Chewang Rinchen
Died | 1997 (aged 65–66) Leh, Ladakh, India |
---|---|
Allegiance | India |
Service/ | Indian Army |
Years of service | 1948–1984 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | Nubra Guards (1948–?) Ladakh Scouts (1971–1984) |
Battles/wars |
|
Awards | Mention in dispatches |
Early life
Chewang Rinchen was born in the village of
Military career
Rinchen joined the
Maha Vir Chakra
The citation for the first Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:[12]
Gazette Notification: 9 Pres/52,26.1.52
Operation: 1947 Indo Pak Kashmir War Date of Award: 01 Jul 1948
CITATION
JEMADAR CHEWANG RINCHEN
7 BN, THE J&K MILITIA
As a young lad of 17, Chewang Rinchen* enrolled himself in the Ladakh Guards on 25 July 1948. With hardly a week’s training he organised and trained a local militia unit of 28 youths. In September, operating alongside Indian Army units, he fought in the Nubra Valley. His grim defence of a position on the Kharu Nullah earned him promotion to the rank of Jemadar (Naib Subedar). In the same month, negotiating a 17,000 feet high snow clad pass under most trying conditions, he helped the capture of Lama House, a vital enemy stronghold.
On 15 December, having marched for three days over high snowdrifts, he put in a fierce attack on a high hill feature near Biagdangdo and captured it. This action was immediately followed by his capture of Tukkar Hill, the last enemy position in Leh tehsil. This last action involved crossing over snow clad hills 21,000 feet high. Half of his platoon was suffering from frostbite. But under his inspiring leadership and following his example of personal bravery, his men had accomplished a seemingly impossible feat. He was then promoted Subedar. In these actions, Subedar Chewang Rinchen displayed personal bravery, resourcefulness, leadership and dedication of duty of a high order.
Between wars
Rinchen also served in the 1962
Bar to Maha Vir Chakra
In the
The citation for the second Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
Gazette Notification: 22 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily Date of Award: 08 Dec 1971
CITATION
MAJOR CHEWANG RINCHEN, MVC
THE LADAKH SCOUTS
Major Chewang Rinchen of Ladakh Scouts was commander of the force assigned the task of capturing the Chalunka complex of enemy defences in the Partappur Sector. Each of these nine enemy strong points were held by one to two platoons and fortified with mines and wire obstacles. This operation was planned and executed with professional competence and great zeal. Under most adverse weather conditions, Major Rinchen led his command, displaying aggressive spirit and cool courage, fighting from bunker to bunker, exhorting and encouraging his men to destroy the enemy, making the operation a complete success.
In this action, Major Chewang Rinchen displayed inspiring leadership, indomitable courage, initiative and exceptional devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
Later career
Promoted to the substantive rank of major on 6 February 1978,[18] Rinchen retired from active service with effect from 1 May 1980, when he transferred to the reserves.[19] On 1 October 1983, he was re-employed and assigned to command 246 Transit Camp with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, while serving with the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.[20] Rinchen finally retired as a full colonel in 1984.[21]
Legacy
The Indian Army has named an army shopping complex after him in Leh.[22] On 21 October 2019 Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Col Chewang Rinchen Setu, India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge, in eastern Ladakh just 45 km from border with China. The 1400-ft long bridge on Shyok River, at 14,650 ft is strategically located on the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road between Leh and Karakoram Pass. [23][24]
Personal life
Chewang Rinchen married Shema Choskit Dolma of Leh Khangsar, an aristocratic family from Leh.He had 4 siblings and one of Rinchen's younger brother P. Namgyal is a former Union Minister and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).[3]
Notes
Citations
- ^ Gutshow, The Politics of Being Buddhist in Zangskar (2006), p. 474.
- ^ a b Claude Arpi (22 December 2011). "Have you heard about this Indian Hero?". Rediff News.
- ^ a b c d Rohit Parihar (31 August 1996), "Youngest-ever recipient of Maha Vir Chakra Chewang Rinchen is an enduring Leh icon", India Today
- ^ ISBN 9781948473224.
- ^ a b Francis, Short Stories from the History of Indian Army (2013), p. 30.
- Vijaya Vani (in Kannada). Archived from the originalon 3 December 2013.
- ^ Capt. D.P. Ramachandran (5 June 2017). "The Snow Warriors". Colours of Glory. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Arpi, Claude (26 May 2009). "An Ode to the Unsung Heroes of Ladakh". khandro.net.
- ^ Brig (retd.) Ashok Malhotra (2003). Trishul - Ladakh and Kargil, 1947-1993. New Delhi: Lance Publishers & Distributors.
- ^ "Homage paid to Lt Col Khushal Chand "Savior of Ladakh"". Brighter Kashmir. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ISBN 978-93-88161-85-5.
- ^ Mahavir Chakra (MVC) Awardee: Lt Col Chewang Rinchen, 1 July 1948, The War Decorated India & Trust, retrieved 23 October 2019
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 September 1966. p. 519.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 9 May 1970. p. 587.
- ^ Nandini Mehta (8 August 2011). "Turtuk Diary". Outlook.
- ^ "A different kind of high in Ladakh", Daily News & Analysis, retrieved 23 October 2019
- ISBN 9781948473224.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 28 June 1980. p. 734.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 August 1981. p. 1036.
- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 November 1984. p. 1812.
- ^ Col Chhewang Rinchen-The saviour of Ladakh, Kashmir Sentinel, August 1999.
- ^ Michael Patrao (5 November 2011). "On top of the world". Deccan Herald.
- ^ "Col Chewang Rinchen Setu: India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge in eastern Ladakh". Business Standard. 21 October 2019.
- ^ "Explained: The strategic road to DBO". 16 June 2020.
References
- Chakravorty, B. (1995), Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners, Allied Publishers, pp. 139–140, ISBN 978-81-7023-516-3
- Col J. Francis (2013), Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947, Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, pp. 31–, ISBN 978-93-82652-17-5
- Gutschow, Kim (2006). "The Politics of Being Buddhist in Zangskar: Partition and Today". India Review. 5 (3–4): 470–498. S2CID 42308945.
- Malhotra, A. (2003), Trishul: Ladakh And Kargil 1947-1993, Lancer Publishers, ISBN 978-81-7062-296-3
- Sahni, Sati (1999), Kashmir Underground, Har-Anand Publications, ISBN 9788124106372