Whole Pledge – Whole Dude

Indian Independence – A Measure of my Life

**India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life.**

I record major events of my life in relation to India’s independence on August 15, 1947. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 and my life’s journey became associated with the story of this young nation.

25th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY MEDAL – 1972

25th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY MEDAL -OPERATION EAGLE 1971 — **India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life. 25th Independence Anniversary Medal. Indian Independence-A Measure of my Life.**

This medal was awarded to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Indian independence in 1972. The medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police forces who were serving on 15 August 1972. This medal gives me an opportunity to remember the twenty-fifth year of my life. I was then serving in Indian Army in the rank of a Captain and was posted at a unit located in the North-East Frontier Agency which is now known as the State of Arunachal Pradesh. We all had a very good reason to rejoice on that day. India had scored a major victory in the India-Pakistan War of 1971 and we took pride in the fact that we had a role in shaping that epic event in India’s military history.

Operation Eagle 1971-72 – The Chittagong Hill Tracts – Liberation War of Bangladesh:

India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life. OPERATION EAGLE 1971-1972. THE MILITARY VICTORY IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS-THE CELEBRATION OF 25th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life. Operation Eagle 1971-72, the India-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Liberation of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in Special Frontier Force, Establishment No. 22 (Vikas Regiment) under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy initiatives. She approved our military Operation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this clandestine military operation, we faced a very critical moment and it demanded the Prime Minister’s approval for deploying aircraft in enemy territory, a decision that she alone can make. While awaiting her decision, I carried out a difficult war casualty evacuation mission to overcome the challenge posed by the lack of airlift facility. The importance of this situation could be understood as it required the Prime Minister’s intervention. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.

**India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life.** Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands(December 1985 to December 1989) – Lieutenant General (Retd) TS Oberoi, PVSM, VrC., former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, Pune, former Inspector General, Special Frontier Force, former Commandant, Headquarters Establishment No. 22. He is the tall person in this photo wearing dark brown turban. I knew him since 1971. Under his able leadership, the Liberation of Bangladesh commenced during November 1971. Apart from his military wisdom, he took a good care of all men under his Command. While I was proceeding to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he individually greeted all the members of my team and delayed the departure of aircraft to make sure that a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. He paid personal attention to all the aspects of the military mission to secure the well-being of men apart from achieving success in accomplishing the military task. The sense of warmth he radiated is easily felt when we meet him in person. His grandson provided me the link to this photo. Photo Credit – Trishna-Ajay-Picasa Web Album.

**India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life.** The remarks made by Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan of Special Frontier Force on May 13, 1972 in my Annual Confidential Report for 1971-72 are as follows:”A very conscientious and Tough MO who worked hard during the Bangladesh Ops. He did very well and showed Maturity which was beyond the call of duty. I have recommended this Officer for a gallantry award for which he deserves eminently. He is physically Tough and cheerful. Is a fresh entrant with less than 2 years of Service and yet he displayed capability and confidence.

India’s First Independence Day celebration on August 15, 1947 has become a measure of my life. OPERATION EAGLE 1971-72. Remarks of Former Inspector General of Special Frontier Force, Lieutenant General T S Oberoi, PVSM, VrC, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief,Headquarters Southern Command Pune 411001.He remarked about my participation in the India-Pakistan War of 1971

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,

Personal Number – MR-03277K Major AMC/DPC

MS-8466 Captain AMC/SSC

Medical Officer South Column, Operation Eagle

Headquarters Establishment No. 22 C/O 56 APO

Old Flames Never Die – A Pledge to my Valentine

**Old Flames Never Die: The year 2010 is the **Year of the Male Iron Tiger** (*lcags-pho stag-lo)*. The first day falls on February 14, 2010, or Tibetan New Year 2137.**

My consciousness got exposed to the Spirits of some young Tibetan soldiers whose untimely deaths I had witnessed. I dedicate this blog post to those Living Tibetan Spirits that continue to live in my consciousness.

Who is my Valentine?

The word Valentine as a noun describes a Sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine’s Day (February 14). A note or greeting card sent to Sweetheart on this Day containing a message of sentimental love is also described as a Valentine. This year’s Valentine’s Day is of special significance to the Tibetan people as they ushered the New Year of Iron Tiger Year 2137 of their Lunar Calendar. On this Valentine’s Day, I want to assure my Valentine that the burning passion aroused in me is alive and has not died.

After attending Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, I joined the Indian Army on July 26, 1970. On July 26, 1971, I completed my military and professional training at Military Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, Haryana and was fully ready to serve the nation in my role as a Medical Officer of the Indian Army Medical Corps. I left Ambala on September 21, 1971 on my first posting. On September 22, 1971 after reaching my new Duty Station I met my Flame. The Flame kindled a fire in my heart. That fire still burns.

**Old Flames Never Die – A Pledge to my Valentine. These Flames kindled a fire in my heart on September 22, 1971 and that fire still burns. I shall keep the Flame alive in my future.**

As the saying goes, “Old Flames Never Die”. The Flame lives in my Consciousness. On this Valentine’s Day, I pledge that I will keep the Flame alive in my future. The message that I want to send to my Valentine is ; “My past, my present, and my future is a continuum.” I share the pain and grief that my Valentine has experienced in the past and is experiencing now. We both understand the Challenge, share a common hope and expectation of a better future. The Spirit of my Valentine languishes in Darkness. The darkness of military occupation has enveloped my Flame threatening her very existence. She needs a breath of fresh air to survive. I promise that I am the Breath of my Valentine’s life.

**Old Flames Never Die: I seek the Compassion of Buddha to keep the Flame Alive and fulfil the Pledge made to my Valentine.**

The Butter Lamps lit in my Unit’s Gonpa (Gompa) are still glowing. I seek the Compassion of Buddha to keep the Flames Alive.

Buddham Saranam Gacchami,

Dhammam Saranam Gachhami,

Sangham Saranam Gachhami.

I seek the Path of Triple Refuge to keep the Old Flames Alive. I seek the Refuge of Buddha. I seek the Refuge of ‘Dharma’. I seek the Refuge of ‘Sangha’.

**Old Flames Never Die: I seek the Compassion of Buddha to keep the Flame Alive and fulfil the Pledge made to my Valentine. The Path of Triple Refuge to keep the Old Flames Alive.**

Tibetan New Year -Losar – Iron Tiger Year 2137:

Tibetans celebrate their New Year in the traditions of their Lunar Calendar. The Valentine’s Day this year has coincided with their New Year – LOSAR celebration. In due recognition of the pain, suffering, and misery that is experienced by Tibetans inside Tibet, and to honor the memory of Tibetans who lost their lives during 2008 protests, the Tibetan Community has refused to celebrate LOSAR during 2009. I send my greetings of “TASHI DELEK” to all of my associates and people who defend Tibetan Identity.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Attends Religious Ceremonies on Tibetan New Year

**His Holiness the Dalai Lama leads an early morning prayer ceremony in Dharamsala on 14 February 2010. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor, OHHDL)**

Dharamsala, HP, India, 14 February 2010 (tibet.net) – His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over religious ceremonies at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala this morning, marking Losar or the “Year 2137 of the Iron-Tiger” of Tibetan calender.

Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a brief address to thousands of Tibetans gathered for the ceremony.

His Holiness offered greetings to Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet and people of the Himalayan region who share same culture and religion as Tibetans. His Holiness extended his good wishes and gratitude to the international community for taking interest in and supporting the just cause of Tibetans.

“Despite facing great problems in Tibet for many years, the Tibetan people living inside have shown indomitable courage and sincerity in standing up to the situation,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness said “Tibetans in living in many parts of Tibet are marking the year as a year of remembrance of Tibetan people’s suffering,” adding that “they refrain from festivities during the Losar.” With such sentiments of our brethren in Tibet, His Holiness advised Tibetans to offer prayers by engaging in religious ceremonies and eschew festive celebrations.”

**His Holiness the Dalai Lama spaaks to thousands of Tibetans after attending religious ceremonies in Dharamsala on 14 February 2010. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor, OHHDL)**

His Holiness “reminds Tibetans living in the free world, not to forget the critical situation in Tibet”. “The Tibetans in exile must keep up their sincerity and courage like their brethren in Tibet,” His Holiness added.

Speaking of education, His Holiness “urged Tibetans, Mongolians and the people of Himalayan region to put more efforts in education, and to excel in the study of Tibetan Buddhism”. His Holiness “underlined the study of Tibet’s unique secular education, particularly the philosophy of religion”.

The day began at 7:00 am with an early morning ceremony of offering prayers and ceremonial cake(Tse-Tor) to goddess Palden Lhamo, the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors. The abbot of Namgyal Monastery offered Mendel Tensum, auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, including the chief justice commissioner, justice commissioners, speaker and members of Tibetan Parliament, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and members of the Kashag, were present.

This is was followed by another prayer service in the main shrine hall, during which the abbot of Namgyal Monastery, the chief justice commissioner, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa, presented auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A group of monks participated in a religious debate.

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