Rinku Narwal, Karnal22 minutes ago
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Age 101 years. My name is Sujan Singh. Designation X Chief Petty Officer. Jazba, even today on 18 August 1944, reached Lahore traveling by train without a ticket to join the Navy. In this stage of age when usually elders like to live in spirituality and peace, but Sujan Singh is still living life like a soldier. He talks about war and army.
He runs everyday to keep himself fit. Sujan Singh, who was twice honored with a special award by the Navy on attaining centenary, says that a soldier never retires. He is always a soldier. Retirement is just that he is not in the fleet but at home, but the routine once formed, does not break. If the routine is broken then what is that soldier?
Sujan Singh standing with the honors given by the army.
He retired on 19 August 1968 after serving 23 years in the Navy. Still there is a desire in his mind to stand on the deck of a warship once again. Whoever goes to meet him, he only talks about the warship. If someone tries to talk something else, he becomes silent, but as soon as he talks about his time in the Navy, today his eyes shine like a leopard.
There were only two sea vessels, one Krishna and Kaveri
He told that he had a special attachment with Krishna. When it came to the part of Pakistan, food was not eaten for many days. Even today Sujan Singh gets sad remembering that time.
He told that India bought Rajput and Rana ships from England. When both the ships were brought to India from England, he was also involved in that fleet. Even then Krishna’s absence was often felt. Even when he was part of the Navy, even today this gap is always there in his mind.
Sujan Singh celebrating with Navy officers on turning 101.
Joined Navy in Lahore in 1944
Born on 16 August 1922, Sardar Sujan Singh’s father Ujagar Singh Virk was a brigadier in the army. Sujan studied up to class six in Pakistan-based village Kadiyal Chakk Sitara district Sheikhpura and after doing middle the desire to serve the country was aroused. Due to non-cooperation of his relatives, he reached Lahore by traveling without a train and joined the Navy on 18 August 1944.
Got mission number in Meerut and took posting at INS Akbar station of Bombay police station. He says that when Japan surrendered in World War II, the British celebrated at Akbar station. Sujan also had a long posting at INS Shivaji Lonavala.
Beat the youth even at this age, walk in the morning and evening
Senior Most Naval Veteran Sardar Sujan Singh is 100 years old but is young in spirit. Sujan Singh, an ex-serviceman who served in ships for 16 years, goes for morning and evening walks daily even in winter. Due to this liveliness, every person who talks to him does not live without saying Jai Hind first.
The ex-serviceman has four sons and one daughter among his five children. Son Gurjit Singh Virk, retired from Education Department, is in the profession of advocacy. According to Gurjeet, his father retired from the Navy and did farming for a long time in Sheikhpura Manzoora village of Assandh. Became part of the construction of Badauli Gurudwara on Meerut Road and also participated in opening Sangeet Academy.
Navy gave special award twice
Senior Most Naval Veteran Sardar Sujan Singh has been felicitated with a special award by Indian Navy officials on completion of 100 years and 101 years at his Sector-8 Part-2 residence. Now in the month of August, Sujan Singh will be 102 years old.
Photos of honoring the retired officer:-
Sujan Singh being honored with a special award by the Army.
Sujan Singh with Navy officers.
Sujan Singh raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai during the program.