Tag Archives: India-Pakistan War of 1971-Operation Eagle 1971

PAIN AND COMPASSION – PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE

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Statue of Buddha in Vietnam

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Lord Gautama Buddha has laid the foundation for understanding Pain and Suffering that is implicit in Human Existence.However, Buddha had failed to recognize the second face of the same coin that represents the nature of human existence. In Pain or Joy, man exists because of the Power/Force/Energy of Mercy/Grace/Compassion of the LORD, the Creator of man and all that exists.

 

Lord Gautama Buddha claimed that pain, suffering, and the experience of sorrow(‘DUKHA’) is implicit in Human Existence. There is no escape from sorrow. Fortunately, there is hope. When man recognizes pain or sorrow in the lives of others, it spontaneously arouses the feelings of Compassion, which is described in Sanskrit language as  Karuna, or Krupa. If pain is a part of human existence, compassion is an instinctive response generated by human nature. The problem is, man unfailingly recognizes his own pain and sorrow and pays no attention to the pain and sorrow that is being experienced by others. When I recognize my pain or feelings of sorrow, I may generate a feeling of self-pity and not that of compassion. Compassion acts like a physical force, power, or energy. It has the ability to uplift man from pain and his experience of sorrow. However, self-pity has no such uplifting power. As a human, I can only use compassion to serve others and not for promoting my escape from pain or mental misery. People who do not recognize this Divine Force of Mercy, Grace, and Compassion often live in a state of self-pity. The instinct of compassion comes into play when man reacts to pain that he witnesses and responds to it. I can only use this force of compassion to serve others and not for securing my own well-being.     

WHAT DO I GET IF I RESPOND WITH COMPASSION ?     

Any act of compassion, or an act of kindness gives the performer an experience of Joy or Sweetness. It is a physical, and a mental experience. It is a whole body experience. A person who responds to an instinctive impulse generated by the force of compassion accomplishes his task of serving another person without the experience of physical or mental fatigue. The burden of providing assistance becomes light and the task itself provides a sensation of Joy or Sweetness as it is being performed or accomplished. The mind, and body collectively share this experience.     

PRAYER TO ACKNOWLEDGE COMPASSION  :     

The Lord of Compassion is described as MADHAVA and His Energy/Power/Force of Compassion is personified as MADHAVI. The Lord is always accompanied by His Energy, His Consort.

Prayer is an acknowledgment of God’s Power/Force/Energy of Compassion, Grace, and Mercy. There is no human existence in the absence of this Energy. All living organisms and entities lead an energy-dependent existence. We exist as energy seekers and we exist because of an Energy Provider. In  good health or sickness, and at any stage of human existence, from conception until death, man is energy-dependent and he has no other choice apart from this Divine Providence. The following is a hymn in Sanskrit language that acknowledges the immense power of compassion :     

Muukam karoti Vaachalam, Panghum langha ye tey girim,     

Yat Krupaa ta Maham, Vande Paramananda Madhavam.     

The person described as mute(Muukam), and Disabled(Panghum) in this prayer is not me. It is the other human being whom I recognize as mute, or handicapped. I can recognize the pain, the condition, or the physical state of this person even while he is speechless. I am empowered to gain information as if the mute person is able to communicate fluently the information about his condition. In practical terms, the mute person is transformed into a person who can speak effortlessly(Vaachalam). Similarly, the handicapped person who cannot walk or climb, overcomes all obstacles and will be able to cross over the hills(Girim). The man afflicted by disability need not walk. I am empowered by compassion and I would lift him and move him over the obstacles in his path. This prayer motivates me to use the uplifting force of compassion. While I am not physically strong or powerful, the energy of compassion lightens my physical burden and makes the task easier for me to complete without over stretching myself. The Divine Providence is identified as ‘Paramananda Madhava’. Ananda means Joy or Happiness. Paramananda means Great Joy or Perfect Bliss. The Lord gets the name of Madhava as the personification of His Energy of Compassion is described as Madhavi. Madhavi is a word derived from ‘MADHU’ which means honey, nectar, or sweetness. The Lord is always accompanied by His Energy, His Consort Madhavi. When Lord Madhava applies this Force called Madhavi, the experience would impart a sensation called ‘Madhurya’ or Sweetness in the person who is the beneficiary and also in the benefactor who is acting on behalf of the Lord in response to the instinct called compassion.     

 

During Indo-Pak War of 1971, in the conduct of military operations in Chittagong Hill Tracts, we had experienced a sense of Joy called Madhurya. Myself, and a team of about 65 soldiers had medically evacuated our battle wounded soldiers carrying them in improvised stretchers. We had covered a total distance of over eighty miles in less than 24 hours which included a night halt. None of us had experienced sore feet, leg cramps, muscle fatigue, or mental anxiety or irritation. The patients also remained in a stable condition in spite of blood loss, and painful injuries.

 

PAIN TOLERANCE AND PAIN RESISTANCE :    

The Art of Battlefield Medicine demands adequate Pain management. Pain aggravates circulatory collapse/SHOCK caused by blood loss. Transportation of critically injured battle wounded persons also aggravates the pain sensation. By providing care and comfort, by treating wounded persons with kindness, and compassion, I had recognized that I could manage their pain with minimal use of narcotics or other medications used in pain relief. Compassion exerts a positive influence and alters the perception of the pain sensation. Under the influence of compassion, man learns pain tolerance.

People have various degrees of pain tolerance. I have practically experienced that by providing care, and comfort, by treating people with kindness and compassion, I can increase their physical capacity to tolerate pain. The beneficiary, and the benefactor who serves with compassion, both equally experience a sense of Joy and tend to become Pain Tolerant and Pain Resistant. Compassion has a quality and it gives the man a capacity to tolerate and resist  a far greater amount of physical, mental, and emotional pain as compared to an individual who has not experienced the force of compassion.     

ADVANTAGES OF PAIN TOLERANCE AND PAIN RESISTANCE  :     

King of Pop, Michael Jackson died unfortunately as a consequence of an inappropriate use of a pain killer. His pain was not managed in a manner that could have avoided this tragedy.

The person who is Pain Resistant or Pain Tolerant would not need high doses of pain killers. Such Pain Tolerant persons would not use drugs to alter mood or to elevate mood. The Pain Resistant person would not use recreational drugs like alcohol, tobacco, or other chemical substances. He is not prone to the problems of Drug Addiction or Drug Abuse and Drug Dependence. He would not need drugs to relieve Anxiety, or Depression as he is not likely to be susceptible to states of mental anxiety or mental depression. He would not routinely use drugs for pain relief as the body has made psychological adjustments for its level of pain perception . We need to know people who depend upon drugs to live their lives. If Michael Jackson is alive, he would tell us about his drug-dependent human existence. There are millions of such human beings who live using drugs and they would be only experiencing self-pity. If we recognize the Force of Divine Providence called Compassion, we could help people and help them to live a life without drugs.     

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-GRATIFICATION AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE :     

Self-gratification would provide a man with an experience of sensual pleasure. It is a pleasing and enjoyable experience while it lasts. The problem is that of addiction. The mind, and body would demand more and more of such sensual pleasure experience. Without further self-gratification, man becomes miserable. The experience of Joy or Sweetness associated with Compassion is not addictive. It would not lead to compulsive behavior and would not contribute to Behavioral Disorders. We need to address this issue of pain and its experience. Our aim should not be that of providing maximal pain relief using drugs. We need to serve people experiencing pain using the force of compassion and transform their lives and make them pain tolerant and pain resistant while enjoying the sense of Pure Joy and Sweetness inherent in service with Kindness and Compassion. 

Please view my related blog post titled ‘Krupa – A Force to Preserve Human Existence 

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/krupa-a-force-to-preserve-human-existence/      

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,   

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,   

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April 1970.

 

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THE ART OF BATTLEFIELD MEDICINE

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The Battle Field Resuscitation of Prince Lakshmana by HANUMAN

The Battlefield Resuscitation of Prince Lakshmana by HANUMAN

In the epic poem of Ramayana, the battle wounded Lakshmana is resuscitated by a medicinal herb known as 'SANJIVANI', fetched by mighty Hanuman.Ramayana also describes the Art of Diagnosing the Medical Condition known as 'SHOCK' from the facial appearance of the Battle Casualty.

In the epic poem of Ramayana, the battle wounded Lakshmana is resuscitated by a medicinal herb known as ‘SANJIVANI’, fetched by mighty Hanuman.Ramayana also describes the Art of Diagnosing the Medical Condition known as ‘SHOCK’ from the facial appearance of the Battle Casualty.

Florence Nightingale became famous for her role in providing CARE and COMFORT to the Battle Casualties in the Crimean War.

Florence Nightingale became famous for her role in providing CARE and COMFORT to the Battle Casualties in the Crimean War.

The Flag of Indian Army Medical Corps symbolizes its Primary Mission.

The Flag of Indian Army Medical Corps symbolizes its Primary Mission.

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE – OPERATION EAGLE – LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH 1971 :

OPERATION EAGLE 1971 – THE ART OF BATTLEFIELD MEDICINE

Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India had initiated Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971 with military action in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The battle plan of this military action is known as Operation Eagle. This post is related to that battlefield experience.

Army represents a large organized force armed and trained for War. The Primary Mission of Army is to wage a War or to defend itself in a War. The purpose of Army Medical Corps is to support the Army to accomplish its Primary Mission. AMC provides support during the Battle, while preparing for the Battle and to keep the Army Battle-Ready at all times. In a Combat, when a direct or indirect contact with an enemy is made, Casualties could occur. These Casualties could fall into three groups :

Group I : These are killed outright or severely wounded past any help. I had personally witnessed such Battle Casualties who had died in my presence. However, it is important to identify them and document the nature of injuries with an aim to develop a strategy to use more effective Battle Plans and in evolving better personal protective clothing and devices.

Group II : These Casualties are severely wounded, they require continuous medical support and supervision and transportation to a Field Hospital for appropriate Life saving Surgery and further definitive treatment in a Base Hospital.

Group III : These Casualties are less critically injured persons who need minimal medical attention. When appropriately treated at the Battalion level, they could be immediately returned to the Combat Operations and very useful in sustaining the numbers of the fighting force.

Army Medical Corps acts to prevent the loss of life amongst the Group II and Group III casualties. In doing so, AMC provides a blanket of ‘Care’ and ‘Comfort’ to those injured and it acts to boost up the morale of the entire fighting Force. AMC personnel take part in military Operations as Combatants and are entitled to carry their personal weapons.

THE EFFECTS OF BATTLE INJURIES :

The battle wound is a ‘CONTINUING’ injury and its effects on the entire body are dynamic ones. If  left unattended, the physical condition of the Battle Casualty deteriorates. Hemorrhage or loss of blood from a blood vessel is a major contributing factor to Shock and death. Most of those patients with wounds of great vessels of the chest and abdomen bleed to death before getting medical help. Bleeding could be; (a) External or visible, or (b) Internal or invisible. Apart from loss of blood, injuries damage soft tissues, internal organs and structures like bones and nerves.

Resuscitation actually means the act of reviving or restoring the vital functions of a severely wounded person. Resuscitation involves those procedures which are carried out to counteract the effect of the wound. Since the wound is a ‘continuing’ injury and its effects on the entire body are ‘dynamic’ ones, the Resuscitation is a process of ‘continuing’ treatment. Since the effects of the wound start as soon as the man is injured, Resuscitation should start as soon as the wounded man is seen. Hence, ‘FORWARD’ Medical Care is essential for the survival of the wounded. Resuscitation must commence in the ‘Field’ where the Battle Casualty is found. The AMC personnel, Medical Officers, Nursing Assistants, and Ambulance Assistants are combatants and it is not unfair to send trained medical personnel in the Combat Zone. Use of a qualified doctor in the ‘Forward’ location is far more beneficial to the wounded soldier. During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, I was present in the Combat Zone and my services were immediately made available to the wounded soldiers and had directly witnessed the benefits of initiating early treatment of Battle casualties. The concept of ‘Combat Life Saver’ improves the chances of Casualty survival. Emergency life saving treatment must start as far ‘FORWARD’ as possible and it must continue as a Casualty is evacuated to the rear. It must be understood that swift medical treatment greatly enhances survival. AMC must plan to provide Emergency medical treatment of soldiers at or near a Combat Zone to increase the chances of survival. The next major problem which contributes to the death of Casualties is that of a faulty Evacuation Plan. Lack of transportation is often the primary cause of untimely Evacuation. I had personally encountered this problem of lack of transportation during the initial phase of the Indo-Pak War of 1971 but I met this challenge with courage and had taken my patients on a memorable foot journey and had them airlifted. My patients had all survived this ordeal. The initial treatment in the battle field is important to ensure that the Casualty will stand the journey to the rear. The wounded patient must be able to survive the journey and should not arrive at the Field Hospital dead or dying.

THE PRIMARY AIMS OF TREATMENT AT BATTALION LEVEL :

1. If necessary, establish and maintain an adequate airway. The basic mechanisms of respiration should be intact. A ‘sucking’ wound of the chest must be immediately sealed.

2. Bleeding should be stopped or arrested. Severe blood loss may not be evident immediately after injury. After wounding, a blood-volume deficiency will always occur. As opposed to internal bleeding, bleeding from blood vessels in extremities can be controlled more easily. The pressure dressing used must be tight enough to control bleeding. If applied properly, pressure dressings will often control major hemorrhage than the use of a tourniquet. The aim is to prevent the onset of Shock, delay its progression and to stabilize patient’s condition to prepare him for transportation.

3. Relief of Pain : Pain induces and aggravates stress. Prompt relief of pain provides an enormous sense of Comfort. Pain aggravates the casualty’s poor condition. Fractures apart from causing pain, also increase damage to muscles and thereby promote further blood loss. Fractures must be adequately splinted. Patient must be properly immobilized to withstand Evacuation. The pain associated with most soft tissue injuries could be easily relieved by the use of Morphine. I had very effectively used Injection Tubonic Morphia/ Morphia syrettes 0.25 or 1/4 grain.

4. Prevention of Wound Infection : Wounds break the barriers against bacteria. Bandages should not be applied carelessly. When applied properly, bandages arrest bleeding, prevent disturbance of the wound by foreign objects and prevents further contamination. Battle wounds get easily contaminated. Before clinical evidence of infection, early administration of antibiotics is useful. I had orally administered Tetracycline tablets, a broad-spectrum antibiotic with very good results.

5. DO NOT LAY TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON TRANSPORTATION : Hurried Evacuation leads to undue deterioration during transportation.  The transportation should not be at the expense of proper treatment. The Medical Officer at the Battalion in a Combat Zone is not merely a First-Aid provider. He is the most important member of the Resuscitative Team. He must take time to institute initial procedures which will best prepare the wounded soldier for transportation. At all times, the Medical Officer must aim to put a Casualty in the best possible condition for transportation in the shortest period of time.

Army Medical Corps and the concept of CARE and COMFORT

Army Medical Corps and the concept of CARE and COMFORT during Battle.

THE CONCEPT OF CARE AND COMFORT :

Army Medical Corps accomplishes its mission of providing ‘CARE’ by making an effort and actually by reaching the Battle Casualty as early as possible. The presence and the physical contact with a person providing medical aid gives the feeling of being cared for. The Battle Casualty should not struggle to find his way to reach the Regimental Aid Post. A Battle Casualty feels reassured if the medical care provider demonstrates a sense of resolve, determination, and purpose in reaching out to the wounded person in the Field. An early and effective medical intervention is the key to deliver ‘Care’ and ‘Comfort’. The human body experiences a sense of improvement when the bleeding is stopped, when the pain is relieved and when you are placed in a position that physiologically contributes to the sense of ‘Comfort’. I also speak about the role of compassionate care in the relief of pain and in the management of pain. Compassion acts like a Force/Power/Energy. It has an uplifting power. Compassion provides both a physical and mental experience on the person providing the care and on the person receiving the care. The caregiver experiences less physical and mental fatigue and would be able to accomplish a physically and mentally challenging task with ease and a sense of joy or happiness. The person receiving the care experiences a sense of calm and reassurance, his pain tolerance improves, he becomes pain resistant and wold require less effort in his pain management both in terms of the dose and the frequency of his pain relief medication. The psychological and physical stress caused by the battle injuries is reduced as the wounded person experiences a sense of joy or happiness for getting compassionate attention. Human touch is a powerful tool in the arena of Battlefield Medicine. 

Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and the AMC Centre and School in Lucknow should prepare Medical Officers to face the Greatest Challenge of its Primary Mission.

Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and the AMC Centre and School in Lucknow should prepare Medical Officers to face the Greatest Challenge of its Primary Mission.

THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FOR ARMY MEDICAL CORPS  :

The lives of the seriously wounded soldiers depend upon the professional skills of the Medical Officer and other medical personnel deployed at the Battalion level. I had served as a Medical Officer at a Battalion level during the Indo-Pak War of 1971, and had later trained in a Field Hospital in providing support to an Infantry Division, and in a Medical Battalion that was providing medical support to an Armoured Division. I had also used this experience in serving the Land Forces of the Sultanate of Oman. The need for the best trained men in the most ’FORWARD’ location where the greatest test of ability is made remains the Greatest Challenge for the Army Medical Corps. AMC must orient its policy and training to achieve this end. AMC must apportion training time of the Medical Officer so that a maximum training occurs in the Combat Zone in providing initial Resuscitative Care to the Battle Casualty. To supervise the training of the medical care support personnel, the Medical Officer should also be trained to acquire the professional skills that are used by a Nursing Assistant and an Ambulance Assistant. In the Art of Battle-Field Medicine, no job is a small job.

The Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in an Establishment under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of her Foreign Policy Initiatives. She had personally approved our military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this War, we had faced a very critical moment and it needed her personal intervention and a decision that she alone could make. I rendered my services and had overcome the challenge posed by that critical situation. The importance of this situation could be understood as it needed an intervention from the Prime Minister. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.

Please feel free to share this page with your friends and others who may care about preserving the lives of the battle wounded persons.

Dr. R. R.Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,  

Ex-Number. MS-8466 Rank. LIEUTENANT/CAPTAIN  AMC/SSC   

Medical Officer South Column Operation Eagle 1971

Headquarters Establishment No. 22  C/O  56  APO   

Related Blog Posts :

1. Award of Gallantry Awards – Indo-Pak War of 1971.

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/award-of-gallantry-awards-indo-pak-war-of-1971/  

2. The Medical Plan for Fifth Army in Bangladesh The Experience of Madhurya in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/the-medical-plan-for-fifth-army-the-experience-of-madhurya-in-chittagong-hill-tracts/

3. The Fifth Army – The Untold Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 18, 2009

4. The Phantoms of Chittagong – A Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 17, 2009

5. The Victory over Death – The Psychology of Warfare – July 13, 2009

6. The Spirit of a Jew – Revisiting the Birth of Bangladesh – February 10, 2009

7. India and Iran – What is the Connection ? – January 28, 2009

8. Sangram Medal 1971 – A Story that I Shared with the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services – November 11, 2009

9. Liberation War of Bangladesh – Fallen Heroes on Both Sides – October 28, 2007

10. About Guns, Victory, and Gallantry Awards – Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 – October 23, 2007

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A SERMON IN KAPTAI, BANGLADESH

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Quran

 

GLORIOUS QURAN SURAH VIII ‘SPOILS OF WAR, VERSE 61 : “And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower.”

” Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God “.( The Holy Bible,The Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 9)

” (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect “.(Holy Book of Quran, Surah XXXVIII, “SAD” verse 29)

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE – ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER. 22 – OPERATION EAGLE – LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH 1971:

 

OPERATION EAGLE 1971 – A SERMON IN KAPTAI BANGLADESH

Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India had initiated Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971 with military action in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The battle plan of this military action is known as Operation Eagle. She had conceived this battle plan to bring peace in that region. She was inclined towards peace. She wanted to deliver peace to people of Bangladesh who had earlier declared their independence from Pakistan. During Operation Eagle 1971, I had served in South Column, an Infantry Unit Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan. He was a great Islamic Scholar. He had explained to me that PEACE is the greeting of Righteous people.

  

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:The Flag of The Regiment of Artillery of Indian Army. This is a story about a Gunner, an Officer of The Regiment of Artillery who had commanded an Infantry Unit during India-Pakistan War of 1971 and had planned and executed Infantry Assaults on Enemy Posts to Liberate Bangladesh. His Unit was the first to receive the Gallantry Awards of Vir Chakra during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The Military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts during Indo-Pak War of 1971 aimed at restoring Peace and to help Bangla Muslims to live in Dignity. My Unit had captured Kaptai and this Dam was not targeted for inflicting any kind of damage.

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:The Military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts during India-Pakistan War of 1971 aimed at restoring Peace and to deliver Peace to Bangladesh Muslims to help them live in Dignity. My Unit had captured Kaptai and this Dam was not targeted for inflicting any kind of damage.

 

My Unit never discussed any Battle Plan that required blowing up the Dam over Karnaphuli River at Kaptai.

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:My Unit never discussed any Battle Plan that required blowing up the Dam over Karnaphuli River at Kaptai.

AN ISLAMIC SCHOLAR WHO SERVED IN OLIVE GREEN UNIFORM:

A personal tribute to Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan, the Regiment of Artillery

I was in college from 1962 to 1965 and had obtained an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science from Osmania University, Hyderabad. I remember this period as the Golden Age of immortal Mohd. Rafi whose melodies still fill my ears. I grew up in this cradle of Urdu language Culture and had acquired my love for ghazals and qawaalis. I had spent time in Lucknow, a crown jewel in the Urdu speaking world, where you meet in the market place, ordinary folks who speak in tones that have made the language famous for its sweetness. Much later, I had served in the Land Forces of The Sultanate of Oman and took my first lesson in Arabic language. My love for Urdu and my Knowledge of Arabic language pales when I write about this Scholar and language expert whom I had met in India during 1971. He passed away on Sunday May 2, 2004 in Bahrain where he had worked for over 20 years as the Head of the Translation Department at the Bahrain Archives. This is not a tribute about his academic accomplishments, the books that he had published, his military career or about his famous friendly relationship with President Gamal Abdel Nasser and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt. I am writing this tribute to recognize his personal qualities and the values that he had promoted. I am writing this tribute to recognize him as a “peacemaker”.He represents a symbol of hope and the light that he had shown may lead us on to a path of peaceful co-existence.

I met Lieutenant Colonel.B K Narayan; he hails from  Karnataka, and he grew up as a Hindu, while he served in Indian Army in the Olive Green Uniform during the period of ” The Liberation War of Bangladesh ” in 1971. He had the unique distinction of commanding an Infantry Unit in the conduct of War while he had belonged to The Regiment of Artillery. I have not known a ‘GUNNER’ who could plan and execute Infantry Attacks on Enemy posts. Colonel Iqbal Singh, the Chief of Staff at the Force Headquarters also belonged to The Regiment of Artillery but the role played by Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan as an Infantry Commander during War is exceptional and has no comparisons that I am aware of. I had the opportunity to converse with him for extended periods of time and came to know his admirable personality. It is not the knowledge of Arabic language that has made him unique and sets him apart from all other language experts but he is special because of his love for Islamic Culture and his ability to project the deep understanding of that Culture when he spoke to others. He had performed the holy pilgrimage of hajj and had observed all the rituals of that spiritual journey like a true and devout Muslim. When he narrated his hajj experience, I could know the sense of joy and the purity of his intentions. His observance of hajj was genuine, real to its core.

Col Narayan was able to quote Quran from his memory and would convey his understanding of the verses with great clarity. I had personally witnessed his amazing performance in a little town called KAPTAI, on the banks of Karnaphuli Lake, Rangamati Division of Bangladesh. He had conducted the Friday Worship Service for the local Bangla Muslims and delivered a sermon which was received with great appreciation by the worshipers. His job in Uniform did not impose any obligation to organize such an event. he held that prayer meeting entirely on his own initiative and it was purely an expression of his love to worship in the Islamic tradition and it also affirms his faith that the worship of God is not limited by one single tradition. The Friday Worship Service was held at the State Guest House in Kaptai where I had stayed after my Unit had captured Kaptai. It had a large Conference Room. Col Narayan had contacted the Muslim Clerics of the local Masjid and they were absolutely delighted when they met him. His Scholarship and devotion to Islam had captivated them and they had immediately agreed to convene the local congregation at the Guest House and organize the Friday Worship Service. The Conference Hall got totally packed with worshipers. I could watch the proceedings directly from my room in the State Guest House. The Bangla Muslim Community of Kaptai were truly appreciative of Colonel Narayan and his military campaign for bringing Peace and Joy to their Community. 

I knew Col Narayan’s great admiration for Arab people. He had always described them as peace-loving people. He knew this as a fact and it was based upon his understanding of Islamic Culture and traditions. I would describe Col B K Narayan as a God’s humble servant. It is important to remember and pay tribute to such “peacemakers” as we can achieve true peace through reflecting and understanding the revelations from the Holy Scriptures of all people. The Regiment of Artillery of Indian Army must record this historical contribution made by a Gunner officer who had served as an Infantry Commander during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.    

 

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:Major General Sujan Singh Uban, Inspector General of Special Frontier Force, was my Commander during Operation Eagle 1971 but he made no mention about ‘The Sermon in Kaptai’ in his book.

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:THE SERMON IN KAPTAI, BANGLADESH. We had helped the Bangladesh Muslims to regain their freedom and dignity.The India-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in an Establishment under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of her Foreign Policy Initiatives. She had personally approved our military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this War, we had faced a very critical moment and it needed her personal intervention and a decision that she alone could make. I rendered my services and had overcome the challenge posed by that critical situation. The importance of this situation could be understood as it needed an intervention from the Prime Minister. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.

Related  Blog Posts :

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/award-of-gallantry-awards-indo-pak-war-of-1971/

1. Liberation War of Bangladesh – Fallen Heroes on both sides – October 28, 2007

2. About Guns, Victory, and Gallantry awards – Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 – October 23, 2007

3. Sangram Medal 1971 – A Story that I shared with the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services – November 22, 2007

4. India and Iran – What is the Connection ? – January 28, 2008

5. The Spirit of a Jew – Revisiting the Birth of Bangladesh – February 10, 2009

6. The Phantoms of Chittagong – A Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 17, 2009

7. The Fifth Army – The Untold Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 18, 2009

8. The Medical Plan for Fifth Army in Bangladesh – The Experience of Madhurya in Chittagong Hill Tracts

9. Award of Gallantry Awards – Indo-Pak War of 1971

10. The Art of Battlefield Medicine

Electricity generated at Kaptai helps to operate Chandraghona Paper Mills near Kaptai.An engineer who had worked in the Paper Mills at Chandraghona, a Bangla Muslim had helped my Unit during our military operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts.When our Unit reached Kaptai, the engineer happily returned to his home. I went and visited the Paper and Rayon Fiber Mill at Chandraghona.

OPERATION EAGLE 1971:Electricity generated at Kaptai helps to operate Chandraghona Paper Mills near Kaptai.An engineer who had worked in the Paper Mills at Chandraghona, a Bangla Muslim had helped my Unit during our military operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts.When our Unit reached Kaptai, the engineer happily returned to his home. I went and visited the Paper and Rayon Fiber Mill at Chandraghona.

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands(December 1985 to December 1989) – Lieutenant General(Retd) TS Oberoi, PVSM, VrC., former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, Pune, former Inspector General, Special Frontier Force, former Commandant, Headquarters Establishment No. 22, Commander Operation Eagle 1971. He is the tall person in this photo wearing dark brown turban. I knew him since 1971. Under his able leadership, the Liberation of Bangladesh had commenced in the year 1971 during the Indo-Pak War.Apart from his military wisdom, he took a good care of all men under his Command. While I was proceeding to Chittagong Hill Tracts, he had individually greeted all the members of my team and had delayed the departure of aircraft to ensure that a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. He paid personal attention to all the aspects of the military mission to ensure the wellbeing of men apart from achieving success in accomplishing the military task. The sense of warmth he radiated is easily felt when we meet him in person. His grandson provided me the link to this photo. Photo Credit – Trishna-Ajay-Picasa Web Album.

Dr. R. R. Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,     

Ex –  Number. MS-8466, Rank. LIEUTENANT/CAPTAIN  AMC/SSC

Medical Officer South Column Operation Eagle 1971

Headquarters Establishment No. 22  C/O 56 APO.

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