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Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a noble initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has a lofty aim to further boost this peoples’ movement through collaborative campaigns. Veerta Vatika is one such outreach programme in Nettanige, Kasargod district of Kerala.

When Late Lt Col KTM Pillay was bestowed Vir Chakra by the Honourable President of India for valour in the 1965 Indo Pak war the Govt of Kerala awarded a tract of land to him in recognition of his brave service to the nation. It was far away from his hometown so it largely lay neglected and with his meagre pension other than paying the taxes he couldn’t do much. When he passed on it was a silent unspoken desire of his that this recognition, an award of land, be honoured in perpetuity, hence he never sold it despite financial constraints.

Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy on the battlefield. Our father Lt Col Kannimel Thekkathil Madhusudhanan Pillay, received the Vir Chakra Award from Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, President of India.

The citation accompanying the award gives a brief summary of his act of valour.

Citation:
‍
On 28 September 1965, Major K T Madhusudhanan Pillay was the affiliated battery commander with a battalion of Sikh Light Infantry. The battalion was ordered to clear two important hill features on Kalidhar in the Chhamb Sector, which Pakistani forces had, notwithstanding the cease-fire, encroached upon. During this attack Major Pillay provided most accurate and close fire support to our attacking troops. When our troops were unable to consolidate their position at Budhi Dhah, Major Pillay was given the command of the force. He immediately stabilised the situation and personally led the infantry forward. By his inspiring leadership, he was able to integrate the infantry and artillery and to gain a foothold on the Kalidhar ridge.

Throughout the operations, Major Pillay displayed courage, leadership and remarkable initiative in the best traditions of the Indian Army.

We, Parvathy Krishnan, Krishnan Pillay, Narayani Mahil, the three children of KTM Pillay, in honour of the brave legacy of our courageous father, wanted to perpetuate this indomitable spirit of courage in the armed forces, especially from the State of Kerala, and towards this we named this tract of land
Veerta Vatika.

What have we done here?

We have commemorated the Vir Chakra awardees of the state of Kerala. A commemorative hut with names, pictorial representation and citations are displayed there.

We are in constant touch with the Krishi Bhavan and the Panchayat officials to offer Veertha Vatika for all Govt. Schemes like the National Bamboo Mission, and organic farming of vegetables.

We have made suitable accommodation for inviting families of Vir Chakra awardees and reliving the brave acts of the brave soldiers.

Our efforts are humble as we are doing all of this with our pension funds and these are limited. The joy and sense of achievement we feel is unparalleled. This is our contribution to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

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