A gallant brave heart (1983-2014)
Mukund Varadarajan was born on 12 April 1983. He was a brave courageous child, naughty, hyperactive and always the leader. He graduated in commerce from Sri Chandresekhendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya at Enethur and acquired a diploma in journalism from the Madras Christian College, Tambaram. His grandfather and two of his uncles had served in the army and his heart was set on following in their footsteps. He joined the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned into 22 RAJPUT on 18 March 2006.He served as instructor in the Infantry School, Mhow and in the United Nations Mission in Lebanon. He was posted to 44 Rashtriya Rifles in December 2012, located in Shopiyan in Jammu and Kashmir.
On 25 April, Mukund received information about the presence of three militants in Karewa Mamloo village, who had killed one election officer and injured five personnel. Mukund cordoned the area and evacuated the civilians. He personally led the team to tackle the terrorists who were forced to shift their position to the outhouse in the compound. Mukund and Sepoy Vikram Singh crawled to near the outhouse and Mukund lobbed a grenade killing one militant. The second terrorist opened a burst of fire and Mukund was seriously wounded. Without regard to his injuries, the officer crawled ahead and eliminated the second terrorist. The gun battle had lasted more than 20 hours. Mukund was evacuated to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Major Vardarajan exhibited most conspicuous bravery, raw courage and exemplary leadership according to the highest traditions of the Indian Army. He was awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time award for gallantry. The award was received by his wife on 26 January 2015.
His father, R. Varadarajan, is a retired officer of the Indian Overseas Bank. He mentioned how his son’s death had shattered the family. It is difficult to overcome the loss of a son, but he was happy that his services had been recognised by the award of Ashok Chakra (AC). He recalled that Mukund could take brave decisions with ease. He was a proud army officer and never talked about the dangers he had faced. Once a bullet had grazed him but he never told the family about it, lest it may scare them. When his father enquired about the injury mark, Mukund just shrugged and said, “Even if you walk on the road, you can die in a road accident.” The family understood the perils of the job. His grandfather whose army service had motivated Mukund to join the army said that many young boys come to him to seek his blessings to join the army. In a choked voice, he added that it reminded him of his grandson’s gallantry.
Mukund’s family members learnt about the tragedy from a relative in Dubai who saw the news of death online. He is survived by wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese and daughter Arshea. Mukund had told his father that he would be coming home on leave. But his body arrived in a coffin in Chennai on a Sunday. His body was carried from his house to the crematorium in a convoy of 20 vehicles. More than 150 youth on two wheelers carrying the Indian tricolour followed the cortege chanting slogans about Major Mukund’s heroic sacrifice for the nation. He was cremated at the electric crematorium in Besant Nagar on Monday morning. Fourteen soldiers offered a 42-gun salute to the departed soul in an impeccable ceremony complete with full military honours.
It was a touching moment when Mukund’s three-year-old daughter said ‘good night’ and ‘goodbye’ to her father as the cortege left the house. Two senior officers broke down at that moment. The family was escorted by army officers. In her condolence message, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote that Tamil Nadu had lost a brave son and India a courageous soldier. She announced an award of Rs. 10 lakhs and the cheque was handed over to the family by minister K.M.Chinnaya.Vardarajan’s wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese has now joined the Army Public School in Bangalore as a teacher.