Ved Prakash Ghai

Lieutenant Colonel Ved Prakash Ghai was born on 22 February 1935 in Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh to Shri Desh Raj Ghai and Smt Dayawanti Ghai.[2]

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Lt Col Ved Prakash Ghai was commanding officer of 16 battalion of Madras Regiment, which was deployed in Shakargarh sector on the western front. On 15 December 1971, after crossing the river and mine obstacles in the face of heavy firing, his Battalion occupied the bridge-head when the Pakistani troops mounted fierce counterattacks. Rallying his men, Lieutenant Colonel Ghai beat off repeated enemy attacks through the night.

In the morning, another counterattack was launched by Pakistani troops, supported by tanks. Lt Colonel Ghai let his men from the front, moving from one position to another, directing and encouraging his men with complete disregard to his personal safety. Inspired by him, the Battalion supported by tanks, repulsed the counterattacks inflicting heavy losses to the Pakistani forces. In spite of being seriously wounded by an enemy shell, Lt Colonel Ghai continued to direct the battle. He died in the battlefield and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. This battle was known as the Battle of Basantar river, one of the major battles of the war.[3]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Battle of Basantar