Col SK Suri: A soldier Par-excellence, my IDEAL Fauji

TO COMMAND IS TO SERVE, NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.


My acquaintance with Col.SK Suri began when he came as our guest for Flag Hoisting on 15 August at PEHS. His voice flabbergasted me and many others. We could judge how he would have been when in the army.  We murmured, "Kya Zabardast Awaaz Hai". His speech made us fans of Faujis.

 

That’s the day when I got inspired by Col Suri, head over heels.  Although, I had Defence people in my mom's family. But I was always scared of them. One my uncle’s big mustache, rough voice etc. made me run away from him during my childhood days.

 

Meeting Col Suri changed my perspective about Faujis. Firstly, he didn't have that big moustache, unrounded at the corners, very attractive like his voice, dressed in his uniform. "Dressed to kill ", yes it surely killed my fears.

 

Let me elaborate on the Fauji who changed my perspective. Col SK Suri (Veteran) was born on 15th January,1942 at Rawalpindi. He saw the massacre of 1947 while leaving from Rawalpindi to Amritsar and Delhi, then shifted to Pune, and studied in Anglo Urdu High school, and finally passed out from Sardar Dastoor Hashang Boy's High School, Pune. He was a topper from 1959 batch, SCC Board Exam Maharashtra. He did MBA in 1996-1999 and from UBS Chandigarh with a top 1st class. An average product of NDA/IMA was commissioned in Dec 1962 Gunners (Artillery). He has 2 Citations for MVC and  a recipient of Mention-in-Dispatches 1965 Indo-Pak War, OPS as Battery Commander. I am sure he says: “I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and Win where I fight”.    

 

Col. Suri has killed 500 Pak enemies to protect our country, destroyed their forward ammunition dumps, petrol dumps, supply dumps, tanks, vehicles, towers, bunkers, RCL gun mounted jeeps etc, and taken more than 200 POWs. capture DBM Bridge, Burki Pul Kunjari and  village Thatta Dhilwan on Icchoogil Canal. “A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him” – GK Chesterton.

 

Fought 1971 war in deserts and was with Tactical HQ of Gen Bewoor to in battle of Longewala, Prabat Ali and Naya Chor, he served and defended Border NEFA North & East Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan. After 34 years of service, he retired. And they say - Life never stops for a Fauji. He has planted more than 2 lakh trees, sets an example to others.  He was a member of central traffic advisor committee CHD from 1995-2012, was leading financial and Estate consultant in North India. Col Suri was also a member of Vanarai, he was dealing with development Wasteland in Maharashtra.

 


Discipline is the soul of an army. “Its small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.” -George Washington. It is true that Faujis are well disciplined, knows the true perspective of life. We salute these brave-hearts and their family who supports them with dignity - Incredible India with incredible Jawans of our country.

 

We salute and bow to them with humility and respect. Col Suri is truly an inspiration to the kids and generations to come. Jai Hind.


Comments

  1. SHIRLEY UDAYKUMARJanuary 14, 2022 at 2:36 AM

    Happy birthday to Col. Suri ji.
    Wishing you lots of happiness and good health. . Jai Hind.
    15/01/2022.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Col S K Suri MD VeteranJanuary 14, 2022 at 6:24 PM

    Thanks dear Shirley for the B'Day greetings. Couldn't have been in a better greeting card or format than your true write up. The two lakh trees planted by me were not after my retirement but also included more than a lakh during my service.
    Also, like your well nurtured Powai English School, during & after my Superannuation, i had traveled to different parts of the country & motivated students & citizens in more than 400 schools, a hundred colleges/universities to inculcate a sense of Patriotism, self sacrifice, selfless service to the family, society, state, country and to the global society in pursuit of peace, progress and development. I have never missed saluting our National Flag, proudly, on any Independence Day, Republic Day since the age of 6!
    I am indeed a great admirer of yours as a highly dedicated, sincere, innovative Principal and Social worker with a very very positive attitude and attractive personality. Well done. Keep it up!
    May God bless you all! God Speed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHIRLEY UDAYKUMARJanuary 14, 2022 at 7:58 PM

      Dear Sirji
      You have influenced me so much. The first day itself I couldn't stop listening to you. I saw the way you looked at life. Wishing I could follow your footsteps a bit. I am not a writer but whatever I wrote was from the bottom of my heart. You have a lot of experiences, please pen them down.
      Thanks to Capt Prasoon ji for introducing you. . He is another gem of a guy. I wonder sab army Wale aise hote. Let me believe it that way. One more incident that I forgot is lighting on Republic day in your house. Normally it's Diwali or Christmas or New Year but you again carried my heart away that day. It's such a big thing that we never realise. I did ask you , why lighting outside. Yeh baate bahut influence kar jati. Your blessings will always be counted . Convey my regards to all your family members. Lots of love and prayers Sir. Have a blessed day. .

      Delete
  3. UnknownJanuary 14, 2022 at 8:40 PM

    Jai hind 🙏

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anil PurbaJanuary 15, 2022 at 12:28 AM

    Well done Shirley...very well written article. Salute and gratitude to Col. S.K. Suri ji...Jai Hind...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dr Vishal KhatryJanuary 15, 2022 at 2:09 AM

    Wishing you a very happy birthday Sir. You are an inspiration for generations to come. It's been a honour to know you. Jai Hind.

    ReplyDelete
  6. V N ChakravartyJanuary 15, 2022 at 7:50 AM

    An excellent narrative of a great person, Col S K Suriji who has dedicated his entire life for the nation. His remarkable achievements are certainly an inspiration for all the generations.
    Shirley Madam - Thank you for sharing with us some of the highlights of Col SK Suriji's remarkable life. Your dynamism and inspirational writing is highly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Col S K Suri MD VeteranJanuary 20, 2022 at 1:25 AM

    By the way dear Shirley, I am in the process of writing my memoirs. Completed about 36-37 chapters so far. Dear Prasoon & his staff are editing. The Title is: PANGEBAAZ! (meaning Rebel)!
    Would you like to see a sample chapter for comments? The book will be motivational & may be inspiring.
    Do let me know if you have the spare time sometimes.

    Jai Hind Jai Bharat
    Vandemataram

    ReplyDelete

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