By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
शहीदों की चिताओं पर लगेंगे हर बरस मेले,
वतन पर मरने वालों का यही बाकी निशां होगा
Born on 26 September 1921 at Mahla Kalan, district Moga in Punjab, Subedar Joginder Singh joined the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment in 1936. During the Sino-Indian War Singh was heading a platoon at the Bum La Pass in the North-East Frontier when the Chinese treacherously attacked their post from three sides. Though outnumbered, they fought bravely against the might of the relatively larger and militarily well-equipped enemy until the last bullet. Many soldiers died and others wounded in the battle that ensued. The remaining soldiers, left with their bayonets, then charged towards the Chinese shouting the war cry ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’.
Joginder Singh killed many Chinese soldiers with his bayonet before he was captured by the enemy. He later succumbed to his injuries and died in Chinese custody on 23 October 1962. He was posthumously awarded the ”Param Veer Chakra’, India’s highest gallantry award, equivalent to Victoria Cross of the United Kingdom, for his distinguished services and valor.
A film titled “Subedar Joginder Singh”, starring Gippy Grewal, Aditi Sharma, Gugu Gill & Sardar Sohi was produced in 2018, directed by Simerjit Singh. The movie was shot at different locations in Rajasthan & J&K. A TV serial also highlighted the story of his bravery years ago.
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