A day with PVC winner Yogendra Singh Yadav

During my childhood days, my grandfather used to tell me the story of heroics of Major Shaitan Singh (Param Vir Chakra winner) in 1962 war in Ladakh. Then came the Param Vir Chakra serial in early 90’s and I was very fascinated by the stories of bravery of soldiers. I have not imagined even in dreams that I will meet with a Param Vir Chakra winner.

This dream came true on Sunday (1/07/2012). Param Vir Chakra winner Naib Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav of 18th Grenadiers (Tiger Hill fame) visited our campus for half an hour. It was a very emotional moment for me as I was meeting with my childhood hero. I could not believe that such a humble and simple person was responsible to capture the most important peak of the entire Kargil war .We just had very brief interaction with him. He went away with the promise that he will visit the campus again.  It is often said that a true solder never breaks his promise. Yogendra Singh ji kept his promise and again visited our campus on Monday (02/07/12) night.

He gave an awesome lecturer about the Tiger Hill battle and the lessons he learned from the incident. He started the speech at 12.30 AM and continued for 50 odd minutes. Not a single person among the audience lost their focus even for a single minute. I have attended many guest lecturers in college and my previous company but this was the best I have ever attended. His speech was so powerful that it seemed to me that I am watching a discovery channel documentary of Tiger Hill battle. He told us how a 19 year old boy from a remote village in UP won the Tiger Hill for India. All of his fellow soldiers had died and he was injured by enemy’s hand grenade and several bullets in leg, hand and chest (Fortunately he had some Rs. 5 coin in his upper pocket which saved his life when he was shot in chest). But he still attacked Pakistani soldiers and killed many of them. Pakistanis were forced to retreat  in confusion that fresh reinforcements had arrived. It is often said a soldier fights for his fellow soldiers. And Yogendra Yadav ji was the perfect example for this. Even though his one leg and one hand were severely injured, he came back to his company’s MMG position to alert his company about imminent Pakistani attack. He also talked about the divine intervention which showed him the way back to the MMG position. After the war he was awarded Param Vir Chakra (Only 21 brave Indian soldiers have been awarded  Param Vir Chakra and only 7 of them has won the award in their life time).

 He told us that you can also serve the country in your own field. He told that one can achieve anything with determination, hard work and willpower. He told that if a 12th pass can win the highest gallantry award, then an MBA student can achieve anything. It was the very motivated speech. Many of us were forced to introspect that what we have done for our country in our lifetime. The main lesson learnt was that one should not forget his motherland in the race of life and we should learn to respect our brave soldiers.

Thanks Great Lakes for providing such a wonderful opportunity to meet a true living Legend.