Lolab Saviours Youth Club & Indian Army organise patriotic song & dance competition as tribute to General Zorawar Singh

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: Lolab Saviours Youth Club in collaboration with Indian Army camp Gujjarpatti, organised a patriotic song singing and dancing competition as tribute to General Zorawar Singh on his birth anniversary in Lolab Valley, district Kupwara.

General Zorawar Singh was born on April 13, 1786 in a Rajput family in Kahloor village of Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. He Joined the army of Maharaja Gulab Singh as a soldier and rose to the rank of General.

General Zorawar Singh, led a strong Dogra force across the Zanskar Ranges for the conquest of Ladakh on August 18, 1834. Thus, Ladakh for the first time in history became part of India. He campaigned for six years in that inhospitable terrain and conducted a series of hard-fought battles. After Ladakh he turned his attention to Baltistan comprising three states of Skardu, Gilgit and Hunza in 1840.

In May 1841, he ventured into Western Tibet. The proudest achievement of his expedition was the capture of the Chinese Mantalai Flag by 4 JAK RIF in the Battle of Purang on May 30, 1841 The one and only captured Chinese Flag present in the Indian Army today).

Eventually, on December 12, 1841, in the battle of To-Yo, General Zorawar Singh, one of the greatest Dogra commanders and warriors laid down his life fighting heroically in the battlefield near Tirathpuri. 

Known as “Little Napoleon” of India he was endowed with exceptional qualities of a great general. He was a strict disciplinarian and a man of absolute moral integrity who led a spartan life. Through his inspiring leadership and humane administrative acumen, he laid the foundation of a powerful Dogra state and its army, the present JAK RIF. The battles won by the Regiment under his leadership are Ladakh 1834-40, Baltistan 1840 & Tibet in 1841.

Hence, a patriotic song singing and dancing competition was organised on Wednesday by the local youths at Krusan to commemorate and pay homage to the Great General.

The event commenced with the national anthem followed by a brief talk about General Zorawar Singh and his life achievements in various battles.

The aim of organising such an event is to inculcate nationalistic spirit, fervour and respect for great personalities of India, who has left a mark in the history. 

A total of 80 boys and girls from seven different schools namely High School Krusan, UPS Badibera, Middle School Saiwan, Anwar Memorial Krusan, AGS Krusan and AGS Chandigam attended the event out of which 49 were the participants.

The students conveyed their thanks and gratitude to the Indian Army for organising such a mesmerising event which has impacted them from the core of their heart. The event successfully culminated with the national anthem.