Question

As the Master of Ceremonies at the award ceremony, you are expected to read out the above citation to the gathering. First practise reading it. With the class being the gathering, read it aloud with appropriate stress and intonation.

Answer 1

“At the first light of 3 November 1947, Major Som Nath Sharma took up a position south of Badgam village. The enemy attacked his company from three sides. Realising the grave threat to Srinagar and the aerodrome, Major Sharma urged his men to fight with courage and determination.

Exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, he laid air-strips to guide our aircraft onto their targets. In spite of his right hand being in plaster, he helped by filling magazines and issuing them to the light machine gunners.

Major Som Nath Sharma was killed by a mortar shell explosion. His leadership, gallantry and determination inspired his men to continue fighting against overwhelming odds. His last message to Brigade Headquarters was: ‘I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.’”