John Aguiar
Maj General Christopher Fernandes (Retd) is a senior decorated officer, from the Indian Army. He is a recipient of the Sena Medal (Gallantry), the Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. A product of National Defence Academy, Pune, he was commissioned into Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army in June 1981. He commanded an Infantry Battalion on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, and an Infantry Brigade in active counter insurgency environment in Assam. Besides this, he has also been an instructor at the National Defence Academy, Pune
Excerpts from the interview:
Could you tell us about your schooling and factors that motivated you to join the Army?
My parents are from Mapusa. My father was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air force. I went to eight or nine different schools until Class 11. After that, I joined the National Defence Academy.
How was your Services Selection Board (SSB)?
I initially tried to join the Air Force like my father. Just four of us got through. But unfortunately, when I went for my medical, they told me that there was something wrong with my eyes and so I couldn’t join the Air Force. I still wanted to join the services so I joined the Indian Army after doing my SSB from Varanasi.
From there you went to the National Defence Academy.
Yes. At that time one could enlist after Class 11. Now it’s Class 12. NDA is for three years where you get a degree for a BA /BSc. After that you join the Indian Military Academy (IMA) for one year at Dehradun and then you get commissioned.
How was your experience at basic training?
It was difficult because you have to study but also participate in physical activities which are tough. But, it was a wonderful experience. NDA really gets you on the rails to become a service person. The IMA also was extremely tough and gets you ready for serving in any environment in the Indian Army. But I met some of my best friends. We still keep in touch. We are like one big family.
You were in the infantry branch of the Indian Army. What is the role of infantry in the Indian Army?
Infantry is the queen of the battle. Many people call it different things. We are the boots on ground. You may have people with guns; they give you fire support. You have the armoured corps where you move in tanks. But ultimately the person on the ground is the infantry. You have eyes on the enemy. Infantry is the backbone of the Indian Army.
You have been part of Bihar Regiment. This regiment played a very important role during the Kargil War.
Bihar Regiment has excelled not only in Kargil but every operational area whether it was in 1971 Bangladesh, or later in Sri Lanka and the ongoing operations in Siachen Glacier. In Kargil, they did a great job. Our troops are one of the finest in the world. We have troops from North Bihar and South Bihar who are Adivasis. They make a wonderful team.
Which operation area did you serve during your tenure in the army?
I have served in almost every operational area where the army has participated in. When I got commissioned, I went to Manipur. That time there were counter insurgency operations on. Then we were in Tripura for some time. Before I went to Jammu and Kashmir, I served in the Siachen Glacier. I think it was the toughest time of my life. We were operating at heights of 21 to 23,000 feet, with negligible oxygen and temperatures going down to minus 50 degrees centigrade. We lived in ice caves and were also getting shot at by the enemy. I thank my men. In the 90s it was even more difficult than today. We did not have all the fancy facilities available now. I commanded my battalion again on the Line of Control. We had a lot of casualties. I did not take part in Kargil operations because I was on staff. I was also deployed for the Gujarat riots. In fact, I was the first to take my battalion into Godhra.
You were awarded Sena Medal for Gallantry. Could you tell us about it?
This was in the Siachen Glacier. I was a Major, commanding a post called Sonam. The enemy had come up on to our Bana post which is part of the Sonam complex. They had come up at a height of about 22,000 and attacked our post from the top. In fact, they managed to kill one of my havaldars. We had to climb up. I remember it was at about 12 at night. To approach Bana we had to climb a vertical ice covered cliff at minus 55 degrees centigrade. We managed to evict the enemy with no survivors on their side..
How do our Goan boys and girls prepare themselves to join the Indian Army?
I have always found that unlike other states, the youth from Goa do not apply to join for the Armed Forces. Maybe it is out of ignorance, or being persuaded against it by their families as it might be dangerous. Vacancies given to Goa for joining the Army are never filled, which is a shame. Whereas in other states they keep asking for more vacancies. I would recommend to our boys and girls from Goa, especially the girls, you have got a fantastic career in the Armed Forces. Join the Army or the Air Force or the Navy. I am sure you will do well. There are several options you can exercise, from permanent service to short
service.
