From battlefront to chasing continental glory
CHANDIGARH: Raised on tales of valour from the 1965 Battle of Asal Uttar – described as the largest tank battle since World War II – the youth of this eponymous village have always had a thing for the olive green. Over the years with shrinking land holdings, the army has become their only career option.
Not a bad career option for people in this remote corner of Punjab’s western district of Tarn Taran that is seven kilometers from the border.
So, Malkeet Singh, 23, became a soldier. He also had strong physique and was above six feet tall. That gave him the chance to try his hand at a sport he had never heard of before. Malkeet is part of the Indian men’s rowing team for the 18th Asian Games.
“I had no idea about rowing and I pursued the sport only after joining the army,” said Malkeet. “From childhood, we hear tales of the battle and the entire village is proud of the fact that it was fought and won here. And, as most families face dwindling land holdings because it gets divided among growing families, joining the army becomes an obvious choice,” said Malkeet’s brother Badsha, also a soldier.
Between September 8-10 every year, a fair is organised to mark the martyrdom of Param Vir Chakar Abdul Hamid in Asal Uttar. “Senior army officials visit our village to pay homage and every time they announce that the village’s youth, who are physically fit, are welcome in the army,” said Badsha.
Malkeet joined after completing school and was picked to pursue rowing. In his first year, Malkeet won gold in the national championship (in 2015).
Like Malkeet, Olympian Swaran Singh had no idea about rowing till he was enlisted in 2009. In Incheon four years ago, Swaran had won silver. Apart from Malkeet and Swaran, Sukhmeet Singh, Bhagwan Singh, Manpreet Singh, Jagvir Singh and Gurminder Singh – from Punjab have made it to the Asian Games squad. All seven learnt sailing only after joining the army.