The floods in Jammu and Kashmir caught the people unawares as it was one of its own kinds after six decades. We are proud of Major Pravesh Saha, our ex-student who helped to evacuate villagers of Suree Chak village. One of the survivors, Deep Raj appreciates Major Pravesh’s dedication to duty and the daredevil spirit which saved the lives of many people.

Major Pravesh, popularly known as ‘Body Builder’ amongst his peers, and now named “Singham of Surrechak” by the villagers, had correctly assessed the flood prone areas in Mandal. He ensured adequate training of his men and optimum stocking of Flood Relief Stores in his Company Location Mandal. Finally, on 06 Sep 14, the day came when Pravesh was entrusted with the task of saving lives. The most badly affected village was Surrechak near Mandal, Jammu where around hundreds of people were trapped. The whole area was inundated and the only bridge to Mandal from Jammu collapsed which added further agony in rescue operations. The Officer with his team evacuated the people to safe locations carrying them on shoulders and in boats tirelessly till the elderly, women and children were at safe places. However, during his fourth attempt, the column itself came under floods and the rescue boat capsized, trapping all in the high current of the flooding water. Displaying exemplary courage, he and his team without any concern for their own safety, swam towards the drowning villagers and pulled them out of water, to a safe location. Gauging the futility of going against the now furious Niki Tawi, he exhibited maturity by convincing all reluctant civilians to leave their house and gather together on a single roof top for air evacuation. He constantly motivated his team as well as the civilians thereby preventing panic, even as neighbouring houses collapsed one by one.

His communication equipment had been washed away in floods, however maintaining his cool; he utilised a villager’s mobile phone. The only number he remembered was of his wife. Calling her, he gave his location and updated her with the current situation. The lady, maintaining the highest traditions of “Wedded to the Olive Greens” , acted with maturity and immediately informed the Commanding Officer to coordinate relief operations.

Soon, an SOS call was given to the Air Force and Army helicopters. The inclement weather conditions further added agony to their evacuation, but the maverick soldier used innovative methods to indicate their location to the Pilots and ensured correct positioning of the helicopter on the rooftop. This resulted in evacuation of all the remaining villagers.

The incident clearly depicts that the Army is just not a profession, but actually a way of life. The courage shown by Maj and Mrs. Pravesh will certainly motivate others in years to come, who have ensured ‘Service Before Self’. The Officer had previously evacuated seven personnel during a major fire incident at the highest post in the world (Ashok Post, Siachen Glacier) on 20 July 2011. Ask him and he says, “I AM THERE TO SAVE MY COUNTRYMEN IN PEACE AND KILL THE ENEMY DURING WAR”.