120 Bahadur: Meet Major Shaitan Singh’s Granddaughters Divya and Dimple Bhati, the Brave Sisters Carrying Forward a Param Vir Legacy

There are some stories in India's military history that never fade, no matter how many decades pass. One such story is that of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the hero of the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, whose

courage in the icy heights of Ladakh set a benchmark few can match. His tale is often told in textbooks, commemorations, and regimental lore, but what many people do not know is that the same fearlessness still lives in his own family. The introduction of this remarkable legacy begins long before the battlefield—before the biting cold, before the encirclement by thousands of Chinese soldiers. It starts with a man who believed that duty came before everything and continues today with two young women who chose discipline and patriotism over comfort and predictability. The story of his granddaughters, Captain Divya Bhati and Lieutenant Dimple Bhati, is not just a passing anecdote; it's a rare heritage translated into action, a family tree rooted in sheer courage.

The Legend of Rezang La: A Reminder of Unmatched Bravery

At Rezang La, Major Shaitan Singh faced an estimated two thousand Chinese, armed with heavy weaponry, with 120 jawans of the 13 Kumaon Regiment. It was a situation where retreat would have been easy but surrender was impossible. As gunfire thundered across the ridge, Major Singh led not just the counterassault but also kept the spirits of his men unshaken. A bullet hit his arm, and his comrades begged that he fall back. Instead, he improvised: he tied the trigger of his machine gun to his foot with a rope so that he could keep firing with one functioning hand. He fought until his last breath, embodying the very definition of selfless service. For this, India awarded him the Param Vir Chakra, the nation's highest gallantry honour.

Less well-known is another piece of historical trivia: nearly every soldier of his Charlie Company fought to the last man, making Rezang La one of the most heroic last stands in recorded military history. Their valour was so exceptional that even the enemy records reportedly acknowledged their fierce resistance.

The Family He Left Behind, and the Legacy They Upheld

Life quietly moved on after Major Singh's martyrdom. His son, B.S. Bhati, did not join the army; he was to become a bank employee, while his wife managed the house. They settled down in Jodhpur, a city that still reflects the martial heritage of Rajasthan. Without uniforms hanging in the hallways, patriotism remained the heartbeat of the family. It was this quiet influence that trickled down to the next generation. Today, both daughters of B.S. Bhati are wearing the same olive green their grandfather had worn with pride. In a country of a billion plus, the prospect of more than one generation answering the call of duty is a rare occurrence, but in the Bhati household, it is almost second nature.

Captain Divya and Lieutenant Dimple: Sisters Who Chose Service over Comfort

The elder granddaughter, Captain Divya Bhati, joined the Indian Army first. Her journey inspired her younger sister, yet their paths were never a matter of imitation. Both sisters had grown up fascinated with stories about their grandfather, but determination does not come merely from admiration; it comes from grit, discipline, and long hours of preparation. Dimple Bhati did her B.Tech in Computer Science before coming into the rigorous process of SSB. Later, she underwent training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, where she was awarded a silver medal, which speaks volumes about her commitment and excellence. Presently, Lieutenant Dimple is serving with the Corps of Signals and has been posted in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir-one of the most sensitive and strategically critical regions of the country. Her elder sister, Divya, proudly serves as a Captain in the Indian Army. They both stand for a rare combination of compassion, courage, and technical prowess.

A Childhood Dream That Refused To Fade

According to their father, mixed reactions were common when his daughters expressed their desire to join the Army-comments about safety, societal expectations, and whether daughters should choose such a demanding career. But both sisters remained unmoved. Inspired by the sacrifice of their grandfather and raised with quiet patriotism, they wanted to contribute, not simply admire from afar. Their story also unveils an interesting cultural shift: more young women today join the armed forces, thus reshaping India's military landscape and breaking generations of stereotypes.

Dimple's Daredevils Stunt: A Moment of National Pride

One of the most memorable highlights of Lieutenant Dimple Bhati's early career was her participation in the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path, where she performed with the famed Daredevils motorcycle team of the Corps of Signals. For decades, the Daredevils have entertained and impressed India with their gravity-defying feats. In 2023, Dimple was one of the select officers chosen to perform-what requires immense balance, courage, and technical skill. These performances are not only about spectacle, but they're a sign of discipline, precision, and unshakeable focus—those qualities the Bhati sisters seem to possess by nature.

A legacy that feels alive even today. It is tempting to think of legacy as something from the past. But in the Bhati family, it's a continuous story, living in the officers' mess, in their early morning parades, in the long nights on duty, and in the silent assurance with which they carry the weight of their surname. Major Shaitan Singh fought for the country in a time when the odds were insurmountable. His granddaughters serve the country in a century defined by technology, border vigilance, and changing defence challenges. Yet, the essence remains the same—courage. The Influence of a Param Vir Hero While monumental wars and historical citations form the grand narrative, stories like those of Divya and Dimple bring history closer to the present. They tell how bravery is not merely a battlefield act but a way of thinking, a way of living. They remind us that patriotism is not an emotion reserved only for crises; it is a legacy passed on quietly from one generation to the next. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati remains a national hero. But through his granddaughters, his story has travelled beyond textbooks and memorials; it walks, salutes, serves, and inspires—every single day.