Albert Ekka
A commemorative postage stamp on Lance Naik Albert Ekka PVC, an Indian soldier, posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra for his action in battle of Hilli, during 1971 Indo-Pakistan War [a part of the series ‘50 Years of the Republic of India : Gallantry Award Winners‘] :
Issued by India
Issued on Jan 28, 2000
Issued for : The Golden Jubilee of the Indian Republic provides the appropriate occasion to pay a grateful nation’s proud homage to the courageous soldiers who have won these awards through their outstanding deeds. On this occasion, the Department of Posts issues a set of 5 stamps to pay tribute to Gallantry Award Winners of the Indian Armed Forces.
Design : The issue commemorates gallantry award winners of the armed forces, on the occasion of fifty years of the Republic of India. The first day cover depicts a section of the First Republic Day procession marching towards India Gate.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samantha
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : First Day Cover
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 300 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Number per issue sheet : 35 (7 Sets)
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printer : India Security Press, Nashik
Name : Albert Ekka
Born on Dec 27, 1942 at Jari, Gumla district, Bihar, India [now in Jharkhand]
Died on Dec 3, 1971 at Gangasagar, Bangladesh
About :
- The Indian Armed Forces, had an entirely different role to play, after India attained Independence. They now had the sacred purpose of defending the Motherland from aggression. Immediately after independence, they were called upon to safeguard India’s frontiers against the Pakistani invaders in Jammu and Kashmir. The jawans took up the challenge and performed remarkable deeds of valour, courage, endurance and self-sacrifice in repelling and defeating the invaders. In recognition of the supreme sacrifices made by the armed forces personnel, the Government of India instituted new Gallantry Awards for them, the highest being Param Vir Chakra.
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka PVC was in the 14th Battalion of the Brigade of the guards during their attack on the enemy defence at Gangasagar on the Eastern Front during the war for the liberation of Bangladesh. The assaulting troops were subjected to intense shelling and heavy small arms fire from the highly fortified enemy position, but they charged on to the objective and were locked in bitter hand to hand combat. Lance Naik Ekka achieved glory in this combat by charging enemy bunkers with total disregard for his personal safety and silencing some of the most effective enemy machine guns. He succeeded in minimising casualties to his company and ensuring that the objective was captured. However, he succumbed to his injuries later. For displaying the most conspicuous valour and determination in the best traditions of the armed forces, he was awarded the ‘Param Vir Chakra’ posthumously.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the Army Postal Service Corps.
