On the 26th of June in 1918, Major Rama Raghoba Rane was born in Chendia village which belongs to Karwar district of Karnataka. He was born in a Konkan Kshatriya Maratha family and received his education in various places throughout India because his father had a job which required him to move from one place to another. At the age of 22, he joined the Army in the midst of the Second World War and was commissioned into the Bombay Sappers in July 1940.
Maj Rane, an aspiring army officer, was a part of the Burma campaign in World War II and then took on an important role in the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48. On February 3rd, 1955, he got married to Leela and the couple had four kids. He served for 21 years in the armed forces, retiring on June 25th, 1968. Unfortunately, due to natural causes, he passed away on July 11th, 1994. For his brave deeds in the conflict with Pakistan, he received the highest form of recognition, the Param Vir Chakra, in 1948. In addition, he was given five mentions in dispatches and a commendation by the Chief of Army Staff during his service.
Recaptureof Rajouri From The Pakistani Forces
In the year 1948, Major Rane, who was then a Second Lieutenant, was part of the 37 Field Company of Bombay Sappers and was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indo-Pak war, which commenced in October 1947 and was already in its seventh month by April 1948, had resulted in Pakistani soldiers and armed tribesmen seizing control of Rajouri by the end of March 1948 and wreaking havoc through theft and murder. At that time, 2nd Lt Rane’s unit was taking part in the Naushera sector and was assigned the task of eliminating mines and roadblocks along the 26-mile stretch of road connecting Naushera to Rajouri. It was essential for the Armored and Infantry forces to reach Rajouri as quickly as possible, so the task assigned to 2nd Lt Rane’s unit was of great importance.
On April 8th, 2nd Lt Rane began his mission but his unit was attacked with mortar fire and had to take refuge using tanks. Regrettably, two of his soldiers were killed and five were injured, including 2nd Lt Rane. Despite being heavily wounded, he put a bandage on himself and continued on with the task. This bold action from 2nd Lt Rane and his group prompted the Pakistani troops to retreat that day. Early the next morning, they resumed their mission in spite of the challenges. They kept clearing the trails until 9 PM. The path ahead was even more difficult since big rocks near the river had to be demolished with dynamite to make way for the tanks. Eventually, the armored column made it to Rajouri on April 12th, allowing them to recapture Rajouri from the enemy forces. This was only made possible through the tremendous courage of 2nd Lt Rane and his comrades.
Param ver Chakra
Second Lieutenant Rane made a crucial contribution in regaining control of Rajouri and rescuing its citizens from additional harm done by the Pakistani Army. For his remarkable bravery, leadership skills, and dedication, he was rewarded with the highest Indian military award, the Param Vir Chakra.
Tribute To Major Rama Raghoba Rane
- The naval warship museum in Karwar has a statue erected in his honour.
- The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) named fifteen of its Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. They had a crude oil tanker named MT “Lt. Ram Raghoba Rane, PVC”.
Rajeshwari Rane handing over the Param Vir Chakra of her husband, Major Rama Raghoba Rane, to the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane
Last days of Major Rama Raghoba Rane
Following the war, Rane was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on the 14th of January 1950 and then to captain on the same date in 1954. On the 27th of May 1955, he was given a regular commission as a captain, with the number IC-7244. He ended his military service as a major on 25 June 1968. During the course of his career, Rane was commended five times in the despatches. He was later hired as part of the civilian personnel of the Indian Army and he stayed in their employ until the 7th of April 1971, when he retired from work. He passed away in 1994 at the Command Hospital in Southern Command in Pune.
