Col Paramjit Singh
A soldier is always a soldier. For him nation is always first and foremost, everytime and every where. Before dwelling on further would like to reiterate two quotes just to refresh our fading memories.
A soldier for his beloved nation, never cooperates with death, goes to death (makes a supreme sacrifice) when required , that he is not trying to escape. Remember all don’t die but, some do survive. Subedar Ladhu Ram survived and gracefully retired on 7 November 1907 . It is the cause , courage, commitment and conviction which makes a soldier. A soldier is not worried about death.
To be a soldier and to do soldiering in right earnest is not really an easy task. It is a Herculean task to do complete service under trying conditions and circumstances. To be a soldier and to do social service that is to be a soldier and a social reformer is rarest of the rare combination.
Subedar Ladhu Ram son of Lakha Singh of Village Singri, post office Manawar, Tehsil Bhimber, District Mirpur got recruited in 1878 in British Army, after becoming a SIKH. He was a Dogra Jat by caste and from renowned Chhamb area (now in Pakistan). This Jat community had settled all along from North to South and East to West , across Manawar Tawi.
As an adult boy , he worked in Punjab Mandi to earn livelihood for the family. Once , while he was at home, he decided along with other 3-5 boys from the locality to proceed to Sialkot for getting recruited in the British Indian Army. But was rejected, since he was a non- sikh. During those times only Sikhs and Rajputs were considered for recruitment, because Jats were not considered martial entity , implying wrong impression was created about them that they are not courageous and are not good fighters. Hence were not considered, for recruitment both by Jammu and Kashmir Maharaja Partap Singh and British Indian Army. But Ladhu Ram took resolve and tried his level best to get recruited after becoming a Sikh, somehow and prove to all concerned at the helm of affairs that , Jat Dogras are no less than anybody and are much courageous like all others . He was found fit in November 1878 and got recruited in 29 Punjab Regiment. His rise to the rank of Subedar in 1903, considered most auspicious and very big and high rank amongst all Jats. Be it. He became a renowned national shooter and was professionally highly competent and a marksman shooter and had earned a prestigious Gold Medal in national level shooting competition. He took part in various operations and exercises (lecture cum demonstrations) , where he proved his prowess, mental robustness physical strength and guts and daring nature beyond the call of duty and without an iota of doubt . He was also awarded OBI. Order of British India was an order of merit established in 1837 for “long, faithful and honourable service”.
The OBE is given to people who have done something special for their region or country or bravery. He was awarded OBE ( gallantry award) in 1906 for his well proven bravery during ARAB wars oblique battles . He retired from Army on 07 November 1907 and passed away on 27 December 1948. He was also awarded the Title of Rai Bahadur on 01 January 1920 , for his recognition of services for supplying men for The Royal Indian Navy , The Royal Indian Army ( the largest voluntary Army ever raised) and The Royal Indian Airforce . He was like an ambassador and role model of DOGRA JATS . The Title Rai Bahadur ( RB) was awarded by the British Government to Indians with distinguished service or for meritorius performance of duties on or behalf of the Govt. or as personal distinction.
He was also awarded Recruiting Badge serial number 1533 on 28 May 1920 for his services rendered in connection with recruiting in an immaculate manner during the Great War ( WW1 fought from 1914-1919). On 01 October 1945 , a letter of appreciation was sent to Sub Ladhu Ram , RB, OBI , HARO on his home address by Adjutant General in India of British Government. The letter itself speaks volumes of a great Soldier, Subedar Sahib , Rai Bahadur.
A great honor to be proud of , a recognition from British India to a Dogra Jat. A proud moment for all of us . His actions were highly appreciated and commendable by British Officers. He has done proud to Jat community and to the Erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was his great contribution that 5 Pure Dogra Battalions were raised for Dogra Jats only by British india Government. A great achievement to be proud of . After his retirement he undertook visits to various places all over POK, now POJK , motivating Jats to join British India Army , earn livelihood , prove prowess and keep the name of JATS flying high. Also , he carried out duties of a social reformist in stricter sense, by stopping child marriages and asking people to study and get good education, and let this be the way forward in life. A renowned soldier, a great reformist and a great name who did lot for Dogra Jats. How can Dogra Jats forget him . Definitely not. He would remain alive ever. It is rightly said a soldier never dies, only fades away. Ask me not who am I . I am a soldier who never dies.
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