Pune: They trained together, served together and now share a distinction that only a few military friendships can match. Two young Army officers from Maharashtra, Captain Pruthviraj Jaysingh Nighot and Captain Swaraj Sudhir Bane, have been conferred with the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their role in counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast.The officers are currently serving with the Indian Army’s elite 21 Para (Special Forces), based in Jorhat, Assam. Their journey to the unit began years ago at the Services Preparatory Institute (SPI) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to enter into National Defence Academy (NDA).Nighot cleared NDA examination in his third attempt and joined the academy. Bane, however, entered the Army through Indian Military Academy via direct entry after four attempts. Despite taking different routes, both remained determined to serve with 21 Para, whose history and ethos have a strong connection with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.The battalion has popularly been termed ‘Waghnakh’ (or tiger’s claw). The term is also associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s weapon of iron claws. For Nighot, who hails from Nighotwadi near Manchar in the Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district, the Sena Medal was a particularly emotional moment.“He made us proud. It was the biggest gift for me on Independence Day. What more can parents ask for?” said his father, Jaisingh, who works with the Income Tax Department in Pune.Jaisingh recalled that his son was passionate about joining the armed forces since his school days. Even after being told about the risks associated with the Parachute Regiment, Nighot’s determination did not break.“He told us before joining the Parachute Regiment that it would be hugely risky because they always engage in operations. I never stopped him from pursuing what he liked. I remember telling him that I have two sons, and one is for the country. Today, he has proved what I meant,” he said.Nighot scored 93% in Standard X and later joined SPI. After failing to clear NDA entrance examination twice, he kept preparing before clearing it in his third attempt.“He remained focused for two years. He did it without joining any coaching. He studied at the Fergusson College library. It was a great achievement,” his father said.His mother, Suvarna, a homemaker, said the family had always worried about his safety but never discouraged his ambition. “As a mother, it was natural to worry about his safety. He would always tell me, One day I will make you proud. Now, he has made us proud,” she said.Bane, who hails from Mumbai with family roots in Ratnagiri district, took a different route into the Army. He was initially commissioned into the Jat Regiment before opting for the Parachute Regiment and eventually joining 21 Para.For Nighot and Bane, the Sena Medals represent not just individual gallantry, but the culmination of a journey that began as two young students preparing together for the Army — and ended with serving side by side in one of the Army’s most decorated Special Forces units.Major medal haul by Waghnakh##21 Para has emerged as one of the highest gallantry medal-winning battalions of the Indian Army. In the current honours, it won 16 awards – one Kirti Chakra, one Shaurya Chakra, one Bar to Sena Medal, four Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Mentions in Dispatches and three Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards##Lt Col Maneo Francis has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, while Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bist has received the Shaurya Chakra##Col VB Shinde (retd), the battalion’s founding Commanding Officer, described the haul as historic and said, “This is indeed a historic medal haul for the ‘Waghnakhs’ and by any single unit of the Indian Army on the occasion of Independence Day. It shows its prowess in jungle warfare in the toughest Northeast sector of the country. They have excelled in all spheres of operations, and this medal haul is testimony to their high spirit and standard of military training.”
