Dehradun, Uttarakhand’s first Kirti Chakra awardee Retired Lt. Colonel Inder Singh Rawat left for his heavenly abode yesterday at the ripe age of 104. A resident of Dehradun, Race Course since his retirement in 1970, Lt. Col Rawat was a name to reckon with.
Lt. Col Rawat was born on 30th January 1915, in Bageli in Pauri District, to a humble family. Despite limited provisions, the young lad went to a primary school 4 kms away from his village. In the year 1934 he passed his Metric and joined Garhwal Rifles as a cadet in Landsdowne. After completing his rigorous recruit training, Inder Singh Rawat went on to complete his further education at the Army Education School, Belgaon. In 1944 he passed out as a young officer of the Indian Army from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun .
Inder Singh Rawat fought the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war, and post-war joined the Assam Rifles on deputation. In 1957, Rawat was decorated with the Kirti Chakra by the country’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad for squashing the Naga Uprising in Nagaland.
In the year 1962, he was given the command of the first battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and then the 2nd Battalion of the ITBP was raised in Gwaldham under his watchful eyes and able command.
After giving 37 years to the service of the Nation, Lt. Col Rawat retired in 1970 making Dehradun his home. Hundreds of people poured onto the streets of Dehradun to pay homage to this valiant hero as the news of Lt. Col Rawat passing away spread.
Today Indra Singh Rawat leaves behind his two sons, both Brigadiers in the Indian Army, Rajendra Rawat and Commander Harendar Singh Rawat along with his three daughters Amba, Rajeshwari and Vijaylakshmi.
The 11th Garhwal Rifles Battalion bid farewell with the last salute to one of their own sons with state honours.
