Lt Gen Rajan Ravindran VSM, Commandant, OTA Chennai Speech at Marathal Thagumo? 2017

“...It is a proud privilege to be a soldier – a good soldier … [with] discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a self confidence born of demonstrated ability.” ― George S. Patton Jr. Watch one of the most inspiring, emotional and soul stirring address by our Chief Guest for 1st Edition of Marathal Thagumo?- A tribute to the Indian Armed Forces Lt Gen Rajan Ravindran VSM, Commandant, Officers Training Academy (Chennai) He is the senior most serving OTA Alumni and only the second officer from OTA to take over the mantle of this prestigious institution. He is recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). He is the first Tamilian in the rank of Lieutenant General to command the OTA. During his illustrious career spanning almost 38 years, Lt Gen Ravindran has held varied command and staff appointments. He has participated in a number of operations to include counter insurgency operations in Mizoram, Punjab & Assam, ‘Operation VIJAY’ and ‘Operation MEGHDOOT’. Marathal Thagumo?- A tribute to the Indian Armed Forces is an effort to infuse, in the minds of people especially students and youngsters the dedication, and sacrifice done by our Jawans who dare death every minute. It is a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces and a humble effort to reminisce the service and sacrifice of our soldiers, who, with pride, patriotism and supreme valour, safe guard our Nation, its honour and glory. An inter-collegiate elocution contest conceptualized as a Bi-lingual Annual inter-collegiate elocution contest, by its patron, K.Sumathi, Advocate, High Court, Chennai; And hosted to kindle the fire of patriotism, to instill the spirit of nationalism and a gentle but firm reminder that every civilian of this Nation should support the Indian Armed Forces to show that we are all behind them because they are in the front. They dare because they care! "The flag does not fly because the wind moves it; it flies with the last breath of every soldier who died protecting it". Jai Jawan! Vande Mataram! “தேசத்தை காத்தல் செய்” என்ற கட்டளைக்கு தலை வணங்குவோரின் வீரத்தை வழிபடும் முயற்சிதான் “மறத்தல் தகுமோ?”. “நாம் இருக்கும் நாடு நமதேன்பதறிவோம்”. அந்த நாட்டை பாதுகாப்பது ராணுவ வீரர்கள் என்பதும் அறிவோம். நம்மை காப்பவர்களை நமக்காக உயிர் தியாகம் செய்பவர்களை நன்றியோடு நினைப்பது நமது கடமை. “நம்பர்க்குரியர் அவ்வீரர் தங்கள் நல்லுயிர் ஈந்தும் கொடியினைக் காப்பர்!