The 5th annual Wreath Laying Ceremony commemorating the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Pawan (29 July 1987 – 24 March 1990) was held last evening at the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi. This year’s event witnessed the largest turnout in its five-year history, with over 150 veterans of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and their families gathering to pay their respects. The silent ceremony, mandated by the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Adjutant General’s Branch (AG), and the Directorate General of Ceremonial and Welfare (DG CW), was conducted without buglers, maintaining a solemn and respectful atmosphere.
Among the attendees, veterans from the 7 MADRAS battalion stood in strong solidarity, led by their former Commanding Officer, now Maj Gen David Devavaram, who traveled all the way from Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, to be present at the ceremony. A deeply moving moment of the event was the presence of Mrs. Kamaljit Kaur Sekhon, wife of the late Lt Col Abhijeet S Sekhon, VrC (P), the then CO of 7 MADRAS, who was killed in action (KIA) in Kilinochi. She wore her late husband’s Vir Chakra medal, while their son proudly adorned his father’s other medals, reflecting the family’s deep pride and reverence.
Another notable attendee was Mr. Ramanathan, the brother of late Maj Parameshwaran, PVC (P), who traveled from Chennai along with his sister and brother-in-law to lay a wreath in honor of his brother’s sacrifice. Despite the deep emotional significance of the event, the absence of any official representation from the Service Headquarters was disheartening. However, the presence of several proud veterans, including numerous Lieutenant Generals, all standing tall with their medals, added to the solemnity and honor of the occasion.
Lt Gen Ata Hasnain of the Garhwal Rifles presented small mementos to the Next of Kin (NOK) after a tea session and interaction with the media at the 124 TA Battalion (Sikh Regiment) location near India Gate. One of the most poignant images from the ceremony was that of Mrs. Sheela Sauran, wife of the late Col DS Sauran, YSM (P), the then Deputy Commander of 72 Infantry Brigade. Col Sauran was KIA in an IED explosion on 17 October 1987 while leading his brigade’s advance to Jaffna from Kankesanthurai (KKS). Despite her age and frailty, Mrs. Sauran displayed immense courage and determination in laying a wreath for her late husband, dressed in a striking orange outfit that reflected her undying spirit.
A total of 11 wreaths were placed at the central cenotaph of the National War Memorial by the NOK, children, and relatives of the brave soldiers who never returned from Sri Lanka nearly four decades ago. As veterans and families continue to pay tribute year after year, there remains a lingering hope that the military hierarchy will one day acknowledge their pleas and allow for a more fitting and official honor ceremony at the NWM.
#OperationPawan #IPKF #NationalWarMemorial #HonoringHeroes #IndianArmy #NeverForget
Inputs for this report were sourced from the web, and this is a web-generated news article.
