Pre-script:
this was made quite a few months ago ! – failed to post ... anyway,
better late than never – my tributs to Capt. Anuj Nayyar.
Indian Trains have Names besides the Numbers. As you would know, Trains now have 5 digit numbers – earlier they were 4 digits. Many a trains are named after Gods, rivers, important places in the origin or destination – ……. Some are named after personalities and some after traits too.. there are some luxurious trains too……. On August 15, 1977, a train woke up the people as it began its inaugural journey from the temple town of Madurai with 16 yellow and green livery coaches and a matching YDM4 diesel loco. Livery – heard or seen earlier ?
Locomotive nomenclature is a system of codes and names that classify locomotives by their track gauge, motive power, intended traffic type, and model/series, with each position in the code representing a specific characteristic, such as the letter 'W' for Broad Gauge or 'D' for Diesel in the Indian Railways system. For example, a WDM-2 locomotive is a Broad gauge, Diesel-powered, Mixed-use locomotive of the 2nd seriesIndian Railways names locomotives in two ways: a standard alphabetical/numerical classification system that indicates the locomotive's type (e.g., WAG-9 for Broad gauge, AC, Goods) or specific engines, a tribute system that inscribes the names of national heroes, such as war heroes and freedom fighters, to honor their sacrifices and contributions.
The Kargil War of 1999 is one of the most defining moments in India’s military history. The war was fought between India and Pakistan in the high-altitude terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. It was sparked by the infiltration of Pakistani military personnel across the Line of Control (LoC) into the Kargil District. It lasted for approximately two months, from May to July, and saw some of the most intense and heroic acts of bravery. Among the many gallant soldiers who rose to the occasion, Captain Anuj Nayyar of the 17 JAT Regiment remains a symbol of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice.
One of the most strategically important objectives was Point 4875, a heavily fortified position held by the enemy. In response, the 17 JAT was inducted into the valley on May 26, 1999, with the primary task of capturing vital features, including Pimple 1, Pimple 2, and Whale Back.
Citation: On 06 July 1999, Charlie Company was tasked to capture an objective, which was a part of the Pimple Complex on the Western Slopes of Point 4875, in the Mushkoh Valley. At the beginning of the attack, the Company Commander got injured and the command of the company devolved on Captain Anuj Nayyar. Captain Nayyar continued to command his leading platoon into the attack under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire. As the platoon advanced, the leading section reported the location of 3 to 4 enemy positions. Captain Nayyar moved forward towards the first enemy position and fired a rocket launcher and lobbed grenades into it.
Thereafter, the section, along with Captain Nayyar, physically assaulted and cleared the position. The enemy, which was well entrenched, brought a heavy volume of automatic fire. Captain Anuj Nayyar, unmindful of his personal safety, motivated his men and cleared two more enemy positions. While clearing the fourth position an enemy rocket-propelled grenade hit the officer and martyred him on the spot. This action led by Captain Anuj Nayyar resulted in the killing of nine enemy soldiers and the destruction of three medium machine gun positions of the enemy. The success of this operation after a brief setback was largely due to the outstanding personal bravery and exemplary junior leadership of this daring officer. Captain Anuj Nayyar displayed indomitable resolve, grit, and determination and motivated his command by personal example acting beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in true traditions of the Indian Army.
Anuj Nayyar was born and grew up in Delhi, India. His father, Satish Kumar Nayyar, worked as a visiting professor in Delhi School of Economics while his mother, Meena Nayyar, worked for the South Campus library of Delhi University. Nayyar received his high-school education from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan (1993 batch). He graduated from the National Defence Academy and later was commissioned into the 17th battalion, Jat Regiment (17 Jat) in June 1997 from the Indian Military academy.
Nayyar was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery and leadership in combat. A School in Janakpuri area of Delhi, was named as "Shaheed Captain Anuj Nayyar Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya. A road in Janakpuri area of Delhi, was named as "Captain Anuj Nayyar Marg. and on the 76th Republic Day (26 Jan 2025), India paid tribute to Kargil hero as Southern Railway dedicated a locomotive in his name "Captain Anuj Nayyar”
The Kargil conflict was marked by examples of extraordinary valour
of men and officers of the Indian armed forces. Bravery was immortalised! As commemorating the
unparalleled valour and sacrifice of Maha Vir Chakra awardee Captain Anuj
Nayyar in the 1999 Kargil War, Indian Railways proudly dedicated the WAG-9 HC
locomotive to his memory at the Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam. The brand-new
AJJ WAG-9 HC 38944 was dedicated to Captain Anuj Nayyar, Maha Vir Chakra, of
the JAT Regiment, honoring his bravery and supreme sacrifice in the 1999 Kargil
War.
His mother was to say on the occasion : “He was only 23 years old, and I have lived 25 years without him. It is not an easy journey, but I would like to thank everyone on Team Railway……He was a wonderful son, wonderful brother, and, moreover, a wonderful Soldier.” Anuj was only two months away from his wedding when tragedy struck. He was about to marry his school-time sweetheart, but the clothes for his wedding remained untouched, a symbol of the dreams that were left unfulfilled. When asked how this gesture would help keep her son’s legacy alive, Mrs. Nayyar said, “If something is done by the Government in the name of Captain Anuj, it will inspire the youth of this country.”
That reference to Independence Day of
1977 at the start - and the train is : the
iconic Vaigai Express embarking on its
inaugural journey. Flagged off from
Madurai Junction at 6:00 a.m., the legendary daytime express covered the 492 km
route to Madras Egmore in a record-breaking 7 hours and 15 minutes, matching the
speed of broad-gauge high-speed train
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