Page 140 - Leadership in the Indian Army

decorated soldiers of the Indian Army, was in the same battalion as a young
officer.
Soon after he joined the battalion, Zoru Bakshi was sent on a patrol with

some men of his company, which comprised Pathans. On his return, Zoru
reported that he had come across a hill feature, which was held by the
Japanese. Despite the fact that he was being transferred the next day, the
CO promptly gave orders for its capture. The task was assigned to Zoru,
who was told to take the Dogra company with him instead of the Pathan
company. Colonel Fairlay had started his career with the Dogras and
therefore had more faith in their prowess. Zoru was not very happy about

this, but there was nothing he could do. In order to strengthen the platoons,
even the men employed in the mess were rounded up. One of these was
Sepoy Bhandari Ram.
The following night, Zoru went ahead with the Dogra company and
launched an attack on the feature from three sides, using a platoon from
each direction. After a bitter fight, the feature was captured. This was the

first time Bhandari Ram had been in action, but he showed conspicuous
gallantry. Apart from sustaining several bullets he was seriously wounded
by a grenade which burst right in front of him. After the operation, Zoru
described Bhandari Ram’s bravery to Usman, who was officiating as CO,
since the new incumbent, Lieutenant Colonel L.P. ‘Bogey’ Sen who was to
replace Fairlay, had yet to report for duty. Usman decided that Bhandari
Ram deserved a VC, and when the new CO joined the next day, Usman

requested him to forward his name for the award.
The VC was the highest award for gallantry and given only for
exceptional acts of valour. Since Bogey Sen had just taken command, he
was unsure about sending a recommendation for the VC so soon. He felt
that the Brigade Commander may be more inclined to consider a
recommendation for the Indian Order of Merit (IOM). Usman was very

upset, and felt that this would be unfair to Bhandari Ram. He argued that
since he was in command on the day the action took place, his opinion must
be given due weightage. But Sen did not relent and refused to change his
recommendation.
Usman was not one to take things lying down. He walked up to the
Brigade Commander and apprised him of the situation. The Commander,
Brigadier R.A. Hutton, agreed with Usman. He sent back the

recommendation to the Battalion HQ, with the remark that on going