Sino-India war (1962) gave us many scars and is remembered as one of the biggest losses of India in the history. But since we had a jawan like Subedar Joginder Singh and his brave 23 men battalion to fight with enemies, our chest still gets swelled up with pride.
Subedar Joginder Singh to be precise was the hero of Sino India war. Despite lacking proper arms, he along with his battalion proved to be a strong resistance for the enemies and fought till the last breath. A film titled “Subedaar Joginder Singh” is all set to hit the screens on the 6th of April 2018.
This film on Subedar Joginder Singh is being made by Seven Colors Motion Pictures in association with Unisys Infosolutions and Saga Music. Well, this is the 1st biopic on a Param Vir Chakra Awardee and it would not only be released in Punjabi but will also be released in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
The film stars Gippy Grewal, Guggu Gill, Kulwinder Billa, Aditi Sharma, Rajvir Jawanda, Karamjit Anmol, Roshan Prince and Sardar Sohi. This multi-starrer film is directed by Simerjit Singh. The first look has been released and you can’t miss it;
Birth & joining Army
Subedar Joginder Singh was born on 28 September, 1921 in village Mahla Kalan (Moga), District Faridkot, Punjab. His father’s name was Sher Singh so he inherited the significance of that name while birth only.
In 1936 when his age was 15, Joginder joined the army as a police constable in the First Sikh Regiment. He served in the British Indian army at various places on the Burma Front and won many laurels. After Independence, he served with the Sikh regiment at Srinagar in 1948 when Pakistani tribals attacked Kashmir.
1962 Sino-India War
1962 Sino-India War
It was 20 Oct 1962 when Chinese regiments with all their might attacked rather weak, technically unsound and unprepared India from two fronts i.e. NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) and Ladakh.
Three regiments of the Chinese Army challenged the Indian position at Namka Chu on the MacMahon line (the international boundary between India and Tibet) with a strong attack. Indian army had outdated weapons, almost no line of communication in the answer but still stood strong in front of the enemy.
Strong and courageous!
The Chinese Army had their eyes on Tawang in North East Frontier Agency (now Arunachal Pradesh) which was strategically very important for them. As they moved ahead and attacked the area in the late hours of October 23, 1962, they didn’t know the defence will be so strong especially when the man force was so small.
23 men of Joginder Singh led battalion fought with 3 wave attack of China each around 200 soldiers strong.
A great strategy that Joginder Singh and his battalion had created helped them defend the area in a shockingly better way than anyone could’ve imagined. Along with the intelligent strategy, they also followed a systematic, conservative yet aggressive way of attack which destructed the 1st wave of enemy sooner than they had expected.
The second wave followed and received a similar attack but the battalion had reduced to half till then. Even Joginder got wounded badly but that didn’t affect his spirit. Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to fight with all his might and didn’t take his foot back even for a while.
By the start of 3rd wave attack, the battalion was left with very few men but the courage was intact. Even after witnessing all this they continued to hold the ground. Joginder himself manned a light machine-gun, continued screaming instructions and adjusting defensive positions like a soldier in its truest form.
Unfortunately, till now they had lost most of their ammunition and there was no way to get more. The badly wounded Joginder was captured as a prisoner of war who later died in the Chinese captivity. Only 3 out of 23 men could survive and that too because they were sent to get more ammunition.
Unfortunately, till now they had lost most of their ammunition and there was no way to get more. The badly wounded Joginder was captured as a prisoner of war who later died in the Chinese captivity. Only 3 out of 23 men could survive and that too because they were sent to get more ammunition.
And he received the Param Vir Chakra Award!
For putting out a great example of courage and undying spirit of patriotism, Subedar Joginder Singh was awarded Independent India’s highest wartime gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra. The last line on his citation reads as follows:
“Throughout the action, Subedar Joginder Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order.”
“Throughout the action, Subedar Joginder Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order.”
Even Chinese Army as a rare mark of respect recognised his courage and bravery in battle by sending back his ashes to India with full military honours on May 17, 1963. Later, in a poignant ceremony at the Sikh Regimental Centre at Meerut, his ashes were handed over to his widow Gurdial Kaur and young children.
Knowing the story of the great soldier, we can’t wait for the film now. We believe Subedar Joginder Singh will not just narrate the story of brave soldier in amazing manner, it will also prove to be a landmark in Punjabi Cinema.
