HAPPY DEEPAVALI

RHINO WHATSAPP GROUP

RHINO CHATTER – 10 JUL 2020 TO 24 OCT 2020

 Col Bhim Singh Shekawat 6A & 10A – Introduction to the Group

10/07/2020, 20:55 – Rhino Col Bhim Shekhawat: Thank you  to all my  Sirs🙏  for including me in this  prestigious and  esteemed  group ❗ I  Retired from active service in 2005 ,  settled in KOTA  ( Rajasthan) , since then.  My  son is presently  working in   Singapore / Mumbai ,  with the  Tata group,   and   settled in  Thane ( Maharashtra  )❗ We  are   blessed with a granddaughter ❗🙏  Anyone  coming to  Kota,  please use this  mobile phone number to  connect and  meet   🛕🆒🙏🙏

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – LT COL TSERING KUNJO BHUTIA 5A & 15A

Lt Col Tsering Kunjo Bhutia

DOB.    22 APR 1943.

DOM.   14TH JUL 72.

WIFE’S NAME.   MRS LENZI ONGMU BHUTIA.

DAUGHTERS.  1. MRS DIKILA. NYC . U.S.A   2. DR KUKULA.   GOVT HOSP DARJILING

JOINED 5TH KHEL ON 28TH FEB 65. MOVED TO PUNJAB DURING 65 WAR. SERVED IN SIKKIM AS ADC TO COR 70/ 71. ON 6TH DEC 1971,  COR WAS THE PERSON TO INFORM ME ABOUT THE CASUALTY WE SUFFERED IN CHAMB. I WAS THEN MOVED TO THE 5TH KHEL WHICH WAS LOCATED IN HAMIRPUR JAMMU. JOINED 8TH KHEL IN 78.

GOT POSTED TO 15 ASSAM RIFLE IN NAGALAND WHERE I RECEIVED COMMENDATION CARD FROM GOC IN C EASTCOMD. MOVED TO CABINET SECT NEW DELHI ON PROMOTION . DURING MY FINAL INNINGS I MANAGED TO COME TO NCC GP HQ DARJILING FROM WHERE I HUNG MY BOOTS.( ANECDOTES FOLLOWS)

Anecdote

MISSAMARI. JUL 1965.

A long whistle by the BHM, the Bn comes to a halt for 5 mins break. The bn was climbing down from Chako to Bompu along the Razor sharp Ridges of the Hills of then NEFA. There was hardly any place for my bottom to rest .I started grazing my fingers along the muddy wall behind me and suddely I realised that my fingers hit at a hard object. My curiosity made me dig harder and to my surprise I found a 303 Rifle clutched by the right hand of a skeleton. As I removed the Rifle the Bn column statred moving fast. Rifle was then handed over to the Adj. in Missamari

As I started growing as a soldier, I realised that The Skeleton, must have been the mortal remains of a soldier who may have succumbed to his injury in 1962 War. I also realised that we could have easily found out his ID with the help of ID disc and given a funeral befitting to a Martyr in the presence of his family members.

It remains to be a big regret till date. The Rifle may have found a place in our Museum in Shillong.

13/07/2020, 07:06 – Tshering Lt Col: SNIPES AND SPIKES.

DURING AN EXERCISE IN MISSAMARI LATE MAJ GATPOH WAS FOUND IN POOL OF BLOOD. CLOSE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT HIS FACE HAD BECOME THE GRAZING GROUND FOR ELEPHANT LEACHES🤣

2. LT GEN JACOB DURING HIS VISIT TO THE BN TICKS OFF A JCO ” AAP KA TOPI BAHUT CHOTA HAIN.” “AADMI BHI TO CHOTA HAIN” COMES THE FLAT REPLY. NO QUESTION WAS ASKED BY THE GENERAL THEREAFTER.😆

Comment by Col BK Gandhi

12/07/2020, 11:00 – b k gandhi Baroda: Thank you so much for sharing this touching episode dear Tshering Sir. Tagra Raho

 This would go to the North East Warriors Facebook Page as well

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – MAJ GEN MOHINDER SINGH CHOPRA (1907 TO 1990)

12/07/2020, 14:12 – Ramanan: MAJOR GENERAL MOHINDAR SINGH CHOPRA (1907 – 1990)

Major General Mohindar Singh Chopra was from one of the first batches of King’s Commissioned Indian Officers of the Indian Army, having graduated from the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in England in 1928. Born in 1907 in Amritsar, he did his schooling at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College at Dehra Dun before being selected for Sandhurst.

(a successor Regiment to the “After first attachment with the 1st Royal Fusiliers at Ambala and Kasauli, he transferred to the 1st Rajputs before becoming the first Indian officer to join the famous 6th Royal Battalion of the 13th Frontier Force Rifles at Hanguin 1932. He thus became a “Piffer” (the elite Frontier Force) of the Army. Many years were spent on active duty on the North West Frontier Province before he was selected to become the first Indian Officer for the Advance Course of the Army School of Physical Training at Aldershot in England. He graduated from the Staff College at Quetta in 1941 and served both with the Iraq-Persia (Paiforce) and in the Burma Theatre during the Second World War.

In 1946 he was promoted to Lt Col and took over as the first Indian Commanding Officer of the 1st Assam Regiment in Shillong. In late 1947 he took over command of 123 Infantry Brigade at Amritsar, charged with the onerous responsibility of not only defending hundreds of miles of turbulent frontier but also of evacuating safely nearly two million refugees during the partition of the sub continent.

In late 1949 he was promoted to Major General and given the responsibility to resurrect the famous 5th Infantry Division, then scattered along most of north and eastern India.The 5th Division was built up into a formidable fighting force and mobilised twice for the border crisis of 1950-51.

In 1950 he was given the singular honour of being appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the 5th Royal Gurkhas Rifles (Frontier Force) being then and remaining the senior Piffer in the Sub-Continent. In 1953 he took over as GOC 20th Infantry Division, the last Division to have troops stationed in Tibet. Retiring from the Army in 1955 he became India’s first Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, a post he held until 1959. On return to India, and after a few years of civilian life, he was appointed the Director, National Institute of Sports at Patiala, a post he held until 1968.

Major General Mohindar Singh Chopra was instrumental in reviving the Affiliations of the successors to the three original Battalions who served together in the Jullundur Brigade in World War One and in this he was assisted by both his son, Pushpindar Singh Chopra, and the then Colonel of The King’s Regiment (the British Jullundur Brigade successor regiment to The Manchester Regiment Major General Peter Davies, who set up the Association and who continues to act as International Coordinator and as President respectively.

12/07/2020, 14:12 – Ramanan: DEAR ALL RHINOS Pl enjoy . Thank u ndia. What a revelation. We knew pushpinder chopra of delhi never his father first ndian CO of ASSAM REGT.

Thank you Maj Roy.

34^th Raising Day of 15 Assam

15/07/2020, 00:00 – b k gandhi Baroda: It is a matter of great pride and honour for me to extend my greetings and best wishes to GB, all ranks, families and veterans of One Five on their 34th Raising Day.

The Khel has come a long way and carved niche for itself to become a viable and professionally competent force capable of undertaking any task assigned to them. 

On this occasion I offer my tributes to our fallen comrades who made the supreme sacrifice for our beloved country and the Regiment. I salute the  Veer Naris and their families and pray for their well being.

May the Rhino Gods continue guiding destiny of One Five in all their future endeavours. Tagra Raho

 A note from Col Debashis Nayak , GB 15 Assam on occasion of the Khel’s 34 Raising Day .

The team ONE FIVE was raised on 15 Jul 1987 at HAPPY VALLEY, Shillong by Lt Col BK Gandhi. After raising, the unit successfully carried out CI opsunder OP HIFAZAT in Manipur

The unit was inducted to Siachen(Northern Glacier) under OP MEGHDOOT and was awarded COAS Citation and GOC-in-C Northern Comd Unit Appreciation for professional acumen, sincerety, loyality and dedication of highest order displayed by the unit. Besides, (Late) Captain Suman Dasgupta received Vir Chakra for displaying conspicuous courage, initiative and valour in the face of enemy.

The unit moved to Gandharbal and took part in CI ops under OP RAKSHAK. Nk Narayan Das received Kirti Chakra posthumously for gallantry. The unit was later inducted to Bikaner for OP PARAKRAM in Dec 2001

Despite being the youngest unit of the Regt, the unit was nominated for UN mission in United Nation Interim Forces In Lebanon (UNIFIL) based on its exemplary performance over the years. The unit was awarded with Force Cdr’s Unit Citation(UNIFIL), two COAS commendation cards and 10 Force Cdr’s Appreciation medals in the tenure.

Thereafter the unit moved to Yangtse Lungar Sector Tawang and the unit was awarded GOC-in-C Eastern Command Unit Citation for its unprecedented efforts during its dply on LAC.

The unit moved to Binnaguri Cantt and utilised the peace tenure for training and enhancing Op effectiveness. The unit conducted Joint training with Royal Bhutan Army in Bhutan. The Bn won the prestigious Div Sports and Professional Banner.

The unit moved to Lam in J&K and was awarded GOC-in-C Northern Comd Appreciation for its active efforts during dply on LC.

The unit moved to Birchgunj Mil Stn as a part of Andaman & Nicobar Command and utilised the tenure to enhance its op effectiveness by carrying out joint Trg with other services. The Bn was adjudged the Best Eco-friendly unit of the Command and also won the Command Sports Banner 2017-18. The Bn was conferred with Cdr-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command unit appreciation for its distinctive performance in field of ops, adm, sports, discipline and morale.

The Bn executed the longest mov of the unit from Port Blair to the North East.

As the unit celebrates its 34th Raising Day, the team pledges to continue to work with utmost dedication and commitment and keep the flag flying high always.

Tagra Raho

Col Devashis Nayak

WhatsApp No 99320 81615

Wishes from Rhinos to 15 Assam

Col Rishi

 15/07/2020, 09:00 – Bade Bhai 2 2 18 Jul: Wishing GB 15 and all ranks a very happy raising day celebrations. God bless all and Tagra Raho

Col BK Gandhi

15/07/2020, 23:47 – b k gandhi Baroda: As part of the Raising Day celebrations of 15 Assam ( One Five ) a Google Meet call was organised at 8 pm by serving officers and Veterans of the Battalion. The occasion was graced by the Ladies and children also joined in.

It is significant to note that this perhaps is the “First of It’s Kind of Raising Day Celebration”, in the history of  the Regiment.

The meet was a forum to reminisce about the times gone by and renew the camaraderie of yester years. Col BK Gandhi the first GB of the Battalion had organised a Cake Cutting Ceremony followed by a toast to celebrate the occasion. A decision to meet virtually every Quarter was taken by the Officers under the tutelage of the First GB. The meeting ended with the  rendition of Badlu Ram. Tagra Raho

The Tale of Change of Rule at Rashtrapati Bhawan

15/07/2020, 09:57 – b k gandhi Baroda: [7/14, 22:05] Col TK Bardhan:

The Indian army was compelled to change one of its longstanding rules or traditions or customs, call them what you will. For the purpose  of this story we will use the term rules. A lady from the Rhino family was the reason for the change in rules. The story goes thus:  One fine morning Major( later Brig) P S Lama, Assam Regt entered the President’s study and sought leave to say good bye. This sudden development cought the President by surprise and he enquired about the reason for the sudden development. Was the major unhappy in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Was there some family problem. The major replied that he was getting married and as a married man he could not function as an ADC. On being asked as to why he could not work as ADC after getting married the major cited the rule position. On this the President asked whether he would be happy to work in Rashtrapati Bhawan after marriage. The answer was a confident yes. The President thereupon asked To be connected to the COAS. This was done. The sequence of events thereafter went something like this:  Chief- Good morning sir.

Prasident-Good morning Timmey. I hear that you are transferring my ADC. Chief- Yes sir he has been posted out as he is getting married. President- Why can’t he stay back with me after marriage. Chief- Sir the rules prohibit it. A married man cannot function as ADC because of the ceremonial nature of the duties involved. President-Forget the rules and cancel the transfer order.Chief- But sir these rules and traditions go back over centuries. We should not break them so easily. President-Change the rules and cancel the transfer order. The Honb’le President thereupon banged the handset on its cradle. At army HQ there was a flurry of activity and discussions. It was agreed that it was impossible to defy the President, the Supreme Commander. Better relax the rules for the time being. An order went out to cancel the posting order. Mrs Lama thus had a golden opp1ortunity  to begin her married life in the grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Indeed a well deserved priveledge. The events in this story have been narrated as they happened. The sum, substance and sequence are as narrated by a Rhino  posted in MS Br then who was privy to all that went on.

[7/14, 22:05] Col TK Bardhan: We r talking of d time whn Dr Rajendra Prasad was d President👆

 15/07/2020, 10:21 – lt col c s nair: If I remember correctly Mrs Maya Devi Chhetri, mother in law of Brig Lama was a Rajya Sabha member  at that time. Col N Lama can correct me if I am wrong.

Comment by Maj Biren Borgohain 4A on Capt PS Lama as ADC to the President

15/07/2020, 18:06 – Biren: 9864203464      Maj Biren Borgohain. I was very impressed 2 see a smart Captain, ADC 2 the President in Rastrapati Bhavan  in 1965 with Dr Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan -when from NCC Republic Day Contingents- our gp was selected 2 present a gp leading “MANUHE MANUHOR BABE,” by Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika in front of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in Brindaban Garden. Having seen him, I was thinking how nice it would be to work like him. Did nt’ know him personally. His picture remained in my memory. It was indeed a matter of pride that as an ADC I could see d Rastrapati Bhavan inside nd attending prestigious functions. During that period went 2 MS Branch for some job in my Uniform only nd saw d officer then Brig PS Lama,  with Rhinos Badge. Indeed it was a pleasent meeting I narrated the story. Thank God, nd thnx to Brig Lama, rule changed and I got married when I was ADC. Thnx Bardhan Sir. Taagra Roho.

 Change in Rule Brought in Medical Discharge Due Relentless Fight by Mrs Swarna w/o Brig Ramanan

 15/07/2020, 23:59 – Ramanan: dear all it has been nice reading the change in rules brought in  the army due to Capt Lama later Brig getting married. I also want to place on record the ahievement of a RHINI who fought for the change of a rule followed since british days. Ready here we go. It was in dec 85 that a flash call came from a naval aviation officer who was a DS in staff college welligton [ who was admitted in command hospital pune ],   to say that the army has detected him to be having lepromatus leprosy and he will be discharged from the navy in eight weeks time.

The shock to us on this news of a dear blood brother of mine 17 years service as a anti submarine pilot was just unbearable. He had fought in 1971 at east coast ,he was president’s pilot. evacuated Indira Gandhi from Islands of Maldives and was the ex commandant of the pilots training school before moving to DSSC as an instructor. Just for your information my mother sent three of us to the armed forces in sixtees when very few mothers did. One retired as a Brigadier from EME and self you know. the third one was the naval aviator. On hearing this I rushed to Pune from Ambala and had a long discussion with him.

Three days later when I was discussing with swarna [ my wife’s name for those who do not know it] when she said how can defence services do such injustice and dismiss a leprosy patient  with just eight weeks notice , which was the entitled annual leave period. i started digging the rules and regulations and found the TB patients were retained for five years and treated at Namkum. but leporosy patients were dismissed forthwith in eight weeks. we also researched and found that leprosy is non communicable by sexual acts. It can happen to anyone with no cause like cancer. A scorpio fighter she is, said we must appeal to the authorities.

She sat down and drafted an appeal to whom we were to decide later. In very strong words we put it down that the rule of 1937 had no validity for post independance army and in 50 years time medical treatments had advanced so much that the entire order needs to be scrapped.

At the end of the day we decided to address it to the President of India the supreme commander of armed forces, to the Vice President , Mr Rajeev Gandhi the PM , the defence minister whose name I do not now recapitualte, Chief of naval staff Admiral Tehlani who was him self a naval aviator, the DGAFMS who was in charge of all interservices medical treatment. In addition copies went to all service HQ. signed by Mrs Swarna Ramanan Mother of the affected aviator. She could not sleep just sending the application. In the meantime we found the DGAFMS was the same person who had been our DMS at HQ western command when we were posted there . I took a trip to Delhi and met him and he outright expressed his inability to break the rules. I also met Maj Gen Rajammal ADG MNS and told her the problem. In the meantime Swarna appraoched the Secretary to the President at Rashtrapathi bhavan who told us that the President had given the letter to the defence ministry. 15 days had gone by and we were perturbed.

Swarna decided to go to Delhi to meet the CNS who had flown alongside with the aviator. On reaching Dehlhi she found that CNS was away andthe vice admiral  and COP were available. She had long sessions with them and they assured her that the CNS was in picture and is doing his best. The best news we got in this time was Shri Rajeev Gandhi a pilot himself had put his remarks on the appeal that the case will be disposed off under his signature .

He also ordered all leprosy patients who were being boarded out will be with held till final orders. God what a relief. the defence ministry found out approx 160 patients were on 8 weeks

notice. With this I went back to DGAFMS , who had got the news . Meanwhile Maj Gen Rajammal ADG MNS took a trip to pune command hospital on official visit and surprised the hospital authoriteis  that she wanted to meet the aviator. On return to Delhi she moved herrecommendations. Fortunately for us all civilian medical research and treatment revealed that lepromatus leprosy patients were cured in 12 months of treatment and needed only follow up. World had advanced a lot in managing leprosy cases and only defence services were follwoing an age old rule. Such recommendationsfrom Ministry Of Health and support of CNS and DGAFMS ADG MNS  the order of 1937 was QUASHED after obtaining PM’s OK.

New orders were issued in 87 –  that PATIEINTS DETECTED WITH LEPROMATUS LEPROSY WILL BE PROVIDED IN PATIENT TREATMENT AT RELEVANT SERVICE HOSPITAL FOR A MAX OF 5 YEARS. THEY WILL BE RETURNED TO UNIT ON THEIR BEING FOUND LEPROSY FREE. IF THERE IS A RECURRENCE THEY WILL BE TREATED SIMILARLY AGAIN AS IN PATIENT. THEY CAN BE RETAINED IN SERVICE OR RELEASED .

 It was very kind of DGAFMS LT GEN JAGDISH NARAYAN to have given us a call and informed us of the change of rules. The Naval HQ took all actions to complete the treatment at Command Hospital Pune and also looked after his family at Welleington. MRS RAMANAN’S fight for the leprosy patients lead to restructuring the leprosy treatment  and change in discharge process. Thank you Swarna for helping out my brother who is more a son to you as everyone in Naval HQ always refered to you as the Aviator’s mother and not bhabi

Ramanan

Comments by Rhinos on Change of Rule Episode

Brig JS Bawa

16/07/2020, 05:13 – Bawa 1: An example to emulate. Admirable grit to fight fauji Red Tape

Maj M Kutty

16/07/2020, 06:48 – Coots: A real illustrious family. A gr8 effort by Rhini Mrs Ramanan . You and your family have been great achievers and the yeomen service you are dng for the Rhino family and the needy is commendable.  Not to forget the talent of Sambhavi who going great guns in Dubai . We are all looking forward to your journey as a Rhino veteran, for the one shared by a friend in the website does not  justice to your contribution. Tagra Raho.  Coots

Col CS Nair

 16/07/2020, 08:43 – lt col c s nair: Commendable action and effort by Mrs Ramanan. Sir ,I  request you,to express the action you took to get the Bhutan Jt Trg allowance enhanced. I remember you had initiated that while at Tamulpur.

Col BK Gandhi

16/07/2020, 17:21 – b k gandhi Baroda: Dear Ramanan Sir, you and Mrs Ramanan compliment each other in Rhino Spirit. The story of your joint efforts / fight against the 50 years old rule and in the end achieving success in scrapping the said rule is truly unprecedented. This was made possible due to sheer grit, steely resolve and never say die spirit displayed by you both.  My profound salutations to Mrs Ramanan. Tagra Hai Tagra Raho.

Proposal to Est – Internationl Help Data for Rhinos – Brig Ramanan

17/07/2020, 00:48 – Ramanan: Dear all GE. Tagra raho. One of our brother rhino recommended that we should create an *International Help* data.  The proposal is we have a data bank of Rhino members of the group and countries in which they can help in need. Veterans and their cubs visiting the countries could check with the databank in rhino gp or rhinoveterans website and contact the veterans to obtain help. Please forward  1. Name of rhino veteran member and 2. Country in which they can help. Pl note no details of relatives or families are required eg 1. Dr Brigadier V Ramanan 2. UAE , SOUTH AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE. PL send on my mail id rhinoramanan@gmail.com or wap 9617046570. Lastly no discussions are expected and any one with a different thought process may please IGNORE this message. Blessings

Comment by Col PRM Ravi

17/07/2020, 19:42 – Col PRM RAVI: Any assistance in USA, please contact me or Brig Ramanan

At service of all rhinos

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – MAJ GEN PREM PURI 5A, COR FROM 1991-2000

Today it is about Maj Gen Prem Puri our COR from 1991 to 2000 AD

In his words :

MY FORTY YEARS JOURNEY IN ASSAM REGIMENT AND INDIAN ARMY

          My Army journey started after passing out from NDA/IMA on 11 Dec 1962. Due Indo China war 1962 our leaves were curtailed and were asked to join the Assam Regiment Centre,Shillong by 22 Dec 1962. Reached Gauhati and crossed over Brahmaputra by ferry and reached Shillong by a civil bus and joined  the centre. The Assam Regiment Centre was more or less empty due Indo China war and we had only two officers at the centre Maj Balwan Singh and Lt SP Sinha being low medical category.

           Late Maj JBS Makin and self were allotted 5 Assam a new raising which was to be raised at Shillong on 1Jan 1963. 5Assam was raised at Siddi Barrani lines,Shillong with Brig SS Chowdhary as the first commanding officer. He is the one who laid the strong foundation of the battalion. Due to Indo China war no weapons were issued to the new raising. In order to carry out training we made rifles and other weapons out of bamboo and wood. It was a common sight on the roads of Shillong, 5 Assam soldiers carrying wooden rifles/LMG,s and going out for route marches and other training. 

      On completion of initial raising at the centre 5 Assam was moved to Ranchi in Aug 63 under a formation and once the new raising was completed the battalion was moved to its first field area Missamari in June 64. It was here 5 Assam was fully blooded in to a fighting unit under the leadership of Brig S S Chowdhary and our Bde Cdr of 301 Infantry Brigade Brig Dilbagh Singh Sidhu a hard task master.This was the toughest period of our training ever seen in 40 years of my army career.This is one of the main reason 5 Assam never looked back and won laurels both in peace/field and combat.During the tenure at Missamari we had senior stalwart officers like Brig Surrey,Col Love Joy,Maj M K Mohite,Brig VS Bajwa,Cols GS Sandhu,and B S Bhalla.Incidentally on move to field area Missamari  we all the 2Lts who had even less than two years service were promoted to Majors and never came down till I was posted as Instructor to Inf school.  In September 1965 the battalion moved from Missamari to Sahnewal in the 11 Corps sector for 1965 operations. However the paltan did not get a chance to take part in active operations and returned to Missamari  in Nov 1965. 

       In Dec 67,Fighting Fifth was moved to well deserved peace station at Hyderabad where Gen Ramkrishan took over as the second commanding officer.He cemented the foundation of 5 Assam.A very hard working,stickler and hard task master. He could work 25 hours out of 24 hours. I saw him from close quarters as I was his Adjutant. He strengthened the battle drill/ battle procedures and various SOPs of 5 Assam which still hold good till date. The battalion can never forget his contributions. I for one learnt a lot from him which stood me in good stead  in my army career.

     In June 69 I had my first outing from the paltan and went as Instructor Cl ‘C ‘,PC Wing,Inf School, Mhow. There only I graduated to Instructor Cl ‘B’in JC Wing. While in Mhow I got married to Minnie Puri daughter of a Gorkha officer on 11Dec 1969 the same date I got commission.In March 1971 while in Mhow I was blessed with a son Rahul ex Army and now runs a big export house at Gurgaon.

         The tenure at Mhow was going on beautifully well when the Indo Pak war 1971 started simmering. The Inf School was closed and I joined 5 Assam on 30 Nov 1971 just three days before the war. I took over Barsala Coy Cdr on 1 Dec 1971. And the war started on 3 Dec 71. Lot has been written about the Battle of Chhamb. 5 Assam gave an excellent account of their courage and bravery. This was rightfully recognised by an indebted nation, with the award of the Battle Honour of Chhamb, albeit more than a decade later. Pity gallantry awards recommended could not be revived. The battle honour we won the full  credit goes to our third CO, Col A S Malhi who fought the war brilliantly.

       In 1972 I was blessed with my younger son Rohit who since has migrated to USA.He is the Vice President of NTT Data,Dallas(Texas).

       In 1973 I was one of the lucky one who got to staff college without the examination.The selection was based on performance and 1971 war report.On completion of staff college I was posted to 5 Assam located at  Rakh Muti(J&K) and then moved to Landsdown  and Brig I S Cheema was our fourth CO who contributed immensely in the development of the 5th Khel.

       In 1975 I was posted to MS Branch(MS2) looking after Inf postings and command planning.Subsequently I was moved as BM, 25 Inf Bde,Kota.

       In Feb 78, I took over as the Fifth commanding officer of Fighting Fifth at Sevok Road with op role in North Sikkim. It was a dream come true as any Inf officer will wish to command the same battalion where he was commissioned.  A great coincidence my first Sahyak Ghatot in 5 Assam as 2/Lt was now my Subedar Major when I took over the command. It may look funny in the current scenario that I had surplus officers when I commanded the paltan and most difficult part was controlling the eleven youngsters second lieutenants and lieutenants.I had outstanding team of officers consisting of K S Mangat,C B Thapa,N P Singh,AK Lakhani,T C Das, R L Atri,R S Rathore,Ongchu Sherpa,Laxman Rana,Y B Thapa,B N Somanna,S K Bhattacharya,RAA Rajkumar,Ranjan Das, M B Saxsena, KDK Singh,S J Rengma, S K Tiwari,DK Thapliyal,B P Bhalla,MP Patil,Alok Sagar,A K Jayachandran,U A Bhodankar, B K Nair,K C Kharyal, M Anthony, SL QM Subramaniam and RMO Tuteja. It was one of the finest tenure in my army career to command 5 Assam. Fighting Fifth is very close to my heart and I owe all my success to my finest commanding officers, great team of officers,JCOs and men.

     On completion of my command tenure in 1980,I was posted as Military Attaché to Burma( now Myanmar) during President Ne Win era. I enjoyed my stay in Myanmar on two counts first I became the Dean of Attaché corps which is a rare feat and secondly I started my Golf in Rangoon and became nearly a single handicapper. Most of my time was spent  on Golf course not because all caddies were young girls but it was part of my job.Burma was a close country and one could meet Burmese army officers at Golf course only as they were not permitted to visit foreigners office/house.  Late Mr GG Swell from Shillong was my Ambassador at the Indian embassy,Rangoon.

          On completion  of Military Attaché tenure is 1984, I got posted as Instr cl ‘A‘ SC wing, College of Combat, Mhow. I moved on promotion as Bde Cdr 28 Inf Bde(J&K) in 1987. From the brigade I was nominated for NDC.On completion of the course in 1991, I was posted as DDG(A),SD Dte,AHQ.

            At the same time in 1991,I took over as COR from Gen SK Pillai.It was a great privilege to take over from Gen Pillai who inspired me to join the Assam Regt even being a science student at IMA and then taking over  the batton of COR from him was a great honour.I did one of the longest tenure as COR which I will always cherish. I learnt a lot about the Regiment from our Centre Commandants and the various Assam Regiment battalions I visited during my tenure as COR. I was the one who first started COR Jottings in a very humble fashion. In my long army career I interacted with lot of Regiments of Indian Army but I can say with full certainty that Assam Regiment is one of the finest regiment and we all should be proud of it.I handed over the batton of COR to Gen Krishan Pal a dear friend in Dec 2000. 

            I moved out of SD Dte on promotion to command 29 Inf Div(J&K)at Mamun in 1993.After the command of the Division I went as COS,16 Corps. In 1996, I left Nagrota for Delhi as SDS,National Defence College.

             After the NDC I went on deputation to R&AW as Chief Military Intelligence Adviser(CMIA).It was a challenging assignment as the Kargil war happened during my tenure. Occupation of heights in Kargil by Pakistanis was due to utter failure of our  intelligence.It is only the Indian Army which was lead by motivated officers specially the youngster and brave men that we could regain the lost heights of Kargil. I wonder if any other army could have done it.  I hung up my boots on 01 Nov 2002 after completing 40 years in the Army. During my tenure as Military attaché ,NDC and R&AW I got the opportunity to tour more or less the whole world as part of my duty. We have now settled in Gurgaon. 

    Immediately after the retirement we three like minded officers started a NGO by the name “Sarvatra Technical Consultants”.We worked for 12 years under the United Nations lifting lakhs and lakhs of mines at Sri Lanka, South Sudan and Kuwait and without any casualty to our teams.  We closed this NGO in 2014.

Now we run a Facility Management Company based at Gurgaon and still working as Director to date .

      With Gods grace  and blessings of all the Rhinos it has been an excellent journey so far. I OWE THIS TO ASSAM REGIMENT IN GENERAL AND MY 5 ASSAM IN PARTICULAR

TAGRA RAHO

Comments by Rhinos

Col Jason Peter

17/07/2020, 13:00 – jason peter 1: The above story and photographs will also shortly go up in the North East Warriors Facebook private group.

Those of you in Facebook please send your Facebook profile to Lt Col VP Singh for him to invite and make you a member of this exclusive  group of our Regimental Veterans and family members. And you could comment there also directly.

Also please visit faujirhinoveterans.com private website maintained by Brig Ramanan.  (As he says Facebook may close down the private group but his website will remain) .

Col BK Gandhi

17/07/2020, 13:19 – b k gandhi Baroda: Dear Gen Puri Sir. What an illustrious career and inspiring journey through 40 long years with the Army and the  Assam Regiment. Your contribution to the Regiment will always be remembered and remain etched forever in the annals of  history of the Regiment.

I had the privilege of meeting you and Mrs Puri for the first time in Jul / Aug 1970 when you were posted at Mhow as Instructor in  JC wing and I was doing PW(O) Course. Since my first meeting with you I had been your huge admirer and invariably held you very high in my esteem.

Brig Ramanan

 17/07/2020, 14:24 – Ramanan: Sir super 40 years . I was fortunate to spend one more year in cassino coy 9 pl and join the rhinos. Blessings tagra raho Ramanan

Col Sant Ram

17/07/2020, 15:51 – Sant: Superb self description sir and excellent photographs specialty of Silver Jubilee of Chhamb day celebrations at Ranchi where Maj Gen P K Puri then COR, Col R S Rathore Centre Cmdt, Brig S S Choudhary, Brig IS Cheema, Col C B Thapa, Col K S Thapa, Col L S Rana were present.

Tagra Raho.

Col AK Jayachandran

18/07/2020, 12:38 – col aileth jaychandran 12 A: A Fabulous journey indeed sir .You were my first CO when I joined the Bn in Sevok in 1979 .Though , I was B Coy offr ,  I was your IO  ( Int Offr ) during all  Exercises and Op Alerts .  You were a very humane and wonderful CO who was always accessible  and never lost your temper , despite so many of us youngsters creating some gadar or the other on a daily basis  . I recall one incident which you may or may not remmember . After completion of Op Alert in N .Sikkim , we were returning to Sevok .I had hardly slept in the last few  days due to updating the sketch and sand model in the battle office  as well as winding up after the Ex ….You were driving the Jonga and I was in the Co DVR seat ….and fell asleep after some time . You stopped the vehicle near a stream and asked me to wash my face .After some time , I again dozed off to wake up suddenly as the vehicle had stopped and you  told me to remove all controlled stores …binocs , compass , map case n pointer staff  and put it on the seat . You told me to get down and walk back to Sevok and drove  off . I was deeply ashamed that I fell asleep while CO was driving . I set off at a quick pace on the road to Jungle TCP , but after about 4 or 5 Kms , I found you had stopped on the side of the road .You told me to get in and we  proceeded to Bn loc .I apologised and you were very kind in advising me never to sleep again in the vehicle . The lesson   learnt has stuck through out my service . 🙏

19/07/2020, 14:56 – +91 98223 02426: Sir, it was great reading your distinguished service story! And about your fondest attachment with 5 Assam! It was a privilege for me to have you as the first CO when I joined 5 Assam at Sevoke Road, Siliguri in 1979. And it is only recently in 2015 during the re-union at Barrakpore that Mrs Puri informed me that I was the first young officer who joined 5 Assam after your taking over the command! That felt good!

I can well understand the challenge that you mention of controlling and managing the dirty dozen young officers that you had inherited, but I must say that you displayed a great balance of discipline enforcement with a an absolute cool composure and set an example of leadership for all of us to emulate. I certainly had a great start to my Army tenure there!

And yes, late Maj Hazra was my company commander at D company and I distinctly remember most of the history of 5 Assam Regiment through the songs written by Maj Hazra. One of the song went:

“D company mera jaan se bhi pyara

Warenge is par tan man

1st Jan 63, pahila hajir Prem Puri

Chowdhary sarjet sahib diya hai jaman

Warenge is par tan man… D company mera…

Chabm ki ladhai

Kiya dushman tabai

Mahli saab se paltan ko

Puri jeet dilwai

Warenge is par taan maan…. D company mera…”

(I wonder if anyone has a copy of the entire song…?)

And thank you Sir, now our bucket list includes Golf at Rangoon!

Salute to you and Maam for being such great Rhinos! Salute!

Look forward to meeting you sometime in Pune! Tagra Raho! 👍🙏

Maj Biren Borgohain

19/07/2020, 18:42 – Biren: 9864293464 BIREN BORGOHAIN.        Dear Puri Sir, Indeed a very impressive account of your career with lovely appointments. Reading about the  Chhamb Battle _so brilliently brought out, I was moved. I met Gen Jaswant after the war when he was posted to 101 Area as d GOC. We got really well deserved theater awards. Congrats. Well done 5th, nd also you have done well Sir. You nd Mrs Puris’ handsome nd beautiful photos…When you came as COR, we did  have a long chat which I still remember. Also, I was impressed by yr after retirement venture of mine lifting, a great work done for humanity. I was then a Civilian. With regards to mam nd you. TAAGRA ROHO.

Maj Gen PK Puri

20/07/2020, 08:51 – Prem Puri: Dear Rhinos,

Thanks all of you for very kind words on my journey in the Army.  God bless you all. With your good wishes and blessings my remaining journey will also pass smoothly.

Tagra Raho.

Remembering Our Hero – 2/Lt Rajeev Sandhu, MVC

Maj M Kutty, Admin Greetings

19/07/2020, 07:30 – Coots: Dear All ,

Let us all  bow in reverence to 2Lt Rajeev Sandhu, MVC who laid his life today 32 years ago ( 19 Jul 1988) fighting the militants in Srilanka during OP PAWAN . He is the youngest recipient of MVC of our Regiment . His valour and supreme sacrifice is there for generations to emulate. A grand salute to the bravest of the brave Rajeev . Tagra Raho.  Coots

Comments on Late 2/Lt Rajeev Sandhu, MVC

Brig Kanti Sood

19/07/2020, 07:42 – Kanti Sood: God bless the young Rahinos. RIP friend in arms. Great inspiration for the younger lots of present and future. 7Assam, Tagra Raho. 🙏🙏

19/07/2020, 07:50 – Saha: Outstanding Soldier blessed by Parents of Steel  – Even a couple of minutes with them tell you how soldiers like Rajeev are made.

Tagra Raho and Jai Hind!

Col BK Gandhi

 19/07/2020, 08:02 – b k gandhi Baroda: Tribute and salutations to the Martyr Rajeev, MVC. A bust in his memory stands at OTA as a testimony to  his act of valour and inspiration to the young and budding leaders of generation next. Tagra Raho and Jai Hind

Col Jason Peter

19/07/2020, 08:52 – jason peter 1: Yes a Grand Salute 👏

Had the privilege of going for Grenade firing at ARC with Rajeev and Sharawat while they were on YOs attachment ( while I was MTO, as Trg Bn had shortage of officers)

Saw their  valour while they followed me in collecting the  blinds together and putting together in a pit for demolition. Told them when they hear the hiss they should chuck , shout down and hit the ground. (Learnt this crazy prohibited practice while with 5 PARA ) . The recruits were amazed and they got over the fear of grenades which had been drilled into them.

Also we need to acknowledge the work of Gen Pillai who followed up when he was Deputy Chief to get Rajeevs valor recognized by the Government.  While I was Adjt for Brig Shivpuri remember him coming to ARC and taking the citation with him for follow up as the earlier year it was not awarded.

Kutty sir , how about sharing his citation in the  Rhino group as well as in North East Warriors Facebook group.

Also perhaps about other   Chakra receipent Veterans as well:  *Know Your Chakra Heroes*  or under some such name . Hope it is permissible !

Tagra Raho

Maj M Kutty

19/07/2020, 09:23 – Coots: Jason . There is beautiful article written by Brig Jasbir on Rajeev in the website created by Brig Ramanan . Suggest upload the same on N E W and FB . I will try and get hold of the citation. Tagra Raho . Coots

Col RK Jadhav

19/07/2020, 10:08 – Rhino R K Jhadav 1: We pay floral tributes and Salutations to Brave Heart   2/Lt Rajiv Sandhu, MVC who made supreme sacrifice in Sri Lanka on this day. He is the recipient  of hightest award for the ASSAM REGT after Burma Ops.Had  the proud privilege of commanding 7th KHEL in Sri Lanka. TAGRA RAHO.Col Jadhav

Lt Gen Gurmit Singh

 19/07/2020, 11:24 – Gurmit Delhi 7 Nov: Supremely PROUD of Lt Rajiv Sandhu, MVC…Reverence and Remembrances of The Great Rhino : Bravest of The Brave…It is Touching…My Company was operating in the Same Area on The same Day, some distance Away…

Real JEWEL of Rhino Family….

Tagra Raho…

Col Malhotra

19/07/2020, 12:49 – Rhino Malhotra: Floral tributes were paid by Maj Gen Bawa (Retd) self, my younger brothers wife and other residents of Rajeev Vihar n cash gifts (given by Sh D S Sandhu ) were given to 16 employees of the society

Maj Biren Borgohain

20/07/2020, 00:03 – Biren: 9864203464 BIREN BORGOHAIN       Profound respect to the ‘valiant soldier’ and A GOLDEN  RHINO..Lt Rajiv Sandhu, MVC.( posthomous ). I  proudly attended last 2 yrs martyrs  days  functions organised joinltly by Mr nd Mrs DS Sondhu (Lt Rajivs’ parents) nd d School authority

 at Chandigarh  where Lt Rajiv, MVC was studying. NCC Cadets took active part nd d school students presented a song prIsing the great martyrs. A beautiful life sized statue was errected by Lt  Rajiv,s’  parents in front of d school nd also presented a Coffe Mug each  with Lt Rajiv  Sondhu, MVCs name and d  photo embosed on it to all attending officers as a souviner. Brig Bawa (Retd) was the prime mover of the veterans in Chandigarh with Brig SS Chaudhury being d Sr Most fm our Regt. It was a solomn function. Rhino Bugles along with Rifle party was present there to pay homages. Whereas LT Rajivs close school friend  spoke about him when he was a student, Brig Chaudhury spoke on behalf of Rhinos and praised about his courage nd sacrifice for the Nation. The lady Principal welcomed  all d guests, thanked Mr nd Mrs Sondhu  and every one present in the function. It was a befitting function to a hero nd a great martyr. SALUTE TO HIM ONCE AGAIN. TAAGRA ROHO.

21/07/2020, 22:05 – Ramanan: dear all today’s addition is LT COL C B PRADHAN . WHAT AN OUTSTANDING CAREER AND WHAT BEAUTIFULO WORDS BY HIS GRAND DAUGHTER. PL SEE . SHIVPURI SIR YOU HAD SPENT 2 .5 YEARS WITH HIM . CAN YOU PLEASE PEN A FEW LINES ON HIM. REGARDS TAGRA RAHO

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – BRIG JS BAJWA, VSM

23/07/2020, 11:47 – jason peter 1: *KNOW YOUR VETERANS*

Today it is about Brig VS  Bajwa VSM ( ARC Centre Comdt when I joined the Regiment in May 1980 ).

Hear his wonderful narration of an adventure in *1971 ops* , over an interview to  Col MK Gahatraj which he records  in *Indomitable Rhino Warriors* ( History of our Regt Vol 3) as below:

Quote

By Brig VS Bajwa, OAM, VSM (Retd)

“What can you say about the CO of an infantry battalion, who, with a group of 3 soldiers, after marching the whole day and a better part of the night, drenched to the skin, walking walked into the enemy HQ and telling told them that their General has to surrender? A rather strange and ‘one of its kind adventures’, of the Indo – Pakistan War in Bangladesh of 1971 (Erstwhile East Pakistan), that I have lived to tell the tale.”

6 ASSAM, deployed at Balurghat bulge, was part of 165 Infantry Brigade under 20 Mountain Division. By mid December 1971, it was quite clear that the Pakistan Army in East Pakistan had no chance and that the only way to prevent further bloodshed was for them to surrender to the Indian Army. However, orders for the surrender had not come through and many Pakistani positions, big and small, were holding on and fighting back. Besides, the reality of the situation had not filtered down to either the rank and file of the Pakistan Army or to the notorious Razakars. In such a situation, on 15 December 1971, GOC 20 Mountain Division, Major General Laxman Singh Lehl called me to his Headquarters at Bogra and gave me quick five minute instructions. GOC’s orders to 6 ASSAM were –

1. Advance from Bogra to Natore.
2. Capture 16 Pakistan Divisional HQ located at Natore Palace.
3. Arrest and fly the GOC 16 Pakistan Division to HQ 20 Mountain Division at Bogra.

              After necessary preparations, 6 ASSAM commenced its advance in vehicles towards Natore at 6 am, on 16 December 1971, with C Company, under Maj J S Raj Kumar, leading. My party of the Adjutant, Capt R S Ver, Radio Operator and my Sahayak followed the leading company in my jeep. After about 5 kms, we found that the bridge on the river had been destroyed. I therefore ordered the battalion to convert to man pack loads and to be self contained with 3 days rations and to get moving. My party of four walked along with the leading company.

The road was damaged and culverts and bridges over nalas and small rivers were broken, forcing us to wade through. The road was on a high embankment, while agricultural fields, now barren, were on either side. After many hours of marching, it was dark by the time we reached the Jamuna River, which was 1000 metres wide and quite deep. There was also no bridge. I directed Maj J S Raj Kumar to send out patrols along the bank to find some boats or ferries. Luckily, a patrol party found two huge country boats along with boatmen. The leading Company and my party crossed the river on these boats. I also radioed instructions to the Second in Command, Major Jagmohan Singh (late Brigadier, Retd), who was bringing up the rest of the battalion, to cross the river by the same boats.

At about 0030 hours, as we were approaching a nala, an MMG opened fire from the home bank of the Nala and the leading company took position. I, along with Maj J S Raj Kumar, Adjutant and the radio operator moved forward, up to about 50 meters from where the shots had come. Major J S Raj Kumar shouted towards the Pakistani position telling them, ‘Hum Indian Fauji hai, fire mat karo. Surrender ke liye officer bhejo. Abhi larai karne sey tumhara bahut admi morega. Is liye surrender karo!! (We are Indian Army, Stop firing. Send one officer for surrender, there is no point in fighting as it will only cause too many casualties on your side)’. These were the forwards elements of 21 Punjab (Recconnaisance and Support) Battalion and they had deployed along the home side of the Nala. The JCO in charge agreed to surrender, but only after permission from his officer, who was located across the river.

There was no bridge, so I along with Major J S Raj Kumar, Capt R S Ver and my radio operator, were taken across the river, on a small boat by the Pakistani JCO. We had our weapons ready to fire, just in case. At the far bank, as we alighted from the boat, we were met by a Pakistani Capt of 19 Punjab. I explained to the Pakistani Officer that there was no point fighting and causing unnecessary bloodshed; he should surrender peacefully. The Pakistani officer complied and surrendered. Thereafter, I told the Pakistani Officer that I had to reach HQ Pakistan 16 Infantry Division and take the surrender of the GOC. At this time, the entire party was drenched to the skin, after wading through numerous nalas on the way. The Pakistani Capt and JCO asked us as to how we would continue when we were so wet and what about our dinner. I told them that an Indian Army soldier carried pack meals for days and officers were always with their men and did not lead a life of luxury like their officers. The Pakistani Capt then got his jeep and drove my party of the Adjutant, Radio Operator and Sahayak towards Natore, a princely state with a palace called Dighapatia Palace.

It took us about an hour to reach Natore and we noticed that the city seemed dead, as there was not soul out on the streets. We reached The Divisional HQ of Pakistan 16 Infantry Division at Digapita Palace and found that Pakistan Military Police were guarding the gate of the palace. When we approached the gate and told them that we, the Indian Army, had come to take the surrender of their GOC, the Pakistan CMP JCO shouted saying, ‘Yeh Indians ko yahan aney ka kaisa himmat hua (How dare these Indians come to this place)’. After the Pakistani Capt explained the situation to them, the CMP JCO went inside the gate to call the General Staff Officer Grade One (GSO 1) of the Division. The GSO 1, a Lt Col, came out and I explained the situation to him again saying that they had to surrender, or else there would be a blood bath, as my battalion was following just behind. I also told him that I had to fly their GOC to Bogra for the surrender ceremony. The GSO 1 was a sensible officer, who told us to wait and that he would go inside and apprise the GOC. After a while, he came out and told me that GOC was in his Namaz and he would meet us in the morning over breakfast at 0630 hours.

Thereafter, the Pakistani GSO-1 took my party to their Officers Mess, where all of us sat for dinner together as if we belonged to the same army. As we amicably we chatted over dinner, the Pakistani GSO 1 told me that he had attended Defence Services Staff College in Malaysia, along with one Indian officer. He asked me if I was also qualified in DSSC and I told him that I was from DSSC Wellington. After dinner, we were shown to our guest rooms for the night, but we kept our men with us in the rooms. Strange as it may sound, after the day’s long march and wading through nalas and rivers, we slept peacefully in the enemy Divisional HQ Officer’s mess.

The next morning, after a refreshing shower, I got into fresh undergarments and socks that my sahayak was carrying and went to the dining room along with my Adjutant, Capt Ver at 0600 hours. The GOC 16 Pakistan Infantry Division, Major General Nazar Husain was already waiting for us at the breakfast table. We shook hands and he offered us a seat next to him at the dining table. When I explained to the GOC that I had orders to fly him out for the surrender ceremony at Bogra, the GOC was pleasant and gracious and told me, “Gentleman, now I am your prisoner, so whatever you say will be complied with”. We ate a breakfast of porridge, eggs, juice and dry fruits. After breakfast, the GOC went to his room to say his Namaz after which, I arrested him.

I then spoke to my Brigade Commander, Brig RS Pannu (165 Infantry Brigade) and apprised him of the situation and asked for a helicopter to fly out the Pakistani GOC. The Helicopter landed near the Nator palace at 0700 hrs. The Pakistan GOC thanked me, shook hands with Capt R S Ver and me and got it into the helicopter. He was flown to Bogra, where GOC 20 Infantry Division was waiting for him, to take his surrender.

The GOC 20 Infantry Division, Commander 165 Infantry Brigade and the entire Divisional and Brigade staff were very surprised by the swiftness with which 6 ASSAM reached and convinced the Pakistani GOC to surrender and our swift overnight action was deeply appreciated by them.

The battalion reached Natore Palace after four hours, under the Second in Command, Major Jagmohan Singh. The Brigade HQ with Brig Pannu also reached and occupied the palace. Thereafter, the entire Pakistani force at Natore Garrison were rounded up by 6 ASSAM and collected at the Natore Palace grounds, where the surrender ceremony was conducted. The surrendering troops consisted of units of Pakistan’s 16 Pakistan Infantry Division, – one infantry brigade, one artillery brigade, one squadron of the Divisional tank regiment, all the units and subunits of divisional support and Administrative elements and a thousand Rajakars. Total Pakistani forces that surrendered to 6 ASSAM were 149 officers, including 5 Brigadiers, 287 JCOs, 7077 other ranks, 207 non combatised tradesmen and about a thousand Razakars. They also surrendered 300 truckloads of ammunition and vehicles.

The surrender ceremony took place on 21 December 1971 at the palace grounds, where Brig RS Pannu, Commander 165 Infantry Brigade, countersigned the surrender document, which was signed by the senior most Pakistani officer, Brig Nawab Ahamad Ashraf, Commander Natore Garrison. All the Pakistani Army and civilian vehicles were moved to a big school ground under our guard. 6 ASSAM established four Prisoner of War collection points under each Rifle Company and the Prisoner of War officer’s camp was under B Company led by Maj NM Pradhan. The battalion guarded them for two weeks, after which they were put in trains to be taken to Prisoner of War camps across the country.

              I shifted my battalion to Natore city and occupied vacant buildings. When we had first entered Natore, it was empty and desolate, but the next morning, as we entered the city, it came alive with thousands of people welcoming us.  We found one major and four other ranks of the Madras Regiment in Natore jail and released them. They had been tortured and beaten up.

Our conduct with all Pakistani prisoners was as per the Geneva Convention and we treated them well. As a result, they respected our troops a lot and whenever I visited the Prisoner of War camps, they insisted that I have a cup of tea with them – which I did. They were obviously a demoralised lot. I also found four Pakistani officers who were Muslim Bajwas from Sialkot, who told me that Sialkot was full of Bajwas. Christmas of 1971, was celebrated by 6 ASSAM in Natore camp. In the absence of a Padre, Sub Rodula of B Company officiated as the Padre for the occasion and we invited all the Christians from the Prisoner of War camp to the church service. As a result, we had about 100 Pakistani Christian Prisoner of War attending the church service and cake cutting ceremony. It was touching to hear our officiating padre commence his Christmas sermon in the makeshift church by saying, ‘Aaj khusi ka din hai ki ham aur hamara dushman bhai Christmas church service ke liye ek kattha hua hai. (We are happy that today our enemy Christian brothers have joined us to celebrate Christmas)’.

When I visited Dhaka, I was pleasantly surprised to meet an elderly man, Roshan, at the presidential palace, who was overjoyed to see us with our Rhino badges. He said he was from 1 ASSAM and had followed then Major Ayub Khan, who became the President of Pakistan and that is how he was still in the presidential palace. He served us tea and biscuits with much love and care, in a manner that only ASSAM regimental boys are capable of.

In March 1972, I took the battalion to Binaguri cantonment to commence our peace tenure. 

Tagra Raho”

Unquote.

Suggestion about use of the word – Bravehearts instead of Martyrs

26/07/2020, 12:31 – Coots: A request to all our members. Continuing with our push to put an end to the word ‘martyr’ being used to refer to soldiers killed in action, I request all our members to desist from using the word in your posts and instead call the soldiers who are KIA “Bravehearts” with a capital B. Believe me, we are making an impact. I am getting positive feedbacks from all over the country. Even the Army Headquarters has changed tack. Their Kargil Day advertisement today speaks of the “Bravehearts of Kargil” and not “Kargil Martyrs”. Let’s take the cue. Please make a conscious effort to switch to “Bravehearts” from “Martyrs”. Thank you & JAI HIND.

Comment by Lt Gen J Mukherjee

26/07/2020, 19:54 – Johny Mukerjee 1: Dear All – I am rather perturbed at the use of the term brave hearts indiscriminately without due auth. The term martyr is also being so used w/o even understanding the correct meaning of these terms. May I advise that we avoid such actions till formally approved – Johnny

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – COL GKS REDDY 6a & 12A

31/07/2020, 17:27 – Col GKS REDDY: COL GKS REDDY, 6 and 12 Assam, popularly known in 6 and 12 Assam as – Gur Kripal Singh Reddy

MY 36 YEARS JOURNEY THROUGH KAZIRANGA

1. Introduction – Born in a small village named Lingavaram in Krishna Dist, Andhra Pradesh on 15 Mar 1953, joined 2nd batch of Sainik school Korukonda in Dec 1963, 46 NDA in July 1971, commissioned into 6 Assam Regt and became a full fledged RHINO on 15 Jun 1975. I was motivated to join Assam Regt by Col Gurdip Singh (1 Assam), my instr in NDA, Late Maj TK Baghati, my coy cdr in IMA, Gen SK Pillai, GSO – I (Trg) in IMA and last but not the least, my Naga classmates in Sainik school Korukonda.

2. Commissioned into 6 Assam Regt and transferred to 12 Assam Regt on raising

(a) 6 Assam – Jammu – Col BS Bhalla – Jan 1976 to Mar 1978.

(b) 6 Assam – Jammu and Meerut – Col GS Khimta – Mar 1978 to May 1981.

(C) 6 Assam – Meerut and Ladakh – Col Gurdip Singh – May 1981 – May 1983.

(d) Sumdorong (Lungrola) – Col JS Antal, SM – SEP 1986 to Jun 1987.

(e) 12 Assam – Lungrola and Kota – Col Jagdish Pant – Jul 1987 to Apr 1990.

(f) 12 Assam – Poonch – Col BS Judge – May 1990 to Apr 1991.

(g) 12 Assam – Nasirabad – Col Sunit Kumar – Jan 1994 to SEP 1994.

(h) 12 Assam – Nasirabad – Self – took over Comd from Col Sunit – Oct 1994 to Jun 1996.

(j) 12 Assam – Tangdhar (Kupwara) – Self – Jun 1996 to Aug 1998.

3. By the time I got Comd at 19 1/2 years service, I put in 14 1/2 years in Regt and 05 years of staff / ERE.

(a) Staff – GSO – 3 (Ops) 36 Inf Div – May 1983 to Jun 1984.

(b)           – GSO – 2 (Ops) 36 Inf Div – Jun 1984 to SEP 1986.

(C) ERE – OC D&M Trg Coy, CMP Centre Bang – Apr 1991 to Dec 1993.

4. However ensured connection with the Regt both during Staff and ERE. My GSO – 3 (Ops) in 36 Inf Div was Col BS Rawat of 7 Assam Regt and our office was known as TAGRA RAHO Office. And my Coy 2 i/c in D&M Trg Coy in Bang was Col Amarjeet Singh of 8 Assam Regt.

 I may be one of the few Rhinos, who commanded the Battalion for 04 years, but not visited ARC even once during this period.

In fact it could be a record that, I have not visited centre even once after my pre- YO att, till a week before my retirement, when I visited ARC for my farewell dinner. Missed 02 Biennial confs and one mini Biennial, due to some reason or the other which were beyond my control. Missed the last Biennial, as the unit was dply on LC and also on CI Grid and my 2 i/c met with an accident, just a week before Biennial.

5. Wars and IS Duties – participated in following Ops / IS Duties.

(a) Op Blue Star I & II – May 1984 to Jan 1985.

(b) Op Falcon (Sundo Ring Ops at Lungrola) – Oct 1986 to Mar 1988. Commanded B Coy at Negi Spur, C Coy at Jaya Fort. Rescued PP of 10 Assam Rent, which was surrounded by the Chinese at Chita Quila and out of Comn with own Army. Lead a combined force of Inf, Engrs, Pioneers and Arty from Jaya Fort, broke through the en lines and married up with the PP and thereafter EST a permt post at Chita Quila on orders of HQ 5 MTN Div.

(C) Op Rakshak I – Poonch (J&K) – May 1990 to Apr 1991.

(d) Op Rakshak II – Tangdhar Kupwara – Jun 1996 to Aug 1998. Scored Maximum Kills and Recoveries in the Sect with min Cas to own troops. Lost only one boy duringentire tenure, that too during handing/ taking over of responsibility, against 18 killed of previous unit 7/8 GR and 22 killed of 3/4 GR to whom we handed over.

(e) IS Duties – Meerut – 1979 – Hindu Muslim Riots.

(f) IS Duties – MP – Jul 1983 – Flood Relief Ops with 54 Engr Regt.

(g) IS Duties – Kota (Raj) – SEP 1989 – Hindu Muslim Riots.

6. Other postings after Comd –

After Tangdhar tenure, brought the unit to Srinagar and handed over Comd to my 2 i/c, Col AK Jayachandran at Srinagar Convoy Ground and took a Flight to Kolkata, where I was posted as For Rtg at ZRO Kolkata.

From there I moved as Gp CDR, NCC Group Guntur in Apr 2001.

Moved to NCC Group Kalyani in May 2004 and retired from Kalyani in Mar 2007.

First re-employment at 2 STC Goa and second re-employment at HQ 54 Inf Div. Finally hanged my boots in Mar 2011.

7. Marriage and Family – Married to Mrs G Sree Devi on 10 Aug 1978. Her date of birth is 05 Nov 1958. We have three daughters, all married and settled down in Harrow council of West London and all three have purchased indep houses with in 02 Kms. Names of daughters are

(a) Mrs G Jahnavi Reddy – 27 Jul 1980.

(b) Mrs G Sirisha Reddy – 19 May 1982.

(C) Mrs G Vinaya Reddy – 15 Nov 1984.

8. Hobbies and Sports. – Was playing Golf till I met with an accident in Mar 2017, resulting in serious injuries to Right shoulder, thus partially restricting the shoulder movement.

Hobbies – I have re-started by hobby of Numismatics after retirement.

I have a large collection of coins and currency notes of more than 100 countries.

But my main area of interest is Numismatics of India, from Ancient India to modern Republic coins. I have a fairly good collection of coins of Delhi Sultanate, Malwa Sultanate, Brahmani Sultanate, Gujarat Sultanate, Moghul Empire, Vijaya Nagar Empire, coins of about 52 princely states of India, East India company, British India, Indo French and Indo Portuguese coins.

9. Awards

COAS CC – Ladakh – 1983

COAS CC – Sumdorong – 1988

Army Cdr NC CC – Tangdhar Kupwara – 1998.

10. Presently settled in Hyderabad. Normally spend 06 months in Hyderabad and 06 months in London. Based in London and keep touring various countries in mainland Europe.

While in India keep traveling frequently to meet old friends and also look after the ancestral properties in the village and manage the properties acquired by the children, before moving to London.

11. Anecdotes

(a) While 6 Assam was in Raipur, old Akhnoor road, Jammu from 1975 to 1978, we used to have Annual FD Firing at Ismailpur Ranges near Bari Brahmana.

During one such FD Firing, after the Firing for the day was Completed, Late Lt Col Rai Singh, then a Capt, went into the ranges for Shikar.

By evening, he came back with a Wild goat, which was cut and distributed in equal quantities to all companies. We enjoyed the wild goat meat in Offrs Mess as well.

The next day the villagers came looking for their missing Saand (Male goat for breeding). Capt Rai Singh immediately took precautionary measures to get all the parts like skin and Head buried.

Since the villagers were enquiring with the Jawans, Capt Rai Singh told them to say that he shot a Deer the previous day.

When they came to the Field Offrs Mess, the Mess waiter Vihito Angami told them – Lagta Hain Saab ne Bakra Mara, lekin Capt Saab bolta Hain Woh Hiran Hain. Phir Hiran hi Hoga.

We had a rough time passifying and compensating the villagers.

(b) 6 Assam was in Jammu, on old Akhnoor Road. Late Col SAM Gatphoh, was one of the Coy Cdrs and was staying with family.

One day, he organised a party in the offrs mess and invited all unit offrs and Bde Cdr and staff with families.

After lots of dancing and drinks, finally Dinner was laid out. As the ladies were having their food, Mrs Gatphoh was going around looking after the Guests. 

Probably she noticed some ladies with very less food in their plates. So suddenly she said in her usual bhooming voice – Khav Khav, khub Khav, Sharam bhi Nahi, Apna hi Gorh.

There was stunned silence for a few seconds, before Gen RS Pradhan, then a Capt burst out laughing.

(C)  I was on Pre- YO course attachment with ARC, immediately after my commission in June 1975. I was allotted to C Trg Coy, being commanded by Col RV Subrahmanyam, then a Major.

A fresh Recruit Training batch was being formed up and recruits were trickling in from different states of NE.

One day I was sitting in the offrs mess, when I received a message from my Coy Cdr, to receive a batch of recruits who landed up from Mizoram

I went to the Coy and found a group of 05 or 06 young Mizo boys. Tasked the CHM to send them to the barber shop and take them for lunch thereafter.

Then went to coy dining hall to tell the langar cdr to ensure sufficient food for Six boys.

After an hour or so, I went back to the dining hall to ensure that the boys get proper food, as it was past lunch time.

When I reached there, I found the boys sitting with empty plates and the cook who bought Dal and sabji was asking them as to where are the Rotis. One of the boys told him, Hindi Nahin.

On being told that the Rotis were missing by the time, he got the Dal and sabji from the cookhouse, I asked the cook to get some more Rotis, as they may have eaten them.

When they saw the cook bringing the Rotis, suddenly their faces brightened up and they pulled out the previous Rotis from underneath their bottoms. They were actually sitting on the Rotis.

(d) Col Baldev Singh Bhalla, CO used to be very fond of driving his Willy’s Jeep at very high speeds through the busy roads of Jammu, in fact it was very scary to sit in his vehicle. But I had no option, as I was his IO.

His driver was L/Nk Sabliana Lushai, a short, fair looking Mizo with Chubby cheeks. Known in MT pl as Glasgow Baby, a good and cautious driver.

One day we were going to Op area, CO, self, Sabliana and Sub Tankeshwar Deka, then SA

As usual, Col Bhalla was driving the Jeep at 90 to 95 Kms speed, on Jammu Pathankot highway and it was quite scary.

After completing the work in Op area, we came back to the highway and stopped at a Dhaba to clean ourselves of  the dust and sweat.

As soon as we came out of the Dhaba, Sabliana surprised us by jumping into the Driver’s seat and refusing to Budge even at threats by CO and SA telling the CO – Aap bahut Dar Khilata Hain, main drive karunga.

Col Bhalla very reluctantly sat in the co driver’s seat, as by then a number of people gathered to see the Tamasha. No prizes for guessing the consequences for Sabliana.

(e)  I remember another incident at Raipur, Jammu, when 6 Assam moved to Meerut sometime in Jun 1978 and I was left behind as  OC Rear along with about 40 boys to hand over the balance equipment especially MT to 10 Mahar, the relieving unit.

MT park area was kept by us and our boys were staying in the MT park itself.

One day SEP Hokuga Sema, a short Naga driver was bathing at Adm Coy bathing point. A burly and tall khalsa from 10 Mahar, asked Hokuga Sema to get aside, as the bathing point has been handed over to them.

When he refused to move out from the bathing point, the khalsa physically lifted Hokuga Sema and put him aside and started bathing.

Hokuga went back to MT park, picked up his dah and ran back to bathing point to sort out the khalsa.

It was a sight to see a pidly Naga chasing the Burly khalsa with a Dah through the Adm coy lines and the khalsa running for his life.

The chase came to an end on seeing Brig Surinder Singh of Kargil fame, who was then QM 10 Mahar as a Capt.

(f) 12 Assam just moved to Kota in the summer of 1988 and was in the process of settling down.

There was confusion in implementing of Bn orders on one or two occasions, due to the Coy line orderlies especially Kappus and Thambis getting confused with the names of the offrs.

We had Maj AK Rai, Capt AK Roy, Capt SN Rai and Lt SR Roy in the unit.

One day, the line orderlies were waiting outside SAs office for the orders. SEP Jagat Reddy, who recently changed from Adjt Office runner to SP Coy line orderly was overheard commenting – Pata Nahin fauj Kaha Kaha se ek hi naam Ka offrs ko ikatha Kiya Hain, hamara Jaan Kane ke liye.

(g) I took my unit 12 Assam from Nasirabad to Tangdhar Kupwara District in 1996 and deployed in Richmar Salient.

Col MB Pun, then a Major, reported back to us from NSG. I sent him to Charlie Coy (Garhwalis), deployed in High Altitude area about 04 hours from the road head.

I went to visit the company. After visiting all the platoons spent the night in the company and started back for the BN HQ next morning. Maj Pun was accompanying me till his lower pl.

As we were coming down, we saw an NCO briefing his party, who were to go down to the BN HQ. Maj Pun stopped to brief the party about safety in handling personal weapons, as there had been number of accidental firing in the Bde sect.

I went about 10 yards and stopped for him. He was briefing them about correct Bhar and Khalikar drill. After doing Khalikar, he pointed the barrel towards the ground and pressed the trigger. There was a boom and he almost shot into his foot.

Thereafter, I used to always pull his leg, asking him to give a safety demo to the BN.

Comments by Rhinos

Brig Ramanan

31/07/2020, 18:45 – Ramanan: Reddy sooper. It goes into faujirhinoveterans tomorrow. Blessings. Tagra raho

Col BK Gandhi

 31/07/2020, 19:28 – b k gandhi Baroda: Dear Reddy you certainly had a beautiful 36 years long and eventful journey through Kaziranga. Loved reading the anecdotes. Tagra Raho

  31/07/2020, 22:00 – santha kumaran manipal: Dear Col Reddy Sir,

Tagra Raho.

You have described your 36 years of journey in an interesting manner with. Nice anecdotes!

Col Jagdish Pant

31/07/2020, 22:06 – Rhino J M Pant: 👍👍Reddy  Super..Very well written and captivating till the end .Journey of a thorough gentleman , hard core Rhino and an upright Officer.

Col VK Ahluwalia

 31/07/2020, 22:47 – Col V K Alhuwalia 6 Assam Bihar: Informative and impressive journey Col Reddy . You made me nostalgic of our Jammu muthi damana stay . Incidents under command Col Bhalla sir and KHIMTA sir in your write up are fresh in my mind. Stay in touch private number. Tagra RAHO.

Brig SN Rai

01/08/2020, 00:39 – Brig SOM N RAI: A young and bubbling coy cdr to a dashing Commanding officer and true Rhino that’s what is our Gur Kirpal Singh Reddy , a adjt’s view. Than as young coy cdr Maj GKS Reddy joined the unit in op location at Lungrola. Assumed the comd of C Coy that’s Garhwali group with Than Capt Jay as his coy officer holding the forward most post eye ball to eye ball with Chinese. Energetic and volunteer to undertake any risky task than Maj GKS kept the Bn HQ on its toes particularly Adjt since he was never available on tele and we were not permitted to use the Radio Set. He would be out early morning from his bunker to  check and chat with the forward most post. He however was very innovative and great help to Adjt.  In the era of Magmatic tele 5 A  Reddy sir had the Magic of contacting whom so ever one desired and convey the message of the one concerned. A secret Reddy sir is yet to reveal! Over a period things moved and so we. Now Col GKS was commanding the Bn and his earst while coy officer Capt Jay was his Second in Command and self a coy cdr cum Adjt cum any appointment .  Reddy sir due his professional competence and humane approach ensured total control of the situation. Nothing moved with out he coming to know. A very successful tenure of the unit a rare feat only few achieved. He was and still is friend, philosopher and guiding beacon to the team Daring Dozen. I still rejoice the story he used to narrate about our Rhinos. Sub Chiko Lakher who had used the MES Charpoys to keep this pl warm in winter and was sent to 12 Assam due to this act very happily received than Maj Reddy when he joined 12 Assam from 6Assam. Col GKS Reddy’s ❤️ still beats for his first  love in 12Assam that’s Gharwali group. He is still in touch with them and ensurs that they are keeping well. A humane approach rarely followed now a days. Kudos and big salute to our Gur Kirpal Singh Reddy. Tagra Raho

Lt Gen J Mukherjee

01/08/2020, 05:54 – Johny Mukerjee 1: Well done Col Reddy

Col SR Das

01/08/2020, 06:23 – Col SR Das War Adjt 5 A: MY DEAR GKS REDDY. Very well written, beautifully & chronologically covered the thirty six long years of service in olive green uniform magnificently.I thoroughly enjoyed from the first word to last word with great care. All the anecdotes are simply superb & I think as far as anecdotes are are concerned, our REGT will definitely be miles & miles ahead of other REGTS. Well done. RANJAN DAS.

Col RS Ver

01/08/2020, 07:01 – rhino rajindar ver: Col GKS

Short and interesting reading I was commissioned in 6th went on raising to 7th and commanded 5th

Col GKS Reddy

01/08/2020, 07:53 – Col GKS REDDY: Hai SN Tagra Raho,

You have omitted to mention about the most important part of my tenure with 12 Assam at Lungrola. My thirst with the Thambi party (B Coy – Negi Spur) for almost 03 months, before being unceremoniously sacked by Col Antal and shunted to Jaya Fort (C Coy – Garhwalis).

The executive orders were passed through you as the Adjt, to pack up and move forthwith. In fact, the handing / taking over of B Coy between me and Maj Chengiz Khan (AK Rai) took place at Vasu Rocks on my way up to Jaya Fort.

I distinctly remember the surprised expression on Col Antal’s face, when he entered my Coy loc (Negi Spur) unannounced and saw Nk K Nagi Reddy (A discipline case presented by Madras Regt), hung upside down on a hastily erected Cross made of devdar ballies (Fd Punishment) for disobeying Senior JCO Sub Vasudevan’s Orders in an Op Area😀😀😀

Col Jason Peter

01/08/2020, 10:14 – jason peter 1: *KNOW YOUR VETERANS*

Now that Col Reddy has opened the batting for the next batch, would request all Veterans commissioned till 1975 to please share.

Brig JS Bawa

01/08/2020, 11:36 – bawa 1: What a wonderful journey Reddy sir.

 Fondly remember the occasions when we (the 9A O Gp) used to come for op recce to Tangdhar. A heady mix of unending climbs, Pak firing, basketball at the base and some gd social drinking . Gd times.

Tagra Raho n Cheers

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – MAJ DS RAI 3A & 6A

14/08/2020, 12:28 – jason peter 1: *Know Your Veterans*

Uploaded the following Story of Maj DS Rai  in North East Warriors Facebook group  as well today. ( It was shared earlier in this group. )

 It was a joy to interact with *Maj DS Rai.* He is very much part of  this group and states he enjoys reading the daily updates. Since he is not good at texting I had the opportunity to interview him

Born on 11th Apr 1937  and commissioned on 17 Dec 1961. Second Generation Rhino, son of the famous Maj  Sidhiman Rai, MC so extensively mentioned in Regimental History Vol 1.

Joined 3 ASSAM in Dharamsala.  Soon the unit moved to Mall in West Bengal to thwart the Chinese incursion.  Commanded by Col Kochur and later by Col ( Late Maj Gen) Ramachander

He vividly remembers about the Patrol he led to the Trijunction of Sikkim,  Bhutan, China with just 10 Rhinos to check if there was any Chinese infiltration.  For a week they stayed put there.

Later unit moved to Hashimara when Maj DS Rai was posted as Staff Captain in HQ 101 Area, Shillong.

(Wonder how many of us are  aware that it was Maj DS Rai who composed  one of the Regimental Songs – ‘ Shillong Meri Hai’)

He attended the 1st MMG conversion course at Mhow and was posted in I Corps MMG School as an Instructor in 1965.

Returned to the unit in Fazilka where the unit was being commanded by Col Shishupal Ranpal.

During the 71 war  he was  the DQ at HQ 120 Inf Bde.

Later he was posted at Centre and to 6 ASSAM on raising at Binaguri.

He did the Senior Command Course from 22 Dec 75 to 20 Mar 76

Finally he had a stint with 119 TA before hanging up his boots.

Happily married to Mrs Radha who was trained in UK  to be  a nurse but happily settled to be a homemaker after marriage.

Could speak to the Lady also  and she fondly remembered the bonhomie days in Fazilka  . How each day a lady would be  responsible to prepare meals at the Offficers Mess which used to reach the families. And Sundays it was at the Officers Mess all together.

Maj DS Rai stays in Silguri with two  of his brothers who also served in the Defence Forces. (Out of five brothers four took up the profession of arms )

They are  blessed with a son ( Pliot with Indigo)  who is presently taking care of him for cancer radiation treatment at Delhi. Maj DS Rai has fought  cancer valiantly since 2006.

(He had his medical review yesterday and cleared. He is awating the lockdown to lift for him to return to Siliguri. Anyone facing the challenges of Cancer he wants them to reach out to him for tips on how to face and fight it out)

Another son is an Australian Citizen and daughter settled in Dallas Texas, US. They are blessed with two granddaughters and a grandson

He is full of the Rhino Spirit!

He promised to share snaps when he is back home.

Meanwhile other Veterans can please  share photographs of / with him

COMMENTS ABOUT LT GEN SK PILLAI 3A, EX COR

Col RS Ver

16/08/2020, 02:12 – rhino rajindar ver: Gen SK Pillai was one of the coolest Lt Gen of Indian army not only for AssamRegt but who so ever served under him

He is talked-about by my course  mates as one of the genius Gen to serve under

U approach him for anything and u can be rest assured the work will be done. When I was posted to HQ IPKF in Chennai it was considered as field posting and I was staying in rented house in civil and paying from my on pocket so I called Gen and explained everything to him he assured me that he will do something. After 8 month authorization came from Army Hq that ipkf officers will get accommodation and refunded all the money paid as rent staying in civil accommodation. What a relief to all 30 odd officers. I think very few will do that kind of favor to Junior officers.

I always and even now consider him like a fatherly figure.

May God look after him in heaven. God took him away from us a bit too early

Raji Ver

Col CS Unni 

16/08/2020, 11:18 – Col Unni C S Mumbai: I had the privilege to assist Gen Pillai in the writing of Regtl History. I was given the task of collecting the BRO and newsletters of all the battalions and compile chronologically the activities of each unit. He would then  convert it into history in his inimitable style, the draft of which would again be given to me for going over. He would be up early every morning and sit on the computer, and except for short breaks for lunch and dinner would work late into the night. The Regimental Archive was also established in PRI off for safely keeping all the documents and manuscripts. He kept improving on his initial draft, till he was satisfied. Drafts were also sent to units for additional inputs and corrections if any. It was a great learning experience of persistence and perseverance for me.

Brig JS Bawa

16/08/2020, 12:53 – bawa 1: I was the Centre Comdt during that time. Gen and Mrs Pillay came and stayed with us in ARC over two stints of a couple months each. He was relentlessly at it, ably assisted by Col Unni and dedicated clerical  staff “Brahmaputra” was a busy office from early morning onwards with a maze of files and papers and computers …..,;And the staff desperately trying to cling to Gen Pillai’s deadlines.

They  both had limited mobility with bad knees and creaking bones  which mysteriously healed with regular walks . They finally could enjoy a  walk down from Brahmaputra to Brown Gate and back !!Their overall health improved. They were both extremely cheerful.

I used to have a sitting with Gen Pillai almost every evening . It was  a pleasure listening to his Regimental anecdotes. The finest education on the NE States and our men was imbibed during  such discussions which would seamlessly extend beyond his dinner time on some days.  I treasure each of those sittings for I  could relate to his exposition, having myself extensively  travelled and stayed in  our recruiting areas. Most of all his advice and blessings were invaluable.

It was during his stay that  we installed the  Heavy duty laundry and water  filtration plant for the recruits…….much to the annoyance of the Area Cdr !!

We started the inter Coy- inter batch competition of Regtl songs with Mrs Pillai taking out the draws . Both of them alongwith Col Binda the Deputy,  would make the jury. It gained momentum with time and became  a fiercly contested competition. The  abyssimal state of Regtl documentation finally gave rise to the inter unit  Documentation competition with advise and blessings of Gen Pillai. The trophy was named after him.

He was also the Chief Guest  at the Army Football Championship finals held  at the Garrison grnd against the fancied Sigs team from Goa. We got on the field brimming with confidence but were held to a goalless draw followed by a penalty shoot out. To be honest, I saw Gen Pullai tense like any of us ! We got the better of the Sigs and bagged the Army Championship for the 5th time in a row.  The football barakhana that evening was courtesy Gen Pillai.

On the humane side….. his sahayak at ARC and another boy were detailed to carry a load of  documents (related to Regtl history Part 2 ) to Trivandrum .  The Gen and Mrs Pillai kept them home as reverred guests and ensured  they visited all the touristy places down South . He was more concerned about their return journey reservations and timely despatch to ARC.

Soft spoken, earthy, humourous witty  and a storehouse of knowledge  and experience  he was the finest mentor .

Admin sirs I know I have  way overshot the brief  but do pl bear with me.

Tagra Raho n cheers

Col AK Jayachandran

16/08/2020, 14:49 – col aileth jaychandran 12 A: Such a lovely write up sir ….a fitting tribute for a Giant among men . Since I was Commanding 119, I too had the privilege of so many informal interactions with The General and Mrs Pillai . Everytime one interacted with him , the  feeling of having been touched by greatness was .  palpable  ….The depth of his knowledge , his ready wit and his earthiness was  soo amazing .We were truly blessed to have known him 🙏🙏

Col BK Gandhi

16/08/2020, 14:56 – b k gandhi Baroda: Dear Jasbir, superb write up on one of the most revered officers of not only the Assam Regt but of  the Indian Army. My views are based on my personal interaction with  him and several other officers who had  known Gen Pillai closely. Tagra Raho

Brig JS Bawa

16/08/2020, 14:56 – bawa 1: Ditto you Jai. Remember how

he would go around and chat with the younger offrs and ladies putting them all to such ease ?

 He would endear  himself to people by always using the first name.

Brig Ramanan

16/08/2020, 15:32 – Ramanan: Gen Pillai

IMA 9 pl commander joined in jun 62 . Just 5 years service.,  is where i met him first . Always saw him in the evening going to dehradun sitting behind capt Narsi in a bullet, (later Lt Gen R Narasimhan SC )for an icecream.  Both bachelors were always on duty and at all training areas and took maximum demos. Be it Asan camp or Mussouri camp night or day,  he was chasing us.   OCT 62 came and a decision was taken to pass out III termers along with  IV termers. (Thats why Cpl Prem Sir who was our course cpl and me passed out together). But a decision was given by GEN BAGAT supported by COL Sinha kumaon that residual subjects of III term and and full course of fourth term will be covered in six weeks. There was our dear platoon commander pillai in anklets and boots chasing us. In those days no DMS boots it was 13 studs. We lost lot of weight but gained lot of knowledge . Government also took a decision to present colours to IMA for the first time (only time). President Sarvapalli Radakrishnan was to present it  on 11 Dec. The adjt IMA capt mohan from guards who had relieved capt stiffy vadera Sikh (a great general later) took us on in day hrs and pl cdr pillai in night hrs. For record Monty Madan from armd coy cdr S D  Dasgupta fron Bihar  A K Verma from Rajput Kripal Kholi Dogras and Pillai sir were  the team cassino .

In all that ragda one day we were called for interview for opting for arms. I had opted for Madras  hoping a south tenure , Mahar MG and Grenadiers White hackle. Sir asked me any special reasons for the option . I told him that i belong to Madras and would love to serve with my state cousins., Mahar was Machine Gun Bns and i would be a speciallist. He told me here is an eraser put your option 1 ASSAM REGIMENT . In next few minutes he told me i was good and he wanted me in his regiment. I had to live by his words there i got married to ASSAM REGIMENT. Prem Sir was the choice from same platoon but senior course. Kiangte khimta krishanpal ghose lanky manral makin prem me were the 62 lot who were presented the regimental accourtments by GEN PILLAI.

In jul 65 Swarna and me tied the knot and went to Ooty , Wellington for h………n . Sir was doing staff course. I went to meet him at DSSC and they were in a war game. Could not meet him . Back to my room i decided to go again next day. Early in the morning 0630 hrs there was a knock and i found sir in uniform saluting me. I told him sir i am your student. He replied so what you are Maj Ramanan and i am Capt Pillai. . Humble man to the core. He told me he will be busy with wargame for two days and i could meet him after that. He also left his scooter vespa with me and walked back to college. I enjoyed conoor ooty and wellington with his scooter and as i had to get back to my home town earlier left the scooter in DSSC scooter stand and a note . Sir thank you . I enjoyed a lot. Great scooter with no rear or front brakes.!!!  How do you drive it Sir. . Ramanan

1973 jan. I finished staff college and joined as GSO2 OPS in 14 Div. Sir came as GSO 1 training IMA . Whole IMA was appreciative of his dedication hard work and vision. Me and Bagathi spent lot of time with him.

74 jan i moved back to battalion as 2 IC . . Our association thickened in 1976 when he and Brig Bajwa were doing HC and i came to Mhow for Senior Command. He guided me and his friend lt col pandit Vr C  engineers who was a DS in SC protected me.. we always stayed in touch and Sir and Mam were blessed with Alpana later  . 1987 after finishing unit command Col Q ops of Western command Dy Cdr of a Mtn Bde and was Col GS of AMBALA sub Area . Sir was GOC 14 DIV  and visited the Corps HQ regularly and graced us . His ice cream mate Narsi was GOC 33  Mech div who also used to be at Ambala at same time.

1987 one day Johny rang me up from MS and said i am being moved to JC as instructor. I thanked him and moved to Mhow ( i am still here) Pillai Sir was COMMANDER HC WING an  d also COR. PREM and KRISHANPAL moved to brigades and i was working every afternoon with Sir on Regimental matters for near 1

Brig Ramanan

16/08/2020, 15:34 – Ramanan: for near 16 months. He taught me a lot. He got approved as Lt Gen and moved to Delhi . Before he moved i got RV hooked to him. The best MA he could have. He always cherished RV and CHANDRA.

Our association continued for looooong time post both our retirements , till one day in tears i wrote a mail after his demise SIR WHO WILL RING ME UP AND SAY *RAM I WANT TO DISCUSS A SUBJECT WITH YOU* and speak on regimental matters for an hour. . Great General   Super expert on NE.  A mentor guide unparalleled.

Will miss you sir

Col AK Jayachandran

16/08/2020, 18:47 – col aileth jaychandran 12 A: Thank you for sharing this sir ….a  connect which spans a lifetime literally …Gives later generations a wonderful insight into Gen Pillai as well as the evolution of the Regiment 🙏👍👍👏👏

Col Jason Peter

16/08/2020, 19:30 – jason peter 1: Gen Pillai was a gentle general who acheived giant things for the Regiment

As Adjt to Brig Shivpuri , Comdt ARC , I had known how Gen Pilliai, then Dy Chief and COR , was  closely involved in getting  the following through:

1. Getting the Rhino Hat authorized back for our Regiment.
2. Making AGs Branch recognize the valour of 2LT Rajeev Sandhu .
3. Helping ARC to get 4 more jeeps , a 1 ton and a 3 Ton, based on a case taken up by us for the temporary increase of rects under training. Being also the MTO it was a big boon since, if I remember right,  we had just 2 Cars and 2 Jeeps authorized otherwise.

Col SR Das

 18/08/2020, 11:20 – Col SR Das War Adjt 5 A: LATE LT.GEN SK PILLAI. The late Gen was  undoubtedly & unarguably one of the finest & excellent Generals ever produced by our young REGT.We all the members in our REGT are simply proud of him for his enormous contributions made over the years which helped greatly & immensely to grow our REGT bigger & much bigger steadfastly. His contributions for the REGT is very large & voluminous that,it can not be written in thousands & millions of words.And for that,what exactly we need: we need pages,pages & more pages to bring out the true leadership of the great Gen & his ocean of constructive works.He had worked & worked very tirelessly & relentlessly till the very end of his life. He had devoted & dedicated to his entire life for the REGT & only REGT & nothing else. In feb 2016, he was very seriously working for something highly constructive for the POW

of Indian rotting in PAK Jails for last so many  years.It is in this context, Gen PILLAI wanted to know in great details about late MAJ AKSURI & Late CAPT KALYAN RATHOD. He in this regard spoke to COL CS NAIR ( who joined 5 A as a reinforcement immediately after the war was over).COL CS then requested the Gen requesting him to speak to me,as I was the war Adjt.Incidentally, though COL

CS did not take the active part in the battle of CHHAMB,but he has superb & accurate knowledge how exactly the great battle was fought.It is not at all an exaggeration.It is a fact.

      And sure enough, there was a surprise & unexpected ring came from none other than Gen PILLAI in one fine evening.The topic that we discussed in great details revolved around only late CAPT RATHOD.Maj AK SURI was killed just short of CHHAMB br due to AIR STRAFING. CAPT Rathod was a great soldier in fact a soldier of soldiers.His most daring & unprecedented incident of fighting a great battle with a section strength is unbelievable.He fought the battle very gallantly,relentlessly & doggedly almost single-handedly on the night of 5th dec 71. When the Pak troops came almost close  to the kissing distance to his screen loc,CAPT Kalyan spoke to COL MALHI on wireless & said: sir! You can hear that I am throwing the grenades & after a few seconds we heard him telling to CO: sir,

I am no more,I am more. That was the end of a great hero & died a very heroic death.Thereafter, Gen PILLAI spoke to me five times at length,convinced me totally to write the entire battle of CHHAMB & I wrote thirty typed pages with all the seriousness. And the day I spoke to him after having written the script,I was told by MRS PILLAI that,the GEN Is in ICU. I was in constant touch with Mrs Pillai. On the third week after his hospitalisation he expired & left for his heavenly abode in April 2016.We all in the REGT love him,respect him,adore him & he will remain in our golden hearts in the best golden thrones permanently seated for ever & ever.

       Gen Pillai wanted me to write the script in essay type,so that he could easily identify all the brave hearts & their gallant & individual actions. So that,he could write their CITATIONS for bravery awards.When I raised a little doubt for the inordinately delay of taking up the cases for awards. He then gave me a very glaring & concrete examples that the Second World War was over officially in September 1945,till date as & when valour  & bravery reports are coming into light,the deserving candidates were being given the appropriate awards according to their recommendations.Gen PILLAI was also thinking exactly on the similar line. But, to our bad luck his wish could not be fulfilled.It is a very sad feeling but his aim & genuine intention was worth emulating & appreciating that, till the very end of his illustrious career he thought & only thought

 for the REGT & only REGT.

       He had a huge library of brilliant ideas in his brains. He was also verbally very expressive, any one who had had the golden opportunity to speak or inter act with him for a few minutes was bound to become wiser on something new.He also had a perfectly perfect prescriptions for every little problem. In the REGT he was our go- to man when in crisis.I am rather compelled to use the borrowed  & ready made English to express his astute & quintessential leadership.He used to be absolutely calm in crisis, cool in total chaos, action in inaction. He was also one of our steady strength of constant inspiration.He was a great General never ever lost his cool under any circumstances. However it is in this contest I would also love to take two more names with great pride & one was: Late Gen Jasbir Singh,I had the golden opportunity to see him very closely as I was the centre Adjt,worked directly under him for two long years.I had never seen him or heard him using rough,tough,ready & popular & powerful English words,we commonly use when in foul mood. And the third person is none other than our very popular GEN PK PURI,for him losing temper is total a CHI CHI to him.

       The beautiful & fairly big articles especially written by Brig RAMANAN,Brig JASBIR & beautifully chipped- in with excellent inputs by COL BK GANDHI,COL AK JAYACHANDRAN & COL JASON PETER are not only worth reading in fact these articles are worth digesting. LT.COL SR DAS.

Col Sivanandan Megha

18/08/2020, 16:03 – Sivanandan Megha: Recd an emphathetic DO- welcome letter frm  the then COR, Gen. Shushil Pillai.,in Oct 1989..

It was the time when our Regt had shortage of offrs and the COR  had taken a decision to get offrs , majs and Lt cols , around 26 offrs, trffed to ASSAM REGT, from various Gorkha regts… Given a choice, which inf offr would  be willing to mov out of his Regt to a another one, after a reasonably long periods of abt 12 to  14 yrs??? None.

 With feelings and emotions flying high, lot of calls and letters to all known and unknown sr offrs were written by many of us,to get the posting orders reverted…But, I still vividly remember the three page DO lr, from then COR Gen Pillai. The  encouraging and empathetic  words, along with an advice …”Feel proud that we, the Aasam Regt  have SELECTED you all to be part of Rhino family and not that the Gorkhas had you moved out…you all would be a few Lucky inf  offrs  to have served and affiliaed with two of the finest regts of Indian Army…

Maj Biren Borgohain

18/08/2020, 19:33 – Biren: 9864203464      Maj BIREN BORGOHAIN ( CVO, CSO nd Executive Director, NEEPCO, PSU, Govt of India, (Retd) ::: Lt Gen S K Pillai  PVSM (Retd)                                 Softspoken and always ameable Lt Gen Pillai sir was known for his knowledge -in intellectual field besides his reputation as,a sòund Military Professional. Therefore, he was rightly given the honorious responsibility to write down the 2nd volume of the Assam Regtl History,- a difficult task which was pending since1947- after Capt Peter Sten vividly penned down

 after the WW ll. Before writing down, thinking about his knowledge and experience of working with the troops from.various tribes in d Regt his quest for knowing more about our ethenic tribes, had taken him to various places in the NE Règions after retirement. Whereever he went he received by a huge nos of ex servicemen nd families nd with Bara Khana. During one of my Official visits in connection with TUIRIAL HYDO EL.PROJECT, I was thrilled to hear that he was also comming to Aizwal, Mizoram nd all the ex service personnel incl Officers would be meeting together and have Barakhana-which I also attended. Before I could surprise him by my presence, as soon as he saw me told that he was happy to know  that I m here nd we would be meeting… nd continued with a smile telling that he was tracking me to see as to what I m doing…We all had a lovely relexed time reminiscing various past interesting Regtl anecdotes….What.a popular General nd what reception he was given- one shouls see to b believed. Being with him I also stole some lime light with the request from the ex-service personnel for their employment in the project. I marveled at him for taking such long journeys in bad NE Road conditions inspite of his knee pain speaks volume for his thurst 4 knowledge nd welfare interest. Talking to the veterans there, his programme of visits to various places were finalised -to know about customs, traditions nd beheveral patterns of different gps including hearing their interesting folk lores. I m sure Gen must have been benefitted immensely nd enjoyed his trip before writing down his feelings. Next day he was to meet Padmasree Brig Sailo(CM), a veteran from the Regt.                            

 2) PRESENTATION OF BOOK ON TRIBES.:: It may be mentioned that while attending OPEN HOUSE (a customary British Function) in d residence of Capt Peter Fuirst and Mrs Maureen, his wife – they presented two Fat Books written by  British Historian-one on AO Nagas and other ,I cant remember the nane now-giving a good nd authentic account of their socio -cultural nd ethnic background for his requirements.       3) In persuit of knowledge nd information :::: Even after retirement he use to come to attend the seminars nd workshops organised by one of my friends Mr Sanjoy Hazarika in connection with the development of NE Region -focusing mainly on its problems and prospects etc including tricky insurgency problems nd try 2 find means to persuade nd bring back to the mis guided ones 2 main stream of national life. I also attended one such seminaes. For ìnfo Mr Sanjoy Hazarika wrote the biography of famous Mr TN Seshan, a strict and effective Election Commissioner, Govt of India. At the end of the seminar Gen was requested to sum up nd  he did with his emaculate army style.        

 3) A very spirited Regtl Officer whose prime focus was d Welfare of Presonnel ::  In this context- realizing the placement nd position in the Civil Setup, he use to either speak to me or write a note nd send it with the trusted and reliable ex-serviceman who needed help.nd employment. He was very happyto know that we could accomodate a good nos of Ex Sepoys, NCOs, JCOs d Officersin NEEPCO, with good pay and parks. Some of the men recommended by him came threw the Border Wing Armed Home Guards Organization looked after by Col Sishupal Ranpal ( Retd.) who was employed by Meghalaya Govt as Comdt Gen Home Gds. He was happy to find  that we had about 13 Army Officers nd more then 50JCOs besides others from Para Mil Forces. While clearing up the old files, I found two letters from the Gen with request for emoyment. The letters were written with his lovely hand writings which I didnt’ have a heart to destroy nd kept as a  souvenir.                  

4) I m remembering an incident which speaks volumes about his Regtl Spirits.  It was an interesting story. I got a call from Lt Col. Khongmen saying that Gen Pillai desperately trying to talk to me but not getting my line and as such he told me to pass on the message. He cautioned me to leasten properly nd note down as it is important.  Maj/Mr Richard Lowe, son of Assam Regt Veteran Col Lowe(during war) with his wife would be comming to India  to visit Shillong nd Kohima War Cemetery (where his father faught) nd I have .to receive them at the Guwahati Airport , look after them and send then in a good car and  if possible to accompany them 2 Shillong. After some time again he rang up to tell me the page in our Regtl History Book written by Capt Peter Sten where mention of Col Lawe is there. Yes, now it became serious 4 me also as I did not have the book readily nd kept somewhere in the Trunk after hanging my uniform. By that time I got a call from d Gen ..complaining about our telecom deptt….for becoming  ‘effeciently in effecient’ …Any way, he told me about the mission that I had to undertake as n Ex Rhino…. with beautifully worded sentences. I assured that such Regtl duties are most welcomed nd the things will be taken care of nd not to worry.. Only thing I found.. that there was Board of Directors’ Meeting next morning and as such told that I will not be able 2 accompany him to Shillong and briefed d driver accordingly .. and see them off in Tain for Damapur ….and that was fine 4 him. As a  ‘..mean business -serious soldier’  our conversation continued till I gave all clear report that from d Air port acted as a guide telling about Brahmapura, about d north east including Kohima enroute nd after our lunch at Hotel .Brahmaputra Laws happyly left for Shillong..That was not the end after 4th day, I went 2 Rly Stn and saw them off to Dimapur 4 Kohima.  Accordingly report followed..,In fact I got use to working with effecient nd firey officers all throught my life and also imbibed such habits.                            

5) i am beholden to our Sr Officers of th Regt which includes 3 Centre Comdts, viz..Gen Ramkrishan, Col Brar nd Brig Surrey under whom I worked directly nd the CORs viz, Gen H.S Kauchhur, Lt Gen Pillai nd Papa Pandey who all had very strongly vouched for me and recommended my name for selection as the ADC to HE, Mr LP Singh, (ICS, Retd), the Governor of Assam. Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland nd Meghalaya and Chhairman, NEC. He was also the Head of Assam Rifles(like the President for Defence Services). MRr LP Singh , former Central Home Secy-was known to be a very strict, effecient nd a hard working Administrator who accept no nonsense. Because of the multifarious  problems in this region he was specifically selected and given the responsibility of these problematic border states.  Gov after jòining , selected his Special Secys to these states nd for ADC interviewed 14 nos of names sent from AHQ for Governors selection. After interviewing all , he did not find any one suitable nd called 4 another list from AHQ  and that is the time our Sr officers went to call on the Governor for 

1. a) As a matter of curtsey nd that the Regt was raised in the Rajbhavan compound taking the 1st salute by d Gov, who became our mentor
2. b) to appraise the Gov about the plan for the Colour Presentation
3. c) Find out d convenience of the Gov for the Presidents’ visit for colour Presentation ect. During talk Gov mentioned about not getting a suitable officer as ADC to be with him…nd also that another list being called from AHQ. That is the time all our Sr Officers told about me. In my absence he asked various questions to all of them nd virtually taking their interview on my behalf. I believe all our Centre Comdts told him very highly about me (which the Gov mentioned to me on joining and told the requirement of working hard with him ). Gov told our officers that ‘since I talked to you all I m quite satìsfied nd take him.’  Saying that he told the ADC to put him throw to Mr Govind Narain, IAS, the Defence Secy to the GOI. That is the time Brig Surrey told that he was just posted out from Shillong and generally they do not post an officer to the same Stn. To this G told that ‘ you leave that to me’ …nd spòke to Def Secy that he spoke to the Sr Officers of Assam Regt nd Capt Biren Borgohain is to be posted as my ADC. The matter ended there and I had nothing to do….it was all due to the kindness of our Sr officers nd confidence, trust and faith they had on me. So it was nothing more than a miracle, a strange co-incidence…nd luck. Presidents Rule, welfare work, surrender / home comming òf U/Gs, and Naga Shillong Peace accord was signed. This tenure changed  the life nd career path. I m deeply indebted to our Sr Officers….

19/08/2020, 16:39 – Biren: (contd..BIREN) …Met the Gen for the 1st time in Fazalka during Silver Jubilee function Of 3rd Assam  in1970 along with the visitors gp when I came as a rep of 4 Assam  nd was very impressed due th his pleasent behaviour nd personalities. The visiting gp was consisting of the outstn Senior Officers, Papa Pande, Gen Kauchhur (Serving nd Ex COR) including Mr SC Jamir,  MOS, Rlys, Govt of India who was the VVIP for the occassion and staying in that VIP enclosure  had the opportunity for close interaction. Thereafter, being posted to ARC nd Shillong for 3 tenures during Army nd thereafter met him whenever he came to  Shillong. As a simple person he didnot stand on any formalities nd came to our house with Col Subramanium, Comdt ARC. He liked intellectual discourse nd talked to Roopa, my wife- a Professor in NEHU, Central University Shillong , on various Socio-Political usses where Col Subram nd self also took part at times. I remember his visit to our Polo Hill, Golf Course House with his wife  nd the pleasent memories are still in our mind. I was looking for the phots taken on the occassion but not readily found kept fondly somewhere. He was a mentor and a guide and I could discuss nd take his advice on sensitive issues. I approached him when I was to change my vocation to Civil Setup, he was little upset nd told that with my career profile, I would be doing well in the Army nd wanted me to continue. But on further discussion finally told me to go and meet MS-7. At that point I realised that after my SS to IC no, it was really difficult to come out of the Army then to get in. With good wishes from Officers like Gen Pillai nd by the grace of God things turned out to be well. To me he is a General nd a kind hearted human being….

Brig Ramanan

18/08/2020, 23:19 – Ramanan: DEAR ALL COL R V SUBRAMANIANM IS COMPILING THE DATA ON GEN PILLAI. NO ONE IS MORE COMPETENT THAN COL R V TO THIE DIFFICULT TASK. PLEASE ENSURE ALL YOUR WRITE UP REACHES HIM. PLEASE SEND HIM PHOTOGRPAHS. TAGRA RAHO

Maj Gen PK Puri

19/08/2020, 14:11 – Prem Puri: My first interaction with Gen S K Pillai( then young Capt)was in 1962 at IMA as our platoon commander. All the GC,s adored him for his smartness, professionalism and caring nature. Dear Ramanan and self belonged to the Cassino company. Gen Pillai left such an impact on all of us that I joined Assam Regt inspite being a science student. Once in the Regt Gen Pillai always remained in contact with his old Gc,s. He had a great quality of remaining in touch with all the Rhion’s. Amazing how he found the time to speak to everyone and always concerned about their growth in the army.

   In 1975 ,I was posted to Delhi and after few months Gen Pillai also got posted to Army Hq. Till he could get his accommodation he stayed with us at my flat at Pandara Road. I saw him from close quarters. What a wonderful human being so simple ,straight forward and loving person. He became part of the family and children were very fond of him. His knowledge of the North East was tremendous.

We were posted together at Mhow. Gen Pillai was in Higher Command and I was in SC Wing. Our houses were located near by on Generals road. We came very close to the family. Mrs Pillai was an affectionate and noble lady and looked after us like her own family. Dear Alpana was a darling and we saw her growing up as a good human being.

 Gen Pillai worked day and night for the Regimental Golden Jubilee. And it was a grand success. Subsequently we visited him at Bhatinda when he was the Corps Cdr to revive the good old memories.

The best moment in my life was when I took over from him as COR in Dec 91. It was like dream cum true. And he was always there to give guidance.

I learnt from him  that in all Reunions and Jubilees the VIP are the men and their families. The priority lies in looking after them than officers as they form bulk of the Regiment.

  Assam Regiment was indeed lucky to have such a caring and thinking General who had all the time for the Regiment. Gen Pillai enormous contributions will always be remembered.Officers have already written about it and would not like to repeat them.

Our regards to Mrs Pillai and love to Alpana.

Tagra Raho

KNOW YOUR VETERANS – Maj Gen N Ramachandran 3A

 18/08/2020, 14:10 – Malathi Chidambaram Ramachandran: Greetings to the Rhino family! My sisters and I feel very privileged to be a part if this wonderful regimental family from the time we were born. I am Malathi and together with  my sister Indu we have been trying to put together information on our father late Maj Gen N Ramachandran for Know your Veterans. As my mother also passed away some years back,we now have very little source of facts and dates. We have tried to rely on memory,  and stories told and retold in the family!  😀

So please do correct us if we are wrong.

My father was born in 1925 and grew up with no other passion  but to serve in the Indian Army. At the age of 17 his desire to  join the fauj was so strong, that he  tried secretly applying,  but was rejected as he was underage. At 18 he joined the IMA and passed out as Emergency Commission in 1943 or 1944.

He was commissioned into the Assam Regiment 3rd Battalion and remained a dyed in the wool Rhino till the end.

The next few years are unclear but we know he had a stint at the Centre in Happy Valley as he would talk about how he would walk miles cross country to play golf every evening. The joke was that his partners were two very senior officials…(one was the Chief Secretary) and he was just a Second Lieutenant!

He was also in Poonch sector but not sure of when….probably when the unit was posted there.

He got married in November 1950 but being still in field area in Kashmir, my mother Mangalam stayed on with her parents in her home town Nagpur. We have heard stories if my father trying to put in a trunk call to speak to his new bride, but most of the precious time would go in niceties with his in laws!

He was posted to Military Police in Calcutta in 1952 where my mother joined him and they had a wonderful year and a half  there till my mother left for her confinement to Nagpur.

Meanwhile, my father passed Staff College and joined DSSC in Jan 1955. My mother joined him with my sister Indu as a toddler.

After Staff Course, my father was posted to 3rd Assam in Ferozepur. Papa Pande was the CO. I think my father was the adjutant then.

In 1958, he was posted to AHQ in MS Branch. He stayed there till 1961. We have heard of how my parents would welcome and enjoy the company of  regimental officers passing through Delhi or coming to Delhi to request for postings. My father was never very happy jn staff appointments and longed to be back in the unit.

In 1961 he was posted back to 3rd assam in Dharamshala as 2 iC . The CO was Lt Col HS Kochar. The Chinese aggression had started in NEFA and the unit had to move forthwith….within 48 hours.  Families were sent to hometowns.

Even as the unit reached the North East, the peace treaty was signed with China but the unit was posted there for next three years.  Don’t know the exact  place. My father became Gaon Budha.

In 1965, the unit moved to Gaya in Bihar, where we families thoroughly enjoyed unit life for a year. End of active regimental life for is!

In 1966  my father went to Jhansi as GI in the Division there.

In 1967 moved to DSSC as DS. In 1969, a new appointment was created called HOTT ( inter service) and he became the first HOTT.

In 1969, he was posted as Brigade Commander in Sikkim ( non family stn) and we family stayed on in Wellington.

In 1971, my father was posted to Delhi in AHQ as DCD till 1973 when he took over a GOC of the Infantry division in Sagar.

In 1976, he was posted back to Delhi AHQ as DSD.

He did a second Div Command from 1977 to 1979 in Mizoram at a time when the mizo rebels  uprising were at their peak.

In 1979, he came back to Delhi as GOC Delhi Area and retired from this post in July 1981.

1985… Post retirement job as a Senior Manager at Paper Mills in Dandeli, Karnataka.. He brought many reforms, and a disciplined work culture to the company. We remember employees stopping to talk to us when our paths crossed.. they said that Daddy was truly Lord Rama who had come there, to bring about Ram Rajya by improving the company’s prospects, and the working conditions for them.

After my father passed away at just 60 of cancer, our mother lived independently in Chennai for about 10 years amidst extended family close by, then divided her last years amongst us. Till the end, her indomitable spirit kept her going inspite of failing health.

18/08/2020, 14:11 – Malathi Chidambaram Ramachandran: Now for some anecdotes!😀There are some incidents I can recall about Brig Pande, two involving my father and two my mother.

One story is about the first time my father reported for duty and had to meet the Commanding officer Papa Pande in his office.

I think this was when Papa was Centre Commndnt and my father was second Lt. ( please correct me if  I’m wrong!)

When my father entered Papa’s office and stood to attention, Papa fix not ask him to stand at ease or to dot down. He kept him standing for over an hour as he talked. Of course,my father was furious, but it set a high standard of discipline for him and also great respect for his senior! From that day on, he was a Rhino in thought, word and spirit!

When my father finished Staff College and his posting came, he was shocked to know he was posted to Punjab Regiment! As a true-blue ( or should I say green?) Rhino, he sent an SOS telegram to Papa Pande who was CO of 3rd Assam in Ferozepur. Papa Pande immediately waited him back, telling him not to move out of Wellington till he got back to him. So even as all student officers and their families left, my parents stayed on in Circle Quarters, fully confident that Papa would do something.

As it happened   Papa Pande took the night train to Delhi and stayed there,meeting people in MS Branch until my father’s posting was changed to 3rd Assam. He only returned to Ferozepur  after the new signal had gone out. That’s how my father the Rhino came back to his unit! This story about Papa Pande has been in the family ever since. 😀

Papa always treated my mother like a beloved daughter in law! Whenever he visited us in Delhi, he would bring her a saree from Poona or Mhow or elsewhere. They had a great bond.

In Dharamshala, when my father was 2iC, Papa visited the unit. There was a dinner party in the unit mess for him. As my little  sister Radhika was running a fever that day, my mother could not go. Papa would not hear of my mother’s absence and insisted she join. The next morning,he called home to ask my mother how my sister was. This was so typical of him!😊

In 2004, during the Platinum Jubilee of the Regiment in Shillong, Indu and I had taken my mother  to attend the celebrations. My mother was overjoyed to meet old friends like MRS Shishupal, Brig and MRS Lama, Gen J Mukherjee, Gen Sushil Pilai etc etc. That was the last time she met Papa.

At the Regimrntdl dinner, Papa took the stage and asked for attention. Then he called my mother up and putting an arm around her shoulder saud to everyone, ‘ You know  ..this little girl, I know her from the time she was a young bride.I’m so happy she’s here today!’ It was priceless to see my 74 year old mother standing like a meek little girl with Papa!

18/08/2020, 14:11 – Malathi Chidambaram Ramachandran: My father as CO 3rd Assam👇

Comments by Rhinos on Maj Gen Ramachandran

Brig Shivpuri

19/08/2020, 10:36 – Shivpuri Brig: We first met Gen and Mrs Ramachandran in Delhi  in 1970, when he was posted as DCD and I was in MI Dte. Both of them were truly Regimental , simple and down to earth  .They were very kind to us . Gen Ranbir was with him as GSO 1.  Next I met Gen in Tamulpur , (near Rangia) during raising of 7 Assam, when he as  GOC 57 Div was visiting one of his Arty Units carrying out Fd Firing in Darranga .He was accompanied by Col B S Shekhawat, his ADC .Later we were lucky to meet their daughter and her husband ,Col VSC Mani ,who was Dental  Officer in Abohar and I was in Fazilka .On Regimental net Mani used to give me spec treatment While we had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Ramachandra in Shillong , we were not fortunate enough to meet the Gen again and spend time with him.

Brig Ramanan

 19/08/2020, 00:11 – Ramanan: *THANKS TO MRS MALATHI and sisters DAUGHTERS OF GEN N RAMACHANDRAN PVSM I HAVE UPLOADED LOT OF INFORMATION IN THE faujirhinovetrans.com site . thank u mam* There have been some typo errors which she pointed out to me and i have rectified May i request some of you to spare some time and kindly use a magnifier and check any typo errors. . if so please indicate so it can be rectified. I AM SO THRILLED MY SMALL ENDEAVOUR TO BRING INTO RECORD THE DETAILS OF RHINOS WHO HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN INTO WEBSITE FOR NEXT GENERATIONS.

19/08/2020, 00:12 – Ramanan: IS REALLY HAPPENING

19/08/2020, 00:14 – Ramanan: WHEN A VETERAN ASKED ME WHETHER IT IS FOR VIPS ONLY I CLARIFIED TO HIM THAT IT IS FOR ANY ONE WHO WORE A RHINO IN HIS HEAD GEAR. PLEAE SEND US LOTS OF DETAILS ON RHINOS WHOM YOU KN OW AND OTHERS DONT. PLEASE

COMMENTS ABOUT – FAUJIRHINIVETERANS.COM SITE AND – KNOW YOUR VETERANS PROJECT

Maj M Kutty, Admin Greetings

19/08/2020, 10:42 – Coots: Dear All ,

The vision , insight and the know how of the Regiment through Brig Ramanan’s lens is unmatched . His indomitable spirit , enthu and devotion for the cause of the Regiment is unparalleled.  The site created by him at his own cost oozes dedication and die hard spirit. The onus of bringing the veterans under one umbrella and urging them and the Gen next to pen down their journey is an initiative which will go long way for the future Rhinos , Rhinis and Rhino cubs to go down memory lane and have purview of the laurels and anecdotes which has paved way for our Regiment to be the most talked up and loved organization. The popularity of Badluram ka Badan sums it all !!  I feel to continue this legacy of the site created by Brig Ramanan , some young and vibrant techo savvy Rhino should volunteer to take over the reins , as requested by HIM.

 I am sure with his astute guidance we can raise the bar further .

 PS . The platform gives an access to a plethora of personal  activities/ achievements / anecdotes supported by photos not covered in the three volumes of RH which many have not read nor had privy to.

The Rhinoveterans site , the WhatsApp grp and NEW grp on FB is a good Dekho of the Regiment and the Rhinos . Thank you Brig Ramanan , Gen Saha and Col VP Chundawat ably supported by Col Gandhi and Col Jason Peter .

Tagra Raho

Coots

  About Maj Kipgen, 2A

Maj Gen Behl, Present COR

20/08/2020, 09:05 – 2017 Maj Gen Behl: I shall be meeting Late Maj Kipgen’s sister tomorrow. While I have got some inputs from my father. I shall be grateful if there is some more information. He was from 2 ASSAM.

Lt Col Tsering Bhutia

20/08/2020, 09:12 – Tshering Lt Col: HAD THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING SOCCER AGAINST HIS TEAM WAY BACK IN 1966/67 IN SHILLONG. LATER I LEARNT THAT HE LOST ONE OF HIS LEGS IN A MINE FIELD AND BOARDED OUT.

Maj Gen Behl, COR

 20/08/2020, 09:37 – 2017 Maj Gen Behl: Thank you Sir.

Knew that he got injured  and was boarded out. Did not know the nature of injury.

Regards and Tagra Raho!

Brig Ramanan

20/08/2020, 09:42 – Ramanan: He was amputed in a mine injury in j and k. I asked CO 2 Assam  both present and abhishek to give inputs to you. Mani had given me a write up i will dig and send you .blessings

Lt Gen J Mukherjee

 20/08/2020, 09:46 – Johny Mukerjee 1: In case u go to Imphal u could meet his wife – he was unfortunately assassinated when he took up politics in Manipur – his brothers r all retd big shots from IA S and IFS – was in touch when alive – my sqn

Maj Gen Behl, COR

20/08/2020, 09:49 – 2017 Maj Gen Behl: Thank you Sir,

 I am now beginning to join the dots.

Regards and Tagra Raho!

I learnt he was Div O Foxtrot

 As a cadet, he was 23 Bravo

Col BK Gandhi

20/08/2020, 10:38 – b k gandhi Baroda: Dear Sir, Maj Kipgin, SM was my first Coy Cdr when I joined  2 Assam in Mar 1968 in Ferozepur. Though my association with him was short lived as in Jun 68 he got posted to NDA as Instr  Cl C.  Later when I was  Commanding One Five in Manipur I often met him and his family either in Imphal or Leimakong. He was elected MLA and wss later  planning to contest election as  MP. Very unfortunately, I think some time on11 May 1993 he was shot dead by insurgents just  out side their residence in Imphal and that too in front of his wife and small girl child. I had attended his last rights.

He was a great footballer and used to play for 2 Assam team. He lost  his foot in a mine blast in 1971 war in Uri and was awarded SM. Later he was posted to HQ 101 Area and took to golfing and became an outstanding golfer. Took PMR and started his enterprise of Oil Tanker in collaboration with Oil India. He originally hailed from Tamenglong district of Manipur.   A great fun loving and very popular officer with men and officers.

Has three chidren who are all settled abroad. We are in touch with his  wife Mrs Mamen. Her number can be shared with you, if desired. In case you plan meeting her, I will inform her accordingly. Tagra Raho.

Lt Col CS Nair

20/08/2020, 11:02 – lt col c s nair: Col TS Kanwar, Gora Ray , SY Kulkarni, KS Thapa, BK Gandhi, Jaspal Singh, &Maj Rishi are all old Rhinos of 2A. He was already out of unit when I joined (heard he was in NDA as instr) . Kipgin sir rejoined after I left the unit in 71 jan . He got injured in 71. Col Bir Singh was there in 2A during ops, probably he may have more info about him during 71. I am not sure wheather Sham Lal was also there during ops.

Maj Gen Behl, COR

20/08/2020, 10:47 – 2017 Maj Gen Behl: Thank you Sir….will be extremely useful while interacting with the family.

Regards and Tagra Raho!

Col BK Gandhi

20/08/2020, 11:14 – b k gandhi Baroda: Yes, Col Tomar was very much with the unit in 1971 war in Uri. I had moved out on 5 Feb 1971 from Uri to HQ 66 Mtn Bde , Binnaguri as GSO3(Int). Maj IBS Cheema was the 2I/c.SB Rai, PS Gill, Pramod Kumar, BJS Khandpur, Jasjit Singh  were all in the unit when I was posted out. Tagra Raho

Brig Ramanan

20/08/2020, 12:10 – Ramanan: Maj S Kipgen, SM (2 Assam)

Hailing from Manipur, “Kippy” as he was known amongst his friends was a sports-man par excellence. Serving as instructor at NDA he had led the Academy football team to many victories.  Back to his battalion 2 Assam Major Kipgen was a company commander during Indo-Pak war 1971 and the battalion was deployed in Uri Sector of J&K. On 9 Dec 1971 while rescuing a jawan from the minefield, Major Kipgen stepped on a mine and lost his leg. As a true sportsman, even with prosthetic leg Major Kipgen shot up to fame as a great golfer. After taking premature retirement from the service he joined politics in his homeland. Unfortunately he was shot dead by militant in his home.

Col Rishi

20/08/2020, 12:46 – Bade Bhai 2 2 18 Jul: Have  memorable memories of Major Kipgen who was one of 14 Subalterns  in 2 Assam in1964. A gr8 sportsman footballer,a great human being

Maj Biren Borgohain

20/08/2020, 16:57 – Biren: BIREN     Gen Johnny Sir is right, he was shot in the football ground in front of his house only while going to visit his relations on the other side of the field. Dribbling with a football in d field unsuspecting assassin was waiting there 4 him nd shot him from d point blank range. Maj Kip use to carry his pistol but that evening as the place of visit was very near he did not carry his arm inspite of his wife telling him 2 carry.  As a Capt Kip was in NDA along with Lt Col.Manral when my father-in-law from Air force was the Bn Comdr. Maj Kip was a jovial fellow nd was⁵ posted to 101 Area,Shillong. A very popular person with his artificial leg, he played golf nd danced in Shillong Club nd always cheerful,. For his disability he was allotted a hand gear controlled car. He had 2 brothers. Elder one was in IAS and a  Commissiner in Manipur whom I met in Rajbhavan, Imphal. Bith the brithers are so identical on a 1st look one will be confused. I believe, he settled down in Delhi. Not seen  him 4 a long time. His younger brother was in SBI as a,Manager. Taagra,Raho