Remembering Major Somnath Sharma( PVC) on my daily morning walk

A morning walk- Major Somnath Sharma Park, New Delhi

Every morning since the 1st of June, I walk in the park close to our home. As parks go, its absolutely beautiful. Green, clean, and very well maintained, with flowering bougainvillea, beautiful shaded walkways and a wide variety of greenery.Like me, there are many other people who also love to walk in the same park and its a pleasure to breathe in the clean morning air at that time. Goes without saying that the air is not half as fresh and clean as the day progresses, but be that as it may, this park is truly the lungs of the area.

But there is one more very important  reason why I'm choosing to write about this particular park. Located right next to Som Vihar , that primarily Army Colony colony in South Delhi, this park is a memorial  to the  legendary war hero, Major Somnath Sharma who died so that his countrymen could live.

In memory of that legendary War Hero-Major Somnath Sharma

Major Som Nath Sharma was the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra (PVC). Param Vir Chakra is the highest Indian gallantry award. Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra  for his bravery in Badgam, Kashmir in November 1947 while fighting Pakistani invaders. 

Born on 31 January 1923, in Himachal Pradesh, Major Somnath Sharma, was commissioned in the Kumaon Regiment on 22 February 1942. On 22 October 1947, Pakistan launched the tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir with the intention of  grabbing the Kashmir valley by force. To save the State from a tribal invasion, India dispatched troops to Srinagar. On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in the Kashmir Valley. He was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and his company sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing artillery bombardment. Realizing the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost,  Major Somnath Sharma and his troops who were  outnumbered seven to one, fought till the very end and halted the advance of Pakistani invaders for a few crucial hours till Indian reinforcements arrived.

Incomparable beauty reflected in the early morning light

She steps onto my favourite path- Leafy, shaded and oh so beautiful

Her daily dose- 8 rounds without fail

As I turn the corner

Thats me- Taking a break

Up close and personal-Shades of green

Looking up and loving it!

Pinks, greens and then some more

Light and shadow play

As I walk, I think.. 
The same chain of thoughts every day.

I love this park and I love the calming routine of a morning walk that preps me up for the rest of my day.

But over and above everything else, I think about Major Somnath Sharma,  the dedicated army soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice- that of his life and fought till his last breath.

Then laid down his life so that his countrymen may live...