On this day, 25 November 2024, we honor the memory of Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran, a true son of India, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty 37 years ago. His courage, leadership, and unwavering resolve stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian Armed Forces.
Born on 13 September 1946 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, Major Parameswaran was born to the Tamil Brahmin couple, K. S. Ramaswamy and Janaki Ramaswamy who hailed from the Kilimangalam family in Ramapuram, Kottayam district in Kerala. He and his wife, Janaki, relocated to Mumbai, where Shankaranarayanan managed a business.
Major Parameshwaran attended the South Indian Education Society (SIES) High School, completed his schooling in 1963, and graduated in science from SIES College in 1968. Driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, he joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai and was commissioned into the Indian Army on 16 June 1972.
A Distinguished Military Career
Major Parameswaran began his service in the 15th Battalion of the Mahar Regiment, where he honed his skills over eight years. In 1983, he was transferred to the 5 Mahar Battalion and later selected to serve with 8 Mahar during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, a testament to his exemplary leadership and tactical acumen.
During his tenure, Major Parameswaran participated in numerous counter-insurgency operations in India’s North-East region. His men affectionately called him “Parry Sahib,” a reflection of their admiration and respect for his steely resolve and compassionate leadership. Always leading from the front, he was known for his meticulous planning and hands-on approach, often venturing into forests with his troops to dominate the terrain and deter insurgents.
In 1981, Major Parameswaran married Uma, a poet and writer, beginning a life enriched with love and mutual respect. His dedication to his family was as unwavering as his commitment to his nation.
Operation Pawan And The Supreme Sacrifice
In 1987, Major Parameswaran’s unit became part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) tasked with enforcing the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. The accord, signed on 29 July 1987, sought to bring peace to the war-torn region. However, the LTTE reneged on their commitments and unleashed violence against Indian forces.
On the fateful night of 25 November 1987, during a search operation in Kantharodai near Uduvil in Jaffna, Major Parameswaran and his team of 30 soldiers inadvertently walked into an LTTE hideout and were ambushed. The militants, armed with AK-47s, grenades, and heavy machine guns, unleashed relentless fire. The terrain, littered with mines, further restricted the soldiers’ movements, leaving them vulnerable.
Displaying remarkable presence of mind, Major Parameswaran devised a counter-ambush strategy. Leading a small group of 10 soldiers, he crawled through the coconut grove under heavy fire to encircle the militants. Undeterred by a burst from a sniper’s heavy machine gun that severely injured his left wrist, he pressed forward. He charged at the nearest militant, snatched his rifle, and neutralized him. Moments later, another burst hit him in the chest, igniting the Mini Clear pistol rounds he carried, mortally wounding him.
Despite his grave injuries, Major Parameswaran continued to inspire and direct his men, ensuring their victory. His soldiers, fueled by his bravery, neutralized five militants and recovered three rifles and two rocket launchers, successfully clearing the ambush site. Tragically, India lost one of its finest warriors that day.
A Nation’s Gratitude
In recognition of his unparalleled gallantry and supreme sacrifice, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor. He remains the only recipient of the PVC from the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and the first alumnus of OTA Chennai to achieve this distinction.
The official citation for his Param Vir Chakra reads:
“Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and thought nothing of dying at his post.”
His legacy lives on in numerous ways.
The Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) named a colony in Chennai as AWHO Parameswaran Vihar in his honour in 1998. His story continues to inspire generations of Indians to uphold the values of courage, selflessness, and service.
In January 2023, on Parakram Diwas, Prime Minister Modi named 21 previously unnamed islands in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago after Param Vir Chakra recipients, including Major Parameswaran. This will ensure that future generations will remember these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for India. Today, these islands stand as lasting memorials of their extraordinary courage and service to the nation.
Major Parameswaran will soon be honored with a memorial in his ancestral town of Ramapuram in Kerala. In his memory, the Ex-servicemen Trust in Ramapuram, supported by 57 ex-servicemen and eight widows, has worked tirelessly to make the memorial a reality. The trust has raised funds for the project, which includes a bust and an engraved citation detailing his heroic deeds. The foundation stone for the memorial was laid in February 2023 by the Ramapuram Grama Panchayat president with Parameswaran’s younger brother, Ramanathan Ramaswamy, and his wife Vijayalakshmi attending the ceremony.
Remembering A Hero
Today, as we mark the 37th anniversary of Major Parameswaran’s supreme sacrifice, his legacy endures not just in memorials of stone and bronze, but in the hearts of countless Indians. From the bustling streets of Mumbai where he grew up, to the quiet town of Ramapuram where his memory will soon be enshrined, to the distant shores of the Andamans where an island will bear his name – may his story continue to inspire generations. As the only Tamil recipient (and a Tamil Brahmin at that) of the Param Vir Chakra, his valour transcends regional and community boundaries, embodying the true spirit of India’s armed forces. In Major Parameswaran’s final moments of extraordinary courage, we find not just a tale of heroism, but a reminder that the greatest acts of service often demand the ultimate price. His life stands as a testament to the words inscribed in the hearts of every Indian soldier: service before self. In remembering him, we honor not just a soldier, but a son of Bharat Mata who showed us that true courage knows no bounds.
Today, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran lives on as an enduring symbol of courage and sacrifice, with his legacy honored through A.W.H.O Parameshwaran Vihar on Arcot Road, Chennai.
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