Cash awards for centurion of 1961, 1971 Wars

Palanpur, Gujarat, Jun 4 (UNI) Rotary International District-3050, comprising parts of Gujarat, honoured 102-year-old Ranchhodbhai Rabari of Limbala village in this border district of Bansakantha for helping Indian Army during 1961 and 1971 wars at a glittering function here.

Conferring on him the title of ''Banas Ratan (Jewel of Banaskantha)'', Rotary Governor Arunbhai Parikh gave away a cash prize of Rs 5,100 and a citation to Ranchhodbhai 'Pugi', as he is popularly known for tracking pugmarks or footprints to pinpoint the location of enemy.

Ranchhodbhai was honoured by Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw after the wars and was awarded Rs 300, a small princely sum then, but the Rotarians felt the need to renew the society's indebtness to 'Old War Camel', the likes of old warhorses, for his heroics in the desert.

In presence of a large number of prominent people of this town, Rotary Club of Palanpur City Presdient Kanubhai Agrawal also heaped praises on the centurion, who now leads a simple life with his family in his village.

The Bhavnagar-based R D Jhala Charitable Trust had also felicitated Ranchhodbhai with a cash award of Rs 25,000 at a grand function, at Limbala, about 112 km from here.

UNI VKC MAZ CH BST118