PM Modi’s speech before International press regarding patriotic fervour of Indian Muslims reminded me of an unswerving patriot , Late Brig Mohammed Usman Ali,Mahavir Chakra - I felt like telling about him to every Indian. A man of steely grit ,who hailed from a very simple middle class family in village Bibipur,Azamgarh, UP. Got educated in simple hindi school in Benaras .At tender 12, he jumped into a village well to save a child. The greatest distinction for India was, that, In 1932,he was one amongst 10 boys selected for the most prestigious Sandhurst Royal Military Academy . In Feb 1934 ,he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. In March 1934, he was att to the 1st Cameroon Battalion of Britain, in India. In March 1935 he was posted to 5th Battalion The Baluch Regiment ( now with Pakistan)and saw action in Afghanistan and Burma during the World War. He commanded 14th Bn of the 10 Baluch Regiment in 1945 – 46. Due to his outstanding professional prowess he soon became a Brigadier.Much before partition, he handled the communal disturbance at Multan impartially ,fairly & with firmness(he is seen in a photo leading a horsed march past in Multan ,a City of Sufis ,now in Pakistan). So galvanised was his patriotic fervour that at the time of partition ,he was offered out-of-turn promotions with prospect of becoming the Army Chief of Pakistan. Many moving out as Pakistani military officers expected him to grab the opportunity which he spurned outrightly.After partition he went to Dogra Regiment. A hardcore warrior for whom each and every action was a question of exemplary honour. He always found opportunity in difficulties. A great source of inspiration for his troops, who always achieved successes and commanded massive respect from his soldiers who were ready to sacrifice even beyond the call of duty. He was enthusiastically innovative. A man of great compassion for others and benevolence that during 1947 war with Pakistan he supported over 150 orphaned children abandoned in border by sharing rations meant for troops. He died valiantly,in battlefield, a few days before completing 36 years of age. He was then Commander 50 (I) Parachute Brigade. The battle of Jhangar cost him his life .On recapturing Jhangar from Pakistan ,he came to be known as “Lion of Nowshera”. At that time Pakistan had announced a bounty of Rs 50,000 for his head.Had he survived he would have been the first Muslim Army Chief of independent India.Nehru personally escorted his funeral march vehicle (see pic).He was the first military officer who was given State funeral and was finally laid to rest in Jamia Millia Islamia,Delhi. - ANIL LALL
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:14:01 +0000