Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat
Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat
Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat (Captain) (06 July, 1939 - 15 August, 1964) was an officer of the Indian Army who was the first martyr of the 5 Kumaon Regiment. He sacrificed his life on the Indo-China border on 15 August, 1964. He played a significant role in the re-raising of the 5th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment from 1962-64. He was from village Dighal, Jhajjar, Haryana.
Early Life
Capt. Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat was born to Ch. Udey Singh Ahlawat and Smt. Bharat Kaur in village Dighal, Jhajjar, Haryana. His father Ch. Udey Singh Ahlawat was a prominent name in the village and Rohtak district as a politician and social worker and also held various reputable positions. His grandfather Chaudhary Mamchand Singh also served in the Army for 12 years and later served in the police. Capt. Narender Pal was fondly called as "Ninni" by family and friends.
As a kid he studied at Primary School, Dighal and then at Vaish High School, Rohtak. He graduated from Panjab University Government College, Rohtak in 1959. He was the president of the college student union in 1959 and was also the sergeant of his NCC company. He was a good player of many sports, an excellent athlete and a champion of cricket. He was also a fine dramatist and an artist.
Career
He entered the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun in 1960 as a Gentleman Cadet and soon rose to the rank of a Platoon Commander. He successfully passed out of the academy and joined Kumaon Regiment (5 Kumaon) at Ranikhet as 2nd Lieutenant in 1961 and was promoted as Lieutenant and then Captain in 1962-1963 successively in appreciation of his devotion to duty. Besides being a brave soldier, he was a smart boy and possessed a great many qualities of head and heart. He was the most dutiful son of the soil.
He sacrificed his life on the Indo-China border on 15 August, 1964 in defence of his motherland leaving behind his immortal name, fame and the proud family of Ahlawats. He was the first martyr of 5 Kumaon.
Legacy
A memorial was constructed at Mansarovar Park, Rohtak in memory of Capt. Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat. A Samadhi Sthal was also made at Sikkim (Indo-China Border) at the place of his death. He is remembered by his regiment by being honoured at the quarter guard of 5 Kumaon Regiment.
He belongs to Dighal village which is famous for its immense contribution to the armed forces because of which a memorial was made at the village known as Veer Sainik Yaadgaar featuring all the bravehearts from the village. An event is organised every Independence Day at this Veer Sainik Yaadgaar to pay homage to Capt. NPS Ahlawat’s sacrifice. The road in front of his residence at Rohtak was named after him.
He is survived by his elder brother, Late Ch. Surender Pal Singh Ahlawat’s family -
Sanjeev Singh Ahlawat (Nephew)
Arnav Udai Singh Ahlawat (Grandnephew)
Gallery
Capt. Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat’s samadhi at Indo-China Border.
Capt. Narender Pal Singh Ahlawat featured in Jat Gazette (posthumously).
References
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