There were so many forest warriors before the advent of social media whose names are now to be found only in some buried file covered with dust. However digging one such file out, Manas Tiger Reserve (MTR) has tweeted about its former grass cutter Mr. Kalachand Sarkar, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra in 1989 by the then President of India R. Venkatraman. He was given this award for his selfless display of valour when he saved the life of a colleague, who was a mahout, by fighting off a tiger in the Bansbari range.
The Tiger Reserve posted a clipping of a government document under the heading, ‘Lost in History… Shaurya Chakra Awardee’.
When contacted by Indian Masterminds, Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve, Mr. Vaibhav Mathur, said that Mr. Kalachand Sarkar is leading a retired life these days at Barpeta Road in the Barpeta district of Assam. “He is not in touch with us for any work or collaboration, except for the procedural works related to his pension,” he added.
Sharing MTR’s post from his Twitter handle, senior Indian Forest Service officer Ramesh Pandey wrote: Foresters also have got gallantry awards. Here is a forgotten story of grass cutter from Manas who got Shaurya Chakra in 1989. Before him, M Kamal Naidu was given Shaurya Chakra in 1988. P Srinivas, who was killed by Veerapan, was conferred with Kirti Chakra posthumously in 1992.
LOST IN HISTORY……Shaurya Chakra awardee @manasnptr pic.twitter.com/qeqTceY1YT
— Manas Tiger Reserve (@manasnptr) July 9, 2023
The MTR’s post has gathered 4,884 views while Mr. Pandey’s post, which was tweeted today, has gathered 2,883 views till now.
One Tweeter user left a comment on MTR’s handle @manasnptr, saying, “Hats off to the Protectors of Jungles!”
Indeed, all green warriors deserve credit as they risk their lives to protect our forests and our flora and fauna treasures. We need to find those unsung heroes and highlight their achievements more. Kudos to Manas Tiger Reserve for doing just that!
