Latest news with #Havildar
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Before dying in Kargil, Indian Army soldier chose a bride for his son. This is their story
1 2 Chandigarh: It is often said that marriages are made in heaven but celebrated on earth. For Karan Singh, the son of a Kargil war martyr, his marriage was destined by the Kargil war itself. Before leaving for the battlefield, his father, Havildar Mahavir Singh of 17-Jat regiment, penned what would become his final letter to Karan, who was then undergoing military training as a recruit. In his letter, Mahavir hesitantly revealed that he had chosen a girl, expressing his hope that Karan would marry her after completion of his training. Though Havildar Mahavir Singh was martyred in Kargil, Karan honored his father's dying wish. He sought out the girl his father had chosen—and married her. Today, the couple Karan Singh and wife Sudesh Boora are happily married for around 24 years. Interestingly, the couple's both children, Apoorav Boora and Anjali Boora are into their graduation and preparing for the officer's entry examinations for armed forces. Karan's father, Mahavir Singh had attained martyrdom even when Karan was to complete his basic military training. In his last letter posted in April 1999 to his son, Mahavir Singh had written, "I am writing this letter, as you had requested of me. Don't worry about me, my son, I have reached my unit safely. Please take care of yourself during the training. If you don't mind, I wanted to share with you that I have finalized a girl for your marriage. But don't worry, we will not marry you till you complete your class-XII. Please keep on writing at home, your grandmother always worries about you. Complete your training with concentration and zeal. Don't bother about anyone at home, all are happy". At that time, Karan was a recruit in "Multan Coy" in the Jat regiment's training Centre at Bareilly. The letter was written by Mahavir Singh, a Havildar posted with the 17-Jat regiment, on April 16, 1999. After the war broke out in 1999, Havildar Mahavir's unit moved to Mushkoh Valley in Kargil. His unit was assigned the task to push the enemy out from Pimple-II complex (Point 4875). In the fierce battle, Mahavir had lost his life on July 5, 1999 in a fierce battle. A total of 34 men including two officers of the 17-Jat regiment lost their lives in Kargil. Havildar Mahavir Singh was conferred with Sena Medal (SM) for his gallant act. At that time Karan Singh had not completed his military training. According to Karan, he was given special leave from the training to perform the last rites of his father. Later, Karan left the army to take care of his mother and younger brother. He is now running a petrol pump near Hisar cantonment, which was allotted by the government to honour the next of kins of soldiers killed in action. According to Karan, he took the words written by his father as his last wish and on inquiry found Sudesh whom his father wanted him to marry in Karsindhu village in Jind district. After two years of his father's death, he married the same girl in 2001. Girl's father was not in the army, but her maternal uncle was known to Havildar Mahavir Singh. Karan's wife informed that she was not aware about the fact that her father and her father-in-law had any kind of discussions about her marriage as she was very young at that time. "If it was destined, I am proud that I was married in this family. We are preparing both our children for the armed forces," Sudesh added.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We taught each other': In Hapur, father and son crack UP Police constable exam together
Age is just a number — something a father and son from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, have proven as they both qualified for the Uttar Pradesh Police constable exam. Yashpal Singh Nagar (41) and his 21-year-old son Shekhar Nagar are now undergoing 10 months of training in Bareilly and Shahjahanpur, respectively, after being selected in the UP Police constabulary exams. They hail from the village of Udai Rampur Nagla in Hapur, 80 km from Delhi. The duo was among 60,000 candidates who received their appointment letters from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow last month. According to Shekhar, after 10 months, they will be posted as constables in the same district where they underwent training. 'I am a proud son because my father qualified for the exam along with me. We prepared together — he helped me with general knowledge, and I helped him train for the running (physical test),' he told The Indian Express over the phone. He said his father's general knowledge is very good, while he is a state-level athlete. Shekhar said he has participated in several state and national-level athletic competitions. 'We didn't take up tuition or attend coaching classes. Instead, we read, discussed, and studied together. We used to go to the library, but we never revealed our relationship to anyone there,' he added. Shekhar said they also relied on online videos and YouTube channels to prepare for the exam. Shekhar is a graduate, while Yashpal is a retired Havildar from the Indian Army. He opted for retirement in 2019 after serving in the Army for 15 years, as his family needed him at home. At the time of his retirement, he was posted in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Shekhar's mother is a homemaker. He has two siblings — a younger sister who is pursuing her graduation, and a younger brother who is in Class 12. The duo live with their mother in their village while Shekhar and his father undergo training. 'My father's love for khaki never faded. He had prepared for the Sub-Inspector recruitment in the UP Police but missed qualifying by just two marks,' Shekhar said. In the UP Police, the age limit for recruitment to the constable rank is between 18 and 25 years. Yashpal was eligible under the ex-serviceman quota. To qualify for the exam, a candidate must pass written, physical, and medical examinations. 'Several members of my family serve in the paramilitary forces, as well as in the UP and Delhi Police. Our family is very happy — in fact, the residents of our village gathered to congratulate us when they heard that we had cleared the exam together,' Shekhar said. 'Though we have qualified as constables, we will continue preparing for the Sub-Inspector rank. Besides, I am still preparing for the NDA,' he added.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tejashwi pays tribute to ‘Operation Sindoor' martyrs in Buxar
Buxar: Leader of opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , on Wednesday visited Narbatpur in Chausa to pay tributes to ' Operation Sindoor ' martyrs. Tejashwi met the bereaved families of Havildar Sunil Yadav and CRPF jawan Jaishankar Chaudhary—both residents of Chausa. He hailed their supreme sacrifices. Tejashwi said that while financial aid has been extended to martyrs' families, the state should do more to honour their legacy. "A memorial must be built in their names so that future generations understand the value of their sacrifice," he said. He said he has requested the Union home minister for memorials for martyred soldiers, but he was yet to receive a response. Yadav also met the family of late Arjun Yadav, district president of the RJD labour cell, who was recently shot dead by unidentified criminals near the Chausa thermal power plant on May 26. He offered condolences to families who lost loved ones in a recent lightning strike in Chausa. He alleged that RJD workers were being targetted in the state.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Army pays homage to Operation Sindoor braveheart
JAMMU: The Army paid tributes to a soldier who had sustained grievous injuries during Operation Sindoor , and died Friday night. In a post on X on Saturday, J&K-based White Knight Corps said the General Officer Commanding and other ranks saluted Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, who was undergoing treatment at Command Hospital, for his supreme sacrifice. 'His unwavering courage, sense of duty, and sacrifice will forever remain etched in our hearts,' an Army spokesperson said.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kangra Agniveer dies in Kargil landslide
A 25-year-old Agniveer from Himachal's Kangra district died in a landslide while he was on duty in the Drass sector of Kargil, officials said on Wednesday. According to officials, Naveen Kumar, a resident of Halun village in Thural panchayat of Sulah assembly segment, was serving with the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and lost his life in a landslide on May 20. The mortal remains of the deceased soldier are expected to reach his native village on Thursday, where his last rites will be conducted with full military honours, they said. Vandana Kumari, head of Thural panchayat, confirmed the incident and expressed her condolences. 'We were informed by a soldier from the area. The whole village stands with the grieving family,' she said. Naveen had joined the army two years ago through an open rally recruitment under the Agnipath father, Rajmal, also served the nation as a Havildar in the 13 JAK Rifles and passed away four years ago due to cancer. According to family, Naveen had spoken to his mother over the phone on the morning of May 19. He had last visited home in July 2024. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the incident and prayed for strength to the bereaved family. Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri also expressed grief over Kumar's demise. Agnihotri conveyed his condolences and prayed for peace to the departed soul. With PTI inputs
