Hajara Singh, son of Rur Singh, was born on 18 June 1908, in Sathiala, Amritsar district. He began his education at eight and joined the British Indian Army as a rifleman in 1935-36, recruited during a rally in Lahore. In July 1935-36, Hajara Singh departed for Singapore via Calcutta, arriving in August and staying in tents at Chikabo. In December 1941, during musketry training on ships, his unit launched an attack on Japan. Soon after, the Indian National Army (INA) was formed with Japanese support, and General Mohan Singh was appointed its chief. When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore, he rallied the troops with his famous call, "Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhein azadi dunga" ("Give me blood, and I will give you freedom"). Hajara Singh was chosen as one of fifty soldiers in a special bodyguard unit for Netaji.
Hajara Singh was captured and imprisoned, first in the Rangoon Jail and later in Multan Jail, where he was classified as a "black prisoner," considered highly dangerous. Despite facing a near-execution, he survived and was released on 8 March 1946.
In recognition of his contributions to India's freedom struggle, Hon’ble Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi awarded him a Tamra Patra on 15 August 1972.
Hajara Singh passed away on 27 February 1997.
Identity Card issued by the Government of Punjab in 2024.
Source: Nitu Sethi, Contributor for CCRT.