Chewang Rinchen

Colonel Chewang Rinchen MVC & Bar, SM (Kalon Tsewang Rigdzin,[1] 1931 – 1997) was a highly decorated officer in the Indian Army from the Union territory of Ladakh.[2] He was the youngest ever recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest Indian gallantry decoration, for his role in the defence of Ladakh in the First Kashmir War.[3] He received the Maha Vir Chakra for a second time after Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, for his role in the conquest of the Turtuk block (a section of the Chorbat. valley), in what came to be known as the Battle of Turtuk[4]. He was one of only six Indian service personnel to have the Maha Vir Chakra twice. He was awarded a Sena Medal for gallantry in the 1962 India-China War.[4] and Mention in dispatches for gallantry in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965[3]

Colonel

Chewang Rinchen

MVC**, SM
Born1931
Sumur, Ladakh,
Jammu and Kashmir,
British Raj
Died1997 (aged 65–66)
Leh, Ladakh, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1948–1984
Rank Colonel
UnitNubra Guards (1948–?)
Ladakh Scouts (1971–1984)
Battles/wars
Awards Maha Vir Chakra & bar
Sena Medal
Mention in dispatches

Early life

Chewang Rinchen was born in the village of Sumur in Nubra in 1931 in an illustrious family. One of his ancestors had the title of "Lion of Ladakh" for his bravery and his mother was known as "Mother of Nubra Valley" for her compassion.[5] Rinchen was educated in Sumur by a Ladakhi Christian missionary by name Stanzin.[5] At age 13, he attracted the attention of a kalon (duke) of Ladakh, who took him to Leh for secondary education. Four years later, the First Kashmir War started, placing Ladakh in grave jeopardy from the raiders from Gilgit-Baltistan.[2]

Military career

Rinchen joined the Nubra Guards in 1948[6] and served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 alongside Indian Army units. Fighting in the Nubra Valley, he was promoted through the ranks and was awarded a Mahavir Chakra for bravery. He was the youngest recipient of the award.

Maha Vir Chakra

The citation for the first Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

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.

Note: The original citation is not available. This write-up is based on the contents of a book 'Hero and Their Deeds'.[7]

Rinchen also served in the 1962 India-China War, where he was awarded a Sena Medal. On 1 April 1964, he was granted a permanent commission in the regular Indian Army with the rank of second lieutenant (seniority from 21 August 1962), and relinquished his commission in the Jammu and Kashmir Militia.[8] He was promoted to lieutenant on 21 August 1964.[9]

In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Rinchen, now a major in the Ladakh Scouts, led the capture of the Chalunka complex of the Pakistani Army and the strategic outpost of Turtuk.[10][11] For these actions, he was awarded a bar to his MVC, being one of only six Indian soldiers so honoured. This battle was known as the Battle of Turtuk[12].

Bar to Maha Vir Chakra

The citation for the second Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

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.[13]

Later career

Promoted to the substantive rank of major on 6 February 1978,[14] Rinchen retired from active service with effect from 1 May 1980, when he transferred to the reserves.[15] 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.[16] Rinchen finally retired as a full colonel in 1984.

Legacy

The Indian Army has named an army shopping complex after him in Leh.[17] 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. [18][19]

Personal life

Chewang Rinchen married Shema Choskit Dolma of Leh Khangsar, an aristocratic family from Leh. Rinchen's younger brother P. Namgyal is a former Union Minister and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).[3]

Notes

Citations
  1. Gutshow, The Politics of Being Buddhist in Zangskar (2006), p. 474.
  2. Claude Arpi (22 December 2011). "Have you heard about this Indian Hero?". Rediff News.
  3. Rohit Parihar (31 August 1996), "Youngest-ever recipient of Maha Vir Chakra Chewang Rinchen is an enduring Leh icon", India Today
  4. Col Y Udaya Chandar (Retd). Independent India's All the Seven Wars. Notion Press. p. 402. ISBN 9781948473224.
  5. Francis, Short Stories from the History of Indian Army (2013), p. 30.
  6. Sulibele, Chakravarty. "Details". Vijaya Vani (in Kannada). Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  7. Mahavir Chakra (MVC) Awardee: Lt Col Chewang Rinchen, 1 July 1948, The War Decorated India & Trust, retrieved 23 October 2019
  8. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 September 1966. p. 519.
  9. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 9 May 1970. p. 587.
  10. Nandini Mehta (8 August 2011). "Turtuk Diary". Outlook.
  11. "A different kind of high in Ladakh", Daily News & Analysis, retrieved 23 October 2019
  12. Col Y Udaya Chandar (Retd). Independent India's All the Seven Wars. Notion Press. p. 402. ISBN 9781948473224.
  13. Mahavir Chakra (MVC) Awardee: Lt Col Chewang Rinchen, 8 December 1971, The War Decorated India & Trust, retrieved 23 October 2019
  14. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 28 June 1980. p. 734.
  15. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 August 1981. p. 1036.
  16. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 November 1984. p. 1812.
  17. Michael Patrao (5 November 2011). "On top of the world". Deccan Herald.
  18. "Col Chewang Rinchen Setu: India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge in eastern Ladakh". Business Standard. 21 October 2019.
  19. "Explained: The strategic road to DBO".
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References


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