For the first time since I moved into Madras– what has now become Chennai– over a decade and half ago, I was pleasantly surprised to note that the Veteran Officers in the Station had decided to observe the Vijay Diwas. Thanks to the efforts of two untiring persevering determined veterans– Col N Viswanathan and Col TN Raman who against all odds decided to take matters into their own hands and decided to organize the function by themselves. And the resultant was a message sent on late evening of the 12th Dec, to say that it would be observed at 1100hours on the 16th Dec at the War Memorial.
The weathermen had predicted a wet Wednesday, and based on those readings, the local Government had asked all schools to close. Nonetheless, we drove down to the War Memorial with the skies being overcast and thick dark clouds threatening to open up any minute and pour down in all the fury. But the threats did not have any undue effect on all of us, as having been conditioned to commence exercises and operations in such weather, we pressed on regardless. We reached the adjoining MES IB, where arrangements had been made for parking of vehicles. From there we trooped into the precincts of the manicured lawns of the War Memorial. It was heartening to note that in spite of short notice - about 50 personnel from all the three Armed Services had gathered together to pay our humble tributes to all those brave soldiers who had given their all during the 1971 Indo Pak conflict in order that we and the civil society may live a more peaceful and better lives.
The War Memorial was a relic of the Colonial trappings – having been built by the Raj in memory of those of the then Madras Presidency who had fought on behalf of British Empire. Accordingly the letterings on main face were in English, whereas on the other three sides they were in Tamil, Urdu (possibly due to the troops of Arcot who were primarily Muslims) and Telugu. When the British took over Madras, it was ruled by Damarla Venkatapathy Nayak, a Telugu speaking gentleman.
The wording on the Memorial reads as: “To the memory of all those from the Madras Presidency who lost their lives in the service of ‘the Nation’”. To anyone having a closer look it would be obvious that the words ‘the Nation’ had been added later possibly replacing ‘the Empire’. Inscriptions on the four surrounding pillars have now been added. They read as 1947 – 48; 1962 Chinese Aggression; 1965 and 1971 – Indo-Pakistan war.
The function commenced exactly as scheduled at 1100 hours. Lt Gen C Sundara Rao, the Patron of AFVOA was the first to place a wreath on the memorial. He was followed by Maj Gen Chattaraman, the current President of AFVOA, Col TN Raman, Convenor of the IESM, Tamil Nadu, Col A Krishnaswami, VrC, VSM**, RAdm Sivamani and Sqn Ldr J Nagarajan, KC, decorated soldiers of the three services. Thereafter the rest of all the personnel gathered, offered floral tributes to the memory of war heroes.
The function came to a close by sounding of the last post by the soldiers of 5 Jak Rif Regiment.
Brig VA Subramanyam (Retd)
VJAY DIWAS AT DOON VALLEY- DESH KE SHAHID AMAR RAHE
To remember the day of historical and decisive battle fought by Indian soldiers in 1971 for liberation of Bangladesh, homage was paid to MARTYRS at 1545 hrs on 16 Dec 09 at Dakra War Memorial, Dehradun Cantt. Not only all martyrs who sacrificed their life in 1971 war but also all war wounded soldiers of Doonite and their nearest and dearest were remembered on VIJAY DIWAS. Function was organized by Jhanda Committee, Dakra Shahid Chok, Dehradun Cantt which was attended by more 350 Doonites including veterans & their families. Hon’ble Chairman Vidhan sabha Sh Harbans Kapoor was the chief guest and others who attended the Vijay Diwas were Sh Ganesh Joshi, ESM, MLA, Brig KG Behl, Retd, President Dehradun Ex-Services League, Lt Col BM Thapa, Retd, General Secretary Dehradun Ex-services League and Member IESM, Brig P S Gurung,Retd, Lt Col B S Chhetri, Retd, H/Capt P S Rana, H/Capt KB Thapa and many others.
Chief guest and President DESL disseminated the detail information about the VIJAY DIWAS and honoured all war widows, wounded veterans in war and their relatives by presenting souvenirs. Brig K G Behl during his address stressed on OROP and intimated the veterans and their families about all the efforts being taken at every level including by concerned authorities and IESM for an early favorable decision to over come the arouse irresistibility with the Central Govt for which as on today 20000 medals been deposited with President by the veterans.
Lt Col B M Thapa, Retd
Gen Secy, DESL and Member IESM.
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