Imphal, August 16, 2010: The 57 Mtn Div orgainised a ceremonial function to honour (Late) Maj L Jyotin Singh, Ashok Chakra of Army Medical Corps at Leimakhong today.

A press release issued by PIB (DW) stated that Maj L Jyotin Singh, who belongs to Nambol, sacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow doctors and medical team members during a terrorist attack on February 26 this year at Kabul.

He has been awarded the highest peacetime gallantry award the "Ashok Chakra" (Posthumous) on the occasion of Independence Day 2010. Speaking on the occason, GOC Maj Gen DS Hooda affirmed that the gathering was organized to honour the bravery of Maj Jyotin, who unflinchingly sacrificed his life in the performance of his duty.

No words of praise or any award could compensate for the grief of the mother, father, brother and sister, the GOC said.

"But there are people, who by their courage and actions, inspire us, become heroes and whose stories become legends.

Such people are rare and Maj Jyotin was one of them.

Although he is not here today, he lives on in our memory and will never be forgotten," Maj Gen Hooda said.

"The Ashoka Chakra is the highest gallantry award of India and equivalent to the PVC which is awarded only in war.

It is given only for the most exemplary acts of bravery.

It normally goes to fighting arms like infantry, armoured crops, SF.

Maj Jyotin is the first doctor of the Army to be conferred with this honour," he said.

The GOC further said, "He was in Kabul on a humanitarian mission.

He was part of a medical team running a multi speciality hospital for children.

These doctors were unarmed as they were on a mission to heal.

But terrorism does not have a human face.

Terrorists attacked the very doctors who were treating their children.

Jyotin took them on with his bare hands and while sacrificing his own life, saved the lives of his comrades".

"Jyotin is an example for all of us.

An example in how terrorism can be defeated.

The spirit is more important than the gun.

Bare hands and courage are enough to beat the terrorists.

We have to conquer our fear and be firm in our convictions.

Some of us may fall but the rest will walk tall," Maj Gen Hooda said.

"Maj Jyotin's family is here with us today.

While nothing can fill the void of his absence, they can take justifiable pride in the fact that he was the bravest of the brave and will forever serve as an example to follow," the GOC said.

GOC, 57 Mtn Div, Maj Gen DS Hooda honoured the parents of Maj L Jyotin Singh, Ashok Chakra during the function which was attended by ladies, civil guests, officers and other ranks, the press release stated.

It further stated that Jyotin had done his schooling from Manipur Public School.

He completed his MBBS degree from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Manipur in 1996 and did his junior residency from Safdarjang Hosp New Delhi.

He also completed his post graduate diploma in Sports Medicine from Netaji Subhash National Institute Patiala.

This dynamic young doctor joined the Army Medical Corps in 2003 as a Short Service Officer.

During his service in the Army Medical Corps, he served in High Altitude Area under project Vartak.

He was with 57 Mtn Div from Feb 2006 to Jul 2009.In Feb 2010 Jyotin was selected for the Indian Medical Mission Kabul.

His medical team was involved in the running of a multispecialty hospital for children in Afghanistan.

However in a cowardly act of terrorism in which two suicide bombers along with five other terrorists attacked the guest house of the Indian medical and cultural team on 26 Feb 2010, 16 people lost their lives including nine Indians.

During the attack, when a suicide bomber entered the guest house where the team was staying, Jyotin displayed exemplary courage.

With total disregard to his own safety he wrestled with the terrorist with his bare hands and pinned him down, not allowing him to fire or throw grenades.

Jyotin did not let the terrorist move, however in the scuffle the terrorist managed to detonate his suicide bomb vest.

The sacrifice made by Jyotin saved the lives of other team members including two specialist medical officers, four para medicals and two Afghan civilians.

For this act of selfless, exemplary courage in the face of danger, the highest peacetime gallantry award the "Ashok Chakra" has been bestowed to the brave doctor on 15 Aug 2010, the press release said.

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