Surendra Jakhar was born in Rohtak district of Haryana. He did most of his schooling in KVs all over the southern parts of the country due to the naval services his father rendered to the country as a commissioned officer. He lived most of his early childhood and teenage in Vizag, Kochi and Mumbai, was a voracious reader and enjoyed reading a whole lot of novels. Though he gained admission into the reputed Wilson College of Bombay, he chose NDA over it. He joined the 56th NDA Course Juliet from Kendriya Vidyalaya School, Colaba and passed out with 57th as a Brigadier. He was commissioned into Baees Sikh Regiment after he passed out successfully from IMA.

His Commanding Officer remembers him as a very spirited officer. Though Jakhar was an LMC, when his Battalion was to leave for 10 Div, he categorically told his CO that he would like to go to the field area with the boys. Seeing his spirits, the CO just couldn't say no to him.

Surender Jakhar was strictly a no-nonsense man and an epitome of friendship. Sounded very sober on the surface but had very strong will power. His coursemate J Singh from 57 Juliet, happened to meet him once during his prolonged illness after a fatal accident when he was down with multiple fractures. He was in very bad shape but still managed a smile for his friend J Singh through the acute pain and hopeless situation. They both were KD (pal) and bar mates. Whenever they met, they had long sessions of booze. He was very fond of Old Monk! Though very quiet, he had a subtle sense of humour, especially under trying times. J Singh remembers one incident of IPKF days in 1988 when he was in transit and shared an evening with Jakhar in his unit location. After their evening session of drinks and chat, they retired to their respective tents separated by about 100 yds. Later, there was heavy firing from LTTE at about 3AM. J Singh woke up due to the heavy firing and was contemplating on his next move. Suddenly, Surender barged into his tent and asked: “J Singh are you safe”. This was when bullets were flying left, right, and centre. From his tent J Singh scolded him and asked Surender what the need was for him to come to his tent, exposing himself, instead of taking cover. He said, “J Singh, you are in my Battalion's location, and this is the least I could do for you”. J Singh was overwhelmed with emotions, embraced him tightly and kissed him on his forehead.

Raja (64 NDA), while on his first posting as YO to 22 Sikh (Jakhar’s Battalion) at Chandimandir in 1984 where the situation was tense due to OP Bluestar, often found himself daily in the QG. The weapons were issued and deposited at least four to five times, day and night, and the duty officer was required to be present. The duty officers would pass the buck to him, being the new YO as they were invariably too preoccupied with other tasks (can't blame them as they were married). None of his immediate seniors dining in were ex-NDA. So the evenings were not so pleasant as he would be asked gruelling questions about the mementoes lined up on the bar. There was a general agreement among his seniors that an ex-NDA cannot be such a big dope that he can't remember facts about the mementoes.

This QG and gruelling questions in the bar continued for over two months till one fine day he found a young couple driving into the Officers Mess on a Yezdi motorcycle. That was the first time he got to meet Jakhar and the lady. During their chat, he learnt that after his road accident as an LMC, Jakhar was attached to Command HQ. As an ex-NDA, he advised Raja to continue the dope act and on Saturdays not to go for dinner to the Officers Mess as that was one place where the unofficial/official duty of QG would invariably be handed over to Raja. As far as Sunday was concerned, Raja could always say that he was invited over to Jakhar’s place for lunch. Jakhar gave him an Ex-NDA lift and also took Raja out for movies. That was a big relief to Raja, and it took a long time for his seniors to get hold of him on Sundays.

The Jakhars as a couple were always found zipping past together on the bike very often in Chandimandir. He was bindaas and would be seen only during parties or in the unit officers library as he was LMC attached to Command HQ when the unit was at Chandimandir. He was very fond of fiction and would visit the unit library to pick up books often. As an LMC he could have avoided OP Pawan, but chose to move with the unit. The last time Raja met him was in the east where he was a field cashier. That's when Jakhar said that on retiring he planned to get a Chevrolet car. Raja often wonders if he got one and misses his smile.

Despite his physical condition, he led patrols in operationally active areas like Nendunkeni, where an encounter with LTTE was almost sure. He used to admonish those people who tried to remind him of his medical condition concerning the difficult field and risky tasks which he used to opt for and execute with ease. He was a soldier at heart, very proud of good traditions of Baees, cheerful as ever, very fond of talking in the Pindu Punjabi, loved by troops and believed in leading from the front both on parade and off parade. He has played a very prominent role in moulding the real Regimentation in all young subalterns.

His wife Anita who married Surender in 1983, remembers him as a thorough gentleman, who despite his age never looked or behaved a day over his late 30s. Man of few words, honest to the core and a smart working officer are a few qualities that describe him to 'T'. His spirit and strength has guided his children to new heights and will constantly be there for his family.

Jakhar was an ever-smiling face, especially in adverse conditions. He called up his dear friend J Singh from somewhere near Mahajan Fd Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, just a few days before his sad demise on 11 Dec 2012 due to illness. He sounded slightly disturbed and said that he was missing his family and children. Surender was a great man and friend of friends. His untimely demise is a great loss to his family, friends, brother officers of his unit and the vacuum created cannot be filled at all.

He is survived by his lady wife Anita Jakhar and their three children. She is now settled in Delhi. The eldest daughter, Chahana, married and settled in Canada as an HR manager. The second daughter Tanya, with a plethora of degrees, works as a content writer, and the youngest son, Parth, joined the NDA's 140th Juliet Squadron (Currently a 4th Termer ).

Penned with inputs from AKG Kale, Ashim, J Singh (57 J ), 22 Sikh Unit officers and family.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏