True sons of the soil

Rashmi Oberoi

Wing Cdr. Mandeep Singh Dhillon It is so easy for people to sit in the comfort of their homes and complain constantly about our brave hearts in the armed forces who against all odds are fighting to keep our country and its people safe and secure. People forget that these brave hearts are fighting for us, for our nation and protecting us and making sure that we live peacefully day after day. Unless you've been out there serving your country as part of the armed forces, you cannot imagine the hardships these valiant warriors face - their stories, battles, obstacles, experiences and ordeals are what make them rise above the rest. They are the pride of this nation and let no one ever forget that! Sadly, there are many who lose their lives in the line of duty.

The coffin bearers Recently, an ill-fated Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruvcrash due to bad weather conditions and the mountainous topography in the state of Arunachal Pradesh killed all four people on board of which 3 crew members were of the IAF - the pilot Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, his co-pilot Flight Lieutenant PK Singh, Flight EngineerSergeant Gujjar, and also Indian Reserve Battalion member Nada Umbing who had boarded the helicopter from Pilputu Helipad near Sagalee.

Dhillon's daughter Sehaj and son Eshwar pay their last respects The helicopter was engaged in the flood rescue mission in the Arunachal state and was evacuating people stranded in Sagalee and Dambuk due to massive landslides caused by heavy rains. Unfortunately such a brave operation being conducted that helped rescue hundreds of people stranded ended in tragedy.

Mother Puspa Singh and wife Sqn Ldr Aditi Jain of Flight Lieutenant Pramod Kumar Singh Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, who was the commanding officer of 115 Helicopter Unit, Tezpur, had been part of the team that had already finished five sorties of rescue operations despite adverse weather and extreme flying conditions before heading back for the sixth and the final sortie.

In happier times An alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun and the National Defence Academy in Pune, he was a long-distance runner and had won almost every run that he had ever participated in. His course-mates and fellow Rimcolians remember him for his keen intelligence, wit, excellent leadership qualities and above all loyalty and true grit. His friends poignantly reminisce the times spent with him and of him being a true friend, thorough gentleman and a kind soul.

Handing over the uniform of Flt Lt P K Singh to his wife Sqn Ldr Aditi In happier times Jain at her husband's funeral ceremony in Tezpur It is not often you come across someone as passionate about his profession and love for flying. This exceptional officer belonged to Patiala and came from a defence background.
A role model to the youngsters, he never faltered in motivating everyone around him to give their best. He is survived by his wife Prabpreet Kaur, daughter Sehaj and son Eshwar.
A tearful farewell befitting those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty was given to the brave hearts at the Tezpur Air Force base. The helicopter unit in Tezpur is stationed to secure the border with China in western Arunachal Pradesh, and to carry out rescue missions in rough terrain. In a solemn ceremony, Air Commodore KVR Raju, AOC Air Force Station Tezpur, handed over the uniform of Flt. Lt. PK Singh to his wife Sqn. Ldr. Aditi Jain at her husband's funeral ceremony.
The nation must always remember these brave souls and remain evergrateful to their family members and the armed forces. Heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved family members and friends. Their supreme sacrifice must not go in vain! Rest easy air warriors. You served with courage and honour. Prayers for the family.



		EDITOR'S MAIL MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY CHANGE OF GUARDS DOKLAM STANDOFF CHINA'S GAMEPLAN GST EFFECTS REALPOLITIK FRANKLY SPEAKING POWER OF MANUPULATION COMPETITIVE POPULISM MISPLACED CONCEPT WEST BENGAL POINTERS CHANDIGARH DIARY HITS & MISSES SPORTS WATCH AMERICAN DIARY PAKISTAN WATCH BEIJING'S BACKYARD BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR FOR THE NATION'S SAKE SIGNS OF THE TIMES YOGA IN DAILY LIFE TRAVELOGUE ART OF LIVING Issue:August' 2017 Subscribe Now	FOR THE NATION'S SAKE True sons of the soil Rashmi Oberoi Wing Cdr. Mandeep Singh Dhillon It is so easy for people to sit in the comfort of their homes and complain constantly about our brave hearts in the armed forces who against all odds are fighting to keep our country and its people safe and secure. People forget that these brave hearts are fighting for us, for our nation and protecting us and making sure that we live peacefully day after day. Unless you've been out there serving your country as part of the armed forces, you cannot imagine the hardships these valiant warriors face - their stories, battles, obstacles, experiences and ordeals are what make them rise above the rest. They are the pride of this nation and let no one ever forget that! Sadly, there are many who lose their lives in the line of duty. The coffin bearers Recently, an ill-fated Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruvcrash due to bad weather conditions and the mountainous topography in the state of Arunachal Pradesh killed all four people on board of which 3 crew members were of the IAF - the pilot Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, his co-pilot Flight Lieutenant PK Singh, Flight EngineerSergeant Gujjar, and also Indian Reserve Battalion member Nada Umbing who had boarded the helicopter from Pilputu Helipad near Sagalee. Dhillon's daughter Sehaj and son Eshwar pay their last respects The helicopter was engaged in the flood rescue mission in the Arunachal state and was evacuating people stranded in Sagalee and Dambuk due to massive landslides caused by heavy rains. Unfortunately such a brave operation being conducted that helped rescue hundreds of people stranded ended in tragedy. Mother Puspa Singh and wife Sqn Ldr Aditi Jain of Flight Lieutenant Pramod Kumar Singh Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, who was the commanding officer of 115 Helicopter Unit, Tezpur, had been part of the team that had already finished five sorties of rescue operations despite adverse weather and extreme flying conditions before heading back for the sixth and the final sortie. In happier times An alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun and the National Defence Academy in Pune, he was a long-distance runner and had won almost every run that he had ever participated in. His course-mates and fellow Rimcolians remember him for his keen intelligence, wit, excellent leadership qualities and above all loyalty and true grit. His friends poignantly reminisce the times spent with him and of him being a true friend, thorough gentleman and a kind soul. Handing over the uniform of Flt Lt P K Singh to his wife Sqn Ldr Aditi In happier times Jain at her husband's funeral ceremony in Tezpur It is not often you come across someone as passionate about his profession and love for flying. This exceptional officer belonged to Patiala and came from a defence background. A role model to the youngsters, he never faltered in motivating everyone around him to give their best. He is survived by his wife Prabpreet Kaur, daughter Sehaj and son Eshwar. A tearful farewell befitting those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty was given to the brave hearts at the Tezpur Air Force base. The helicopter unit in Tezpur is stationed to secure the border with China in western Arunachal Pradesh, and to carry out rescue missions in rough terrain. In a solemn ceremony, Air Commodore KVR Raju, AOC Air Force Station Tezpur, handed over the uniform of Flt. Lt. PK Singh to his wife Sqn. Ldr. Aditi Jain at her husband's funeral ceremony. The nation must always remember these brave souls and remain evergrateful to their family members and the armed forces. Heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved family members and friends. Their supreme sacrifice must not go in vain! Rest easy air warriors. You served with courage and honour. Prayers for the family.