| Hari Singh AVSM | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 24, 1922 Galthani, India |
| Died | March 14, 2003 |
Hari Singh AVSM (October 24, 1922 - March 14, 2003) was a Brigadier in the Indian Army who played a significant role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India for rendering distinguished service of an exceptional order.
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Hari Singh was born in 1922 in the village of Galathani and was educated at Bhupal Nobles School, Udaipur. He joined the army in 1941 and went to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in February, 1942.
He was commissioned on October 1942. He proceeded to the Middle East in 1944 and was stationed in Iran (then known as Persia), Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. In 1946, he went to England for higher military training, returning to India later that year.
In 1948, he was selected as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy. After serving there for two years, he was appointed A.D.C General-Officer-Commanding 19th Infantry Division in Srinagar, Kashmir.
After completing there, Singh joined the 18th Cavalry in 1951. He was selected as an instructor at Armoured Corps Training School, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra). He served in that capacity until 1957.
In 1959, he was posted to 62 Infantry Brigade Headquarters. He took part in an operation against China at Sela Pass in 1962. He took over command of 18th Cavalry in 1962 and commanded the regiment during 1965 operations against Pakistan, in the Sialkot sector. He was awarded a Mention-in-Despatch for gallantry during this time.
In 1967, he was promoted to Colonel and was appointed deputy commander of the First Armored Brigade at Patiala. Promoted in 1969 to brigadier, he was put in command of the Fifth Mountain Brigade in Arunachal Pradesh until 1973. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for outstanding service while in command of the brigade during the Bangladesh Operation.
He then commanded Pathankot Sub. Area until his retirement in 1974. In 1975, he was appointed Secretary, Rajasthan Soldiers board, where he remained until 1980.
Brigadier HARI SINGH Deora (IC 5689) ARMOURED CORPS Brigadier Hari Singh was commissioned in 1944. He has held various staff and command appointments. He has been an instructor at the Indian Military Academy and Armored Corps Centre and School. He has commanded a mountain brigade and is at present commanding a sub area. While in command of a mountain brigade deployed in Arunachal Pradesh for a period of about 4 years, his formation held posts in far flung areas in the remotest parts of the state. He reorganized the defenses of the formation which required him to visit all the posts and detachments a number of times going on foot for weeks facing hardships and vagaries of inhospitable terrain and climate. By his relentless and vigorous drive, he overcame all the difficulties and succeeded in making strong and viable defenses in his sector. During his tenure in the formation, he also came to be closely associated with the tribals and their affairs. By virtue of his extremely matured mind understanding and humane approach, he endeared himself, the service and the Government to the locals and won them over. He kept the welfare and development of the tribals foremost in conformity with national aims and policies.
Brigadier Hari Singh Deora has thus rendered distinguished service of the exceptional order.
He was awarded A.V.S.M by President of India, Varahagiri Venkata Giri
Brig. Hari Singh was married to Shyama Kumari. They had three children, Nisha Kumari, Anju Kumari and Jayendra Singh, and seven grandchildren.
His father was Colonel Samarath Singhi Ji, s/o Shri Malamsingh famous jagirdar of th.Galathani,n via Sumerpur Distt-Pali marwar Rajastan Colonel Samarath Singh was guardian to His Highness of Sirohi State (Mount Abu) Shri Tej Singh was guardian to Maharana Bhagwat Singh of Udaipur state. His elder brother Thakur Shri Kesari Singgh Ji was guardian to Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur Marwar State.
Pictures taken by Brig. Hari Singh during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War