On 13th June, 1997 Capt Manjinder Singh Bhinder of 61 CAVALRY with his wife Jyot-Roop and four years old son Ruskin, went to see the film “Border” in Uphaar Cinema in Green Park area, New Delhi. While the movie was on, the Hall caught fire.
With poor fire-fighting equipment and exit arrangements, people got trapped inside. Capt Bhinder sent his friend Capt Pattu to get outside help, while he decided to stay inside, to help frantic crowd keep calm and take them out gradually in order. He moved 150 lives to safety.
Unfortunately, he himself and his family succumbed to the tragic death that was the fate of many who were trapped inside, as it became difficult to get proper help.
Capt. Bhinder along with his family died a heroic death in the fire that broke out at the Uphaar Cinema in Delhi.
Captain Manjinder Singh Bhinder was an alumni of PPS Nabha. He was an outstanding sportsman and rider in his school days.
He was Captain of the Riding and Polo team of the NDA in 1990 and IMA in 1991.
Even after commission won innumerable awards in different aspects of riding.
He was about to represent India in Asian Games 1998 at Singapore Unfortunately, he met with his tragic end, before the Games.
He is survived by his father Capt Vardeep Singh (R), his mother and three sisters.
The story doesn’t end there. Parents of Capt Manjinder Bhinder had to fight Ministry of Defence babus for the pension they were entitled to, who hung on to the technicality that Capt Bhinder had not been fighting enemies.
It was overturned by the accounts department. After seven years of litigation, the Delhi High Court told the MoD that a soldier is ON DUTY ROUND THE CLOCK, and Capt Bhinder saved lives of 150 people. Thus, High Court ordered a special family pension for Manjinder’s parents.
"When he became a colonel, he gave me a beautiful gift, that she will remember him as a brave person who died fighting for his country." Said Smt Santoshi, w/o
Col Santosh Babu,
Mahavir Chakra (P)
16 BIHAR.
Today is 3rd Balidan Diwas of Col Santosh Babu. A thread on him👇🏼
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13th Feb 1983 in Suryapet district of Telangana to Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, a banker and Smt Manjula.
While studying in the Sainik School, Korukonda his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew and he joined 105th course of NDA in 2000.
He was commissioned into 16 BIHAR from IMA in 2004 and his first posting was in J&K.
He was selected to attend DSS College at Wellington and later was deputed in Rashtriya Rifles.
He got married to Ms. Santoshi and the couple had a daughter Abhija and a son Anirudh Teja.
He was posted in Sri Lanka during Op Pawan as a personal bodyguard of an Indian General. Once he was sitting in an open jeep, an LTTE terrorist threw a grenade at the jeep. He caught it and threw it back to the terrorist. The terrorist died.
Due to the grenade explosion his head was blown off into pieces. After this, he was nick-named ‘Cobra’ by his colleagues.
Later in the same Operation, he was assigned to rescue 36 Indian soldiers captured by LTTE. He sailed the river, saved soldiers and killed 39 militants.
Naik Digendra Kumar was awarded Sena Medal in 1993 for his anti-terrorist operations in the Kupwara area of Jammu-Kashmir.
In 1994, his services were appreciated for recapturing the Hazratbal Shrine from terrorists.
“You should feel proud of me. I am contributing something for the nation in this uniform I have worn. Being a company commander at this time is the greatest experience one can have.”
Commissioned on 13 June 1992 into 2 RAJ RIF, and sacrificed his life to Nation on 13 June 1999.
MAJOR VIVEK GUPTA
MVC (P)
2 RAJ RIF
'Vicky' was born on 2nd Jan 1972 in Dehradun to Lt Col BRS Gupta (R).
He got inspiration to join the Army from his father, and was commissioned in 1992
Major Vivek got married to an Army Officer, Capt Rajshree Bisht in 1997.
He was also awarded COAS Commendation for killing Pak terrorist in hand-to-hand combat.
Recognizing his outstanding skills he was soon sent to Infantry School, Mhow, as a weapon instructor.
During Kargil War in 1999, he played a significant role in capturing of Tololing Top.
"When he became a colonel, he gave me a beautiful gift, that she will remember him as a brave person who died fighting for his country." Said Smt Santoshi, w/o
Col Santosh Babu,
Mahavir Chakra (P)
16 BIHAR.
Today is 40th Birth Anniversary of Col Santosh Babu.
A thread on him👇🏼
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13th Feb 1983 in Suryapet district of Telangana to Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, a banker and Smt Manjula.
While studying in the Sainik School, Korukonda his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew and he joined 105th course of NDA in 2000.
He was commissioned into 16 BIHAR from IMA in 2004 and his first posting was in J&K.
He was selected to attend DSS College at Wellington and later was deputed in Rashtriya Rifles.
He got married to Ms. Santoshi and the couple had a daughter Abhija and a son Anirudh Teja.
He was born on 17th Dec 1989 in AFCH, Bangalore.
Remembering
Major Anuj Sood
SC (P)
21 RR/19 GUARDS
on his 33rd Birth Anniversary.
Maj Sood immortalised himself in the service of Nation on 2nd May 2020 in Handwara while extrication civilians who were held hostages by terrorists.
There are thousands of couples who kept the interest of countrymen first over their own Happiness. Here's one of them, Maj Anuj Sood & Smt Aakriti Sood. #CostofFreedom
"I think of the good times we shared, sometimes you feel angry, sometimes sad. I talk about the moments we had, the stories we shared, and that brings happiness to me."
He belongs to Tri-Service family where his father is an Army Veteran and brother is Lt Cdr in Indian Navy.
Gp Capt Varun was born in Kanholi vill. of Rudrapur, UP to Col K P Singh (R) & Smt Uma Singh.
After completing his school from Army Public School, Chandimandir he was selected for NDA, and passed out in 2004 as Officer Cadet. Later he went to Air Force Academy for further training.
He had less interest in extra-curricular activities and intially lacked self-confidence.
"I was very average student in sports and academics who has barely scored first division in 12th class. Even though I was made the discipline perfect in 12th. But I had a passion for Airplanes and Aviation."
He wrote this into a letter to his School Principal in 2021.