KOCHI: “When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today,” reads the encryption on the war memorial built in memory of war heroes at the gateway of Kumbalangi, a model fishing village and tourism spot.The memorial set up by Kumbalangi Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association is made of a black galaxy granite pillar surrounded by four stone pillars. It is designed by artist Sagar. The 2.5-square-metre monument which has a height of 3.5 metre is a long-cherished dream of the ex-service men.“We had been searching for a piece of land for the past nine years to build the memorial and recently the panchayat has allotted us a space in Kumbalangi park,” said K M Prathapan, secretary of National Ex-Servicemen Coordination Committee, Ernakulam. “The construction work was completed in a matter of three months,” The Association, comprising 43 ex-servicemen, has spent `5.6 lakh for the memorial that depicts the indomitable spirit of valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.For Kumbalangi residents the monument is more than just a war memorial, as they had a long-lasting relationship with a few soldiers who participated in Indo-China war. Viswambharan Kumbalangi had lost his leg during the India-China war in 1962.“Though no soldier from Kumbalangi lost their lives in the war zone, we are dedicating this monument to the warriors from across India who fought and laid down their lives for the nation,” said P J Jacob, District Sainik Welfare officer.Inaugurating the memorial on Sunday, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs K V Thomas said the memorial will truly inspire future generation to recognise this land’s homage to the fallen soldiers.“The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ underlines the importance of farmers and soldiers in a nation like India. If India has emerged as a nation of powerful defence mechanism it is only because of the effort put forward by the soldiers who are sacrificing their youth,” he said.On the occasion, Dominic Presentation MLA remembered the martyrs of Indo-Pak war. Building a monument is not enough to show our respect for the jawans, instead we should protect their families.Two members of the Kumbalangi Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association P O Xavier and M V Peter, who had participated in the Indo-China war and in the Indo-Pak war, were honoured at the inaugural function.Assisi Francis, unit president presided over the function.
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