Offtrack: Pune: Emphatic Tribute

offtrack

India Today
September 7,1998

PUNE
Emphatic Tribute

The first of its kind, the National War memorial salutes post-Independence heroes.

By Smruti Koppikar

Collective Endeavour Naik Vishnu Patil. The name is etched in the cold marble plaque, still dewy from the morning drizzle. It evokes warm memories for war veteran Krishna Sawant who lost an arm and his best friend in the 1965 war on the Pakistan frontier. Having braved a six-hour journey to Pune, Sawant walks his way through the quadrangle. He finds what he is looking for: on 24 marble panels, each 8 ft high, are names of 1,080 men, including his colleagues from 19 Maratha Infantry, who put nation before self in an effort to preserve Independence. In an enclosed case reclines a voluminous book with polycarbonate sheets that is home to some 15,000 names. Sons that India lost in wars, counter-insurgency actions and anti-terrorist operations since 1947. From the centre of the quadrangle rises a brown granite monument 50 ft high, tapering in a mock flame.

This is India's first National War Memorial since Independence. Located in Pune's cantonment area, it was unveiled to the nation appropriately enough on the 51st Independence Day last month. Unlike the odd, local memorials for these men elsewhere, this memorial was designed as a collective tribute to those 15,000 men in uniform who fought to safeguard the country's freedom. "It's this second set of fighters that we are remembering," says Brigadier Madan Gopal, Pune sub-area commander.

It is also unique in that it is primarily a civilian effort -- Rs 22 lakh was raised from citizens and corporate houses. Its genesis lies in a simple ceremony in December 1997 to mark 25 years of Indian victory over Pakistan. Organised by Pune citizens with assistance from a newspaper group, conversation drifted to how war heroes are not national memories, only personal reminiscences or regiment nostalgia. Within days, the Express Citizens' War Memorial Committee swung into action, and guided by surprised but cooperative officers of the Southern Command, pencilled a blueprint for a national memorial.

A thousand worries, much coordination with the Military Engineer Services and loads of research later, the memorial stands as a testimony to civilian regard for the armed forces. A gesture that the people value the sacrifices made not only in wars but also in any national emergency. A measure of gratitude, so to speak. "The memorial is important," says Brigadier V. Sapatnekar, "only because it removes the peculiar blind spot that citizens have about our contribution to the country." He lost his only brother Vikas, an engineer with the Bombay Sappers, in Kohima 30 years ago. Vikas and his party fell to the bullets of Mizo insurgents for rebuilding strategic bridges destroyed by them. "Somebody remembered, that's enough," he smiles wanly.

To those who visit the place as tourists, it's a monument that touches the heart. For those whom the names mean cherished memories, the stones are a salve. Like Prem and Ashok Malhotra who lost their son Rishi in 1994 in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. The 22-year-old second lieutenant was killed in an encounter with militants. Says Prem, laying a wreath at the memorial: "Those who fight for India everyday don't make it to the history books. The memorial is the only living symbol we have of them."

A marble panel and a book are stark reminders that, war or no war, more men in uniform will lay down their lives. It's a telling comment that the last few panels carry names of those who died as recently as 1997, though the last war India fought was in 1971.

An aged man, his trembling hands clutching a photo-frame, walks around the memorial with his wife. The Goles are still mourning their son Prasanna of 9 Jat Regiment who was killed in Pakistani shelling in Gurej in mid-July. In a unique gesture, they had given his ashes to the National Defence Academy to be immersed in Khadakvasla. By August 15 next year, Colonel Prasanna Gole will be a name etched on the memorial's marble. His parents read the other names and take heart. They know Prasanna will be among illustrious company.

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