In a riveting episode of The Supreet Singh Show—your go-to podcast for untold Indian history stories—host Supreet Singh sits down with Daljeet Singh Cheema, a man who traded the halls of IIT Kanpur for the battlefields of national service. This conversation isn’t just about personal grit; it’s a deep dive into Punjab and Himachal’s military legacy, the heroism of warriors like Major Shaitan Singh, and how figures like Maharaja Ranjit Singh shaped Indian nationalism. Buckle up for a journey through courage, history, and patriotism!
From IIT Kanpur to the Indian Army
Daljeet Singh Cheema’s Unconventional Path What drives a man to swap a lucrative engineering career for the Indian Army’s olive greens? For Daljeet Singh Cheema, it was a calling rooted in legacy and love for the nation. A graduate of IIT Kanpur, Daljeet’s journey defies convention. “The classroom taught me logic, but the army taught me life,” he shares with Supreet Singh, the renowned podcaster in Punjab & Chandigarh, known for spotlighting unsung heroes.
Daljeet Singh Cheema – A Man of Knowledge & Service
Daljeet Singh Cheema is a remarkable personality who has authored 21 books and served in the Indian Army for three years. His journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He made the bold decision to leave IIT Kanpur to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), showcasing his unwavering passion for serving the nation. A bright student, he also received a scholarship at Punjab University, proving his academic excellence.
His exposure to the defense world began when he visited Amritsar, where he first learned about IIT and its significance. However, his calling was different—he chose discipline, patriotism, and service over conventional academia.
Discipline, Passion & Overcoming Challenges
In the show, Daljeet Singh Cheema reiterated the need for discipline, hard work, passion, and ongoing learning—attributes he learned in his military training. He also narrated a fascinating incident of when he had a knotty problem, and it was a little boy who unwittingly gave him an innovative solution. The anecdote speaks volumes about how wisdom can spring from unexpected places and the need to be receptive to learning from all.
The Legendary Story of Major Shaitan Singh & 13 Kumaon Regiment
One of the most harrowing moments of the discussion was when Daljeet Singh Cheema shared the valiant story of Major Shaitan Singh of the 13 Kumaon Regiment. In the 1962 Indo-China War when India was attacked by China, 125 Indian soldiers were ambushed. Of these, 114 valiant soldiers were martyred, including Major Shaitan Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra—India’s highest award for bravery in the armed forces. This battle remains one of the most heroic sagas in India’s military history.
Punjab & Himachal’s Contribution to the Indian Defense Forces
Daljeet Singh Cheema also enlightened us about Punjab’s glorious past of contributing to India’s defense forces. Before and post-independence, Punjab has been instrumental in supplying courageous soldiers. But of late, this contribution has dwindled because of numerous socio-political factors. He also mentioned Himachal Pradesh, where nearly every family has a representative in the Indian Army. Surprisingly, from 21 winners of the Param Vir Chakra awards, 4 belong to Himachal Pradesh, highlighting the state’s valuable contribution to the security of the nation.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh – The First Indian Leader Who Preached Nationalism
Moving further into Indian military history, Daljeet Singh Cheema explained how Maharaja Ranjit Singh was India’s first ruler to focus on nationalism. He was instrumental in unifying Sikh forces and in fortifying the army. He also presented the Military History of Sikhs, the first battle of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, which he fought 22 km from Paonta Sahib, and the way Guru Gobind Singh Ji engaged in 20 important battles before entrusting the tradition to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
Why You Should Watch This Episode
This episode of The Supreet Singh Show is a treasure trove for history lovers, defense aspirants, and all those interested in knowing about Punjab’s contributions to the military, India’s history battles, and leadership, discipline, and courage lessons. The story of Daljeet Singh Cheema, who went from being an IIT aspirant to an army officer and subsequently a 21-book author, is an inspiration.
