Blog by Vanshi | Digital Diary

​​​​During the Indo Pak war of 1971, Indian Navy named its most daring and awe inspiring operation as operation Trident. It was of course symbolic of Trishul the invincible three pronged weapon of shiva the Great God. When the war of 1971 was looking large on the horizon, Indian Navy was headed by Admiral SM Nanda the then chief of the Naval staff. Vice Admiral N Krishnan and vice admiral later admiral SN kohli were.learding the eastern was western commands respectively. They meticulously planned the naval response in the emerging scenario. In the event of war was the western Navel command based at Mumbai was to engage and destroy as many Pakistani naval ships as possible so that the Pakistani Navy became incapable of attacking our shipping and launching attack on Indian soil from the sea. It was during this time that the plan to attack Karachi was fine tuned and operation Trident was conceived. By the time the bugle of war was sounded on the evening of 3 December 1971 the Indian Navy had already deployed it's western fleet in the North Arabian sea. A special Task Group comprising two Letha class Corvettes and four  Missile Boats intended to launch an urgent missile attack was awaiting orders off the coast of saurashtra. The plan of operation was clear and simple though risky. The special Task Group was to approach Karachi during the night launch missiles from a distance of about 20 nautical miles and withdraw before dawn to avoid Pakistani Air Force attack. The plan provided that the Group after reaching 159 miles from Karachi at sunset would go at maximum speed during night to carry out attack and withdraw again at a maximum speed. Invisiblity in the night was to be exploited as best as possible. As per the plan, on the Moonless night of 3 December three missile boats, Nirghat Nipat and veer and the two Letha class ships katchall and Iran proceeded towards Karachi Lt CDR later code Sharma commanding officer INS Nirghat. 

BATTLE OF LONGEWALA Longewa, a border village is located in the jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. It is said that in earlier times the trade of Laing or cloves between some and Ajmer passed through this place and hence the place got this name. The village is a desert area some 16 km from the international border with Pakistan. There were no roads to connect LONGEWALA to the border and a camel or camel cart fitted with lsand tyres were the only means of transport. It was here that the Indians fought on e of the fiercest battles during the war of 1971. The LONGEWALA post was held by a platoon of border security force before the war. In octOcto1971 when the cloude of was started the gathering a company of 23 Punjab Regiment was deployed to defend the post. It is notable that 23 Punjab was a part of 45 infantry brigade of the 12 Indian Division which was responsible for the defense of the jaidlamer sub sector. Indians did not expect any major offensive by the pakistani army in thisp desert area. Also no military a ctivties were observed on the Pakistan side of military activities were observed on the border opposite LONGEWALA by Indian patrols till the commencement of the war. Indians thus believed that Pakistan would concentrate more on protecting rail and road communication opposite jaisalmer on their side of the border. But Pakistan had some different plan. In fact Pakistan had deployed an infantry Division 18 infantry divison for operations in LONGEWALA while one more Division 33 Division to reinforce it required. On the Indian side only one company of 23 Punjab Regiment under Major kuldip Singh chandpur was deployed to defend the area totall unaware of the lurking danger. On the cold breezy night of 4|5 December captain Dharam Vir a young officer of the company was leading a patrol near the border. Suddenly, at midnight, he heard the rattling of tanks from across the border. The noise gradually became louder indicating the movement of the Pakistani army towards the Indian post .captain Dharam Vir reported the matter to company commander major kuldip Singh chandpur. Another patrol in the area also confirmed the movement.

BATTLE OF DARSANA During the Info - Pak war 1971 India launched a four pronged attack on East Pakistan. 8 corpos in the north west 3 corps in the west 4 corps in the East and 101 CZA in the north penetrated from four directions to bring an early end to the web TN Raina carried the attack in Jessore jhenida.sector with 4 and 9 Divisions. Pakistan had pitted 9 Divisions to defend the area.  4 Division which had secured some Pak border observation posts East of karimpur before the declaration of war was tasked to capture nodal points of jhenida and Mathura to clear the way for ferry sites at Madhumati and Padma rivers. But to advance on Tibanagar kotchandpur kaligani jhenida axis the route selected by the Division commander the Pak BOP at DARSANA had to be neutralised. The task was entrusted to 41 Brigade 5\1 Gurkha 2|9 Gurkha 22 Rajput 5 Guards and a squadron of 54 Cavalry with orders to accomplish it by the last light on 5 December. DARSANA was an important tactical feature close to west Bengal border and dominated the axes uthali kapasdanga and uthali chaufanga the Pak commander had organized the Defence of DARSANA in five segments Viz front line bunkers club area DARSANA halt Railway station and village chandpur. Each segment was protected by shell proof bunkers make of railway sleepers. These could be cleared only with artillery and tank support. The Pakistani 18 Punjab supported by chaffer tanks mortars and guns was entrusted with the task of defending DARSANA. They had dug up anti tank trenches on all sides and had covered the south and east approaches with mines. The Pakistani commander himself considered his eastern defences impregnable on account of mines and eastern defences impregnable on account of mines and bunkers. Incidentally, the Indian 41 Brigade chose to attack DARSANA from the eastern side. As per the Brigade plan 5|1 Gurkha Rifles was to capture Darsane halt, railway station club area and chandpur in the first phase.

INS VIKRANT THE SEA WARRIOR During the 7971 war taking into consideration the overall strategic picture Naval Headquarters allocated the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to the Eastern Fleet. It was to serve as the nucleus of the Indian naval interdiction and strike force operating against the enemy in the BAY of Bengal. But the Indian planners suspected that Pakistan would deploy at least one of its submarines to target it and took every possible measaure to protect it. Of the Pakistani submarines, PNS Ghazi was the one which had range and capability to undertake operations in the distant waters. Hence a little before the hostilites brroke out on 3 Decemder ghazi was mine laying there and to sink INS Vikrant the backbone of Indian Navy.

BATTLE OF CHHAMB  A major battle took place in the CHHAMB area during the war of 1971. The terrain here is a mix of flat open ground cross crossed by rivers and a number of hilly features. The higher on third area is covered with hills while lower two third is flat and open ideal for the movement of tanks. The village of CHHAMB situated to the left of Manawar Tawi River lies in the centre. CHHAMB was strategically important to both India and Pakistan. It Pakistan made a thrust through CHHAMB and proceeded to capture Akhunur bridge over chenab it could cut off all the Indian troops deployed in the western half of Jammu province Naushera Rajouri and Punch. Indian pre emptive thrust on the other hand could impede the movement of Pak forces from the karian Jhelum complex to the Lahore sialkot sector.  10 Infantry Division under Major General Jaswant Singh was made responsible for defending this sector. Going by the dictum offense is the best form of defence the Division planned a limited offensive in this sector to grab the initiative from Pakistan. To this end. 68 Infantry Brigade 5/8 Gurkha Rifles 9 Jat and 7 kumaon was assigned the task of launching an attack into Pakistani occupied territory while 52 Infantry Brigade and 191 Infantry Brigade were to stand in support by securing a firm based. One squadron of Horse Deccan horse was allotted to 68 infantry brigade for the offensive. The brigade concentrated at Akhunur to launchthe offensive while 52 Infantry Brigade prepared to protect akhnur town and the bridge. 191 infantry brigade took position across the manawar tawi river.

BATTLE OF PUNCH It was the 3rd of December 1971. Lt col Kl Rattan the Commanding Officer of 6 Sikh was scanning the reports coming in from his companies deployed along the border in Punch. The events were unfolding just as he had visualised and planned for .the enemy attack was imminent and the Battalion was fully prepared to face  it. 6 Sikh had moved into 93 Infantry Brigade sector and had taken over the task of defending Punch in may 1971. Puncwers of 1947 48 and 1965 also. Pakistan was bound to make yet another attempt to grab it so as to have an easy route of access to the Kashmir valley. The Indian observation posts at the Forward Defended Localities FDLS had been reporting large movement of Pakistani vehicles carrying troops and stored for the past few months. Their recce and surveillance parties had also been seen all along the line of control LoC obviously gathering intelligence on Indian troop deployment. In the past few days activities had become hectic and troops in large numbers could be seen moving behind Pakistani border posts called Raja and Rani on 30 November when the villagers across the LOC were seen vacating their homes in large numbers it became clear that the day of Reckoning wasn too far. On 1 December COL Rattan spoke to his men exhorting them to be vigilant and ready to live up to the best traditions of the Battalion. Loud cries of Bole so Nihal sat Sri Akal resounded and might have scared the enemy across the line of control. The confidence of VO and his men stemmed from the fact that tjri deployment was done after a lot of thought and their preparations were thorough. On taking over the location in May COL Rattan had carried out some re- adjustments in the deployment pattern in the battalion defended area. He was intimately familiar with the LOC in this area as he had operated here in the 1965 war and had participated in the capture of Haji Our. 6

BATTLE OF HILLI The HILLI town was located in the north western sector of East Pakistan, spread spread over on worth side of the border. It was of vital strategic importance and hence Pak commander expected his men to defend the complex at all cost. For the Indians it was the gateway to HILLI Gaibanda Bogra axis. Further it's occupation was considered necessary to isolate the Pakistani forces from rest of the East Pakistan.  On the Indian side the area was densely populated and build up. On the other side it was less populaypoand full of paddy and jute crops with a large number of groves and ponds. Preparing for war the Pakistani army destroyed the civilians to deny any shelter to Multi Bahini ( Bangladeshis who fought along with Indians) and Indian army the Pakistani forces were well prepared and pre stocked on these build up areas. The narrow lanes were used to place minefields in zig- zag direction and grenades. The pre _ conditions of the town provided the Pakistani forces an advantageous position. In fact they had turned the town into a strong fortress to thwart any attack.  It is notable that the battle of Hill had actually started on 22 November 1971, much before the commencement of War on 3 December. The battle was fought in two phases. The first phase lasted from 22 to 25 November and the second phase from 8 to 11 December 1971. In between some clashes followed. The battle is considered as one of the most pitched battles fought in the build up areas during India Pakistan war of 1971. Initially. The Indian Army avoided to go a Ross the border. But after the Pakistani army started shelling HILLI and Balurghat on 1 November GOC - in C Eastern command decided to reactivate and the task was a trusted to 8 Guards with 5 Garhwal as reserve. But later the objective was changed to capturing Northern HILLI including Naolara, Morapara and Basudeopur villages and not the whole HILLI complex realising that a single battalion may not be able to do it. Further the movement of the tanks over weak bridges and muddy terrain was an additional problem. 22 Movember was fixed for the commencement of the operation. The plan of the attack was prepared by the commander of 202 Mountain Brigade Brigadier Farhad Bhatty who had earlier shown promise in the a squadron of 63 cavalry in support.

BATTLE OF GARIBPUR  As a consequence ostani military clampdown in East Pakistan in March 1971, lakhs of Bengalis sought refuge in lndia many of them joined mukti bahini a guerrilla outfit raised to fight for the liberation of Bangla Desh. The Mukti Bahini fighters crossed borders to harass the Pak army, which in turn breached the indian borders in hot pursuit indian Army waarned Pakistanis for their s[poradic incursions onto the indian territory. Gradually, such incidents became more frequent and developed into encounters. one such incident  took place in the border area near village Garibpur. The village was located across an inmdian salient jutting into East Pakistan popularly called Boyra sailent. Poakistanis made it into a stronghold and used it to launch raids across the border. Garibpur was also strategically important as it dominated the highway [2 km away] leading to jessore from chaugacha. jessore was also the headquarters of the Pakistani army divsion, reponsible for the defence of this sector of East Pakistan. the domination over Garibpur area was vital for the armies of both india and Pakistan, and therefore a major battle took place here on 20- 21 Novemder 1971. An aerial encounter also ensued the very next day. To counter Pakistani incursions from boyra salient Brigadier JS Gharaya, Commander 42 Infantry Brigade, tasked Lt Col RK Singh commanding officer 14 Punjad [ Nabha Akal] to establish defences at garibpur. A squadron of 45 Cavalry with PT-76 tanks and aqn engineer platoon of 102 Engineer Regiment were also placed under his command. the task was assigned to 14 Punjab on 20 Novemder with orders to secure the objective by the first light on 21 November. Lt Col Singh immediately began to gather information about Pakistani dispositions in the area. it was found that the area was well looked after by a Pakistani brigade based at jessore hardly based at jessore hardly 20 Km from garibpur and that a battalion was already deployed in the vinity at chaugacha. further the enemy could strengthen the strounghold with at least one squadron of armour and two infantry battalions. Moreover, there was alsoi the possibility of an air attack. Pakistani troops were also ensured artillery support from a place called singha juli about 500 meters north of garibpur. Lt Col singh orderedone of his companies to march across the international border to garibpur without alerting the enemy. A river named kabadak which ran alongside the border had to be negotiated. the company manoeuvered hard and crossed over to the other side of the river despits shortage of boats. the whole battalion followed. the squadron of 45 cavalry also crossed over alsong with the companies of 14 Punjab. Meanwhile an advance patrol was sent under major A P vishwanathan to reconnoitre the area with a view to guide the batta;lion on its arrival in the area. But a Pakistani potrol was also making rounds in the same area. A clash erupted between the two patrols and pakistanis pulled back after a fierce fight. but the surprise was lost and the enemy alertede. In the circumstances, Lt Col company commanders to secure the objectives immediately. one company along with the squadron of 45 cavalry rushed forward to the jagannathur area. the other company secured a salient north of garibpur. the other troops secured the gap between the two companies. by early hours[ 0300 hours]

Championing the Blind  The American Foundation for the Blind AFB, despits being a relatively new organization had already made significant strides. A New Partnership  They established a unified Braille code set up a Braille printing press to increase book availability and assisted blind individuals in finding employment. By joining forces with the AFB, Helen and Anne would not only work on a cause close to helen's heart supporting the blind but also secure a steady income. In return the AFB gained prominent advocated to amplify its mission. Making a Big Impact  Helen's name proved to be a powerful asset. At their first fundraiser, she and Anne raised &21,000. Their efforts led President calvin coolidge to agree to become the AFB's honorary chairman Helen hosted fundraisers at har home spoke in churches and addressed town halls to educate the public about blindness. After three years of intense work it was time for a well deserved break. New Books and New Challenges  Helen sought to focus on writing and enlisted editor Nella Braddy Henney's help her first book my Religion was published in 1927, following by Midstream. My later life in 1929. However the latter did not achieve the same popularity as her earlier works as readers were more intersted yher childhood than her adult life. Amid these challenges Anne's deteriorating eyesight led to surgery to remove her right eye in 1929. Consequently polly accompanied Helen to washington DC. Where she successfully persuaded congress to allocate &75,00 for the printing of additional Braille books. This marked the first federal support for a blind related program in the US.  A New Ally and a Heartbreaking loss Helen's influential continued to grow and she forged a friendship with president Franklin D. Roosevelt. She advocated for the blind urging him and other legislators to take action. Her efforts contributed to the signing of the social security Act in 1935, which provided unemployment insurance retirement funds, and support for children and the disabled including the blind.

Voicing her views  Helen also wrote an article titled 'I Must speak for the Ladies'  Home journal. In the piece, she informed readers about an eye infection that mother could transmit to their newborn. The solution was straightforward _ special eye drops for the babiles.  Preventable Blindness The eye drops were inexpensive, but not all parents could afford receive the drops would become blind. Helen had once believed that blindness couldn't be prevented, but she now understood that this wasn't true. Learning that so much blindness could have been avoided made her angry. Helen realized the link between blindness and poverty and wanted to understand the challenge faced by those living in poverty. She visited their neighbourhoods and spoke with workers and immigrants to learn more about their lives. She was determined to find ways to help because she believed in the importance of improving others lives.  A New Influence  Throughout her life, Helen learned from many people and one of the most influential was john Macy, who edited her book. Helen came to admire john and when he married anne in 1905, she moved in with them. John a socialist, believed that wealth should be shared more equally among all people, not concentrated among the rich. Helen and Anne enjoyed john lively political discussions with friends, and Helen was inspired by his ideas. By 1909, she joined the socialist party, eager to learn and advocate for equality. During this happy period, Helen published two more book with John's help and often enjoyed bike rides with him loving the thrill of going fast.