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| Memories of capt Diwan Singh | | | Th. K P Singh ( 1919 - 2014 )
When Maharaja
Hari Singh was
asked by Pt Nehru to leave the state to please Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, with him another person who left everything and voluntarily accompanied Maharaja was Captain Diwan Singh.
Thereafter he became a bridge between the beloved ruler and his subjects. He left for heavenly abode on 27 October 2014 and left a deep void in the vibrant Dogra society. He was 95. Unfortunately he is no more with us today but his memories will be cherished for long. He is the only Dogra officer of the State Forces who dedicated his life to the service of the Ruler even when he was not the King. Public knew him as ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh but popularly called him Captain Sahib. To be an ADC is a great privilege for an army officer even today. All Chiefs and Army Commanders are ADC to Rashtarpati.
When asked of his biggest achievement, he would say, "ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh".
I came in contact with Captain Sahib as young lad in 1972. After passing higher secondary from Akhnoor I took up a civil job in Jammu. I used to visit him in his Kay Dee Pvt Ltd, a motor vehicle agency, near the bus stand. Since there were no telephones those days, I would carry his messages to my father and others and convey their return messages. Through him I came in contact with social and political people which pushed me into politics at young age. I learnt a great deal about our past history and public dealings from him. His experiences of 2nd world war, partition of India and Pakistani attack of 1947 and knowledge of composite history helped me learning a lot from him. As Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee and member in the management of DAV High School Akhnoor I received lot of guidance from him. Starting Raj Tilak function at Jeo Pota Akhnoor was inspiration drawn from him. He remained a regular and a distinguished guest in many functions in Akhnoor and Khour till 2012. He would narrate the history of Dogra Raj from Maharaja Gulab Singh to Maharaja Hari Singh with such eloquence that the listeners would hear it spell bound. On his arrival one would see rows of people touching his feet for blessings. When I met him to invite for 17 June 2014 Raj Tilak function, he said that he won't be able to sit that long. We missed his blessings in 2013 and 2014 Raj Tilak functions. I was to meet him on 19 September 2014 but could not. Housing Corporation meeting which I attended at Ashoka Hotel finished at 3 PM. Not wanting to disturb him after his lunch I thought of coming next time. I wish I had waited somewhere and met him later in the afternoon.
When Maharaja left the State in 1949, he was serving as staff officer in the State Forces HQ. His duty was to take urgent mail to Maharaja. One day when he reached Palace with mail, he was told by Pt Bhim Sen, private secretary, that Maharaja was anguished. When asked the reason, he was told that none of the ADC has agreed to accompany him. Hearing this Captain Sahib got emotional, got his resignation typed and submitted to Maharaja. This on the spot decision to serve Maharaja is what made Captain Sahib so great and respected personality. Later he accompanied His Highness to Bombay. He sacrificed brilliant army career and left the family behind to serve his beloved ruler. He returned to Jammu in 1961 after Maharaja's death. On return he received lot of help and support from the civil society in settling down. He kept Maharaja Hari Singh alive till his own death by talking about him in public. This was also evident from Radio Kashmir Jammu's broadcast of his last interview on 30th October recorded by Ravi Kant Sharma on 21 May 2014. In that he talked about the problems Maharaja faced and how they were resolved. Same was broadcast again on 3rd November. I appreciate this repeated tribute by Radio Station Jammu. He always called Maharaja as 'Sarkar'. With the sudden passing away of Captain Sahib, that chapter of Dogra history which connected the past with the present has come to an end.
His popularity was seen at Jogi Gate Cremation Ground where large number of people from all walks of life gathered to pay last respects to their beloved Captain Sahib. His last rites were performed by his grandson Kundan Singh Bhau. Guard of Honour was given by army ceremonial guard as the last post was sounded by army buglers. Civil band played the heroic folk songs. Such ceremonial send off is given to great personalities. That was his status in the society.
He was born at Pallanwala in 1919. He studied at Pallanwala and Akhnoor. After passing matriculation he joined State Force. His father and grandfather were also in the army. His father retired as Sub Maj from Indian Army.
It was the highest rank for Indians those days. He had taken part in 1st World War and awarded a Jagir for gallantry. Maharaja sent Captain Sahib to Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun. He became Lt in 1942 and Capt in 1947. He was tall, handsome, well dressed with Ray Ban goggles.
He always stood out in a gathering. Due to his handsome personality he was selected as ADC to His Highness after return from IMA. During the 2nd World War, 4 J&K Infantry was in Burma. After short tenure as ADC, Maharaja sent him to Burma where he took part in two major operations, first time in the battle of Tiddim in 1944 and later in the battle of Pegu in 1945. On return from Burma he was posted to 1st J&K Infantry ( Raghu Partap) at Poonch. He took part in the siege of Poonch in 1948 where he got two gallantry awards each carrying cash award of Rs. 4000. He would have risen very high in the army had the destiny not changed its course.
Despite being an army officer with meagre pay he gave best of the education to his children. His son studied in Delhi and Mayo College Ajmer and all the five daughters studied in Convent School at Dalhousie. His interest in his daughter's education those days is praise worthy. When Captain Sahib was at the peak of his popularity, unfortunately his son Kanwar Devinder Singh, also an established businessman, passed away in 2002. This came as a big set back to him. After that he wound up his business and devoted his time to Nagbani School.
After returning to Jammu after Maharaja's death in 1961, he dedicated his life to social work. To establish DAV Agricultural Collegiate School Nagbani for which Maharaja had donated 500 Acres of land was a big challenge for him. He got the encroachments cleared for which he even fought legal and physical battles. He made Nagbani school one of the best institution in the state. He used to go to the school very often which had now decreased because of health. But he did not miss Maharaja Hari Singh's 119th birth anniversary celebration in the school on 21 September 2014. He was member of All India DAV Working Committee and Chairman of Nagbani School. He started Maharaja Hari Singh DAV High School at Akhnoor in April 1986. It was his gift to Akhnoor. He remained Director and Chairman of J&K Bank, President of Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha and J&K Hockey Federation. He received Dogra Rattan Award in 2006. He helped poor people in getting jobs and gave scholarships to the needy.
He was an authority on our history and culture. He was eye witness to Maharaja Hari Singh's rule.
He used to narrate it so eloquently that one left enlightened after every hearing. Despite being a great man he was very humble and kind hearted person.
He was people friendly by which he created a unique place for himself in the society. He will be remembered for ever for his good deeds.
(Author is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor) |
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