Gabar Singh Negi

Gabbar Singh Negi VC (21 April 1895 – 10 March 1915) was an Indian soldier, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest Commonwealth award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.

Details
Gabar Singh Negi was born at Manjood village near Chamba, Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. He joined the Garhwal Rifles in October 1913. He was 21 years old and a Rifleman in the 2/39th Garhwal Rifles, Indian Army during the First World War, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France: "during an attack on the German position Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."

The Gabar Singh Negi fair is organised annually in Chamba, Tehri in the memory of Gabar Singh. In 1971, the Garhwal Regiment adopted the Fair, to give it the much-needed boost. A memorial was constructed and with the inclusion of army traditions in the ceremonies, the Gabar Negi fair started attracting villagers from far and near to pay their homage to this brave soldier.

Every year, on 20/21 April (depending on the Hindu calendar), the area around the Negi Memorial in Chamba comes alive with many kiosks being set up. This is the only fair of its kind in the state.