Veer Chakra and Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra)

Today is the Vijaya Dashami. Day to remember our heroes. I am moved to share this with you today.

It is normal for me to take a 16:03 fast train from Thane to Dadar twice a week. It reaches Platform No.6 @ 16:29 and this time the station is quite relaxed and not crowded. I walk past the Station Master's Office under renovation and take a cab to my destination.

Last month while strolling towards the exit, I realized suddenly that my shoes needed bit of attention. Stopped at shoe shine box and allowed the guy to do his best with a smile. Normally, during such activity @ CST, my attention is drawn to the busy crowds flowing and rushing past me. Here @ Dadar, I was facing a granite wall.

Suddenly, my attention was caught by a brass plate with Government of India emblem @ my eye level. I read the inscription on the plate. It read as follows:

Flt Lft Pradyot Dastidar
Awarded Veer Chakra on 15th September, 1965
For exceptional Bravery on West Front (Pakistan)
This plate is installed in honour of him here in Dadar Station as
his residence is just 2 km away @ Parel.

Veer Chakra is 3rd Highest honour for bravery during war after Param Veer
Chakra and Mahaveer Chakra.

Before moving on, I stopped and gave my salute to my brother Pradyot. His bravery and courage allows me to live a good life. Most importantly, he gave his best without a thought
to the consequences. India is made of these heroes, which make me a proud Indian.

After reaching home, tried to know more about this great hero of Mother India. The details are as follows:

Sqn Ldr(Retd) Pradyot Dastidar, Veer Chakra

On 15th September 1965, Flt Lt Pradyot Dastidar was detailed as the navigator of target marking aircraft to lead a massive attack on the heavily defended Peshawar airfield. Visibility was so bad that he could see the airfield only when he was directly overhead. As soon as he dropped a flare to see the target, the anti-aircraft guns opened up a heavy barrage. Undaunted by the shells and tracers he made a steady run and marked the target for the bombing stream coming behind. Then he turned around to see his bomb, while the anti-aircraft guns were firing and shells were bursting around him. After sighting the target indicating bomb, he passed the bombing index to the leader of the stream. He left the vicinity of the airfield only after he had confirmed that the leader of the stream had understood the bombing index. In this and seven other missions, Flt Lt Pradyot Dastidar displayed courage and skill of a high order.

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