Thread by @jai_samota

•I Cheated Death•
Major Dhan Singh Thapa, PVC

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Mr. PS Thapa and Smt Draupadi Thapa welcomed Dhan Singh Thapa into the world on April 28, 1928 in Shimla, (1/27)

Himachal Pradesh. Manu, Bikram, and Kishan Thapa were his three brothers. Shakuntala Thapa was the name of his only sister.He participated in athletic activities frequently while attending Gorkha School in Shimla to study. Thapa excelled at football. (2/27)

He was given a choice to enlist in the army or the police. He made the decision to enlist in the Army.After graduating from Officers Training School, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion of the 8 Gorkha Rifles on August 28, 1949, (3/27)

and received his first posting with the unit in Ferozpur. He fought in Nagaland's counter-terrorism campaign as a Captain prior to the 1962 war, and he was adjutant of the 10th Battalion of the Assam Rifles from December 1959 to September 1962. (4/27)

He has already completed a nearly 3-year field assignment in Nagaland, but due to his record of accomplishments against insurgency in Mokokchung, Nagaland,. Though he was actually transferred to Dehradun after Nagaland, when the war loomed in that region, (5/27)

Lt Col Harichand, MVC, CO 1/8 Gorkhas, urged him to return to the unit in Leh. In April 1961, Thapa's unit was assigned to the 114 Infantry Brigade. From Galwan to Chushul, the unit was stretched out on forward posts and picquets. The troops of 5 Jat, (6/27)

led by Major SS Hasabnis, later relieved the Gorkhas at some posts. During the 1962 Indo-China War, while the battalion was stationed in the Chushul Sector manning important posts like Gurung Hill. Major Dhan Singh was the Delta Company's commander of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles. (7/27)

Major Thapa's company was in the Sirjap region close to Pangong Lake and was supplied and maintained by using boats.The Indian Army post of Sirjap-I was attacked by Chinese forces using artillery and mortars early on October 21. (8/27)

As a result, the Gorkha soldiers sustained significant damage. Chinese infantry began to approach the Indian post gradually at this point. Chinese forces attacked Major Thapa's isolated company in large numbers, (9/27)

The Chinese came up with light tanks against which troops had no weapons, but Thapa's Gorkha soldiers retaliated and stopped three enemy assaults. However, during this battle, Thapa's company suffered greatly and only seven of his 28 soldiers survived. (10/27)

After some time had passed and the Indian soldiers' ammo had run out, after this the Gorkhas shouted Jai Maa Kali Aayo Gorkhali and charged on the Chinese by using their Khukris. But due to a larger number of enemy soldiers Sirijap-1 fell to the enemy. (11/27)

The Chinese captured Major Dhan Singh as a prisoner of war after overwhelming the Indian soldiers due to their sheer numbers, (12/27)

but one patrol under Nk Rabi Lal Thapa (later awarded the MVC) reached as close as 1000 yards from the post and reported that the entire post had fallen down and assumed Major Thapa and his men had died. (13/27)

The Chinese also overran Sirjap-II after a severe fight and by October 22nd all forward posts in the Chushul Sector were either withdrawn or overrun by the enemy. Major Thapa's time spent as a prisoner of war was not extensively discussed. (14/27)

When he was imprisoned by the Chinese troops, he had discovered a long stone that he prayed to. He was certain that it was Lord Shiva. He was able to endure anything because of that. In fact, Major (later Lt Col) Srikant Hasabnis of 5 Jat, (15/27)

a prisoner in the same military camp, communicated with Lt Col Thapa's family about their ordeal.When the Chinese soldiers entered and one interrogator asked him, "Who are you praying to? (16/27)

" Lt Col Thapa's family was informed by Lt Col Srikant Hasabnis that Major Thapa was worshipping his lord Shiva on the stone he had discovered. My God replied Major Thapa. The interrogator then asserted that your Gods are untrue. (17/27)

My God is always with me Major Thapa said in a bold tone as he slipped off his jacket. Even if you shoot me, he will have to save me, but I will live. I survived because my God wanted me to live even though hundreds of your soldiers were unable to kill me. (18/27)

Major Hasabnis had told him afterwards. Major Thapa, wear your jacket; you never know when these Chinese might shoot you.After making friends with the boy who used to bring them food while he was held captive in China, (19/27)

Major Thapa penned a letter to his family and asked the youngster to send it on to them in Shimla. Major Dhan Singh Thapa returned to India in May 1963 when the Indian Army was alerted of the letter by Major Thapa's family. (20/27)

He remarried to his wife Shukla in accordance with the customs. Major Thapa later received a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Lt Col Thapa in his career was posted to different locations including Ferozpur, Thokung, Ambala, Doon Gurez, Jalandhar, (21/27)

Deolali in his career and he also commanded an NCC unit, Lt Col Thapa retired on 30 April 1980 and was re-employed in the Army he was posted to 234 Transit Camp in Gangtok before finally retiring on 13 December 1982From 1964 to 2004, (22/27)

Lt Col Thapa took part in each Republic Day parade.Even though he was having kidney problems at the time and was upset, his excitement was still inspiring. Every Army event, including the Republic Day parade, he would attend. He underwent daily dialysis. (23/27)

He would suddenly pass out while out on a walk, but nothing would stop him from continuing to participate in the parade and army events. My sister Poornima used to be scared, always behind him supporting him in case he fell, since he would suddenly faint and fall down, (24/27)

his older daughter Madhu recalls.Even during his dialysis, he used to motivate us. He fought with death again but lost to it with a smile. He was always smiling, never showing his pain and discomfort. Whenever anyone asked him about his health, (25/27)

he never said anything but Fit & Fine in those two years.Due to kidney disease, Lt Col DS Thapa, PVC passed away on September 5, 2005, he was 77 years old. He was the third Indian soldier to receive the Param Vir Chakra Alive. (26/27)

Various memorials have been built to commemorate the valiant deeds of this brave soldier.

"Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country." (27/27)