Pedongi: The Service Mule Who Gave Her All for India

Sometimes, names have to be earned rather than given. That’s precisely what Pedongi did—she carved her identity by serving the country exceptionally and was rewarded with honour and respect. From being a mere number, she ascended to a name that held profound meaning in her life.

Long lived Pedongi, the brave and faithful mule | Source: Youtube

Animals often considered inferior beings in comparison to humans, possess a foresight and presence of mind that rivals exceptional human capacity. When animals are studied or highlighted, their intelligence and alertness set them apart. The army, requiring high levels of intelligence and presence of mind, conventionally maintains a special battalion of animals to serve its purpose while providing a promising and comfortable living environment for them. The Indian army, the largest recruiter of animals for logistics and intelligence purposes, relies heavily on donkeys and mules for transportation during wartime or disruptive situations. Although, by tradition, dogs are treated with more respect and care, and are even given names, there once lived a mule so distinct and smart that the army found it necessary to reward her with a citation and award ceremony.

Pedongi was a young donkey when she was recruited by the army in 1962. At that time, and even today, mules and other logistics animals were assigned just a hoof number, and Pedongi was no exception. While the exact moment of Pedongi being named after a north Sikkim town called Pedong remains unclear, it was during her stationing as the chief mule in Pedongi during a battle that she earned her name. Pedongi was always considered an exceptional and remarkable army mule due to her robust and versatile nature. Her ability to lead her kind through the roughest of terrains was believed to instil a sudden surge of energy among everyone she worked with, whether four-legged or two.

In 1972, during the Indo-Pak war, Pedongi's true valour came to light. While on a logistics mission, and with an ongoing army combat on the adjacent mountain, Pedongi and her fellow mules were captured by the enemy. The enemy soldiers loaded the Indian mules with weapons, intending to use them as livestock. However, Pedongi foiled their plans by cleverly escaping the enemy camp during the pitch of the night. Astonishingly, she not only escaped but also found the nearest Indian army camp and made a daring entry, earning the shocked yet impressed appreciation of the squad commanders. This incident left a lasting impact on the officers, prompting them to recommend Pedongi for a gallantry award.

Pedongi, the courageous and loyal service mule, received the gallantry award in 1992 while still serving, despite her old age. She continued to serve the Indian army for a few more years until her retirement to Bareilly, where she spent her peaceful retirement years in the green open fields of a military camp. Pedongi, the brave mule who loyally served her country for many years, peacefully passed away in 1998. Her story serves as an inspiration to everyone aspiring to serve their country with unwavering dedication, just like Pedongi did.