‘Against All Odds’ — a salute to Longewala battle hero
By Vishal Gulati
Chandigarh, Dec 14 (IANS): The guide, ‘In opposition to All Odds’, is the actual story of the braveness, grit and dedication of the Longewala battle through which 120 Indian Military troopers defended the submit of Longewala (or Laungewala) within the western sector on the evening of December 4-5, 1971, towards a formidable enemy onslaught of practically 60 tanks and greater than 3,000 Pakistani Infantry Brigade.
It’s an official biography of Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the hero of the Indian Military, who was of a Main rank at the moment, and led the twenty third Alpha Firm of the Punjab regiment at Longewala in Rajasthan.
The feat of Brigadier Chandpuri and his males was featured in Bollywood blockbuster ‘Border’ which was launched in 1997. His function was performed by actor Sunny Deol. The film gained accolades throughout all sections of society.
Commemorating 50 years of the 1971 Indo-Pak warfare, the guide ‘In opposition to All Odds’ is a salute to the bravery of troopers of Longewala who defended the essential submit towards all odds.
Written by Gurjot Singh Kaler, Punjab Superintendent of Police, the guide highlights the valiant function of Main Chandpuri and his 120 Indian troopers who courageously fought towards the massive enemy onslaught by the Pakistani army and stood victorious in defending the honour, respect and integrity of the motherland.
Longewala was, thus, a decisive battle.
This guide is completely different from the J.P. Dutta-directed film ‘Border’.
‘In opposition to All Odds’, not solely depicts the battle of Longewala however is an official biography which really depicts the life story of the hero of Longewala, Brigadier Chandpuri, that can encourage the approaching generations to reside a lifetime of braveness, grit and dedication.
It took round three and a half years to do analysis and essentially the most attention-grabbing spotlight of the guide is that it captures the creativeness of the readers because it has been written in a lucid, clear and comprehensible method within the type of an engrossing dialog between the writer and the protagonist of the plot.
It has a complete of 9 chapters and a few uncommon pictures of Brigadier Chandpuri that have been by no means within the public area earlier than, Kaler, a younger police officer with a literary thoughts, informed IANS.
The guide traces the journey of Main Chandpuri, proper from his beginning until his closing adieu from the world. It additionally addresses varied points associated to the battle of Longewala which have by no means been heard earlier than.
The guide was not too long ago unveiled within the Kapil Sharma Present by actor Sunny Deol and it was additionally showcased on the battle website of Longewala on December 5.
Kaler, who has beforehand labored with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, shared his personal lengthy affiliation with the household and the teachings he picked up from Brigadier Chandpuri, who was imbued with an incredible sense of humour.
He talked about how Brigadier Chandpuri not solely refused many political presents and even the supply from the Canadian Military to hitch their forces throughout his stint in Gaza as a part of UN forces.
The most effective prayer and repair to the god is to serve his creation was the motto of Brigadier Chandpuri, who believed in serving the needy and downtrodden as a substitute of going to the gurdwaras, Kaler added.
Paying a heartfelt tribute to the battle of Longewala, the guide has been printed by Ferntree and marketed and distributed by Sensible Books India.
A embellished warfare veteran, Brigadier Chandpuri died in a non-public hospital in Mohali close to Chandigarh on November 17, 2018. He was 77 and is survived by his spouse and three sons.
He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for the heroic stand-off and forcing the enemy to retreat. He was born on November 22, 1940.
The MVC quotation learn: “Main Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding an organization of the Punjab regiment occupying a defended locality within the Rajasthan sector. On December 5, 1971, within the early hours of the morning the enemy launched a large assault on this locality with infantry and tanks. Main Chandpuri exhibited dynamic management in holding his command intact and steadfast.
“Exhibiting distinctive braveness and dedication, he impressed his males shifting from bunker to bunker, encouraging them in beating again the enemy until reinforcements arrived. On this heroic defence, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and compelled them to retreat forsaking twelve tanks.
“On this motion, Main Kuldip Singh Chandpuri displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring management and distinctive devotion to responsibility in step with the best traditions of the Indian Military.”
A soft-spoken however agency man, Brigadier Chandpuri settled in Chandigarh’s Sector-33 after retiring from the Indian Military, remaining energetic socially.
The well-known {photograph} of his troopers dancing atop vanquished Pakistani tanks after the battle of Longewala was gained, adorned the wall in an enormous body in the lounge of his home.
