to save human lives. President APJ Abdul Kalam
presented the award to Lt. Triveni Singh’s father, Captain Janmej
Singh (Rtd.) on the Republic Day, this year.
Hailing from Pathankot, Punjab and born on February 01, 1978 at
Namkum, now in Jharkhand, Triveni Singh, a Dogra, was not an
aggressive child and never used to react to provocations. His
parents recall that they decided to train Triveni, their only son,
in martial arts, judo-karate and body-building when he turned
15.
He won gold medal
at the national level in martial arts. Triveni also won gold medals
in swimming and athletics. Lt. Trivini wanted to join the Army
despite being an agriculture graduate from the Punjab Agriculture
University, Ludhiana. After clearing his examinations with high
rankings he went to the Indian Military Military Academy, Dehradun.
He was commissioned
in the Army on December 08, 2001 and joined the elite unit of 5
Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, reputed for its bravery and
decorations in the Indian Army. It was for his hard work, dedication
and involvement in assignments that he was sent to the College of
Combat, Mhow for the Young Officers Basic Course and Commando
Course. He came out with flying colours with a high ranking.
Triveni was destined to be a martyr. On the night of December 31,
2003 he danced and enjoyed the party at the Army Club, Pathankot
with his family members and friends. In the wee hours of the New
Year day he left the club saying “ you will not see us again”.
After taking some sips of coffee at home on that day he left home
for his unit and got himself busy in his daily routine of inspecting
the arms of his colleagues in the Quick Reaction Team. He was in his
combat uniform ready for any mission.
In the evening of January 02, 2004 Lt. Triveni Singh got to know
about the fidayeen attack on the Jammu railway station while
watching a TV news bulletin. On being ordered to challenge the
militants, Lt. Triveni Singh rushed to the Jammu railway station
with five commandos. In a swift action he killed the first militant
and followed the other who was firing from the overhead rail
bridge.
Lt. Triveni Singh
knew that the hidden militant was equipped with lethal weapons and
could kill over 300 passengers who had taken refuge in the parcel
room only a short distance away. At that moment his deputy Havaldar
Fazal Hussain, was at the militant’s target too. In a gallant
action Lt. Triveni Singh grabbed that militant and killed him but
got fatally injured himself.
Lt. Triveni Singh is now a role model. Today every young man of his
native place, Pathankot, is eager to join the armed forces to serve
the nation. (PIB-Feature)
Inputs
contributed by Col. Gopal Purdhani
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