JHANSI: Subedar main (retd) V B Dixit was nicely settled into his pensioner’s life, having retired from the Military in 1994, when a name from his unit, 108 Medium Regiment, prompted him to affix the Kargil battle in 1999. Earlier than the shelling commenced in Drass sector, Dixit carried out a puja and, in line with the custom, pulled the lever of the primary Bofors gun, which went on to decimate enemy positions, taking part in a stellar position in Indian Military’s thunderous response to Pakistan’s misadventure.
Dixit was the pure selection of his regiment, having performed a key role-as a priest within the armed forces-in boosting the morale of troopers throughout the 1962 battle towards China, the 1965 battle towards Pakistan and the 1971 Bangladesh battle.The nonagenarian from Jhansi holds the uncommon distinction of getting participated in 4 out of 5 wars India fought post-Independence. His exemplary companies within the battlefield earned him particular citations from presidents R Venkatraman and Shankar Dayal Sharma.
Inducted into the armed forces in 1960 as a naib subedar, Dixit served within the 108 Medium Regiment, an artillery unit that at all times stays on the forefront of the motion. Recollecting the challenges confronted throughout the 60s and 70s, when the nation fought three main wars with restricted assets, Dixit emphasised his position in uplifting the morale of the troops.
In the course of the 1971 battle, whereas stationed close to Feni river, Dixit and his unit encountered a deadly scenario when a barrage of enemy shelling focused their ammunition dump. Sustaining silence and inserting their belief within the Almighty, they miraculously emerged unscathed. The commanding officer and different officers subsequently led an offensive assault that annihilated almost 80% of the enemy’s unit.
Regardless of his age, Dixit is match and advantageous, with solely his knees inflicting him discomfort-a reminder of his tenure in Ladakh. In his retired life, he dedicates his time to non secular pursuits, embodying the spirit of a real patriot who served his nation with unwavering devotion.
