Chapter 6: Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs

Author: Vandana Sehgal
Class 11 – General English | PSEB | A Panorama of Life

Q.1 Comprehension

(a) Short Answer Type Questions

1. Name the five recipients of the Param Vir Chakra mentioned in the lesson “Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs”.

The five recipients of the Param Vir Chakra mentioned in the lesson are:

Major Som Nath Sharma
Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa
Havildar Abdul Hamid
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
Captain Vikram Batra

2. When and where did Major Som Nath Sharma die?

Major Som Nath Sharma died on 3 November 1947 while fighting Pakistani raiders at Badgam in the Kashmir Valley during the Indo-Pak War of 1947–48. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his bravery.

3. How did Major Som Nath face the mortar firing from the enemy?

Major Som Nath Sharma displayed extraordinary courage under heavy mortar fire. Although his right hand was in plaster, he moved from post to post, encouraged his soldiers, filled ammunition magazines and supplied them to his men. He refused to withdraw even when the enemy greatly outnumbered his company.

4. In which war did Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa distinguish himself as a great soldier?

Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa distinguished himself during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. He bravely defended Sirijap-1 post in Ladakh against repeated Chinese attacks.

5. Havildar Abdul Hamid is known as “a killer of tanks”. Why?

Havildar Abdul Hamid earned this name because he destroyed enemy Patton tanks during the Indo-Pak War of 1965. Using a recoilless gun mounted on a jeep, he destroyed enemy tanks despite intense shelling and tank fire.

6. What was Abdul Hamid’s role during the Sino-Indian War of 1962?

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, Abdul Hamid’s battalion was part of the 7th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier John Dalvi. It participated in the Battle of Namka Chu against Chinese forces.

7. Why was Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon awarded the Param Vir Chakra?

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his courageous defence of Srinagar Air Base during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. He engaged Pakistani fighter aircraft despite being heavily outnumbered, hit one aircraft directly and set another ablaze before his own aircraft was hit.

8. In which war did Captain Vikram Batra display exemplary bravery to win the Param Vir Chakra?

Captain Vikram Batra displayed exemplary bravery during the Kargil War of 1999. He played a significant role in recapturing strategic mountain positions, including Point 5140 and Point 4875.

9. How did Vikram Batra come to join the Indian Army?

Vikram Batra was selected to join the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun in 1996. After completing his training, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and later rose to the rank of Captain.

10. What was the effect of the capture of Point 5140 during the Kargil War?

The capture of Point 5140 by Captain Vikram Batra and his men marked the beginning of a series of Indian military successes. It helped them recapture other important positions, including Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak, Three Pimples, Point 4750 and Point 4875.

(b) Long Answer Type Questions

1. Describe the circumstances of the martyrdom of Major Som Nath Sharma.

Major Som Nath Sharma was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award. He belonged to the 4 Kumaon Regiment and fought during the Indo-Pak War of 1947–48 in Kashmir.

On 3 November 1947, his company was sent on a fighting patrol to Badgam village. A large group of tribal raiders approached the village and surrounded the Indian company from three sides. The Indian soldiers suffered heavy casualties from continuous mortar bombardment, and the enemy outnumbered them seven to one.

Despite having his right hand in plaster because of an earlier injury, Major Sharma refused to remain behind. He moved from post to post, encouraged his men and personally filled ammunition magazines to maintain the firing power of his company.

During the battle, a mortar shell exploded near ammunition while he was fighting. He was killed, but his courage inspired his soldiers to continue resisting the enemy. The enemy suffered approximately 200 casualties, which delayed its advance and gave Indian troops time to secure Srinagar airfield.

Major Som Nath Sharma sacrificed his life while defending his country. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his outstanding courage and devotion to duty.

2. Describe the role of Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa during the Chinese attack.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa displayed exceptional bravery during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. He was serving with the 1st Battalion of the 8th Gorkha Rifles at Sirijap-1 post near Chushul airport in Ladakh.

On 20 October 1962, Chinese forces opened heavy artillery and mortar fire on the post. The shelling damaged the wireless section and disrupted communication. The Chinese then attacked in overwhelming numbers.

Major Thapa and his men courageously repulsed the first attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The Chinese launched a second attack after further shelling, but the defenders again resisted them successfully.

A third attack followed, supported by tanks and infantry. Although the Indian soldiers had suffered casualties and their ammunition was running out, they continued to fight. When the Chinese finally overran the post, Major Thapa jumped out of his trench and fought the intruders in hand-to-hand combat. He was eventually overpowered and captured.

He was initially believed to have been killed, but it was later discovered that he had been taken prisoner. After his release, he resumed his military career. His courage, leadership and fighting spirit earned him the Param Vir Chakra.

3. Explain the bravery displayed by Havildar Abdul Hamid in the Indo-Pak War of 1965.

Havildar Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers. He displayed remarkable courage during the Indo-Pak War of 1965 in the Khem Karan sector of Punjab.

On 10 September 1965, Pakistani forces launched an attack with Patton tanks near Cheema village on the Bhikhiwind road. The attack was preceded by intense artillery shelling, and the enemy tanks penetrated the forward Indian positions.

Recognising the danger, Abdul Hamid moved to a flanking position in a jeep fitted with a recoilless gun. Despite heavy enemy fire, he took an advantageous position and destroyed the leading enemy tank. He then changed his position and set another tank ablaze.

The enemy spotted his jeep and directed concentrated machine-gun and high-explosive fire at him. Undeterred, Abdul Hamid continued firing at another tank. During the action, he was mortally wounded by an enemy shell.

His fearless action inspired his fellow soldiers to fight bravely and repel the enemy’s tank assault. His sacrifice became a shining example of courage and devotion to duty. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously and became widely known as a “killer of tanks”.

4. How did Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon defend the Srinagar air base in 1971?

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon served in No. 18 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, known as “The Flying Bullets”. During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, he was based at Srinagar and flew a Folland Gnat fighter aircraft.

On 14 December 1971, six Pakistani F-86 Sabre aircraft attacked Srinagar airfield. Sekhon was on readiness duty when the attack began. Despite the heavy enemy fire, he managed to take off and engage the attacking aircraft.

During the ensuing aerial battle, Sekhon scored a direct hit on one enemy aircraft and set another ablaze. The damaged aircraft was seen flying away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke. The remaining Pakistani aircraft continued the attack, and after a prolonged dogfight at low altitude, Sekhon’s aircraft was hit and he was killed.

His brave resistance forced the remaining Pakistani aircraft to return without pressing the attack. His courage, flying skill and determination earned him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. He remains an inspiring example of the bravery of the Indian Air Force.

5. Explain the part played by Captain Vikram Batra in the Kargil War in June 1999.

Captain Vikram Batra was an officer in the Indian Army who became famous for his extraordinary bravery during the Kargil War of 1999. He was commissioned into the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and was sent to the Kargil sector when the conflict intensified.

He was assigned the task of recapturing Point 5140, a strategically important mountain position at an altitude of approximately 17,000 feet. Known by the nickname “Sher Shah”, he decided to lead his men in a manner that would surprise the enemy.

Captain Batra and his soldiers climbed a steep rocky cliff under heavy machine-gun fire. Near the top, Batra and five of his men continued their advance and attacked an enemy machine-gun post with grenades. He personally killed three enemy soldiers in close combat and was seriously injured, but insisted that the mission continue.

Inspired by his courage, the other soldiers charged the enemy position and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on 20 June 1999. The victory was followed by further successes at other strategic positions.

Captain Batra later helped recapture Point 4750 and Point 4875. He attained martyrdom on 7 July 1999 while trying to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his exceptional courage and sacrifice.

Q.2 Vocabulary

1. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box.

Words: casualties, posthumously, overwhelming, approached, infiltrators, displayed, combat, recipient

Major Som Nath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
Infiltrators crossed the Line of Control in Jammu and entered India.
As he could not afford to pay his fees, he approached the Principal for help.
The brave officer killed two enemy soldiers in a hand-to-hand combat.
The enemy suffered lots of casualties and took to their heels.
In 1962, the Chinese attacked the Indian army in overwhelming numbers.
After his great sacrifice, he was posthumously honoured with the highest military decoration.
He displayed the highest bravery in the fight and made the enemy run away.

2. Form adjectives from the following words.

Word	Adjective
(i) Poverty	Poor
(ii) Mercy	Merciful
(iii) Power	Powerful
(iv) Destroy	Destructive
(v) Gallantry	Gallant
(vi) Success	Successful
(vii) Bravery	Brave
(viii) Length	Long
(ix) Prestige	Prestigious
(x) Courage	Courageous

Q.3 Grammar

1. Fill in each blank with a suitable determiner.

Would you like some tea?
All my life I have been waiting for this moment.
I have no time for all these formalities.
Both lawyers pleaded their cases well.
Some books are to be read only in parts.

2. Change the voice.

(i) She could not help me with my lessons.

I could not be helped with my lessons by her.

(ii) Our conscience has been mortgaged to money.

Money has mortgaged our conscience.

(iii) The doctor advised the patient not to eat rice.

The patient was advised by the doctor not to eat rice.

(iv) The flies were laying eggs in her wounds.

Eggs were being laid in her wounds by the flies.

(v) Do you imitate others?

Are others imitated by you?

3. Identify the tenses in the following sentences.

(i) Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country.

Tense: Simple Present Tense.

(ii) We have not conquered anyone.

Tense: Present Perfect Tense.

(iii) My hostess will keep her promise.

Tense: Simple Future Tense.

(iv) A commission of inquiry is leaving for Hiroshima.

Tense: Present Continuous Tense.

(v) A car was waiting for us.

Tense: Past Continuous Tense.