12 Facts About Ganju Lama

The etymology of the name "Ganju Lama" tells us that during the Chogyal period, sons of the Shangdarpa clan were expected to serve as monks.

Ganju Lama enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1942 at the age of seventeen, as a rifleman in the 1st battalion, 7th Gurkha rifles.

Ganju Lama is the only Bhutia recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Ganju Lama was born in Sangmo, southern Sikkim, India, on 22 July 1924.

Ganju Lama enlisted in the Army in 1942 at the age of seventeen.

Ganju Lama's parents were both of Sikkimese Bhutia descent and lived in Sikkim, which made him unusual, as he was neither an ethnic Gurkha nor a Nepalese subject.

Ganju Lama's name was Gyamtso Shangderpa, but a clerk in the recruiting office wrote it down as "Ganju", and the name stuck.

Ganju Lama was nineteen years old, and a rifleman in the 1st Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II.

Ganju Lama continued forward and used grenades on the tank crews who were trying to escape.

Ganju Lama was awarded the Military Medal for his part in that action.

Ganju Lama was appointed honorary ADC to the President of India for life.

Ganju Lama died at Gangtok following a battle with cancer on 1 July 2000, aged 75.