Page 8 - NIS English 16-30 June,2023

Personality Manoj Kumar Pandey

The daring

Kargil war hero,

awarded Param Vir

Chakra posthumously

BORN: 25 JUNE 1975 | DIED: 3 JULY 1999

Manoj Kumar Pandey, who bravely fought the enemies in the Kargil war to defend the
nation, had only one resolve: India First, i.e., Nation First. Manoj Pandey, who attained
martyrdom by sacrificing his life for the country, was posthumously awarded the
Param Vir Chakra. He showed unwavering courage, valour, and exceptional leadership
throughout the war, for which the entire nation is grateful.

aptain Manoj Kumar Pandey was born on after bunker. Meanwhile, a bullet struck him in
June 25, 1975, in Rudha village, Sitapur the middle of the forehead. Manoj Pandey fell
Cdistrict, Uttar Pradesh. His father's name into a deep slumber at the last bunker, profusely
was Gopichandra Pandey, and his mother's bleeding, with the fiery words 'Na Chhodanu'
name was Mohini. Manoj attended the Sainik (Nepali: don't spare them). Encouraged by his
School in Lucknow, where he learned discipline unwavering bravery, his platoon men continued
and patriotism. He was selected for the NDA. to attack the enemy, eventually capturing
He wrote in one of the form's columns that his the post. Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was
ultimate goal is to get the Param Vir Chakra. posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for
He was the type of person who was not afraid his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice.
of a challenge and craved respect and celebrity. On the occasion of 'Parakram Diwas' on
Following his schooling, he was trained at the January 23, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, named 21 unnamed Andaman and Nicobar
near Pune, and commissioned as an officer in Islands after the 21 Param Vir Chakra winners.
the 1st Corps of the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regiment. One of these islands was also named after
He was posted in the Kashmir Valley. Manoj Kumar Pandey. "This renaming of the
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was tasked islands of Andaman and Nicobar is not only an
with clearing the Khalubar Ridge in Batalik, honour to those Paramveer Chakra winners but
Jammu and Kashmir, during Operation Vijay. also an honour to the Indian forces," he said at
Captain Manoj, commanding Platoon No. 5, the naming ceremony. From east to west, north
marched forward with a thunderous war cry to south, far and wide, whether sea or mountain,
of 'Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali' on July 3, 1999. the area is deserted or inaccessible, and the
The enemy opened fire on his company as it country's forces are deployed to protect every
advanced. He attacked the enemy without fear, part of the country. Captain Pandey was only
killing four soldiers and destroying two bunkers. 24 years old when he was martyred. He set an
Despite being injured in the shoulder and legs, he example of bravery and courage for the nation at
continued to lead his party in capturing bunker a young age.

6 New India Samachar June 16-30, 2023