Chiman Singh


Chiman Singh, MVC was a Non Commissioned Officer of the Indian Navy. He took part in the Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971, and for his actions he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, and the Friends of Liberation War award by Bangladesh. He was the first Indian Navy enlisted personnel to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Early life

Singh was born in Gokal Garh village, Gurgaon district, Haryana on 1 Jun 1945, and his father's name was Shri Rao Nand Kishore Yadav.

Military career

Singh joined the Indian Navy on 8 June 1961 as a sailor. He was promoted as Leading Seaman, and as a Clearance Diver class II and underwater bomb disposal specialist, and also specialised in the use of limpet mines against warships and submarines at Naval Diving School, Cochin. Before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was also associated with training Mukti Bahini revolutionaries in East Pakistan.
During the 1971 War, Singh held the rank of Leading Seaman. He was a crew member of a ship tasked to attack Pakistani targets in Mongla and Khulna from 8 to 11 December 1971. During operations off Khulna, his boat was hit by Pakistani fire and was sunk and he was badly injured. Pakistani shore defences also opened fire at the survivors in the water. Singh noticed that two survivors were finding it difficult to keep afloat, and despite his injuries, helped them to the shore through heavy enemy fire. He rushed the enemy, allowing his colleagues to escape, but he was taken prisoner. On the liberation of Bangladesh, he was released and returned to India.
For displaying gallantry and leadership, Singh was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award.

Legacy

Singh was also awarded the Friends of Liberation War Honour by the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in 2013.
A newly constructed modern dive-training facility at the Diving School, of the Southern Naval Command was named the “Chiman Singh” Block.