Memories of the gallant act of `The Hero of Batalik,’ Major Mariappan Saravanan was the Hero of Batalik.. He embraced martyrdom during the Kargil War but the memories of his gallant act will always remain. To keep the memory alive a memorial was erected in his honour in Triuchi was inaugurated way back in 2007.
The memorial was constructed by the Major Saravanan Memorial Trust and its inauguration incidentally coincided with his martyrdom eight years ago.
The inauguration was done by none other than Major General B Sivasankar. During the solemn occasion Senior Army officers, civil officials and Tiruchi people stood up to salute the brave son of the soil for his unparalleled service to the nation by making the supreme sacrifice.
“I feel proud and happy as this officer has left an indelible imprint of bravado achieved by few in our country,” had said the General Officer Commanding, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Kerala Area, while inaugurating the memorial established in the heart of the city at the Vestry School Circle.
The brave heart will always be remembered fondly by one and all in the Indian Army. It was for his supreme sacrifice that the Army gave him the title `The Hero of Batalik.’ The memorial would inspire more young men and women of Tiruchi to serve the country. Major General M.S. Balhara, Colonel Commandant of the Bihar Regiment,and a hero himself remembered saying `The Hero of Batalik’ would remain a source of inspiration to the regiment and the Army.
The first person to lay the wreath after the memorial was opened was the Saravanan’s mother Amirthavalli Mariappan, followed by senior Army officers, Collector Ashish Vachhani and Inspector-General of Police, Central Zone, Tamil Nadu.
