‘He was seriously injured but did not lose his courage!’
Titbits On President Shankar Dayal Sharma | & Col. Nair
26th January 1994 | The Uniqueness of Dr. Sharma
#memoriesfromdiaries
#newspaperinlearning
Before we get to our diary entry for this particular day, let’s take a brief foray into a few interesting titbits on President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, an MA in English Literature, and the ninth president of India – who has some unique distinctions to his credit.
Firstly, he had the unique distinction of dealing with four Prime Ministers during his five-year tenure as President of India.
In the last year of his presidency, he had appointed three Prime Ministers!
Secondly, akin to T. N. Seshan, he was very assertive of his Presidential duties.
He had acted tough with the Prime Minister on many occasions, and had even refused to sign last-minute ordinances.
Thirdly, in the early years of our Independence, he was quite instrumental in the merger of the princely Bhopal State with the Union of India, in the years 1948-49!
Finally, when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991, Sonia Gandhi offered him the post of President of the Congress party and then the post of Prime Minister of India. But Dr. Sharma had refused the offers citing his advanced age and poor health as reasons. It was only then, the very next year he was chosen as the President of India.
Coming back to 26th January 1994 -
Well, ever since India officially became a republic in the year 1950, India has been consistently playing host to the head of state of another country as the State Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
The guest ‘head of state’ is chosen based on rubrics connected with economic, political and other strategic interests.
This particular year – 1994 – on the occasion of our Republic Day – The Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Goh Chok Tong, was the Guest of Honour.
[This was indeed the beginning of a long journey of cooperation and friendship between the two countries. The PM of India Mr. Rao, followed suit by visiting Singapore in September of the same year].
On the occasion of the Republic Day Ceremony on 26th January 1994, the President of India Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma honoured Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair with the highest peace award – the Ashoka Chakra Award for his courage.
According to reports –
Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair was an outstanding and decorated officer of the Indian Army. He was born in 1951 in Ernakulam district, Kerala. He had his schooling from Sainik School, Kazhakootam, Kerala.
Colonel Nair’s career in the Indian Army spanned more than two decades, during which he had held various command and as well as staff appointments.
In December 1993, Col Nair was leading an advance platoon in Nagaland, when they were trapped by about one hundred insurgents. The irresistible fire from automatic weapons killed 13 jawans and 1 Junior Commissioned officer on the spot.
He too was seriously injured in the incident but did not lose his courage nor was unnerved. Neglecting his serious injuries, he organized his soldiers in an assault line and charged at the insurgents.
Insurgents broke ranks and ran away but Col Nair sacrificed his life in this operation. For his courage and gallantry he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously in 1994.
And on the International News, the Clinton controversy refuses to die down, with India’s vituperative rhetoric adding fuel to the fire. Even the opposition party then - the BJP had voiced its strongest condemnation of Bill Clinton’s interference in the internal affairs of India.
The main headline for today, by the President of India, on his Republic Day Address, titled, ‘India will brook no Interference’ is tangible proof to the condemnation!
Photo & News on Col. Nair & President of India: thankyouindianarmydotcom & academicacceleratordotcom
