'Will serve nation again': Army veterans of Karnataka's 'Yodhara Grama' express desire to fight if war erupts

Mysuru: About 85 ex-Army veterans of Maartalli in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, which is popularly known as 'Yodhara Grama', have termed 'Operation Sindoor' of Indian Armed forces as a befitting reply to Pahalgam attack. At least 10 veterans from the village, under 50, have expressed their interest to serve the nation again, if there is a war, by participating in it.

Maartalli has contributed Chamarajanagar district's highest number of 187 soldiers to the Indian Army, since 64 years, from 1961. Sixty-three from the village are still in the Army, and two of them have martyred.

Louis Periyanayagam, 48, who retired as captain a year ago, after 28 years of service, informed this. Louis, who has participated in close encounter operations, has secured 'Shaurya Chakra' for killing terrorists in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir in 'Operation Nira', as a team commander in 2008.

C L Anand, 51, honorary president of Maartalli Army Association Trust (MAAT), who served for 15 years and retired in 2008, now serving as KAS officer, said, "We are trained and experienced. The Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement will have a reserve list of veterans. If they require our services, the officials of the respective regiment and corp will call us to participate in the war. If we are willing, we can participate. If I get a chance, I also wish to serve the nation again".

Major Gen (Retd) Sudhir G Vombatkere said, "The concept of reserve list of veterans came up after the Second World War, when a huge number of soldiers either died or were injured, and there was a shortage of Army personnel. They should be medically fit and trained. I was part of the 1965 war. Be it the War in 1965 or war in 1971, they never lasted beyond 20 days. So, the reservists have never been called, ever since India got Independence. But, I appreciate the spirit of veterans of Maaratalli, who are willing to participate in war".

Louis said, "We are waiting for a call from the Madras Regiment in Wellington, near Ooty".

MAAT has been formed as an initiative of the veterans of the village and Anand, when he was Additional DC of Chamarajanagar, in order to instill patriotism, to motivate, to guide and train youngsters from village to get into the Army. The trust has 84-year-old Antony Appan, who first went to the Army in 1961, to Louis who returned last year. They have served in various ranks, from soldier to captain in the BSF, Army and CRPF. They have participated in some of the major wars like Indo-Pak war in 1965, Indo-Bangladesh war in 1971, Operation blue star in 1984, and Kargil war in 1999. Mariya Prakasham was martyred during a war in Karabu, near Kargil on March 2, 2009. Some veterans are serving in the Police department, and as security personnel in banks and other places. At least 10 of them, who are in the village, are willing to go to war.

Louis said, "We believe, serving the nation is serving God. If we serve the nation, God will take care of our families".

About the motivation for so many people from the village entering the Army, Louis said, "We were motivated by all those who went to serve the Army. Also, forest brigand Veerappan was active in this belt. So, we were all inspired by the officers, who were part of operations to nab him. Their uniforms and fitness sparked a passion to become like them and serve".

Periyanayagam's son, who has secured 92.5% in SSLC exam, is also preparing to become a Navy officer.