Saurabh Singh Shekhawat

Last updated

Brigadier

Saurabh Singh Shekhawat

KC, SC, SM, VSM
Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat.png
Portrait of Brig Shekhawat
Born (1970-10-18) 18 October 1970 (age 54)
Alwar, Rajasthan, India
AllegianceFlag of India.svg  India
Service / branchFlag of Indian Army.svg  Indian Army
Years of service11 June 1994 – 31 August 2024
Rank Brigadier of the Indian Army.svg Brigadier
Service number IC - 52871
Unit 21 Para (SF)
17 Maratha LI
Commands 9 Para (SF)
21 Para (SF)
Battles / wars
Awards Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg Kirti Chakra
Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg Shaurya Chakra
Sena Medal ribbon.svg Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg Vishisht Seva Medal
Alma mater Indian Military Academy
Spouse(s) Dr. Renuka Shekhawat
Relations Dr. Jaswant Singh Shekhawat (Father)
Dr. Shraddha Chauhan (Mother)

Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, KC, SC, SM, VSM is a former Indian Army officer of the 21 Para (SF) and an avid mountaineer. He is one of Indian Army's most decorated officers, with one war-time gallantry award and two peace-time gallantry awards to his name. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Shekhawat was born in a Hindu Rajput Family on 18 October 1970 in Alwar, Rajasthan. His Father's name is Dr Jaswant Singh Shekhawat and his mother's name is Dr Shraddha Chauhan, a DLit and PhD. [3]

Career

Colonel Shekhawat during an Interview Saurabh Singh Shekhawat.jpg
Colonel Shekhawat during an Interview

Military career

Shekhawat was commissioned in the 17 battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry as a Second Lieutenant from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, on 11 June 1994 and was promoted lieutenant on 11 June 1996 and captain on 11 June 1999 and major on 16 Dec 2004. [4] [5] [2] He was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 11 June 2007 and to colonel on 6 January 2010 (seniority from 1 January). [6] [7] He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in March 2020. [8]

Mountaineering Career

Shekhawat has ascended Mount Everest three times in 2001, 2003 and 2005. He has also climbed Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe. [9] In October 2009 he led the joint Indo-Kazakh team to scale the Kazakhstan peak of Marble Wall peak in Kazakhstan [10] He has climbed 14 peaks in the world till date. On 23 June 2022, a 55 men Indian Army expedition team, led by Shekhawat, successfully scaled the climb to Shahi Kangri. [11]

Shaurya Chakra Citation

The Shaurya Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army Website reads as follows:

CITATION

CAPTAIN SAURABH SINGH SHEKHAWAT
IC-52871 , 21ST BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES)
(Effective date of the award: 21 May, 2001)

"Captain Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, a member of the Army Everest Expedition fell sick and had to be evacuated from the Everest region in the initial phase. He soon recovered and reached Base Camp. He reacclimatized and on 29 April 2001 rejoined his team at Camp III. The officer reached South Column on 21 May. On 22 May at 2200 hrs they were able to commence the summit attempt. Step by step he moved along the treacherous ridge helping and encouraging other team members. Fighting extremely adverse weather conditions they continued undaunted towards the summit. By 0645 hours his team reached the tough Hillary step. Not withstanding the cold, lack of oxygen, severe winds and recent illness the officer undauntedly helped his team mates over this most difficult stretch, braving treacherous knife edge ridges, extreme cold, lack of oxygen and high speed winds that threatened to blow them away. Inch by inch he went up using ropes and other equipment. The officer, somehow, kept motivating the other members to keep going and he successfully summitted Mount Everest at 0830 hours on 23 May 2001. Captain Saurabh Singh Shekhawat displayed gallantry against high risk extremes of weather and terrain conditions." [12]

Kirti Chakra Citation

The Kirti Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army Website reads as follows:

CITATION

LIEUTENANT COLONEL SAURABH SINGH SHEKHAWAT, SHAURYA CHAKRA, SENA MEDAL, VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL
IC-52871 , 21ST BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES)
(Effective date of the award: 08 September, 2008)

"Within days of insertion in Manipur, Team Leader of 21 PARA (SF), Lieutenant Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat established an innovative intelligence network to locate a terrorist camp in District Bishenpur, Manipur, hither-to-fore a terrorist sanctuary. After 45 days of continuous surveillance, planning and training he launched a historical operation to destroy the target and made national headlines. On night 08/09 September, 2008 guided by his surveillance detachment, the Team Leader successfully navigated boats/divers through weed infested waters and sited his groups in proximity to the target island without losing surprise. At daybreak, after successful sentry silencing, he along with assault group reached the island, swimming. However, surprise was lost and terrorists opened heavy fire. Without losing momentum and undaunted by hostile fire, the officer led his men in returning fire and tactically closed in. His accurate fire immediately killed two terrorists. Remaining terrorists, still in their huts, fired from behind cover. Concurrently, some terrorists fired heavy calibre weapons from a flank. This pinned down his men in the open. Seeing the precarious situation, the officer with his buddy, unfazed by flying bullets and unmindful of personal safety, exposed themselves to terrorist fire by running in the open. In the process he eliminated another terrorist and diverted their attention thus preventing casualty to own personnel. This galvanized remainder assault group to move and subsequently neutralise other terrorists. Lieutenant Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat displayed resolute leadership, exemplary mission dedication, raw courage and presence of mind in close combat conditions in fighting the terrorists." [13]

Controversies

Victimization claim

In 2017, Shekhawat filed a complaint to the Ministry of Defence accusing two former army chiefs, Gen. Bikram Singh and Gen. Dalbir Singh, and a senior serving officer, Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna of victimizing him. Shekhawat claimed he was denied promotion because of lackluster reviews in annual confidential reports given to him as retaliation. [14] Shekhawat claimed the trigger for the victimization was his report made officially to the Army about a dacoity in Jorhat of a private citizen's residence involving personnel of the 3 Corps Counter Intelligence and Surveillance Unit in December 2011. [15] [16] At the time of the robbery, Gen. Dalbir Singh was then Corps Commander of 3 Corps and Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna was then Shekhawat's brigadier general staff (operations). Shekhawat claimed Krishna acted on Gen. Dalbir Singh's behalf to give him poor performance reviews. [16] When Gen. Bikram Singh became Army Chief, the Discipline and Vigilance Ban imposed on Gen. Dalbir Singh by the previous Army Chief for inaction over the robbery was lifted and Gen. Dalbir Singh was further promoted. [16]

Shekhawat also alleged that Gen. Dalbir Singh tried to harm his career by preventing him from taking the Higher Command Course, a qualification for promotion. But since the weightage for the course selection took into account medals and field service, he qualified for the course to the alleged chagrin of Gen. Dalbir Singh. Shekhawat speculated that Gen. Dalbir Singh in reaction was able to get weightage of medals and field service removed from consideration for higher command courses from 2014 onwards. [16]

Dispute with The Week

On 14 March 2020, the current affairs magazine The Week published a story on Shekhawat titled 'decorated Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat promoted after years of wait' regarding the claims by Shekhawat of victimization at the hands of senior officers. Shekhawat in response wrote a letter to The Week claiming the story was inaccurate and said such stories "hurt the sentiment" of soldiers who serve and create doubts in the minds of the general public about the Army. The reporter Pradip R. Sagar provided a rebuttal by pointing out the story was not meant to "cast aspersions" on the Army but highlight accusations made against top Army brass. [17]

Awards

Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg
Sena Medal ribbon.svg Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg IND Samanya Seva medal.svg
IND Operation Vijay star.svg IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg IND Operation Vijay medal.svg
IND Operation Parakram medal.svg IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg 75yearmedal.svg
IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg MONUC Medal bar.gif
Kirti Chakra Shaurya Chakra
Sena Medal Vishisht Seva Medal Samanya Seva Medal
Operation Vijay Star Special Service Medal Siachen Glacier Medal Operation Vijay Medal
Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal 75th Independence Anniversary Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal MONUSCO

Shekhawat has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, [9] [18] [19] the Shaurya Chakra, [20] Sena Medal (Gallantry), [21] Vishisht Seva Medal [22] and the Samanya Seva Medal [21] amongst other medals for anti-terrorist operations, mountaineering and distinguished service. [23] [24] [25] Shekhawat in a letter to Army headquarters in 2017 referred to himself as the "highest decorated serving officer in the army with an unblemished operational profile." [26]

Dates of ranks

SymbolRankServiceRank dates
Second Lieutenant of the Indian Army.svg Second Lieutenant Indian Army 11 June 1994
Lieutenant of the Indian Army.svg Lieutenant Indian Army11 June 1996
Captain of the Indian Army.svg Captain Indian Army11 June 1999
Major of the Indian Army.svg Major Indian Army
Lieutenant Colonel of the Indian Army.svg Lieutenant Colonel Indian Army11 June 2007 [27]
Colonel of the Indian Army.svg Colonel Indian Army6 January 2010 (Seniority from 1 January) [28]
Brigadier of the Indian Army.svg Brigadier Indian ArmyMarch 2020

Personal life

Shekhawat is married to Dr Renuka Shekhawat, a professor of Sanskrit at Rajasthan University. [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)</span> Indias highest peacetime military decoration

The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirti Chakra</span> Award

The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards, comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra. Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para (Special Forces)</span> Military unit of the Indian Army

Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), informally referred to as Para-Commandos, is a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian Army. These units specialise in various roles including counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, special reconnaissance and unconventional warfare.

Admiral Vijai Singh Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, ADC is a former Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. He was 14th Chief of Naval Staff and served as Navy Chief from September-30 1993 to September-30 1996. Admiral Shekhawat is a Patron of the General K.S. Thimayya Memorial Trust.

Lt. Gen. Hanut Singh Rathore, PVSM, MVC was an Indian General Officer. He was a recipient of India's second highest military decoration, the Maha Vir Chakra, for his role in the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. Sreeram Kumar</span> Ashoka Chakra recipient

Colonel D. Sreeram Kumar AC is a serving Indian Army officer who was decorated in 2010 with the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasanth Venugopal</span> Ashoka Chakra recipient (1967–2007)

Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, AC was an Indian Army officer. He was the commanding officer of the 9th battalion, Maratha Light Infantry. On 31 July 2007, he was Attained veergathi in action while preventing heavily armed infiltrators from crossing the India-Pakistan border at Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. As a result he was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest military decoration for peacetime gallantry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajiv Kumar Joon</span> Recipient of Ashoka Chakra and Shaurya Chakra

Major Rajiv Kumar Joon, AC, SC was a highly decorated Officer in the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace-time military decoration. He was previously decorated with the Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest peacetime military decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yogesh Kumar Joshi</span> Indian army officer (born 1962)

Lieutenant General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VrC, SM, ADC is a retired General Officer of the Indian Army. He was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, assuming office from Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on 1 February 2020. He last served as the Chief of staff of the Northern Command, assuming the office from Lt Gen SK Sharma. Previously, he was the commander of Leh based Fire & Fury Corps. As Army Commander he is credited with spearheading the Indian response to PLA's attempt to alter the status quo on Line of Actual Control (LAC) by use of force. He is the only war decorated Army Commander who has to his credit successes against both Indian adversaries China and Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajay Kothiyal</span> Recipient of Kirti Chakra

Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, KC, SC, VSM (Retd) is an Indian politician and a former officer of the Indian Army. He is a BJP leader, earlier he was leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and was the CM Candidate for 2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections. Kothiyal lost the election to BJP candidate in Gangotri Assembly constituency. In May 2022, he resigned from AAP and joined BJP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj</span> Recipient of Shaurya Chakra

Lieutenant General Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, SC, VSM is a former General Officer of the Indian Army. He last served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, having assumed office on 1 October 2009 following the retirement of Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj. He also served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command. He is one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army, with a war-time gallantry award and a peace-time gallantry award to his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranveer Jamwal</span> Indian mountaineer (born 1975)

Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, SM, VSM**, is an officer of the Indian Army and the first Indian to climb the Seven Summits along with Mount Everest three times. He is a veteran of more than 45 mountaineering expeditions. He presently holds two Asian records and three Indian Records in mountaineering.

Major General Harish Chandra Pathak, MVC, AVSM was an officer of the Indian Army, who belonged to the SikhLI Regiment. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during Battle of Fatehpur, Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahendra Singh (soldier)</span> Recipient of Kirti Chakra

Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Mahendra Singh, KC, SM is a decorated Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of 9 Para SF. During an operation, he was paralysed on one side of his body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davinder Singh Jass</span> Indian army officer

Captain Davinder Singh Jass was an Indian Army officer of 1 Para. He was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime military decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajinder Kumar Sharma</span> Recipient of Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra

Colonel Rajinder Kumar Sharma, KC, SC, SM is a retired decorated Indian Army officer of the Grenadiers. He is one of the few recipients of both Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra for his exemplary bravery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nectar Sanjenbam</span> Recipient of Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra

Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam, KC, SC is a decorated retired Indian Army officer with the 21 PARA SF. He was also part of the Indian Army's counter-insurgency operation in Myanmar in 2015. He is one of the few recipients of both the Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra award. He is currently serving as Special Senior superintendent of police (Combat) in Manipur Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manpreet Singh (soldier)</span> Indian Army officer (1982–2023)

Colonel Manpreet Singh, KC, SM was a decorated Indian Army Officer. He was killed in action during an operation in Anantnag with three others security personnel. For his bravery in the action he was awarded India's second highest peacetime gallantry award the Kirti Chakra posthumously, previously he was also conferred with Sena Medal gallantry.

References

  1. ↑ "'Special Forces My Religion,' Says Decorated Army Officer In Viral Clip". NDTV.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  2. 1 2 SSBCrackExams (5 March 2021). "5 Inspiring Facts About Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, 21 PARA SF, Kirti Chakra". SSBCrackExams. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Capt Saurabh Singh Shekhawat". Gallantry Awards.
  4. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 7 September 1996. p. 1290.
  5. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 September 1999. p. 1249.
  6. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 December 2007. p. 1893.
  7. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 March 2012. p. 223.
  8. ↑ R Sagar, Pradeep (14 March 2020). "'Victimised' decorated officer Colonel Saurabh Shekhawat gets promoted after years of wait". The Week.
  9. 1 2 "Official Website of Indian Army".
  10. ↑ Unnithan, Sandeep (8 November 2009). "Peak performance". India Today. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Indian expedition scales Shahi kangri plateue". Twitter.com. 22 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Gallantry Awards, Gallantry Awards Website of the Indian Ministry of Defence
  13. ↑ Gallantry Awards, Gallantry Awards Website of the Indian Ministry of Defence
  14. ↑ "'Victimised' decorated officer Colonel Saurabh Shekhawat gets promoted after years of wait". The Week. 14 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "'I have been victimised,' says army's most decorated officer". Hindustan Times. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Jorhat robbery case echo: Colonel claims victimisation". Indian Express. 17 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "Army officer seeks apology over article; THE WEEK responds". The Week. 3 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "Untitled Document".
  19. ↑ "Lt Col Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, SC, SM, VSM". Gallantry Awards.
  20. ↑ "Untitled Page".
  21. 1 2 "Tribute to men who fight for the nation - Part 2-Heroes-Weekend Shows -TIMESNOW.tv - Latest Breaking News, Big News Stories, News Videos". Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "Rashtriya Rifles pick up lion's share of gallantry awards". The Tribune. India. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  23. ↑ "Karkare, Sharma among 11 to get Ashok Chakra". Rediff News. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  24. ↑ "President confers gallantry and distinguished service awards". Thaindian News. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  25. ↑ "Gallantry awards for Servicesmen". The Times of India. 23 August 2001. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  26. ↑ "Indian Army's top officer claims of 'systematic victimisation' by ex-Army chiefs: report". India TV. 16 July 2017.
  27. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 December 2007. p. 1893.
  28. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defense (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 3 March 2012. p. 223.
  29. ↑ "Indian Women- Acing the ageing …Like never before!".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.