Battle of Rezeng La ( 18 November 1962)

#Battle_of_Rezeng_La

18 Nov1962==================

**My request to GOI to introduce this topic in History**

A topic of valour and sacrifice made by Charlie company 13 Kumaon unit. 

It was not just India lost the war of 1962 , but India created history across the world. 

On 18 Nov 1962- on snow clad mountains of Chushul-in Ladakh, took place a battle that is still considered to be one of the greatest last stands in history of armed forces across the World. 

The Charlie company of 120 jawan of 13 Kumaon led by Major Shaitan Singh was protecting Chushul airfield which was vital if India had to hold on to Ladakh. 

From Chinese side, they gathered with 5000-6000 jawans & heavy artillery. The war stated at 3:30 early in the morning and ended within five hours. India fight till last second, last breathe & last round. Out of 120 only 6 survived & rest 114 got martyred-in the battle of Rezeng La. All six were taken by china as POW but they miraculously escaped & 4 of them alive now. 

It was Honorary capitan Ramchander Yadav who narrated the valour of his colleagues & 5 hours of battlefield without any weapon . He also narrated the story of Naik Ram who was wrestler - a single handed army who fought with  Chinese till ended with bullet on head. 

Their supreme sacrifice is one of the greatest acts of heroism , when death & defeat were inevitable. Major Shaitan Singh was awarded with #PVC & company won 8 #VC's & 4 #senaMedals , the highest number of honour for any company. 

Also truth was that India army was not provided with winter clothing (jackets or overcoat) over half-sleeved shirt , even while visiting at 22000 ft. The supreme sacrifice was historical in its importance but India is ready to read Mughals, Delhi sultanate & others. 

Reaction of Bollywood:- film Haqeeqat , but with factual errors 

Reaction of Nehru:- Chushul is useless land where no gross grows...like statement in 1964.

SWADESHI MOVEMENT -1905

• Swadeshi Movement had its origin in the anti-partition movement of Bengal. 

  

  ias/kas/ifs :- Blogger -Ajit Singh 

• The initial objective was the annulment of Partition of Bengal. However, it was soon superseded by the greater objective of attainment of sawaraj.

• Tilak called this movement "Bahishkar Yoga" 

• Surendranath Bannerjee said it it a 'protectionist movement' 

• An important aspect of Swadeshi movement was training in self-determination , self-help & self-reliance(Atmashakti )  

• Lal,Bal,Pal & A.Ghosh played the most vital role . British Journalist H.W. Nevinson was also associated 

• INC took the Swadeshi first call at Banaras session , 1905 presided over by G.K.Gokhale.

•  Aug. 7, 1905 a resolution to boycott British goods was adopted at the meeting of INC at Calcutta.  

• Bonfires of foreign goods were conducted at various places.
• INC session 1906, presided over by D.B.Naoroaji declared the aim of congress to be sawaraj like that in UK & other colonies. 
• The 4 compromise resolution passed at this session were:-

1.Swadeshi 

2. Boycott

3. National Education

 4. Self-Government 

Overall, the period of 1903-1908 , the partition of Bengal served as a catalyst for the Swadeshi Movement. 

REACTION OF BRITISH GOVERNMENT:-

1. CARLYLE CIRCULAR:- on 22nd oct 1905 Carlyle issued an infamous circular to withdraw grants, scholarships & affiliations of the institutions to which they belonged if they are associated with swadeshi Movement . [ Carlyle was the chief secretary of the Government of Bengal) 

2. Forces were used to disperse the growing protest .

Partition of Bengal -16 Oct. 1905 - 1911

Partition of Bengal :-

1. The idea of partition was first given by William ward(Chief Commissioner of Assam ) in 1896
2.  The real attack came in 1899 when Lord Curzon reduced the number of elected members in the Calcutta corporation primarily to satisfy the European business interest 
3. Lord Curzon was the brain behind this partition but the actual partition took place, Lord Minto II had replaced Lord Curzon as the Viceroy.
4. On 16th Oct. 1905 -Bengal bifurcated into East & west Bengal .

East Bengal, Assam :- Muslim Dominated 

Area= 275938 Sq.km 

Population= 31 Million

Muslims= 18 Million(58.66%)

Hindus= 13 Million 

Districts= 15 **

WEST BENGAL -Hindu Dominated 

Area= 366692 sq. km

Population= 54 Million

Muslims= 9 Million (16.6%)

Hindus= 45 Million 

Districts =11

Reasons of Partition :-

British View

• Bengal was a very big province 
• very difficult to manage the administrative work 

Nationalist View :-

• Divide & rule policy 
• Religious & linguistic demarcation 
• If ease of administration was only reason then why wasn't Punjab, Bombay or Madras partitioned 

Effect of partition :-

1. Created a divide within Hindi, Oriya & Bengali speaking population.

2. Changed the fusion  to fission culture 

3. Created divide amongst residents in terms of Hindu & Muslim religion & region

4. way forward to Swadeshi Movement - as a result of partition 

NOTE:- In 1911, when the capital shift from Calcutta to Delhi , the two created fission cultured region are again united. 

After annulment of partition the west & east Bengal were integrated & three separate states created 

-Bengal (Comprising of East & west Bengal) -East Bengal is now Bangladesh -finally separated in 1971.

-Assam( Of same status it had in 1874) 

-Bihar & Orissa (finally separated in 1935)

Newspaper associated with Partition of Bengal:-

The newspapers played vital role in the movement. The main newspapers were:-

SANJEEVANI(K.K.Mitra)

Bengali (SN Banarjee)

Amrit Bazar Patrika (Motilal Ghosh)

Yugantar (B.B.Upadhaya)

New India (B.c.pal)

Bande Matram(A.Ghosh)

Bharat Mata (Ajit singh) 

Others focus point:-

1.R.N.Tagore  :- Patriotic  song" Amar Sonar Bangla " was sung by people.Later on it was adopted by Bangladesh in 1971

2.Raksha Bandhan:- Hindus & muslims tied Rakhis on each other's wrist showing solidarity on 16 Oct. 1905

3. Vande Mataram became a war cry.

By AJIT SINGH CHARAK .

Roaring Success @ Asiatic lions at Gir

Asiatic lion 
Zoological name :- Panthera leo Persica 
Total Count at Gir (2020) = 674
Total Area of distribution(2020)= 30,000 Sq. Km
Gir national park & Wildlife sanctuary = Gujarat (* Only habitat for Asiatic Lions) 
IUNC RED list :- Asiatic lion as Endangered species  

what is news?
The number of Asiatic lions at Gir up by 29%, earlier in 2015 the number was -523 & now in 2020 -recent survey the number is increased to 674. As per records also the distribution area at Gir up with 36%( 2015-20K sq. km  & now in 2020-30K sq. km) . The conditions are favorable for this increase as per increment is announced recently. 
 What is" POONAM AVLOKAN" ? 
it is a unique method used by Gujarat to estimate its lions population 
it is about estimated count & census of lions through observation exercise -based on monthly updation after every full moon. It was started in 2014 .
it includes two methods :- (I) Block counting method - in which census enumerators remain stationed at water points in a given block 7 estimate abundance of lions in that block , based on the direct  sighting of lions who need water at least once in 24 hours during the summer.
other is keeping the teams ready & based on inputs provided by lion trackers 7 on chnace sightings 
BASICS OF LION CENSUS  IN INDIA 
the first lion census was conducted by the nawab of Junagadh in 1936; since 1965, the forest department has been regularly conducting the lion census every 5 years 
the 6th, 8th & 11th census were each delayed by a year, for various reasons.
This year it was postponed after lockdown was announced , but takes place by POONAM AVLOKAN 

IMAGE COPIED FROM GOOGLE

THREATS 

The Asiatic lion currently exists as a single subpopulation, and is thus vulnerable to extinction from unpredictable events, such as an epidemic or large forest fire. There are indications of poaching incidents in recent years. There are reports that organized gangs have switched attention from tigers to these lions. There have also been a number of drowning incidents after lions fell into wells.

Nearly 25 lions in the vicinity of Gir Forest were found dead in October 2018. Four of them had died because of canine distemper virus(CDV) , the same virus that had killed several Serengeti lions earlier.

Prior to the resettlement of Maldharis, the Gir forest was heavily degraded and used by livestock, which competed with and restricted the population sizes of native ungulates. Various studies reveal tremendous habitat recovery and increases in wild ungulate populations following the Maldhari resettlement during the last four decades

ROTI-BETI- Nepal_India

NEPAL-INDIA_Territorial Dispute :- 

Continue ROTI_BETI 

India -Nepal has so far good relations & these relations will be continued without any barriers. 

India should try to convey Nepal's leaders about the congenial & friendly ( often romanticised as one of "roti-beti" -food & marriage ) environment that 6 to 8 million Nepali Citizens living in India enjoy. Therefore, any thoughtless erosion of this centuries old together may prove difficult for both counties. The claims will be resolved by dialogue & bilateral talks between two countries. 

Nepal claim over area of LIPULEKH , KALAPANI & LIMPIYADHURA raised concern when India inaugurated 80 km long- road strategically crucial road connecting Lipulekh with Dharchula in Uttarakhand. 

The Kalapani territory is an area under Indian administration as a part of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India, but it was also claimed by Nepal since 1988. According to Nepal's Claim , it lies in Darchula District, Sundrupashchim pradesh.

 Let us first look at map - & then try to understand dispute & claim's made by both countries 

As per above image it is clear that Limpiyadhura -Kalapani -Lipulekh location in map shows that limpiyadhura is North to Nepal & Lipulekh is west to Nepal, while both from western side of India. The territory represents the basin of the Kalapani river, one of the headwaters of the River Kali ( Mahakali) in the Himalayas at the altitude of 3.6K - 5.2K meters. 

The valley of Kalapani with Lipulek forms the top Indian route to Kailash _Manasarvor, an ancient pilgrimage site  -where Lord shiva is worshiped. Current status it that It is controlled by India since 1865 while disputed by Nepal. Indian ITBP is established here.

What is Dispute ?

The Kali River forms the Boundary between India & Nepal. Both agree with this boundary . Now, Nepal claim's Kali originates form a stream at Limpyadhura , NW  of Lipulekh & thus Kalapani, Limpyadhura & lipulekh fall to the east of the river & are part of nepal's Dharchula district .

India's Stand:- Kali orginates from Lipu-lekh pass & the Sugauli Treaty does not demarcate the are north of these streams. The administrative & revenue records of 19th century shows that Kalapani  was on the Indian side , & counted as a part of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. 

basically, this dispute is 200 years old one, dialogue happened many times in many ways but all in friendly terms, both countries never try to pacify the situation by demarcating the boundaries once & for  all.

It is need of time to friendly handle & resolve the issue by taking account all shared environmental characteristics.