By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
-Subadar Major Ishar Singh of 4th Battalion,15th Punjab Regiment was the first Sikh soldier who was awarded Victoria Cross, the highest British Award for showing exceptional bravery & devotion to duty in the battle field in April 1921. Though wounded with a gun shot & bleeding profusely he fought sans his Lewis gun, which was snatched by the enemy during hand-to-hand fight. Many of his fellow British & Indian officers, sepoys & havildars were either killed or badly wounded in the operation . He not only got back his gun in the ensuing battle but also helped his wounded friends. Ishar Singh was later awarded the Order of British India, First Class, which carried with it the title of ‘Sardar Bahadur.’ My grandfather’s younger brother, Sardar Bahadur Narain Singh fought Five Wars including two World Wars. He, too was awarded the Order of British India, First Class, which carried with it the title of ‘Sardar Bahadur. When he died my mother, grandmother & paternal aunts went to Dhanbad. At Railway Station they simple told his name. The rickshaw pullers took them to His residence. Born this Day in 1858.
-Esther Victoria Abraham, actress model & one of the first Indian female film producers & the winner of first Miss India pageant in 1947. Known as a ‘stunt star’ she appeared in many films including ‘Ulti Ganga’, ‘Bijli’, ‘Basant’ and Jungle King .She also produced more than a Dozen films under her banner Silver Productions. Born this Day in 1916 in Calcutta.
-Rudyard Kipling, well known British short-story writer, poet, and novelist was also born this day in Bombay in 1865.
