User:Lalima~enwiki

Major Udai Singh was commissioned into the elite 1 Para Commandos, Special Forces of the Indian Army in June 1997.

In the 7 years that followed up to his martyrdom on the 29th of November 2003, he served almost always in the mountains he loved, in the Jammu & Kashmir valley.

Major Udai Singh was awarded the Sena Medal in 2002, a few months before his martyrdom and then a Shaurya Chakra (posthumous) in 2003.

Being an army kid himself, he grew up in cantonments around the country along with his sister Lalima. Udai spent the greater part of his schooling years in The Army Public School, Dagshai. He passed out of there in 1992. Not one for academics he excelled in games, sports & other extra curricular activities. He loved his alma mater & was forever grateful for the opportunity he'd had, taking time off to visit it as often as he could in the years to follow.

Udai graduated from The Deshbandhu College, Delhi with an honors degree in Political Science and was soon absorbed as a management trainee with the Taj Mansingh, Delhi. However, what he truly aspired for was a career in the Special Forces of the Indian Army.

His brief career was spent almost entirely in the mountains of Kashmir with a few months here and there given to the short courses run by the army. He did the free fall & the para jumps along with a course in deep sea diving.

He loved what he did, never regretting for an instant his choice of career. His life in the army was a source of great pride and enthusiasm. It was all that he had ever wished it to be.

SENA MEDAL Captain Udai Singh was tasked to launch his troops immediately by night on 1 July 2002 in Danti Forest, Jammu and Kashmir. At 1030hrs, the leading squad observed terrorist movement and immediately killed one terrorist. The remaining terrorist brought down a heavy volume of fire on the troops. Acting dynamically with utmost tenacity taking advantage of thick forest and restricted visibility Capt. Udai Singh then moved along with his squad and closed on the terrorist under heavy volume of hostile fire.

Captain Udai Singh ruthlessly pursued single handedly with extreme courage and excellent marksmanship and tactical acumen under fire killing two more terrorists in close quarter combat. For displayed conspicuous bravery, exemplary leadership and raw courage, Captain Udai Singh was awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry)

SHAURYA CHAKRA Major Udai Singh has developed a comprehensive schedule to demolish the intelligence and logistics network being provided to the terrorist by the Over Ground Workers in the general area in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir. The officer commenced operations by launching a search and destroy operation in the general area at 0300hrs on 29th November 2003. The team physically reconnoitered the thickly forested area. At 1745hrs, in fading light, when the officer was leading his team to lay an ambush, the party suddenly came face to face with a group of terrorist who were approaching from higher ground at a close range of 10 meters. During the deadly fire fight that ensued, the officer sustained gun shot wound in the neck, while his buddy sustained multiple gun shot wounds. Displaying extraordinary courage, with utter disregard to personal safety, the officer continued to close in with the terrorists, killing one terrorist and wounding another. Major Udai Singh then helped extricating his fatally injured buddy before succumbing to his injuries.

Major Udai Singh displayed indomitable courage and exemplary leadership in fighting the terrorist and making the supreme sacrifice.

Paper Napkin ''A neatly folded paper napkin was found by his parents in a diary returned to them along with his personal belongings. It speaks volumes about a person we thought to be a man of few words. It is dated June 1997. Udai was just commissioned and on his way to joining the paltan. One lovely Scotch on the rocks before the gruelling probation. What motivates man? - One wonders - What motivated Udai is pretty obvious. Given below are the contents of what was scribbled by the motivated and dedicated young officer on a simple, thin, typical-army-mess paper napkin.''

27 June '97

Today evening is one of those special times. I'm a few hours away from my destination. Ever since I can recollect I've wanted to be in a combat situation, to train hard and command the finest troops. I've been commissioned into one of the finest battalions in the Indian army, "The One Para Commandos".

I feel very proud about it and the way of life which I'm about to lead is something I've always wanted in life.But I'm not sure what's going to happen when I reach there, am I going to clear my probation or not? All my family and friends are really banking on my making it. I know one thing, that if I return from here empty handed, my life is going to be doomed. I will loose my self respect and I won't be able to look in the mirror (and also in my parent's eyes!) I don't know if being a part of "One Para" will make my life a success story or not or it will give me all that stimulation which one deserves from his job or not. But there is only ONE truth which I know. Being a commando in the Indian army and leading men into the jaws of death will make my soul rest in peace one day! Because when the great scorer comes to mark against my name, for all that I did, I will be a proud man who served this country and a cause for which so many brave Indian men laid down their lives.

I will make my place in the world. I might not accumulate a lot of money, but at the end of the whole game of life, I will probably be one of the richest Indian men! May God, bless the Indian army. Its going through troubled times these days but one day it will be where it belongs and I will make it happen.

''I dedicate my life to the SPECIAL FORCES, and I promise to make my country, family, friends and myself proud. One Para Commandos here I come.''

'''2Lt. Uday Singh ( after a lovely scotch in Guwahati City.)'''