The Pride and Honour

              There is a general belief and a perception that the Armed Forces are being degraded in status in comparison to all other services and being pegged even below the Central Armed Police Force.This adversely impacts the motivation and morale and creates functional problem.
                                                                         Lt.Gen Vinod Bhatia PVSM,AVSM,SM.

           The public must understand that the  Sanctity of the Army Service is beyond any equivalence.Soldiering is not a monthly salary getting job and Indian Army is not a Mercenery Force.It is imbibed with very strong patriotic pride  which is very very important factor in training and Nation Guarding.

                                                      A moth eaten rag on a worm eaten pole

                                                      It is not likely to stir a man's soul.

                                                       It is the deeds that were done

                                                       'neath the moth eaten rag

                                                      When the pole was staff,the rag was Flag.

                

             On his return from Antarctica after one and half year assignment as India's research station Dakshin Gangotri Station Commander,Col.Ganesan was posted as Battalion commander MEG & Centre  especially to select and train forth coming President's colour presentation Parade.

          Sub Maj Govindasamy,VSM,was to assist him.He was a an excellent Drill master and had great reputation in training RD Parade contingents.

                But this Presidents parade is a unique and for the first time in history Corps of Engineers are being presented Presidents Colours.So motivation of men and imbibing a sense of pride in them is very important in addition to training and  participating yourself.

           Madras Sappers had already made history in winning RD Parade as many times as they participated.Now it is additional challenge to Ganesan  to proove that still MEG is second to none.

                         It was tireless effort of all ranks for about six months to work like a well oiled machine.The great day 02 March 1990 dawned and all eyes were on MEG Parade ground.Col Ganesan was the DY Parade Commander. Having known for his physical,mental and psychological strength he produced a Parade which will go into history. 

              The Parade was a thumping success.The Ex Service men who attended in great numbers were wonder struck about the excellent tamil welcome speech  and marvellouse strength of pronounsation.

                 It was written and spoken by Col Ganesan.No one could believe that as Col Ganesan was on Parade as Dy parade commander.But it was a fact.Ganesan made the welcome speech and immediately went into the parade.

                         Once  it was confirmed that it was Col Ganesan who made the tamil welcome speech  Sub Maj and Hon Capt Velmurugan venkatesan  who was once Group Sub Maj and retired became so emotional and stood up amongst the audience with goosebump all over his body.He wanted to meet Col Ganesan  and congratulate him immediately..But Col Ganesan was very busy in the parade and Ex-Servicemen Re union and hence the Sub Maj could not come nearer to Col Ganesan.

                   However the Sob Maj could not  control his emotional feelings and posted a letter to Col Ganesan.About 3-4 days after the parade Ganesn who was unknown to the Sub Maj got the letter.Any tamil knowing Madras Sapper will certainly become emotional even today if he goes through the letter and understand the weight of each words which came out of Sub Maj VelMurugan Venkatesan.This letter is for you.

 

               some of the abrivations and short cuts used by the Sub Maj;

                210 க்  காண -210 வருடMEG Service.

                முதுமைத் தம்பி -Madras Sappers are addressed as "thambees"

         It is almost 20 years now .Sub Maj &Hon Capt Velmurugan venkatesan must be above 90 years in age. Still the letter has got its value and sends a strong message to the world.