Martyred Malayali soldier's statue unveiled in Meerut

THRISSUR: A statue was erected in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, in memory of a valiant Malayali soldier martyred for his country. The statue of VK Premachandran, son of Kumaran and Narayani, a couple from Vadakkumuri, Peringottukara, who died heroically in Pakistani shelling during the Indo-Pak war, was erected at Meerut.

The soldiers paid their respects and erected the statue on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Maha Vir Chakra Regiment. The army is also preparing to name a street after Premachandran. The army made all arrangements to fly the soldier's sister, V.K. Lalitha, to Meerut to witness the event. Premachandran was killed in Pakistani shelling almost 54 years ago.

Naik Premachandran died in 1971 while on a motorbike in the Samba sector of Jammu, while on a mission to deliver an important message about the enemy to army sources. Lalitha told 'Kerala Kaumudi' that the family made all efforts but could not even bring his body home.

Premachandran was appointed to the Delhi Regiment at the age of 19. Before the war started, he went to the Samba sector near the Pakistan border. He died a heroic death at the age of 26. His sister Lalitha was 15 when Premachandran passed away. At that time, top soldiers, ministers and MLAs came to his house in Thrissur to console the family. As a mark of respect for Premachandran, the government gave Lalitha a job as a clerk in a school.

The news of Premachandran’s death came by telegram.

“My elder brother was the support and shade of the family. We were three children, including another brother. After my elder brother's death, my mother received a dependent pension.” Said Lalitha.