Veteran Cmde Babru Yadav MVC passes away

From: Arun Saigal saigal.arun@gmail.com
Sent: 24 January 2010 07:28
To: Arun Saigal
Subject: Cmde Babru Yadav MVC


Cmde Babru Bhan Yadav, winner of Maha Vir Chakra in 1971, passed away on 22 Jan 2010 at the age of 82.

I had the privilege to interact with him at length when I was secy of Navy Foundation Delhi charter and when researching for Admiral Nanda's autobiography.

He was a simple and unassuming man till the very end.
As far as I know, he had moved into an old people's home a couple of years ago in preference to living alone.

I am reproducing a small crisp write-up about him for those who are not aware of his achievements. Detailed writeups about him are available on the internet, in 'Transition to Triumph"
http://indiannavy.nic.in/t2t2e/Trans2Trimph/chapters/10_1971%20wnc1.htm

and on the Bharat Rakshak website at
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/44-Attacks-On-Karachi.html?start=1

and at http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-4/harry.html

To my mind an MVC winner ought to have been given a funeral with full military honours at Brar square. I wonder what the rules/ guidelines are ..

Regards
Arun Saigal
Cdr (retd)

Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav 00101 B
Maha Vir Chakra
(1928-2010)
Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav was born on September 14, 1928 in village Bharawas, Rewari district, Haryana. His father, late Major Bhagwan Singh Yadav M. B. E., had taken part in both the World Wars. Interest in adventurous sea-life came naturally to young Babru Bhan. In fact, this Yadav family's history in joining army, dates back to the Mughal period, relates Colonel M. S. Yadav, his elder brother, and Colonel J. D. S. Yadav, his companion of school days.
Babru Bhan Yadav passed his Intermediate examination from the Banares Hindu University and B Sc from St. Stephen's College, Delhi in 1947. As a student, he was very fond of swimming. He had not seen the sea until he was 20. On the New Year's day in 1951, he got his commission in the Navy at the age of 23 years. He underwent his basic naval training in Devonshire in the United Kingdom.
He also went to Soviet Union for training. Earlier, he had completed Staff College Course. Commodore Yadav got his Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) award for displaying conspicuous gallantry during the 1971 India-Pakistan War for sinking two enemy destroyers and one Mine Sweeper in an offensive sweep on the enemy coast off Karachi. After retirement from the Indian Navy he joined the Merchant Navy.
1971 India-Pakistan War: Commodore Babru Bahan Yadav was the Squadron Commander of a division of ships which formed part of the Task Group of the Western Fleet ordered to carry out an offensive sweep on the enemy coast off Karachi on the night of December 4\5, 1971. Notwithstanding the threat of enemy air, surface and submarine attack, the officer led his division of ships deep into the enemy waters and encountered two groups of large enemy warships. Despite the heavy gun-fire from the enemy destroyers and at great risk to his ships and personnel, Commodore B B Yadav led his squadron towards the enemy in a swift and determined attack. As a result, two enemy destroyers and one mine sweeper were sunk. In this operation, Commodore Babru Bahan Yadav displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Navy, for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) on 5th December, 1971.

source:
http://www.haryana-online.com/WarHeroes/commodore_b_b_yadav.htm
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