From Lt Col Thomas MC, Registrar, SSKZM.
The School and the OBA organised a press briefing at the TVM Press Club on 18th March 2008, the during which the announcements of the Harshan Memorial , Harshan Pavilion and the Harshan Trophy were made. The event was covered by DD, Asianet, Amritha TV, Manorama News and Citi Cable. Reporters of Hindu, Express and numerous other newspapers were present.
Our special thanks to Shri Radhakrishnan, father of Capt Harshan who was gracious to attend the briefing. Our special thanks also to our Old Boys, viz, Dr Jayashankar Warrier, G Jayakumar, Ajithkumar (Veekshanam) and Ajith Prabhakar ( Catholic Syrian Bank) , Manu Chandran and Major Unnikrishnan for having attended the event. Special thanks to Ajith kumar for organising the press in spite of the Kerala Assembly Session.
I have uploaded a few photographs in the photo section of the OBA forum. You may notice the beautifully designed trophy instituted in memory of Capt Harshan, designed by Cadet Camillo Powell of the 2008 batch.
Text of Press Brief:
PRESS RELEASE CAPT HARSHAN R, AC (POSTHUMOUS) REMEMBERED1. Capt Harshan R of 2 Para Regiment (Special Forces) laid down his life at the altar of duty while battling Harkatul Mujahideen terrorists at Lolab in the border district of Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir on 20th March 2007.
2. Harshan, who hails from Manacadu in Trivandrum is an alumnus of Sainik School Kazhakootam. He joined the School in class VI way back in June 1990. During his stay in the school, he displayed high degree of courage and extraordinary leadership traits on all occasions. He was appointment School Cadet Captain, a well deserved appointment in his final year in the
school. As recognition of his outstanding contribution to the school, he was awarded the prestigious best All Round Cadet Trophy in 1997, the year he passed out.
3. Capt Harshan was commissioned into the Army in December 2002. He was groomed to be a tough commando of the elite 'Red Devil' unit to perform daring exploits. He had also earned the coveted parachute wings and maroon beret, the hallmark of Special Forces commandoes. On the fateful day he received a message about the presence of some hardcore terrorists in
Chhoti Margi area of Lolab in Jammu & Kashmir. Despite heavy snowing, Capt Harshan leading his men cordoned off the house in the early hours of the morning. Four terrorists came out of the house firing indiscriminately to break the cordon and came face to face with Capt Harshan. He killed two of them on the spot but was hit by retaliatory fire in the neck. Despite grevious injury, he continued to fight till he breathed his last. His valour in the face of heavy odds inspired his men to pursue and eliminate the remaining terrorists.
4. The nation honoured this brave hero by bestowing upon him the Ashok Chakra posthumously, the country's highest peace time gallantry award on 26th January
2008, at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. The citation and the medal were received by his father Mr K Radhakrishnan Nair from the President Smt Prathibha Patil.
5. Sainik School Kazhakootam salutes the brave martyr who sacrificed his life for the country maintaining the highest tradition of gallantry.
6. The batch mates of Capt Harshan are planning to build a sports pavilion in his memory on the occasion of his first death anniversary. The Old Boys Association of Sainik School Kazhakootam has taken up a project to build a Memorial with his bust in the central garden of the Academic Block. The School is instituting a trophy in his memory to be awarded to the best basket ball player - a game which was so dear to him. Capt Harshan will continue to be a source of inspiration and motivation for the young cadets to emulate and his memory will continue to be fresh in their minds.
