Lion of Ladakh: Col Chhewang Rinchen

Lion of Ladakh: Col Chhewang Rinchen

The Lucknow Military Festival (Mil Fest) moves into its second year. Come winters and the season of literary festivals start across the country. Some of the more famous ones are the Jaipur Lit fest, Mumbai Lit fest, Banglore Lit fest and Delhi Lit fest. A few years back, an idea was mooted that India has fought five wars since independence, and yet there is no forum which talks about our war stories or recognizes the work of either military historians or writers who write about armed forces as a theme, be it fiction or fact. Thus, the idea of a military festival sprung up in the most appropriate place: Chandigarh, Punjab. The Chandigarh military festival is now an annual event in its ninth year. It is well known, published, and well attended. Spurred by this movement, some Veteran soldiers thought, why not increase the span of the Mil Lit festivals to other towns like Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, and Lucknow? Since these cities have a sizeable population of retired military personnel, they would have a captive audience and the civilian fraternity to understand military literature. It is an ode to that spirit that the Lucknow Mil Festival took form thanks to some selfless veterans like General HK Singh and Brig BN Singh. Amidst the pandemic, this military festival had its first season last year. The corona pandemic ensured that the festival was online, which became a blessing in disguise. The festival ran for two months, with many books being part of its discussions. Each session was fully subscribed to the zoom capacities, and there were spillovers who had to listen on YouTube or Facebook. This year the second season of Lucknow Mil Fest starts on 02 Oct 22: Gandhi Jayanti. The theme for this year’s festival is '75 years of India’s independence & Armed forces.’ The inaugural session is on a book titled: Lion of Ladakh written by Col Ajay Raina, a military historian who has written numerous books on military history, and Dr P Angmo, the daughter of the hero of the book Col Chhewang Rinchen.

This preamble was necessary to put the balance of the narrative in the correct perspective. To generate interest in the readers of this blog and motivate them to listen on 02 Oct 22, I am giving a brief introduction to Col Rinchen. 

When I searched for gallantry award winners in all the conflicts India has fought since independence up till 1971? I did not see any names, not even Col Rinchen. But when I searched war by war, I realised Col Rinchen was the only decorated soldier in every conflict.: an MVC bar, SM and M-in D. four awards in four wars. And in the two wars where he did not get an MVC, his deeds could have him better awards, but since his front was silent mainly through his brave actions, he escaped the list of higher gallantry awards. Yet, in his case, awards were a means, not an end. To understand his abilities, one has to read the book. Fighting in subzero temperatures and operating at night at heights above 18000 feet is a humanly impossible feat where survival becomes the biggest medal and a real test of courage. Col Rinchen survived through four wars without qualifying for a wound medal. It is a testimony to the man’s incredible physical toughness and fighting skills. Born in Sumur village in Nubra valley in the year 1931, he spanned a fighting career of over 38 years. He stood between the Pakistanis and Nubra valley in 1948 and between DBO and the Chinese in the 1962 and 1965 wars. His most significant feat came in the 1971 war when he captured substantial territory from Pakistan at the mouth of Nubra valley. In particular, Chalunka, Turtuk and Tyakshi : now part of the Southern Siachen Glacier and Sub Sector Hanif (Adjacent Sector to Kargil Divison).

His was the most astonishing military career in terms of his fighting and progression. He started as a militia man at the young age of 17. Became a Jamedar, equivalent to a Naib Subedar these days. He got his commission as an officer in the Indian Army. He earned his permanent commission after serving for five years. He became a force commander as a Major and retired in the same rank. He was re-employed and promoted as a Lt Col, finally given an honorary Colonel’s rank. Hence, he is known as Col Rinchen. His popularity was such that after his death, a park named after him in Leh and a full-height Statue of Col Rinchen stand in the centre of Leh town. 

Readers might believe that I am exaggerating the narrative. It is a sad reality that a thoroughbred Indian hero is still unknown in most parts of India. I suspect, beyond Kargil, his name reverberates only in army cantonments and institutions. The ordinary Indian is entirely ignorant of a man worthy of the title of Ati maha rathi in the likes of Changez Khan of Mongolia, Richard the Lionheart of England and William Wallace of Scotland (Braveheart). I would thus sincerely urge people to read about Col Rinchen’s exploits in the Nubra and the DBO areas. 

The Literary Festival's inaugural session on 02 Oct 22 showcases Col Rinchen’s life and military career. The session would also be joined by Col Rinchen’s eldest daughter, Dr P Angmo. She would open a lot of personal memories of the great warrior. The link is shared below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85271289686?pwd=WWpJREwrOGJhVjhFVU9mQUZCK2FqZz09

Meeting ID: 852 7128 9686
Passcode: 644623