Late Lt Col, N Chandrasekharan was born to Ponganam Warriethu N Kochutti Warasyar and Chowalloor Warriethu Rama Warrier on 8th Aug 1923 Being a member of a large family of 7 siblings and being the 4th of the lot, in an era when basic amenities took priority over education, he had to literally struggle to complete his basic education. From what has been shared by Dad with our Mom, we have realized that he had immense value for education because of struggles in those times for even basic education. School involved textbooks, notebooks, and appropriate clothes for all children, which was a difficult proposition for almost all people in those days with large families. We came to hear that he was once asked to leave the class for not having relevant text book. As per him, he was only forbidden to enter the class, but not to Learn. He stood outside the class and not just attended, but also topped the class in all subjects. This made the teachers take a liking to him, and few of them even helped him later.
As he was a man of few words, we rarely heard much about his struggles from him, but we have consistently realized the importance he gave to education. As he was determined to pursue Engineering, he worked after his HSC (plus 2), presumably in postal / Armed services for short period, and earn sufficiently to support his education. He also gave tuitions to his classmates to earn for the fees, as doing a Mechanical Engineering degree at Annamalai University in Madras, meant not only Tuition fees, but also books, mess and hostel Fees.
He was hugely considerate to people who approached him with a sad story of being unable to educate their children, and he would donate and help them. In fact, he rarely checked the authenticity of such stories and perhaps a few have taken advantage of this too. He had also indicated to our Amma that she could pursue her education if she so desired and he would support and finance her, but being in the family way, and with increased responsibility of looking after 5 of us in his absence due to the many wars fought by Indian Army, and many associated transfers, she could not pursue the same. Instead he was particular about educating his youngest sister, who was non-encumbered till she evolved as an admirable professor of Physics after pursuing her studies in BHU.
He was particular about conveying to us that the one thing he could provide us would be “Education” and urged all of us to study to our heart’s content. We are happy, that he could see us all complete our education with flying colours, and were well settled before his demise, 2 decades back. Our only regret is that we could not do much for him. So we have decided to reward a worthy student in Mechanical Engineering from NITC ( where he was also commanding officer of NCC while he was posted at Calicut, and where 3 of his children and 2 children in laws completed their Engineering) , in his memory from this year onwards
Having been born and educated in the Pre independence Era, could have been the trigger or deciding factor for him to join the Indian Army in the EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers core), despite resistance from his parents. He has participated in all the major wars, fought by India after Independence till his retirement from the Services in1977. Many a times he would be at the battle front, or in hardship locations, where family could not be kept with him. Even though he has not mentioned much about the wars, the Service record talks of the Medals and Decorations conferred on him which are listed as shown below as well as consolidated and posted in the Photo Gallery.
As a self-made man, a soldier par excellence, a self-disciplined, Selfless, committed and high principled person with lofty ideals, one can only Salute and pay our respects to our Dad with this Tribute
