For centuries, the Gurkha community has fought for the nation and continues to do so even today.

Gurkha bravery is legendary, but there are many Gurkha heroes who have escaped our attention.

Major Durga Malah was one of these brave men who laid down his life for India's independence.

He was born in a village near Deharadun. In 1931, he joined the Gurkha rifles.

In mid-1941, just three days after his marriage, he was asked to go and fight against Japan.

On 8th December, war was declared. Then Durga Malah and a group of Indian soldiers

became convinced that there was no use fighting for the British.

Instead, they joined Netaji Shubha's Chandra Bose in founding the Indian National Army,

INA in 1942.

As a member of the intelligence branch of INA, Major Durga Malah was based in the hilly regions of Assam and Burma border.

In March 1944, when he was on a mission in Manipur, he was captured and sent to the prison at Red Fort.

In the trial, he was sentenced to death because of his key role in India's struggle against British.

The British were trying every means to suppress the freedom struggle, so they offered Major Durga Malah

remission if he publicly denounced the freedom struggle.

He did not budge. They even sent his wife, who he was seeing for the first time in years, to convince him.

Still, he refused to confess and connive against the freedom struggle.

He told his wife, my sacrifice will not go in vain.

India's freedom is only a question of time.

He reassured her that the entire country would take care of her after his death.

He was executed on 25th August 1944.

The contribution of the Gorka community in India's independence and security deserves recognition.

Let Major Durga Malah's bravery and patriotism become an inspiration for all Indians. Namaskaram.

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