DULLAHAPUR (GHAZIPUR): The act of destroying single-handedly more than half-a-dozen Patton tanks in the 1965 India-Pakistan War at the battlefield of Asal Uttar by Company Quarter Master Havaldar Abdul Hamid , who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously), not only inspired his descendants to don the olive green uniform, it continues to make youth in UP’s Ghazipur aspire for a career in defence.

Two of the four sons of Abdul Hamid joined the Army and one of them even got to be in his father’s regiment and battalion–4 Grenadiers. One of Hamid’s grandsons Shiraz is preparing for the entrance exam for admission to National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and along with his friends indulges in a number of exercises to keep physically and medically fit.

Sharing his dreams of being a part of the defence fraternity, Shiraz said, “I have been hearing heroic exploits of my grandfather’s role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war and want to emulate him.” Class XI student Shiraz, apart from focusing on academics, sharpens his reasoning, logical abilities and general awareness for the exams.

Excitement to join the Army was evident in nephew of Shiraz 5-year-old Jaiz Alam, who pointed at the portrait of Abdul Hamid in their drawing room and said, “I want to wield the gun like him.”

Ticket booking clerk at Varanasi railway station , Hamid’s youngest son Junaid Alam said, “I tried to join the Army, but was told there was no vacancy, so I joined the postal department in late 1980s, and subsequently the Railways in 1998.”

Of the four sons of Abdul Hamid, two joined the Army, including Zainul Hasan (EME) and Talat Mehmood (4 Grenadiers). “My eldest brother (Zainul Hasan) retired a few years back, while Talat’s stint with the Army was short,” said Junaid, adding that Ali Hasan (immediately elder to him) is working in one of the ordnance factories. Family members of the Asal Uttar martyr were also of the view that if Army established a recruitment centre in Dhamupur, it will motivate more youngsters to join the Army.

‘I first read about father-in-law in textbooks’

If Abdul Hamid had inspired hundreds of youngsters to join the Army after his heroic exploits in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he had also earned significant respect from many like the girl who married Hamid’s youngest son Junaid.

Zarina Bano had the tales of Hamid’s bravado in her school textbooks and had taken a liking and respect for the man who effectively nullified Pakistan’s nefarious designs of capturing Delhi in the 1965 war.

“It was in the school textbooks that I first read about my father-in-law. When I came to know that I am going to be daughter-in-law of Abdul Hamid, I was overwhelmed,” said Zarina. She added she treasures the unique relationship which she shares with the son of the soil and his family members.

PHOTO QUOTES

VIJAY YADAV: We have been reading about the heroic feats of CQMH Abdul Hamid, who hails from our village and the best tribute to him would be to join the Army.

GANGESH YADAV: Abdul Hamid, who inflicted heavy damage on the Pakistani Army in the war inspires me and my friends, and it is our earnest desire to join the Army.

DHANANJAY CHAUHAN: I heard anecdotes about feats of Abdul Hamid from my grandparents. My grandfather had seen the war hero in his childhood and wants me to join the Army.

PAPPU YADAV: If Abdul Hamid could sacrifice his life to ensure we don’t lose an inch of land to Pakistanis, we can at least join the Army.

BALBIR YADAV: The television serial on PVC awardee Abdul Hamid (played by Naseeruddin Shah ) made me inquisitive to read about him and now I want to make my family proud by joining the Army.

AKHILESH KASHYAP: Abdul Hamid is my role model . If I join the Army, it would be dream come true for me and my family.

