The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ is apt for the Syuta village in the Chamba block from where not only did scores of men fight in two World Wars and subsequent wars fought by independent India, but even now many men from this village are serving in the armed forces while the rest of the family members are involved in agriculture here.
However, the dilapidated condition of the roads to this village remains a cause of concern for the residents of Syuta which has a tradition of producing brave soldiers for the nation.
Victoria Cross recipient Gabar Singh Negi and anti-imperialist freedom fighter Shridev Suman were born in villages of Chamba block in the Tehri district. About two kilometres from Chama is located the village of Syuta. Thirty six men from this village fought in the first World War and of them four died while fighting. Though there are many villages in Garhwal and Kumaon regions, from where men have joined the armed forces and fought in various battles, Syuta village has the distinction of producing such a large number of soldiers who fought in a battle at one time. In World War I, Jagtar Singh, Chota Singh, Bagtavar Singh and Kala Singh from Syuta died while fighting as soldiers of the British army.
Apart from the 36 men from Syuta who fought in World War I, 16 men from this village also fought in World War II of whom Baisakh Singh and labh Singh were killed in battle. In the 1962 Indo-China war, up to 40 soldiers native to this village fought against the Chinese. During the eighties, an average of one member from each family in this village was working in the armed forces. At present there are 50 retired army men living in the village, while at least 30 men are employed in the army, police and other security forces working at posts ranging from soldier to deputy inspector general. The villagers retiring from the army are presently involved in agriculture.
However, the residents of the village that has produced so many brave warriors continue to live a life of hardships because successive State Governments have ignored the condition of this village. The road to this village is not yet tarred. The dilapidated condition of the road to this village is a major reason for frequent mishaps here. The residents of Syuta have been demanding for a long time that the road to the village be tarred, but the authorities have so far turned a deaf ear to this demand. Syuta residents captain (retd) Pirat Singh Pundir and BS Pundir lamented the fact that the contribution of this village have been ignored consistently by the authorities.