Singer: Lata
Lyrics: Kavi Pradeep
Music: C. Ramchandra

This song is a tribute to honour the sacrifices of the Indian infantrymen who in the 1962 Sino-Indian War fought to the last man and the last round on the icy desolate peaks of the Himalayas. The cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely-separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Fighting began in June 1962 and ended when the Chinese captured the disputed area and unilaterally declared a ceasefire on 20 November 1962. The Sino-Indian War was noted for the non-use of navy and airforce by both the Chinese and Indian sides.The Sino-Indian War is also notable for the harsh conditions under which much of the fighting took place, entailling large-scale combat at altitudes of over 4,250 metres (14,000 feet).

The lyrics of the song not only reflected Kavi Pradeeps sentiments but his nationalistic thinking of the country at large. The number 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' was originally supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle, due to a misunderstanding between C Ramchandra and Lata Mangeshkar. Kavi Pradeep though, was adamant about having Lata Mangeshkar sing the song, as he felt that hers was the only voice that could do justice to the number. None of the artists and technicians involved with the song charged for the song and pledged the royalty of the song to the 'War Widows Fund'.

It was famously performed live by legendary Lata Mangeshkar in the presence of the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, ministers of his cabinet and a live audience of several emotionally charged people at the Ramlila grounds in New Delhi on Republic Day, 26 January 1963. Visibly moved Prime Minister reportedly later confessed to the singer: "Beti tune mujhe rula diya" (my daughter, today you made my eyes moist.)




Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon
tum Khoob Laga Lo Naara
ye Shubh Din Hai Ham Sab Ka
lahara Lo Tiranga Pyaara
par Mat Bhoolo Seema Par
veeron Ne Hai Praan Ganvaaye
kuch Yaad Unhein Bhi Kar Lo -2
jo Laut Ke Ghar Na Aaye -2

aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon
zara Aankh Mein Bhar Lo Paani
jo Shaheed Hue Hain Unki
zara Yaad Karo Qurbaani

jab Ghayal Hua Himaalay
khatre Mein Padi Aazadi
jab Tak Thi Saans Lade Vo
phir Apni Laash Bichha Di
sangeen Pe Dhar Kar Maatha
so Gaye Amar Balidaani
jo Shaheed...

jab Desh Mein Thi Diwali
vo Khel Rahe The Holi
jab Ham Baithe The Gharon Mein
vo Jhel Rahe The Goli
the Dhanya Javaan Vo Aapane
thi Dhanya Vo Unaki Javaani
jo Shaheed ...

koi Sikh Koi Jaat Maraatha
koi Gurakha Koi Madaraasi
sarahad Pe Maranevaala
har Veer Tha Bhaaratavaasi
jo Khoon Gira Parvat Par
vo Khoon Tha Hindustaani
jo Shaheed...

thi Khoon Se Lath-Path Kaaya
phir Bhi Bandook Uthaake
das-Das Ko Ek Ne Maara
phir Gir Gaye Hosh Ganva Ke
jab Ant-Samay Aaya To
kah Gaye Ke Ab Marate Hain
khush Rahana Desh Ke Pyaaron
ab Ham To Safar Karate Hain
kya Log The Vo Deewane
kya Log The Vo Abhimaani
jo Shaheed...

tum Bhool Na Jaao Unko
is Liye Kahi Ye Kahaani
jo Shaheed...
jay Hind Jay Hind Ki Sena -2
jay Hind, Jay Hind, Jay Hind (less info)