92-year-old ex-army man to walk 50km to raise funds for Galwan Valley martyrs
Harshabab Sidhu
Mohali, March 6, 2021:
A 92-year-old man is all set to walk 50 kilometres within this month as a fundraiser for the Indian soldiers, who died in the clash with Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Purshotam Singh, an ex-army man, said that he would walk around 3 km daily in his residential area of Phase 6, Mohali, with his walker. Purshotam Singh's target is to walk 50 km and raise maximum funds for martyr soldiers' families.
Purshotam Singh said he got inspired by British army veteran Captain Tom Moore, who had raised nearly $45 million for health workers by walking around his garden before his death at 100. "I will walk around 1.5 km in the morning and evening every day with my walker. I am hoping to achieve the 50-km target by the end of this month. I felt so bad for the children of Indian soldiers, who died at the Galwan Valley last year. I wanted to do something for their orphan children, due to which I decided to follow Captain Tom's model. Initially, I am donating Rs 10,000 from my as well as from my late wife's side. After that, all the funds collected from the people will be donated to the children of martyr soldiers," he said.
Purshotam Singh's son Tarsem Singh Sehda (63), also a senior citizen, said during a press conference today, that he was settled in England and moved to India last year November to support his father for this noble cause. "I had moved to England in 1979. When my father shared his wish with me, I came here by quitting my job. Now I am all set to support him. I will give regular body massage to my father so that he can achieve his target soon," said Tarsem Singh. He also added that Purshotam Singh was a heart patient and has already underwent a by-pass surgery.
Born in 1929 in Duley village of Ludhiana, Purshotam Singh served the army for 32 years. He has three daughters and a son. His wife died last year. "I had joined the army in 1945 at a monthly salary of Rs 19. My first posting was at Nashera, which is now in Pakistan. I was a part of three wars – 1962, 1965 and 1971. I also remained an inspector in the Indian Military Academy. I was also a shooting winner in the western command of Sikh Regiment," said Pushotam Singh.