AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 87 of 170 His sustained act of bravery and disregard for personal safety, in the face of constant enemy fire, were a shining example, not only to his unit but to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Army. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, posthumously. The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee released a set of five stamps to pay tribute to the Gallantry Award winners of the Indian Armed Forces on 26 th Jan 2000. CQMH Abdul Hamid, PVC, was one of the privileged winners to feature in that set. {Sources: http://www.cse.iitb.ac.in/~mohan/pvc/brave.html ; http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/india/medals/PVC/PVC09.html ; http://www.bharat- rakshak.com/HEROISM/Hamid.html; http://www.india - emb.org.eg/Section5/PARAM%20VIR%20CHAKRA.html ; http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020530/punjab1.html ; http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep10/punjab.htm ; http://plb.nic.in/archieve/ireleng/lyr2000/rjan2000/r270/2000.html } Festivals Raksha Bhandan Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Sravana - this year it is on Tuesday the 12 th Aug 2003. The festival of Raksha Bandhan symbolises love, affection and the feeling of brotherhood. Traditionally, on this day, sisters/girls/women tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the right wrist of their brothers/others considered as brothers, and praying for their long life and happiness. Raksha means protection, and the tying of the Rakhi round the wrists of men symbolized that the women could count upon them to protect them when the need arose. - regarding them as brothers. The tradition of tying a thread or “rakhi” around the wrist to convey different feelings has been coming down through the ages since the vedic times. Legend has it that, once, Indra was confronted by the demon king - the Daitya-raaja - in a long- drawn battle. At one stage, the Daitya-raaja got better of Indra and drove him into wilderness. Indra, humbled and crest-fallen, sought the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru of Gods. The Guru told him to bide his time, prepare himself and then march against his adversary indicating that the auspicious moment for sallying forth was the Shraavana Poornima. On that day, Shachee Devi, the wife of Indra, and Brihaspati tied Raakhis around Indra’s right-wrist. Indra then advanced against the Daitya-raaja, vanquished him and re- established his sovereignty. It should be remembered that the spirit of Rakshaa often manifests itself on occasions of mortal peril to the life and honour of the beloved ones or to the society. Society can prosper amidst all kinds of challenges either from within or without only on the strength of inner flow of mutual affection and amity. {Sources: http://www.intelindia.com/ibuy4you2/raksha_bandhan2.htm ; http://www.hindunet.com/festivals/raksha_bandhan/page1.htm: http://www.hinduism.co.za/raksha.htm ; http://www.msn.co.in/Lifestyle/CulinnryArts/ ; http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Festivals/Raksha.html } Janmashtami Gokulashtami Sri Krishna Jayanti marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the ‘Rohini’ nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Janmashtami. The actual day of celebration