STORY OF PEDONGI—THE MULE
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
The Indian Army has an Animal Transport Unit which, as
per report, maintains 6000 - 8000 mules. They mules are used for transporting
food, weapons, ammunition and for riding in the difficult terrains.
The hybrid equines are a cross of Mare and Jack. In
1962, one such mule, a bay mare of Spanish breed, was inducted into the 853
Animal Transport Company of the Army Service Corps, when she was only 4 years
old. Mules are generally not given any names. They are identified by their hoof
numbers and this new recruit was identified as Hoof Number 15328.
After training, she was deployed in the erstwhile state of
Jammu & Kashmir. Yes, the same year India suffered that humiliating defeat
in the hands of the Chinese. The job of this mule was same - to transport food
and equipment from the base to the forward areas. There are roads in border
area which are extremely narrow, including the stretches called “OFF-ROADS”.
Trucks and Jeeps can’t venture in those areas. So, mules are the only options
for the army in these areas.
The Mule was a four-legged soldier but brave and loyal
nevertheless. But this new recruit, Hoof Number 15328, was proved to be
different.
In the 1971 war against Pakistan, HOOF NUMBER 15328 did something
unthinkable. She stole enemy weapons from behind the enemy lines and returned
to Indian Army, and she would make a name for herself - both figuratively and
literally..
In 1971 war with Pakistan, an Indian Army’s Animal Transport
(AT) convoy was once again face to face with its neighbour and rival Pakistan,
in Jammu and Kashmir. Like any other soldiers during that war, Hoof Number
15328 was also in the thick of the action - transporting supplies and bringing
back wounded soldiers.
One fateful day, the Army Transport (AT) Column was ambushed
by the enemy. By the time the infantry unit accompanying the Animal Transport
Unit retaliated, the Pakistanis already ran away with few mules. When the
convoy regrouped they found out few mules were missing and one among them was
Hoof Number 15328.
There was no sign of the mules and the handlers thought that
the mules were gone, probably dead. One more casualty on the Indian side!
But then….and then….
Almost after two weeks, Hoof Number 15328 returned to its
handler and she was carrying a huge load on her back. She looked tired.
Intrigued, the handlers checked and found out that 15328 was carrying two boxes
of the enemy weapon and ammunition. Hoof Number 15328 escaped its Pakistani handlers, carried -- a MACHINEGUN, and two boxes of ammunition (
Pakistani ammunition), ran 20 - 25 kms(approx.) ,survived bullets and bombs,
and finally made it to his real handlers, the Indian Army.
Touched by his bravery and loyalty, his Commanding Officer
recommended that this soldier’s bravery and loyalty be rewarded and recognised
in some way. So, what happened next? A few days later, Hoof Number 15328 had a
new and an official name - Pedongi! after
the town of Pedong, a battle location in North Sikkim.
Mules usually have a working span of 15 - 18 years. In 1987,
Maj. Chunni Lal Sharma was surprised to see Pedongi, who was now 27 years old
still working diligently. Seeing this, Maj. Sharma decided to make Pedongi as
the ‘Company Mascot’. The unit’s 1989-90 ‘season’s greeting card’ had a picture
of this mule. He was also given the velvet rug for his long service to the
Indian Army in the year 1992. The Animal Transport Battalion Commander was mightily
pleased and reported the matter to the General Officer Commanding who
congratulated him and asked to send a citation of bravery/valour by Pedongi.
The President of India bestowed the gallantry award of “Vir Chakra” to
Pedongi. Pedongi was then kept in an exclusive stable with no work.
It could eat as much as it had appetite for and roam around freely in the unit
area. Pedongi died a natural death at the age of 38 years Its brass plate citation with
the medal of Vir Chakra still adores the museum at the ASC centre at Bangalore.
The army honoured her again in 2017 by naming a lounge for
its officers at the Delhi cantonment after her.
It might be surprising but Pedongi also made it to the Guinness Book of World
Records for being the longest serving military mule in 1997 before passing away
peacefully in Bareilly on March 25, 1998!
During
my Mountaineering, and High-Altitude trekking days, MULES used to be our companion in the group.
A very gentle, and non-complaining animal. I used to treat them with Molasses
on any long haul. I travelled a lot riding Mules, or having them carrying my /our provisions in the Mountainous region
in India. Mules are borne both- Males and
Females—but they can’t procreate because of odd number ( 63)of chromosoms.
They
didn’t get the respect they deserve, as an ANIMAL.
REFERENCE:
https://www.deccanherald.com/content/418983/brave-pedongi.html
https://www.primepost.in/president-honours-a-patriotic-donkey-with-vir-chakra/
Economic times also published an
article on her. There are many references.
Good and interesting reading. Thank you Sarasij
ReplyDeleteThanks, Friend.
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