Colonel Dr. A. G. Rangaraj (First Indian Paratrooper)
A Tribute in Kabul: A Quiet Dedication to a
Hero of Global Health and War
On June 7, 1979, in war-torn Kabul, a simple inscription was written into a
well-worn 1971 edition of Narratives of the Mission of George Bogle to Tibet:
and of the Journey of Thomas Manning to Lhasa. It read:
To my great friend Dr. Rangaraj
From Anne
Kabul, 7 June 1979
Though modest, this inscription speaks
volumes. It was likely addressed to Colonel Dr. A. G. Rangaraj (1917–2009), a
man whose life embodied service across both battlefield and humanitarian
frontlines.
Dr. Rangaraj’s career began in the crucible
of World War II with the British Indian Army. He was later instrumental in key
military conflicts serving in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–48, the Korean
War, and the 1961 Annexation of Goa. Notably, he was the first Indian
paratrooper, and for his heroic command during Korea’s bloody conflict, he was
awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest military honour.
A New Front: Fighting Disease, Not Armies
By 1979, Dr. Rangaraj’s battleground had
shifted from combat zones to health campaigns. Working as a senior adviser to
the World Health Organization, he spearheaded efforts to eradicate smallpox in
Afghanistan—a staggering feat given the civil strife and logistical chaos of
the region. His work placed him in direct collaboration with Afghan health
officials and international partners during one of the most perilous and
transformative public health campaigns of the 20th century.
A Book, A Bond, A Moment in Time
The choice of book, detailing 18th and
19th-century diplomatic journeys into Tibet and Lhasa, mirrors the spirit of
exploration and resilience that defined Dr. Rangaraj’s own path. Whether
"Anne" was a colleague, friend, or fellow public health worker, her
note encapsulates the kind of quiet respect reserved for legends whose
footprints cover many continents but whose humility leaves little trace.
Colonel Dr. A. G. Rangaraj passed away in
2009 at the age of 93. While his medals and accolades shimmer in the public
domain, it’s notes like Anne’s unpublished, heartfelt, and tucked into the
pages of a historical volume—that illuminate the human side of heroism.
