Tuticorin: Sekarakudy village in the Ottapidaram assembly constituency in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu has a unique distinction. With a population of over 5,000, Sekarakudy has a long and proud tradition of military service. This tradition began during World War II and has continued through generations, with nearly every household boasting at least one member who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces.
For some families, the tradition spans three generations -- grandfathers, fathers and sons. An estimated 2,000 villagers are currently serving in the Army, Navy, Tamil Nadu Police and over 3,000 are superannuated. This deep-rooted connection to serve the nation shaped the village's identity with young men aspiring to become soldiers and young women often getting hitched to military families.
"Amaran": A Film that Resonates
The recent release of Sivakarthikeyan-starrer "Amaran" has struck a chord with the residents of Sekarakudy. Based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the film has left a deep impact onSekarakudy.
Soldiers' Voices
Nayak Akini Muthu, currently serving in the army, shared his experience watching "Amaran" with his family on Diwali vacation. He highlighted the film's ability to convey the challenges and sacrifices of military life in a way that his family, especially his children, could easily understand.
Somasundara Perumal, a 1971 East Pakistan War veteran, echoed this sentiment. He recounted the difficulties during his service period, including leaving for war shortly after his marriage and the ever-lurking danger on the battlefield. He appreciated "Amaran" and its portrayal of Major Mukund Varadarajan's life, hoping that more such films would be made to honour soldiers' sacrifices.
Army soldier Nayak Akini Muthu said, "I have come to my hometown Sekarakudy village for Diwali vacation. Today I took my children and watched the movie on Major Mukundan. The movie is good. The word 'army' is not understood by the children. It means how much a 'jawan' is suffering in the army. But through this movie, I am glad that the children understood what a military life is".
"Similarly, many films on the life of a soldier can be talked about. One such is the heroic deed of Major Unnikrishnan, martyred in the 16/11 Mumbai siege. There are at least 2,000 including ex-servicemen and in service in our town. Youths from both rural and urban areas should be motivated to join the army. My children were very happy to see me in town for Diwali. Likewise, seeing this film has given us great joy," Muthu added.
1971 East Pakistan war veteran Somasundara Perumal, "I joined the army in September 1968 after completing one year of basic training and served as a soldier. Those times were very difficult as there was no hi-tech transport facility available. Coal-fired trains were the only mode of transport. Therefore, whether it was to return home after vacation or to join the unit, an eight-day journey had to be undertaken. My battalion was moved towards East Pakistan two months after my marriage".
"No matter how much emotional distress you are going through, you cannot tell anyone, the family will never know. At that time telecommunication was nothing like now. It was such a difficult situation that many soldiers who worked with me died. But even I came to know only after the war ended. Some people serving with me were injured in the leg and I also got some bruises," Perumal added.
"But we don't even have time to look back. The reason is that the rescue team will treat the wounded. Those who advance in war should be advancing, not retreating. Those who sleep with us at night will not be there in the morning. But there is no time to even think about this. This cannot be called brainwashing. There is a state of mind where you have to listen only to what the commanders say and you don't get a chance to think about anything else. They will keep us fully engaged. There the only objective is 'DO OR DIE'," he said, adding, "I was happy to hear that a movie starring actor Sivakarthikeyan on the life of 'Major Mukundan' is releasing. Major Mukundhan's act of heroism should reach the whole country. We should be proud of that and wish this film a success".
The Story of Major Mukund Varadarajan
"Amaran," directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy, portrays the story of Major Varadarajan, beginning with the love story of him and his wife Indu and culminating in his heroic actions in Jammu and Kashmir. On April 25, 2014, Major Varadarajan led an operation against terrorists hiding in a residential area in Shopian district. He bravely eliminated three terrorists in a close-quarters gunbattle but sustained fatal injuries. His sacrifice earned him the nation's highest peacetime gallantry award -- the Ashok Chakra.
"Amaran" has provided a powerful cinematic experience for the residents of Sekarakudy, a village deeply connected to the military. The film's authentic portrayal of a soldier's life, love and sacrifice has resonated with the villagers, offering them a new lens to understand the experiences of their family members and neighbours who served the nation.
Also Read:
