Keishing Clifford Nongrum Explained

Honorific Prefix:Captain
Keishing Clifford Nongrum
Honorific Suffix:MVC
Birth Date:1975 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Death Place:Point 4812, Kargil,
Jammu and Kashmir, India
Allegiance: India
Serviceyears:1997–1999
Rank: Captain
Servicenumber:SS-37111
Unit:12 JAK LI
Battles:Kargil War
Awards: Maha Vir Chakra

Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, MVC (7 March 1975 – 1 July 1999) was an Indian Army officer of 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest gallantry award, for exemplary valor in combat during operations in the Kargil War in 1999.[1] [2]

Early years and education

Nongrum was born and brought up in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, in a Christian family. His father, Keishing Peter, worked at State Bank of India while his mother, Saily Nongrum, is a housewife.[3]

Nongrum received his high-school education from Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong and attended St. Anthony's College, Shillong. He was a bright student who consistently performed well in academics and sports.

Captain Nongrum believed Indian military service has an important role to integrate North-Eastern states with mainstream India. Before Kargil war, Nongrum visited the principal of his alma mater, St Anthony's College, Shillong to discuss the matter and wanted to speak to the students about the Indian army. [4]

Military life

He graduated from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai and was commissioned into the 12th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.

Kargil War and death

At the outbreak of war, his battalion was posted to the Batalik sector.[5] The mission was assigned to 12 JAK LI on 30 June 1999 to capture the strategically important Point 4812 in the Batalik sector. Capt Nongrum was tasked to lead the assault team for this critical mission.[6]

Capt Nongrum was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his gallant action in this operation. The Maha Vir Chakra citation reads as follows:

Legacy

Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum is the only person from the state of Meghalaya to have won this distinct and prestigious honour.

A bust of Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum has been recently inaugurated at Rhino Museum Shillong in his memory.[7]

The Meghalaya government renamed Rilbong Chowk to Clifford Nongrum Square in honor of Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gallantry Awards Ministry of Defence, Government of India . 2022-03-10 . Gallantry Awards.
  2. Web site: 27 July 2018 . Kargil martyr Captain Clifford: Meghalaya salutes Kargil martyr Captain Clifford Nongrum Shillong News - Times of India . 2022-03-10 . . en.
  3. News: Bureau . TT . 27 July 2017 . In honour of the brave . .
  4. News: Unnithan . Sandeep . 12 August 2018 . Requiem for a Kargil hero . .
  5. Web site: This Unsung Hero's Act of Extraordinary Courage Led the Indian Army to Victory in the Kargil War . The Better India . 26 July 2016.
  6. Web site: Capt Keishing Clifford Nongrum MVC Honourpoint . July 1999 .
  7. News: Kargil war martyr Capt Clifford K Nongrum's bust unveiled in Shillong . 19 May 2015 . The Northeast Today . 29 May 2018 .
  8. News: 1 March 2017 . Rilbong Chowk renamed as Clifford Nongrum Square . .
  9. Web site: 14 March 2017 . No.GAB.69/2000/563 . Government of Meghalaya.