Gopi Singh Rathour, SC

Biography

Major Gopi Singh Rathour, son of Shri R. R. Rathour, hailed from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and was born on 14 November 1970. From a young age he displayed exceptional discipline, intellect and leadership, qualities that steered him toward a career in the Indian Army. He was commissioned in December 1992 at the age of 22 into the 16th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, winning the prestigious Sword of Honour as the cadet standing first in the overall order of merit. He later attended the coveted Defence Services Staff Course at Wellington, reaffirming his reputation as an officer of extraordinary calibre. A voracious reader and writer, he authored two Hindi books and was often described as "a soldier with a philosopher's mind," earning from his comrades the affectionate nickname "Eagle." Major Gopi served with distinction for nearly five years as Aide-de-Camp to the President of India, Shri K. R. Narayanan, and continued in the same role under Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, earning praise for his discipline and attention to detail. Longing to return to the thick of operations, he volunteered for Jammu and Kashmir and was deputed to the 14 Rashtriya Rifles for counter-insurgency duty in the militant-infested Bandipora district, where he gained a reputation for calm leadership and fearless night operations. On 10 November 2005, acting on intelligence about terrorist movement across a ridge, he led a small team through a concealed route toward the target. His party came under indiscriminate fire from behind a wall and pinned down the militants, who took shelter in a house. Leading from the front, Major Gopi closed in using fieldcraft and eliminated one terrorist at point-blank range. While attempting to neutralise the second, he was struck by automatic fire in the face and neck. Despite grievous injuries he continued to motivate his men before succumbing to his wounds. For his conspicuous gallantry and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.