TRANSPORT: Mules are the only beasts of burden and transportation to reach supplies to the Indian soldiers protecting the Himalayan heights overlooking Pakistan and China.

At the highest reaches of the mountains of the Himalaya, where places like the Siachen Glacier are, the faithful “tired-less” mules carry ammunition and other supplies to our soldiers. This is a true life story of Pedongi who is named after the place she comes from….

PEDONGI (2019-1972)
WE will fall in trouble after reading the name Pedongi. Pedongi the name of a mule. In fact, those who don’t value human beings will not even smell the name of the mule. But this is not a simple mule, this mule prefers the protection of India. An integral part of the Indian Army is Khechra.
In the current situation more than a 100 mules are working in the Indian Army. India’s border is surrounded by high peaks crossing 4,800 feet above sea level. Many posts of the Indian Army are in such places where no vehicles can go even today. We can imagine how difficult it would be to carry ammunition, logistics and fuel where saving our own life is difficult. The mules have come to the aid of the Indian Army till date.
These mules can work in very cold and rare air on high heights. The drags are very honest beyond a very rocky and slippery path. That is why even today they are being the backbone of the Indian army and are participating in the protection of India.
“Pedongi” is a real soldier named Hoof No.15328. Pedongi joined the Indian Army in 1990. During those days even when there was no modern communication system and advanced vehicles, the Indian army was always dependent on hardworking mules. In bomb blasts and showers of bullets, Pedongi and her colleagues performed their task of supplying logistics to the Indian Army with honesty. Two years passed by.
The India-Pakistan war started. Pedongi was caught by the Pakistani army while supplying logistics to Indian Army when she lost her footing and jumped over to the Pakistan side where she was put to good use helping the Pakistani army!
But who says animals don’t have feelings? As soon as the opportunity arose to protect the Indian border the Pedongi got a chance to escape from the Pakistani army with a machine gun and two boxes of bullets on its back. We can’t even imagine what would be in enemy territory if you cut across a gap of about 10 kilometres (on your back two boxes of bullets and bullets raining down on you). But entering Indian territory you register your presence at the Indian post.
Seeing the mule’s sincere over for our country, the battalion commander on that post recommended to his officers to take note of Pedongi’s bravery. Pedongi who had worked for the Indian army’s 853, in company ASC in 1990. The 16-year-old Pedongi was the oldest mule at that age, she carried luggage on her back at a height of about 3,000 feet.
Major Chunilal Sharma, the commanding officer of the unit, was freed from lugging luggage and noted the bravery of Pedongi. Pedongi was officially appointed as a sister of 53 AT Company ASC. Pedongi was given a place to serve on the unit’s 2018-2018 greeting card. Her appointment with the same unit was made in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh later. Pedongi spend his time relaxing in a very large area here.
Pedongi was taken to Delhi for a special event on 2014. Pedongi was honoured with a velvet blue necklace by Colonel Girhari Singh for her bravery and service to the country in the 73rd corps day event. At the same time she was named `Pedongi.’
She was named after the battlefield Pedong in North Sikkim. Incomparable bravery in the Indian Army, serving horses were honoured to be named, but Pedongi was the first mule to be awarded this honour. After this time Pedongi spent at Bareilly.
Golden letters always recorded Pedongi’s service in 1992 as the longest serving mule for any army in the world while being recorded by Guinness Book of World Records.
On March 8, 2018 Pedongi took his last breath with great satisfaction and ended an era. It is said that once you show the way to Khechara, he will show you the way in your next life. But the bravery of Pedongi was unprecedented. She spent her whole life for soldiers protecting the Indian border at the Indian border, identifying who is enemy, who is friend. This is also a kind of patriotism. Someone will say Pedongi knew the road so she came back. But then why is she the only one? She didn’t have with her any other caught mule, but Pedongi had loyalty.
It is regrettable that the Pedongi who dedicate their life for India are still is still neglected in the minds of Indians, her Bhim patriotism works beyond words. My strong salute to Pedongi who passed away in the service of her country.

(Courtesy a Facebook post by Barathi Pawaskar)