Kuldip Chandpuri - A Lifestory

A highranking army officer is known for bravery and strong leadership when things were tough. He is a famous hero of the Indian Army, mostly remembered for his great courage during the Battle of Longewala in 1971. This important time in the IndoPakistani War saw him, then a Major, leading a small group of 120 soldiers from the 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, against a much bigger group of over 2000 Pakistani soldiers with tanks. His great planning skills and inspiring leadership helped to stop the enemy until more soldiers came to help. The strong defense of Longewala became a wellknown story of bravery, made famous in the popular 1997 Bollywood movie, "Border." In the movie, his character was shown with much respect. The movie, even though it was made more exciting, showed the main parts of his smart plans and the strong spirit of the Indian soldiers he led. He received the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), India's second highest award for bravery, for his clear courage and leadership. People who worked with him often talked about how calm he was when things were hard and how he could get his soldiers to do their best even when things looked bad. His actions at Longewala not only made sure India won but also showed what great military leadership and strong dedication to duty look like. He is still a true inspiration to many Indian Army officers and a symbol of courage for the country.