Ranchordas Pagi

Ranchordas Pagi, also known as Ranchordas Rabari, (1901–2013) worked as a scout on behalf of the Indian Army.

Early life

Ranchhod Pagi was born in Banaskantha district[1] in Gujarat. He belonged to a family of nomads.

Career

He was recruited by the Indian Army. The Pakistani army captured many villages in the Kutch area just before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.[2] Pagi went into the captured areas to gather information[3][4] from both villagers and his own relatives. This greatly assisted the Indian army.[5] In one of his most remarkable achievements, Ranchod Pagi traced the location of 1200 enemy soldiers hiding in the wilderness in utter darkness. He also helped the Indian army capture several key posts during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. His efforts during the wars of 1965 and 1971 are said to have saved thousands of soldiers.[1]

Pagi passed away in 2013 at the age of 112.[1]

Honours

India's Border Security Force (BSF) has named a border outpost after Ranchhod Pagi. He had been honoured by both the police and the BSF.[6] He received several awards including Sangram Medal, Police Medal and Samar Seva Star - for his role in the 1965 and 1971 wars.[7][5] In 2007, He was felicitated by chief minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat in Independence day celebration held at Palanpur.[5]

References
  1. "1200 पाकिस्तानी सैनिकों पर भारी पड़ गया था यह हिंदुस्तानी हीरो". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  2. R. D. Pradhan (2007). 1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan war. p. 23. ISBN 81-269-0762-2.
  3. General Harbakhsh Singh, War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict, 1965, page 122
  4. "Unheard story of the 112 year old hero of Indian Army. - KenFolios". KenFolios. 2015-06-21. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  5. "Centenarian Tracker Ready to Serve Army Again". Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  6. "Ranchhod Rabari: The Grand Old Pagi". The Times of India. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  7. "This Unsung Rabari Herder From Kutch Played a Key Role in Two Indo-Pak Wars". The Better India. 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
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