Bust in memory of Major Mukund; Capt Kalia a forgotten hero

Chennai, June 01: The bust of late Major Mukund Varadarajan, who sacrificed his life during call of duty, was unveiled at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) on Monday, June 1.

Army says that the bust of OTA alumni late Major Mukund Varadarajan is its tribute for the officer's supreme sacrifice. The late Major was awarded the Ashok Chakra, posthumously as well. [Pics: Major Mukund Varadarajan laid to rest with full military honours]

The bust was unveiled by the late Major's wife Indu in the presence of his parents, Lieutenant General Ravindra Pratap Singh Sahi, Commandant, OTA among others. [Army Major Mukund Varadarajan gets Ashok Chakra posthumously]

A brave officer who fought ill the end

Late Major Varadarajan was commissioned into the Army on Mar 18, 2006 and he was attached to the 22 Rajput Regiment.
On April 25, 2014, while being posted to the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (Rajput) in Jammu and Kashmir, he received information about the presence of two terrorists in his area of responsibility.

Army says the terrorists had assassinated two polling officers with the intention of disrupting the electoral process in the valley.

"The officer acted boldly with swift deployment of the limited resources available to him and cordoned off the area. He killed the first terrorist with grenade and while neutralizing the second terrorist, the officer was grievously injured," An Army Spokesperson said.

Soon he was evacuated to nearest military hospital but succumbed to his injuries. In doing so he notched a place for himself and the OTA, his Alma Mater in the annals of history.

"His bust will keep him alive in the memories and will be a source of inspiration and motivation for cadets of the OTA," the Spokesperson added.

Captain Kalia's family seeks justice

In a related incident, the family of late Captain Saurabh Kalia, martyred in Kargil, is upset with the fact that the Narendra Modi Government has rejected their plea to move the International Court of Justice against Pakistan.

Captain Saurabh Kalia, of the 4 Jat Regiment, was taken as a prisoner along with other Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army on May 15, 1999. [Stop playing dirty politics over Kargil: Martyr Saurabh Kalia's father]

Later, his mutilated body was handed over to the Indian side. A detailed post mortem report showed that the Captian Kalia was subjected to torture.

95th Corps Raising Day observed

In a unrelated Army event in Bengaluru, the Education Branch of Army Service Corps Centre (North) celebrated 95th Corps Raising Day today at ASC Centre (North). Brig Alok Tripathi, Centre Commandant graced the occasion.

On the occasion, the Corps fraternity observed two minutes silence in memory of martyrs of the Corps who laid down their lives in the line of duty and honour.

AEC was raised on 01 Jun 1921 with the primary aim to increase the efficiency of Indian soldiers to ameliorate advancement in defence technology and to adapt efficiently towards modernization in Army.

AEC has been the front runner in creating additional capacity in foreign language training in the Army.

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