
In 1986, This Soldier Saved 236 Indian Army Personnel With His Timely Action
Ramaji, who served in the Indian Army for 26 years, set a unique example by saving the lives of 236 soldiers in 1986 through his vigilance and courage
When the spirit of patriotism is true in the heart, even the impossible becomes possible. One such inspiring example is Ramaji from Bherukheda village in Khandwa city of Madhya Pradesh, whose bravery still lives on in the hearts of people.
Ramaji, who served in the Indian Army for 26 years, set a unique example by saving the lives of 236 soldiers in 1986 through his vigilance and courage.
A Unique Story Of Courage
In 1986, during the military exercise 'Brass Tacks', Ramaji was posted in the Ranau area of Rajasthan. That year, India launched its largest-ever military exercise in the subcontinent, known as Operation 'Brass Tacks'.
One night, as the sound of rumbling tanks echoed all around, Ramaji sensed imminent danger. Acting swiftly, he used the radio and signalling system to alert and protect the 236 soldiers in his workshop unit. His timely action redirected the tanks and averted a major accident.
The Army honoured Ramaji's indomitable courage. He was promoted from Naik to Havildar and received special recognition. His then-officer, Colonel Randhawa, praised his bravery on a public stage. Ramaji's act is still regarded as an ideal example of military discipline and alertness, a spirit that remains strong to this day.
Now residing in the Prabhu Prempuram area of Khandwa, Ramaji may be retired, but his patriotism remains as vibrant as ever. Locals proudly recount his heroic deeds and view him as a true inspiration for the younger generation. His story reminds us that real bravery lies not just in wielding a weapon, but in making the right decision at the right time.
First Published:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
6 hours ago
- India.com
THIS Indian village is known as 'village of soldiers', every household has a member serving in Indian Army, its Asia's largest..., located in...
(File/Representational) Largest village in Asia: Despite rapid urbanization and industrialization over the last few decades, India remains largely a rural/agrarian economy, with the country having a total of 6,40,930 villages, a number that has reportedly increased to 6,64,369, according to various reports. But did you know that Asia's largest village is also located in India, which also boasts another unique distinction– its is known as the 'village of soldiers' as every household in this hamlet has at least one family member serving in the Indian Army. Let us find out more about this remarkable village. Where is the village located? The Gahmar village in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, has earned the distinction of being the largest village in India as well as all of Asia. Located on the banks of the River Ganga, on the railway route between Patna and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction (formerly Mughalsarai), around 40 kilometers from the district headquarters Ghazipur, the Gahmar village is spread over about 8 square miles (about 20-22 square kilometers), making it the largest village in Asia. The Gahmar village, known for its large population and rich military tradition, is divided into 22 tolas or pattis, with each of these named after a renowned person or Army soldier. What is the population of Gahmar village? As per various media reports, the population of Gahmar village is estimated to be between 1.20 lakh and 1.50 lakh people, with locals asserting that the figure is about 2 lakh, considering the natives who live in other parts of the country due to work, studies, etc. The figure is abnormally large for a village, because rural regions are generally less densely populated than urban areas. The village has about 25,000 registered voters, and is mainly dominated by the Rajput community, which forms about 60% of its population, followed by Yadavs, Verma, Brahmins, and other castes. Why Gahmar is called 'village of soldiers'? Apart from being the largest village in Asia, Gahmar is also known for its long military tradition, and its believed that every home in this giant hamlet has at least one member who is serving, or has served in the Indian Armed Forces. As per reports, Gahmar village is home to about 15,000 ex-servicemen, while around 12,000 natives are currently serving in the Indian Army or paramilitary forces in positions ranging from soldier to colonel. According to media reports, several families in the village have three generations associated with the Indian Army, and young men are often seen preparing for military recruitment every morning and evening 1600 meter track at Mathiya ground located on the banks of River Ganga. The village is easily accessible because of the Gahmar railway station which connects Patna and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction. Story Highlights Gahmar is the largest village in Asia. Each home has at least one member in Indian Armed Forces. Its spread over 22 square kilometers. The village is located in Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh.


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Army chopper's emergency landing delights Tinsukia locals
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter carrying four personnel made an emergency landing at a local playground in Tinsukia district on Tuesday morning after developing a technical malfunction during a routine sortie. The aircraft, with two pilots and two Army officials aboard, was en route from the Dinjan-based military station in Dibrugarh to Anini in Arunachal Pradesh when it encountered a sudden technical snag at around 9:05am. The pilots safely landed the helicopter at the Dibrupariya Sports Association's playground in Kathalguri. The unexpected touchdown turned an ordinary morning into a community spectacle. As word spread, scores of students and villagers gathered to witness the rare sight of a military helicopter parked in their neighbourhood. What could have been a tense moment quickly transformed into a cheerful photo opportunity, with locals lining up to take selfies and group pictures against the unusual backdrop. Social media was soon flooded with images, turning the incident into a viral moment. "We were just heading out when we heard the helicopter approaching. At first, we were worried something serious had happened, but the crew remained calm and professional. They assured us it was a minor technical issue and would be resolved soon. They were very kind and even posed for pictures with the children," said Annadeep Moran, a local resident who witnessed the landing. After nearly 50 minutes of on-site repairs, the issue was resolved, and the helicopter resumed its journey without further incident. While the Army has not released an official statement regarding the malfunction, sources said it was a minor glitch that was promptly fixed. The Cheetah helicopter, a light utility aircraft commonly used by the Indian Armed Forces, has long been a reliable workhorse in the northeastern region, often operating in difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

The Wire
a day ago
- The Wire
Amidst Uncertainty at Flood-Hit Chisoti, Three Lists Hold the Key to Hundreds of Lives
Jehangir Ali As rescue efforts continue, government officials' records offer a glimpse into the extent of damage at the Jammu and Kashmir village. Chisoti, Kishtwar (J&K): In the office of Jammu and Kashmir's revenue department, housed in a tin-shed room in the flood-ravaged Chisoti village, a swarm of anguished men huddle around Kabeet Singh who is seated on a plastic chair. 'To register yourself, I need a bank account number, Aadhaar and ration card,' announced Singh, a patwari (revenue official). After a meaningful pause, Singh lifted a long notebook from the table in front of him: 'Don't even think about lying to me. I am going to verify each claim. If I discover anyone has lied, his name will be struck off the list.' Revenue official Kabeet Singh (right corner) looks on as his colleague notes down the details of stallholders who lost their livelihood in the flood. Photo: Jehangir Ali. On Sunday, August 17, four days after a 40-60-foot column of rainwater came crashing down into the village, killing at least 65 persons, mostly Hindu pilgrims on the way to Mata Machail yatra, dozens of poor stallholders who have suffered grave economic losses made a beeline for the office. One by one, Singh asks the men circling him to tell him their names, addresses, phone numbers and the details of losses suffered by them while noting them down diligently in the notebook. Barefooted Sumit Solanki, a resident of Madhya Pradesh who was among the registered stallholders, steps forward, 'I have lost everything. My personal belongings were also washed away. I don't even have a pair of shoes,' he told Singh. On the table, a red file folder contains three lists. One is the list of 'Injured Persons', their parents' names, age, address and names of the hospitals where they were shifted for treatment and whether they have been discharged. A tributary flows down the mouth of a narrow valley before merging with the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Photo: Jehangir Ali. The second list of 'Dead bodies' does not state the age of the victims. Instead, against the name of each body that has been recovered, it mentions the address of the hospital where the body has been preserved and, if it has been handed over to the family, the name of the person who received it. 'Handed over to shubam (sic),' the list states about Palak Sharma, a resident of Narwal in Jammu, who died in the tragedy. 'Handed Over', it says of Sham Lal, another Jammu resident, without mentioning the recipient's name. A day after the tragedy, Happy Singh travelled more than 300 km from Bari Brahmna in Jammu to Chisoti after losing contact with his mother and aunt. Singh tells The Wire that he learnt about the tragedy through social media and the two women were among a group of 18 people from one locality in Jammu who had come on the pilgrimage. Chisoti village after the flash flood. Photo: Indian Army. More than three days have passed without a breakthrough. 'I don't want any compensation from the government. I only want the bodies of my mother and aunt,' Singh tells the revenue official. At least 23 dead bodies have not been identified yet among dozens recovered from the debris. An official told The Wire that many victims were mutilated and their body parts were pulverised probably by the massive boulders which crashed down into the village along with sludge and floodwater on the fateful day. Among the four missing CISF personnel who were posted in the village to regulate the yatra, two complete bodies and the leg of one have been recovered. 'It (leg) was stuck between two huge boulders,' said an official. The fourth CISF man continues to remain missing. The third list of 'missing persons', which is also the longest, has the phone numbers of the relatives or acquaintances of 87 persons who have been so far reported missing to the authorities besides their regular details like names and addresses. This list has also been updated the most number of times. 'Body Recovered from GMC (Government Medical College) Jammu,' the list says about Happy Sharma, a resident of Bishnah, who was reported missing on the day of the tragedy. His body was found a day later. Two residential houses which bore the brunt of flash flood in Chosoti village. Photo: Jehangir Ali. Some 50 minutes later, the crowd of stallholders around Singh, the revenue official, starts to thin out. He said that the government has set up nine similar help centres in other parts of Kishtwar to help families who may not have yet reached out to the authorities. 'No one is being left out,' Singh said. A narrow, serpentine road winds around the narrow Himalayan valleys of Kishtwar before coming to an abrupt end, some 200 metres from Bhot tributary of Chenab river in Chisoti which was the epicentre of the tragedy. Here, pilgrims disembarked from their vehicles on the fateful day and broke up for food or a hot cup of tea before continuing the pilgrimage. Mata Machail yatra is the third most popular in J&K after Vaishno Devi yatra and Amarnath yatra. On the morning of the disaster, more than two lakh pilgrims had already embarked on the arduous hike to the revered Hindu deity who finds mention in the Vedic myths. Around 5,000 pilgrims were set to embark on the nine-kilometre hike to the sacred temple of 'Ma Chandi', a journey undertaken by the Hindu sages in Kishtwar's Machail area when it started to rain. Within two minutes, the flood wrecked Chisoti. Singh, the revenue official and a resident of Kishtwar was among the first government officials who reached the village for documenting the trail of death and destruction. Rescue workers are racing against time to retrieve the bodies of missing Hindu pilgrims who are feared to be buried the ruble in Chisoti. Photo: Jehangir Ali. The tin shed housing Singh's office was one of the dozens of stalls which sprung up in Chisoti to cater to the pilgrims when the yatra started on July 25 this year. It is also one of the few fortunate structures which have escaped nature's fury. With the calamity having flattened much of Chisoti, the shed has turned into an island of hope for the families who are searching for their loved ones; a solo notebook and some papers capturing the painful story of one of Jammu and Kashmir's worst climate disasters in tone-deaf, heartless statistics. Meanwhile, the roaring Chenab has left little hope for the families of missing persons and locals as the river appears to have swallowed them with little chance of recovery. 'Yesterday six bodies were recovered. Today, just one,' said Dharam Singh, a local whose house on the banks of the Bhot tributary was washed away. 'The Chenab is ruthless. Once more time passes, we may only find the dismembered humans.' The 974 kilometre river which snakes through the narrow Himalayan valleys in Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts before moving into the plains of Jammu has a notorious history of gulping its victims without a trace. The 974 kilometre Chenab river snakes through the narrow Himalayan valleys in Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts before moving into the plains of Jammu. Photo: Jehangir Ali. 'Bodies vanish in its depths,' said a Seva Bharti volunteer, surveying the damage that has destroyed at least ten homes while three more were partially damaged. While some anguished families of missing persons continue to wait, Meena Devi, daughter of 72-year-old priest Bodh Raj who led prayers at the Kali Mata temple in Chisoti, has given up hope. 'I don't think I will see my father again,' she said. Unlike the Tawi river in Jammu or Kashmir's Lidder river which shrinks in autumn, the Chenab roars year-round. In monsoon, when the Machail Mata yatra coincides with peak flow, Chenab looks dreadful before exiting into the plains of Jammu and merging with the Indus in Pakistan later. The August 14 floods swept away pilgrims, priests, vendors and even children. More than 70 are feared dead and dozens remain missing. Two girls aged 14 months and 14 years pulled out alive after eight and 24 hours respectively were the only miracles in the village of grief. 'Chenab rarely returns what it has swallowed,' said Roma Devi, a local who lost her granddaughter Arundhati in the tragedy. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Advertisement