Saurabh Singh Shekhawat
Encyclopedia
IC-52871, Colonel
Saurabh Singh Shekhawat is the most decorated serving Colonel
in the Indian Army
today and is also an accomplished mountaineer. The officer belongs to Indian Army's elite 21st Battalion of The Parachute Regiment
(Special Forces). He has been awarded Kirti Chakra
, Shaurya Chakra
, Sena Medal
and Vishisht Seva Medal
for his various acts of gallantry displayed in anti-terrorist operations and mountaineering and distinguished service. Having served with The Maratha Light Infantry
, he is looked up to by all officers and men of that regiment as well.
s and to the country when he climbed Mount Everest
for a record number of three times in 2001,2003 & 2005. He also holds the distinction of climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro,Tanzania (Highest peak in Africa) and Mt. Blanc (Highest peak in Alps and Western Europe lying on the edges of France and Italy). Again In October 2009 he led the joint Indo-Kazakh team to scale Marble wall peak in Kazakhstan. Following is a news clipping from 'India Today' published in the first week of November 2009. titled 'Peak Performance':
When Lieutenant-Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, 37, spotted the black, snowcapped heights of Marble Wall peak in Kazakhstan, he thought conquering it would be a breeze. Named for its white marble deposits, the 6,400-m mountain is dwarfed by the 8,848-m high Everest which the young officer has climbed three times.Yet, it would be his toughest climb ever. The challenge lay in the unpredictable weather and summiting the mountain through a climb window of less than 12 hours (Everest has a five-day window). In terms of climbing difficulty, Marble Wall is between grade 6 and grade 8 as compared to Everest's grade 7 and K2's grade 9.As the leader of a joint Indo-Kazakh army expedition, Shekhawat
was to promote military diplomacy with the strategically located central Asian country through joint mountain climbs. Shekhawat's six-member team joined 12 Kazakh climbers for the expedition in late August.The team chose the Alpine climbing style-few ropes and gruelling climbs-over the Indian Army's 'siege method' of setting up camps and extensive use of ropes.The expedition in the former Soviet republic would have none of the luxuries now available for Everest. The summit bid was greeted by a blizzard which brought visibility to under a metre, winds of over 110 km/h and the mercury at minus 35 degrees. The expedition turned back. Czech, German and Russian teams had already called off their climbs due to adverse weather.Two days later, in the window suggested by the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
, Delhi, the group began its ascent again, conscious that one false step by a single member could hurtle everybody to an icy death. Eight hours later, the expedition summited the peak, becoming the first foreign team to scale this remote mountain in the Tien Shan range.But as mountaineers say, the proof of the pudding is in the descent. The Indians got detached from the Kazakhs and lost their way in howling winds. They made it back to the base camp by sheer instinct, winning the appreciation of their tough Kazakh comrades. Shekhawat
recalls: "We had to persist because it was the reputation of two nations and two armies."
He is the Soldier's Soldier.....
Till date the Colonel
has scaled 14 peaks.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Saurabh Singh Shekhawat is the most decorated serving Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
today and is also an accomplished mountaineer. The officer belongs to Indian Army's elite 21st Battalion of The Parachute Regiment
Parachute Regiment (India)
-History:The first Indian airborne formation was the 50 Independent Parachute Brigade raised on 29 October 1941 with 151 British, 152 Indian, and 153 Gurkha Parachute Battalions and other support units....
(Special Forces). He has been awarded Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra
The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra...
, Shaurya Chakra
Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra...
, Sena Medal
Sena Medal
This article is about the Sena Medal, an Indian Military decoration. 'SM' redirects here The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made...
and Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal is a decoration of the Indian Armed forces. It is awarded to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the Indian armed forces....
for his various acts of gallantry displayed in anti-terrorist operations and mountaineering and distinguished service. Having served with The Maratha Light Infantry
Maratha Light Infantry
The Maratha Light Infantry is a light infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was formed as the 103rd Maharattas in 1768, making it the most senior light infantry regiment of the Army....
, he is looked up to by all officers and men of that regiment as well.
Mountaineering
He brought laurels to the RajputRajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s and to the country when he climbed Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
for a record number of three times in 2001,2003 & 2005. He also holds the distinction of climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro,Tanzania (Highest peak in Africa) and Mt. Blanc (Highest peak in Alps and Western Europe lying on the edges of France and Italy). Again In October 2009 he led the joint Indo-Kazakh team to scale Marble wall peak in Kazakhstan. Following is a news clipping from 'India Today' published in the first week of November 2009. titled 'Peak Performance':
When Lieutenant-Colonel Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, 37, spotted the black, snowcapped heights of Marble Wall peak in Kazakhstan, he thought conquering it would be a breeze. Named for its white marble deposits, the 6,400-m mountain is dwarfed by the 8,848-m high Everest which the young officer has climbed three times.Yet, it would be his toughest climb ever. The challenge lay in the unpredictable weather and summiting the mountain through a climb window of less than 12 hours (Everest has a five-day window). In terms of climbing difficulty, Marble Wall is between grade 6 and grade 8 as compared to Everest's grade 7 and K2's grade 9.As the leader of a joint Indo-Kazakh army expedition, Shekhawat
Shekhawat
Shekhawat is a sub-clan of Kachwaha Rajputs found mainly in Rajasthan, India. The Shekhawat clan claims descent from the great rajput warrior Maharao Shekha Ji. The Shekhawats were the most prominent among all sub clans of Kachwahas of Jaipur. Shekhawats were the rulers of Shekhawati.-History:The...
was to promote military diplomacy with the strategically located central Asian country through joint mountain climbs. Shekhawat's six-member team joined 12 Kazakh climbers for the expedition in late August.The team chose the Alpine climbing style-few ropes and gruelling climbs-over the Indian Army's 'siege method' of setting up camps and extensive use of ropes.The expedition in the former Soviet republic would have none of the luxuries now available for Everest. The summit bid was greeted by a blizzard which brought visibility to under a metre, winds of over 110 km/h and the mercury at minus 35 degrees. The expedition turned back. Czech, German and Russian teams had already called off their climbs due to adverse weather.Two days later, in the window suggested by the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting is a national agency for weather forecasting under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, , Government of India....
, Delhi, the group began its ascent again, conscious that one false step by a single member could hurtle everybody to an icy death. Eight hours later, the expedition summited the peak, becoming the first foreign team to scale this remote mountain in the Tien Shan range.But as mountaineers say, the proof of the pudding is in the descent. The Indians got detached from the Kazakhs and lost their way in howling winds. They made it back to the base camp by sheer instinct, winning the appreciation of their tough Kazakh comrades. Shekhawat
Shekhawat
Shekhawat is a sub-clan of Kachwaha Rajputs found mainly in Rajasthan, India. The Shekhawat clan claims descent from the great rajput warrior Maharao Shekha Ji. The Shekhawats were the most prominent among all sub clans of Kachwahas of Jaipur. Shekhawats were the rulers of Shekhawati.-History:The...
recalls: "We had to persist because it was the reputation of two nations and two armies."
He is the Soldier's Soldier.....
Till date the Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
has scaled 14 peaks.
Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards
| Award Date | Award | Rank Army ranks and insignia of India The following tables present the ranks of the Indian army. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western militaries, and in particular reflect those of the British and Commonwealth Armies. Traditional names for ranks are still used, as well as western names.... |
|---|---|---|
| 26 January 2009 | Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... |
|
| 26 January 2008 | Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... |
|
| 26 January 2006 | Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... |
|
| 15 August 2001 | Captain Captain (OF-2) The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery... |
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