STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government and the Indian Army paid tributes to Brigadier Rajinder Singh, also known as the ‘Saviour of Kashmir’, on his 75th martyrdom day here on Wednesday.
Army veterans, senior government functionaries, civil society members and political leaders laid wreaths at the statue of the legendary soldier here at the Brig Rajinder Singh Chowk.
The function was organised by the J&K Ex-Services League.
The speakers, including Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, ADGP Mukesh Singh, former minister Gulchain Singh Charak, Maj Gen (Retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, highlighted the timeline of heroic accomplishments of the brigadier and his supreme sacrifice while protecting the state from the enemies’ invasion in 1947.
Dr. SP Verma, President Gandhi Global Family J&K, Dr Akshay Sharma, Corporator and SSP Traffic were also present to pay tributes.
Paying tributes to the ‘Saviour of Kashmir’, the president of J&K Ex-Services League, Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma said, “It is historic day for us. On this day, Brig Rajinder Singh laid down his life to save J&K from going into hands of Pakistan”.
“Had he not sacrificed his life, the map of India would perhaps been without crown Jammu and Kashmir. He stopped tribal raiders for four days, which provided time for Maharaja Hari Singh to sign the Instrument of Accession and time to the Indian troops to land in Kashmir”, he said, adding that it is this brave act that “saved J&K from Pakistan”.
Paying tributes to Brig Singh and his team of brave soldiers, the Divisional Commissioner said they fought back Pakistani raiders with limited resources and stopped them at Uri for several days, thus saving the lives of thousands of people.
He said it was because of Brig Rajinder Singh that we live in a state of freedom as he along with scores sacrificed their lives to safeguard J&K.
Speaking on the occasion, Mukesh Singh said that today “We are celebrating this day in Jammu only due to the action of Brigadier Rajinder Singh in 1947 when he saved Jammu and Kashmir against the invasion by Pakistan.” He further said that Jammu Region is the land of Gallant Soldiers in which Brigadier Rajinder Singh stands out. He complimented the League and the JAK Rifles and the Civil Administration for making it a great occasion.
While paying tribute to one of the greatest warriors of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of his Martyrdom Day, he thanked the League and the Army for organizing this function every year and assured that this function will now be held jointly by the J&K Government with the League and the Army. He also advised the youth to read about the History of Military in J&K. “Now a book is available on the History of the Jammu and Kashmir Operations, you must read the book and also make it a habit to glorify the History & Heritage,” he added.
Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, AVSM, Chief Patron JKESL was also present on the occasion and spoke on the occasion.
Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Th Gulchain Singh Charak, President Dogra Sadar Sabha also spoke about balidan of Brig Rajinder Singh, MVC
Cultural programmes based on patriotic themes were also presented by schoolchildren, artistes of the Department of Information and Public Relations and J&K Academy of Art Cultural and Languages.
October 26 is celebrated as ‘Accession Day’. It was on this day in 1947 when the then Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, making Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India.
