GHD Dulip Singh, SM

Biography

Major GHD Dulip Singh was born on 02 February 1954 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) into a Christian family, the son of Mr Gnanaraj Manuel, a professor at Mahajana College, and Mrs Chellam Manuel. He received his schooling at the Sainik School, Amaravathinagar, near Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu, an institution that shaped his ambition for a military career. After completing his schooling in 1972, he was selected for the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, and subsequently joined the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, as a Gentleman Cadet in June 1974. He was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers on 07 June 1975. A dedicated and technically accomplished officer, Maj Dulip Singh completed the Young Officers' Course and a degree course at the College of Military Engineering, Pune, along with specialised training including a course at the High Altitude Warfare School and the Command Officers' Bomb Disposal Course. He was also a gifted linguist, fluent in German, English, Hindi and Tamil. By 1987 he had served the nation for over twelve years and risen to the rank of Major, serving with 8 Engineer Regiment. When the Indian Peace Keeping Force deployed to Sri Lanka following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 29 July 1987, his unit was among the first to join operations, and Maj Dulip Singh was named Officer-in-Charge to assist in the planned LTTE surrender ceremony at Palaly Airfield. As returning civilians found their homes mined and booby-trapped, the Army undertook clearance operations. On 12 August 1987, leading a team near Jaffna Fort, Maj Dulip Singh cleared one house and then, fully aware of the danger, proceeded to neutralise a booby trap in an adjoining compound. As he worked, the LTTE initiated another IED, causing a massive blast in which he was mortally wounded. For his conspicuous bravery, leadership and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Sena Medal.