Rezang La yatra salutes sacrifice

The Rezang La Prakaram Yatra was met with an emotional and spirited welcome as it arrived at the Rezang La War Memorial in Rewari on Sunday, completing a solemn journey that began in Bawal town. With each step, the yatra carried the memories of one of India’s most iconic military battles, evoking pride and reverence across the region.

A moving tribute unfolded as the Shaheed Sewa Dal Foundation (Gohana) honoured 24 families of Rezang La martyrs from the district. In a ceremony filled with gratitude and national pride, each family was presented with a Kalash filled with sacred soil from Ahir Dham, coconuts, tricolour scarves, mementos and personalised nameplates bearing the names of the brave soldiers. The air was thick with emotion as descendants of the heroes stood in quiet dignity, receiving symbols of a nation’s eternal respect.

As part of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative, the Rezang La Shaurya Samiti awarded Kisan Vikas Patra worth Rs 5,000 each to two great-granddaughters of the martyrs — Tanvi, descendant of Lance Naik Chandrashekhar Bochadiya and Rashmi, descendant of Sipahi Chaturbhuj Vashishth Gugodh. The scholarships, given under the Indira Yadav Scholarship Programme, were a symbolic gesture towards educating future generations while preserving the legacy of their forebears. Naresh Chauhan, general secretary of the Samiti, announced the initiative with visible pride.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Laxman Singh Yadav described the yatra as a powerful reminder of the region’s rich military tradition. He expressed strong support for the demands raised by the organisers, including the installation of VIP nameplates outside the homes of martyr families and the naming of express trains between Delhi and Jodhpur as Rezang La Express and Major Shaitan Singh Param Vir Chakra Express, in honor of the heroes of 1962.

Colonel Ranbir Singh Yadav, who presided over the event, added his voice to the growing call for the creation of an Ahir Regiment in the Indian Army. In a stirring moment, he pledged to make personal sacrifices, if necessary, to ensure the demand is met, calling it a matter of justice and dignity for the community’s long-standing contributions to national defence.

The most poignant highlight of the day came when Captain Ramchandra Yadav and Nihal Singh Yadav, both veterans of the 1962 Rezang La battle, walked alongside the procession. At over 86 years of age, their presence lit up the event, drawing applause and admiration from all present. Also joining the Yatra was Shyam Lal Yadav, a retired Rajasthan Police officer and noted author, who added historical perspective and literary depth to the proceedings.

Following a community lunch, the yatra continued its journey towards Gurugram, leaving behind not just footprints, but a renewed sense of pride, sacrifice and unity in the soil of Rewari.

Haryana Tribune