Sikkim salutes you!!

Sikkim Government honours World War veterans......

   Gangtok, January 28, 2012: On the occasion of 63rd Republic Day Parade at Palzor Stadium, the Government of Sikkim under the able leadership of Shri Pawan Chamling honoured some of the World War – II veterans of Sikkim by inviting them to the Republic Day Parade at Gangtok. The aim being firstly to remember them and their immense contribution in defending the Nation from the enemies during the Second World War. Secondly, to let them know that they are being cared and honoured by the younger generations. There are 42 World War –II veterans and 72 widows in Sikkim. The Government of Sikkim has made it a mission to look after these old warriors and their. Most of these WW–II soldiers are without pension since they were released on Demobilization immediately after the end of the World War on account of reduction of forces. The State Govt has increased the ex–gratia grant to the war veterans. The veterans are being paid Rs 1500/- pm and Rs 1000/- pm to the widows.

Some of the war veterans:

NO -106933 

Lance Naik 

Garjaman Rai,

Unit   -  10 Gorkha Rifles

Resident of  Assam Lingzey, East Sikkim

It was on 27 October 1941, he was enrolled in to the British Indian Army from Jalapahar, Darjeeling at the age of 19 years. He joined 10 GR after completing a short recruitment training of seven months at Shillong.  The Battalion was under 64 Infantry Brigade, 17 Mountain Division, the same Division that we have here in Sikkim today. His unit was deployed in Nagaland for one year preparing defenses against anticipated Japanese offensive towards India. However, the unit was ordered to move forward and accordingly, after crossing river Chindwin, took up defenses at a place called Tiddim(Central Burma). It was at Tiddim, his unit was involved in the fierce fighting against Japanese and got fully blooded in the battle. Unfortunately, the entire garrison of Tiddim was isolated by the Japanese forces and remained cut off for several weeks. The Battalion was then ordered to withdraw after destroying everything under their disposition from heavy Guns, Tanks, supply depots to arms and ammunitions. The soldiers were carrying only a mosquito net and a pair of uniform with them.  His Battalion finally reached Bishanpur, some 35 miles east of Imphal.

At Bishanpur, his unit was involved in a fierce fighting with the enemy which caused heavy casualties on both sides. In the ensuing battle, L/ Nk Garjaman Rai was seriously wounded by enemy fire in which the bullets pierced through his right shoulder and was immobilized. This happened on 22 March 1944. He was evacuated by air to the Base hospital,Dacca(now capital of Bangladesh). The Japanese were badly defeated at Bishanpur and that was the last frontier of their advance in to India. Lance Naik Garjaman Rai was discharged from Dacca hospital after one month and he rejoined his unit at Bishanpur.

            The Allied forces were able to push the Japanese back from 1944 onward. His unit finally reached PEGU on the bank of river Salwin. It was on 11.11.1945, the news of Japanese surrender finally reached his unit.  Lance Naik Garjaman Rai was witness to all these historic events unfolded in rapid succession. For us today, he symbolizes a living legend of the World War –II, which we have read only in the pages of the history book. Lance Naik Garjaman Rai was with the Battalion in almost all the major operations that his unit carried out against Japanese. His selfless service and dedication to his duties have been recognized by his superiors and was honoured with medals like Burma Star, South East Asia Star and the Indian Defence medal  The entire nation salutes him for his sacrifice, patriotism and valour.He is 90 years old and is staying with his sons and daughters at Assam Lingzey, East Sikkim. Govt of Sikkim is committed to look after these old veterans and is being paid  ex –gratia grant @ Rs 1500/- pm to WW –II veterans and Rs 1000/- pm to  WW –II widows.

No – 5731894 

Rifleman

Padam Singh Gurung

Unit – 2^nd Gorkha Rifles

Resident of Singtam, East Sikkim  

Rifleman Padam Bahadur Gurung was enrolled in the year 1941 in to 3rd Battalion of second Gorkha Rifles. He received his initial military training at Dehradun. Meanwhile, his unit was ordered to move to ZORALAI, Baluchistan for further training in terms of fighting in mountainous terrain similar to that of Burma theatre.

            It may be recalled that during 1940 to 1941, major portion of Allied forces were invested towards Middle East and Europe since it was decided in the Arcadia Conference that the defeat of Germany was the first priority and Japan second.

            3/2 GR moved from Baluchistan to Queta and then to Lahore by road. Thereafter, the unit moved to Tiruchinapalli (Trevendrum) by rail for embarkation to be dispatched to Burma through sea route. The Battalion landed at the southern tip of Burma and immediately joined the fighting against Japanese. It was in January 1942, the Japanese had entered Burma and had occupied almost all areas east of Irrawadi river. His unit continued to be in the thick of the battle for next three years till Japanese called for a ceasefire in 1945. Rfn Padam Bahadur Gurung took active part in almost all the operations that his unit undertook and his selfless service and devotion to duty has been recognized by his superiors. He has been awarded with Burma Star, South East Asia War medal, Good service medal 1947.

He retired from service in 1953 at the age of 31 yrs. Today, he is 99 yrs old.

He is a pensioner and his first pension in 1953 was Rs 5/- only. Today, he is receiving Rs 7000/- pm

He belongs to Singtam, east Sikkim and is living happily with his three sons and one daughter.                                                            

No -10541  

Havildar (Clk)

 Gyampo Namgyal Kazi

3/8 Gorkha Rifles

Resident of Namchi, South Sikkim

Havildar Gyampo Namgyal Kazi was born on 29 May 1922 at Maling House, Mangan, North Sikkim. At the age of 18, he enrolled himself in the Army on 29 May 1940. He was dispatched to 58 Gorkha Training Centre, Shillong for his initial military training for 12 months. During his recruit training, he was also selected to undergo clerical training at Pachamari, Central Province, and today’s Madhya Pradesh. After the completion of his training, he joined his unit which was in the process of moving to Zoralai, Baluchistan for gaining experiences in fighting in mountain terrain.

            After one year of training, unit was ordered to move to Quetta by road  and then to Trichinnapalli (Trivendrum) by rail. From there, his unit was dispatched through sea route to land at the southern part of Burma where the unit was immediately launched in to battle against Japanese. 3/8 GR was part of almost every major operations since 1942 till the final surrender of Japanese in the year 1945.

Havidar Gyampo Namgyal’s dedication and devotion to his duties and loyalty towards his unit and the country earned him Burma Star, South East Asia War medal and Indian Army Service medal.

He retired from service on 31 July 1947 and joined Sikkim Police as Asst Sub –Inspector and served for five years.

He is now 92 Yrs old and staying with his family at Namchi.

No -67609 

Lance Naik

 Ravi Lal Gurung

Unit -  6 Gorkha Rifles

Resident of Polok, Ravangla, South Sikkim

  Lance Naik Ravi Lal Gurung initially belonged to Yangang Pathing before he joined Army. He was enrolled in to the British Indian Army on 28 May 1941 from Jalapahar, Ghoom, Darjeeling. He was sent to Abotabad (now in Pakistan) for a short training of seven months and joined 2/6 GR. His unit was then sent to Quetta by road in 1942 for induction in to North Africa and European Theatre. Accordingly, from Quetta, his unit moved to Karachi by road for embarkation. After a sea journey lasting about 18 days, they reached BASRA, Iraq. It was at Basra, he and his unit got the first taste of fighting the enemy and was thus fully blooded in the fierce fighting with Germans in so many encounters to come in the next two years.  After few days, the unit was ordered to advance towards east and reached Suez Canal. This Battalion was placed under 43 Inf Bde  as part of 48 Indian Infantry Division.  This was the time when the British and German forces were fiercely engaged in the battle to gain superiority over North Africa and hence we see so many times the opposing forces pushing each other from one corner to another corner of North Africa; from Egypt to the east to Algeria or Morocco to the west and vice –versa.  L Nk Ravi Lal Gurung was also the witness to this brutal fighting taking place in the Middle East. His unit was now again moving towards west and finally reached Iran.  From here, the unit was again moving back right up to HAIFA, Egypt. After that, his unit was moved towards Palestine and then to Turkey. In 1943, his unit was inducted in to Italy through Sicily amidst heavy fighting and so many casualties on the sea shore and finally reached Rome in the year 1944. He can still speak little bit in Italian language. Lance Naik Ravi Lal Gurung was always at the frontline fighting the enemy and his courage, sense of patriotism and his dedication to his duties were fully acknowledged by his superior Officers. He was awarded with the medals like Italy Star, 1939 -45 War medal for North Africa and Europe and the Defence medal.  The entire Nation Salutes him today for his selfless sacrifice and courage exhibited by him in the thick of the battle to protect our motherland. 

 He retired from service on 09 Sep 1946 and concentrated towards agriculture.

He has the distinction of being a Panchayat President of Polok block for 25 Years since the inception of Panchayati Raj in Sikkim in 1965.

He is now 89 years old and is living happily with his son and daughters.

No – 111913

Rfn 

Durga Raj Thapa

Unit - 10 Gorkha Rifles

Resident of Malbasay, Soreng, West Sikkim

Rifleman Durga Raj Thapa s/o Late Sri Dhanman Thapa,was enrolled in the British Indian Army on 03 March 1942 from Ghoom, Darjeeling. He was sent to Kangra, then Punjab for Military Training. After completion of training of one year, he joined 10 GR. His unit was in the process of moving to Bombay for onward sea journey along with 7000 strong troops for the overseas service to North Africa and Europe.

They were in the sea for almost one month before finally landing at Suez Canal. The unit was immediately brought in to fighting against the Germans. At this juncture, the Germans were being pushed back from Egypt towards west by the Allied forces. His unit was also part of this counter offensive and was finally able to reach Basra, Iraq. From there the unit moved on to Tripoli, Libya.

            In 1944, his unit entered Italy and reached the city of Toranto in 1945, advancing against heavy resistance from the German Army. Meanwhile, the unit was ordered to be prepared to go to Burma to fight against Japan. However, The Japan had meanwhile called for a ceasefire and surrender. His unit stayed at Toranto for another one year and finally returned to India.

            Rifleman Durga Raj Thapa contributed immensely towards war effort of his battalion through his dedication and devotion to duties as a soldier and was available in almost all operations that his unit undertook. His selfless service towards the motherland has been appreciated, recognized by his superiors and has been awarded with medals like Italy Star, Middle East Star and War medal.

Entire country salutes you today.

Rifleman Durga Raj Thapa is 90 years old and is staying with his family at Malbasay, Soreng, West Sikkim.

No – 55013 

Havildar Amar Singh Rai

Unit - 4^th Burma Regimant

Resident of Temi, South Sikkim

Havildar Amar Singh Rai S/O Late Sri Tek Bahadur Rai Joined 4th Burma Regiment on 09 Oct 1934. He was also enrolled in Sikkim and then taken to Jalapahar, Darjeeling. He was one of those very few Sikkimese sent to Rangoon to join Burmese Regiment. He received his initial military training at Rangoon Garrison.

            It may be recalled that by 1942, Japanese had captured almost all the island nations in the Pacific and were ablke to occupy mainland Malaysia, Thailand, and eastern half of Burma poising serious threat to Britain and America.  His unit was involved in almost all the major operations undertaken by the British forces. His unit saw actions in Burma, Thailand, Malaya,,and later in Singapore.

            His Battalion was also mobilized to the western theatre to North Africa, where one of those fiercest and brutal fighting was taking place. Havildar Amar Singh Rai was involved in all operations that his unit had undertaken. Some of the major operations of the unit against Germans were fought at Cairo, Haifa, Tripoli and Toranto. 

            Havildar Amar Singh Rai retired from service on 26 June 1950 from Rangoon. He speaks Kachin and Burmese languages.

            His dedication and devotion to duties and his selfless service to the nation has been well appreciated and recognized by his superiors and has been awarded with medals like Burma Star, South East Asia Star, Italy Star, Independence medal and Middle East Star.

            He is 103 Years old and is happily living with his sons and daughters at Temi, South Sikkim. Country salutes you for your sacrifices and selfless service to the motherland.

No – 44986 

Rifleman

Chandra Bahadur Limbu

Unit - 8 Gorkha Rifles (later 4 Assam Rifles)

Resident of Soreng, West VSikkim

Rifleman Chandra Bahadur Limbu was enrolled in the Indian Army in the year 1942. He received his initial Military Training at5 Shillong for a very short period. He was inducted in to 8 Gorkha Rifles which was already in the thick of the battle against Japanese in Burma.  His unit was ordered to advance east and cross river Chindwin. After crossing the river, unit advanced against heavy Japanese resistance and reached TIDDIM. But the entire Division was encircled by the Japanese forces around Tiddim and were cut off for several weeks.

            The entire Division was asked to break out from the encirclement and move back towards initial positions. Accordingly, his unit also undertook the fighting withdrawal from Tiddim after destroying and burning everything from heavy Guns, ammunitions, rations and supplies and fuel. His unit finally took up defenses at Bishanpur, some 35 miles away from Imphal towards east.

            During one of the severe encounters with the enemy, Rifleman Chandra Bahadur Limbu was hit by enemy fore and severely injured his left leg and a major portion of calf muscle was blown off. He was evacuated to Base Hospital, Poona where he was treated for almost over a month. 

            He rejoined his unit after having discharged from the Pune Hospital and was in the frontline again. However, this time the Japanese were retreating and the British forces were pushing them back continuously. By 1945, the Battalion finally reached PEGU located on the bank of river Salwin. It was in the month of November 1945, the Japanese finally agreed to surrender before the allied forces.  His Battalion was ordered to move to NONGLAON, Rangoon and stayed there for one and a half year.

            In 1946, Rifleman Chandra Bahadur Limbu was released from Assam Rifles due to demobilization process.

            He has earned Burma Star, Indian Army service medal and Defence medal for his immense contributions toward various operations undertaken by his Battalion and the Sacrifices he made for the country. 

            After retirement, he devoted himself towards his family and agriculture.  He is a non –pensioner  and the Govt of Sikkim has extended an ex- gratia grant  of Rs 1500/- pm to him as WW –II veterans.

            The entire Nation salutes you for your immense contribution and selfless service to the motherland.