In 2008, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was admitted in the Military Hospital, Wellington. He often kept taking a name Pagi - Pagi - in his ill-health and semi conscious state. The doctors asked one day, "Sir, who is this Pagi?"
This is based on what Sam Manekshaw had himself narrated........
In 1971, India had won the war. Then, General Manekshaw was in Dhaka and ordered that Pagi be invited for dinner that day. A chopper was sent. While boarding the chopper, a bag belonging to Pagi remained left on the ground and the chopper was turned back to pick it up. The officers opened the bag before placing it in the helicopter as per the rules and were stunned because it had two rotis, onions and a dish of gram flour (Gathiya). One half of the meal was eaten by Sam Sahab and the other by Pagi, for dinner.
A border post of Suigaon at the International Border region of North Gujarat was named Ranchoddas post. This was the first time that an army post was named after a common man as well as a statue of his installed.
Pagi means 'guide', the person who shows the way in the desert. Ranchoddas Rabari was affectionately called Pagi by General Sam Manekshaw.
Ranchoddas of Pathapur Gathras, a village bordering Pakistan in Banaskantha district of Gujarat was where he used to rear sheep, goat and camel. Life changed at the age of 58, he was appointed the police guide by the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police, Vanraj Singh Jhala.
The guide's skill was such that after seeing the footprints of the camel, he used to tell how many men are riding on it. By looking at the footprints of humans, he used to guess their weight, their age and how far they must have gone. His estimations had the exactness of a computer analysis.
In the beginning of 1965 war, Pakistan Army captured Vidhkot in Kutch border in Gujarat. In this encounter, about 100 Indian soldiers were killed. A 10,000 man Indian Army contingent was mobilised and had to reach Chharkot in three days. The need for Ranchoddas Pagi was felt for the first time by the army. Due to his grip on the desert paths, he guided the army to the destination 12 hours before the scheduled time. He was personally chosen by Sam Sahab to guide the army and a special post was created in the army 'Pagi' ie. the person with the knowledge of feet.
The location and approximate number of 1,200 Pakistani soldiers hiding at the Indian border was revealed based only by their footprints and that was enough for the Indian Army to win that front.
Along with the guidance of the army in the 1971 war, getting ammunition to the front was also part of Pagi's work. Pagi's role was important in the victory of the Indian tricolour on the Palinagar city of Pakistan. Sam Sahab himself gave a cash prize of Rs.300/- from his own pocket.
Pagi also received three honours for his contribution in the '65 and '71 wars - Sangram Medal, Police Medal and Summer Service Medal!
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died on 27 Jun 2008 and in 2009 Pagi also took 'voluntary retirement' from the army. Pagi was 108 years old then! Yes, you read it right.....'voluntary retirement' at the age of 108! Pagi died in 2013 at the age of 112.
Even today, his exploits are a part of Gujarati folk songs. His gallant saga will be sung for ages. Ranchoddas Rabari ie. our 'Pagi' has become immortalized forever in Indian military history due to his patriotism, valour, bravery, sacrifice, dedication and decency.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Went about my normal work schedule these days and attended the webinar by the Foundation's friend, the Lucknow-based-cardiologist, Dr Pankaj Srivastava, on "Health of School Going Children", between 1600 and 1700 hrs.
This is based on what Sam Manekshaw had himself narrated........
In 1971, India had won the war. Then, General Manekshaw was in Dhaka and ordered that Pagi be invited for dinner that day. A chopper was sent. While boarding the chopper, a bag belonging to Pagi remained left on the ground and the chopper was turned back to pick it up. The officers opened the bag before placing it in the helicopter as per the rules and were stunned because it had two rotis, onions and a dish of gram flour (Gathiya). One half of the meal was eaten by Sam Sahab and the other by Pagi, for dinner.
A border post of Suigaon at the International Border region of North Gujarat was named Ranchoddas post. This was the first time that an army post was named after a common man as well as a statue of his installed.
Pagi means 'guide', the person who shows the way in the desert. Ranchoddas Rabari was affectionately called Pagi by General Sam Manekshaw.
Ranchoddas of Pathapur Gathras, a village bordering Pakistan in Banaskantha district of Gujarat was where he used to rear sheep, goat and camel. Life changed at the age of 58, he was appointed the police guide by the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police, Vanraj Singh Jhala.
The guide's skill was such that after seeing the footprints of the camel, he used to tell how many men are riding on it. By looking at the footprints of humans, he used to guess their weight, their age and how far they must have gone. His estimations had the exactness of a computer analysis.
In the beginning of 1965 war, Pakistan Army captured Vidhkot in Kutch border in Gujarat. In this encounter, about 100 Indian soldiers were killed. A 10,000 man Indian Army contingent was mobilised and had to reach Chharkot in three days. The need for Ranchoddas Pagi was felt for the first time by the army. Due to his grip on the desert paths, he guided the army to the destination 12 hours before the scheduled time. He was personally chosen by Sam Sahab to guide the army and a special post was created in the army 'Pagi' ie. the person with the knowledge of feet.
The location and approximate number of 1,200 Pakistani soldiers hiding at the Indian border was revealed based only by their footprints and that was enough for the Indian Army to win that front.
Along with the guidance of the army in the 1971 war, getting ammunition to the front was also part of Pagi's work. Pagi's role was important in the victory of the Indian tricolour on the Palinagar city of Pakistan. Sam Sahab himself gave a cash prize of Rs.300/- from his own pocket.
Pagi also received three honours for his contribution in the '65 and '71 wars - Sangram Medal, Police Medal and Summer Service Medal!
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died on 27 Jun 2008 and in 2009 Pagi also took 'voluntary retirement' from the army. Pagi was 108 years old then! Yes, you read it right.....'voluntary retirement' at the age of 108! Pagi died in 2013 at the age of 112.
Even today, his exploits are a part of Gujarati folk songs. His gallant saga will be sung for ages. Ranchoddas Rabari ie. our 'Pagi' has become immortalized forever in Indian military history due to his patriotism, valour, bravery, sacrifice, dedication and decency.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Went about my normal work schedule these days and attended the webinar by the Foundation's friend, the Lucknow-based-cardiologist, Dr Pankaj Srivastava, on "Health of School Going Children", between 1600 and 1700 hrs.
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