A new book ‘Creed of Valour and Sacrifice’ authored by Col Ranbir Singh, VrC (Retd) based on the inspiring tabulation of 120 years of relentless service to the Indian Army and the Nation by Tricity’s Kang family, was recently unveiled during a media interaction held at Scola Café in Sector 7, Chandigarh.
In the 188 pages’ book, which took two (2) years to write, Col. Ranbir Singh an Indian Army veteran has chronicled the contribution of four (4) generations of his family to the Indian Army. It talks about how his grandfather, then father, going onto himself and his two brothers and a son of one of his brothers, served in the Indian Army with aplomb and passion.
A Legacy of Dedication
Speaking at the launch, the author said, “Love for the Indian Army and Nation runs in our blood. The book is a sincere attempt to document my family’s rich history of serving in the Army, which spans 120 years. The book is, in fact, a tribute to all those who have been serving the nation by wearing uniforms generation after generation.”
The lucidity of ‘Creed of Valour and Sacrifice’ makes it stunning in appeal. The author has painstakingly illustrated the tryst of his (Kang) family with active soldiering for four generations, which began with Risaldar Narain Singh, joining the 6th Bengal Cavalry (now 18 Cavalry) as a sowar in 1869. His son Brig Sukhdev Singh, VrC, MC, carried forward the second generation banner. After which, his three sons, Capt Bharpur Singh Kang (later DIG), Col Jasbir Singh Kang and Col Ranbir Singh(Author) were the third generation. Capt Bharpur Singh’s son Karminder Singh Kang, the fourth generation in the Indian Army, was martyred in Sri Lanka in 1989.
Honoring Tradition
The book has been written after intense research in a unique style, a hallmark of which is a rich narration and presentation. The author has presented old notes and letters of his forefathers written by them during their battle campaigns. These have also been reproduced in typed form for easy readability. “old units of my grandfather, father, and others provided valuable data which enriched the book narrative. The author has painstakingly created realistic maps of the war operations of his family members who served in the army. He has also made a unique illustration that explains the ‘family army tree’.
“Over the generations, our family opted for fighting arms. Our family has the distinction of having fought in North West Frontier Province in 1897 and early 1940s, WWII in Burma against the Japanese from 1942-46, the 1947-48 war with Pakistan in J & K, 1965 and 1971 war with Pakistan and IPKF Operations in Sri Lanka,” revealed Col Ranbir Singh.
A Proud Service
The author Col. Ranbir Singh, VrC, has participated in the two major wars of 1965 and 1971. He was awarded Veer Chakra for gallantry in the Kargil battle of May 1965. He was wounded in this battle. His father, Brig Sukhdev Singh is the recipient of a Military Cross in WWII and Veer Chakra gallantry award for the Zojila Pass operation in J&K in 1948 while commanding 1 Patiala Battalion (now 15 Punjab).
The foreword for the book has been written by the most illustrious and veteran officer Lt Gen HS Panag, former GOC-in-C Northern and Southern Commands.
‘Creed of Valour and Sacrifice’ has been published by Sabre & Quill, New Delhi, which is an initiative by veterans of the Indian Army. It is to be noted that the author fought in the Bangladesh war in the East in 1971. His book titled ‘War in The East- Liberation of Bangladesh 1971’ was published in December 2021 by Sabre & Quill Publishers, New Delhi.
The book title amply symbolizes the family’s war record. They fought, shed blood, and sacrificed for the Nation’s glory.
Comments are closed.