Manoj Kumar was orphaned pretty early and was more or less brought up by his brother and Bhabi. He had schooling at Sainik School Tilaiya, till Higher Secondary and was the first one to get selected for the NDA. He passed out from SST as an Appointment and repeated the performance at NDA as Juliet Squadron Alumni. Manu was a Yaaron ka Yaar. He left his footprints at Tilaiya as well as at NDA, as a humble, ever-ready person to help his friends and standby them against all the odds. Manu formed part of Sports Team at School as well as at NDA. He was good at PT and sports.

SM Murari studied together with Manoj from 1969 to 1976 in Sainik School Tilaiya. Though they were in different sections, as well as different houses, he always remembers him as the embodiment of patience and wisdom. He was never seen losing his cool. Manoj was one of the first from his school batch to get selected to NDA in the first chance and joined our course in Juliet squadron. He was quiet and a God-fearing fellow.

By nature, a very caring and loving person. Ghorpade recollects that during exercises he used to volunteer to get the meals from the Mess lorry and distributed the food to all. On one such occasion, he did not get any food and still for the next meal, he was a volunteer, and always the last to have his meals.

'Manoj was the quintessential 'Babua' with an ever-present smile lighting up his cheerful face. The handle-bar moustache was his trademark, adding to his charm. Manoj was very easy-going and cheerful always and ready to help one and all. An incident of camp Trishul, when Juliets were digging trenches throughout the night- their DivO kept on visiting several times to check whether we were awake or sleeping. Manoj was the sentry, and on seeing that the same DivO was coming again and again, he called out "Tham yee baar baar kaun aata hai?" On this the DivO burst out laughing.

Manoj Kumar was an extremely likeable chap, easy to get along and comfortable to spend time with. Mild-mannered and affable, he had a much-understated way about him. Down to earth with feet firmly planted on the ground, he had a very simple approach to life, was wise beyond his years and an evolved being. Absolutely pure-hearted, he carried no malice for anyone. Carpal never saw him lose his balance and equanimity even under trying conditions.

He was the first commissioned officer of 11 Madras, a new raising when we all got commissioned. He was a very strong leader and yet a very humane, considerate person to his subordinates to whom he proved this on the sports fields at school and NDA as well as in the Battlefield with 11 Mardas in Srilanka.

On 22 Oct 1987 as part of IPKF in Jaffna at Elthumudvil, near Mirusuvil at MS 182 his convoy came under heavy LTTE fire. He, in a daring action, grabbed an RL and taking advantage of a few Palmyra trees, made a direct hit on the LTTE position. Due to this, he and his team then came under heavy LTTE fire from other locations. As there was inadequate cover at 1100h while shifting to another firing position, his party accidentally tripped a booby trap setting off three improvised claymore mines from which he suffered multiple injuries along with two more of his team. He succumbed to his injuries and lived up to the highest traditions of the Indian Army and Regimental Motto. AK Singh (L) who was posted Palali Airport at that time, remembers that Manoj's last words were "Chhorna Nahi Inko". AK fondly remembers Manoj attending his marriage along with his school type Uday.

The classmates came pouring to assist his family after the fateful incident. He is survived by his lady Wife Sangita Sinha and a young son. Mrs Manoj most probably re-married and is leading a peaceful life.

Penned with inputs from Uday Shankar, Ashim, Rajaram, Ghorpade, AK Singh ( L ), Harpal Singh, SM Murari and Diljit Singh.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏