The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : War veteran honoured

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

War veteran honoured

S. Vydhianathan

Mikhail Gorbachev presented him a medal, which he keeps as a prized possession.

V.S.P. Mudaliar

CHENNAI: It was a proud moment for 90-year-old war veteran V.S.P. Mudaliar when he participated in the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazi Army in World War II on May 9 along with heads of several states including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President George Bush, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr. Mudaliar, who received the invitation through the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, was thrilled as it was the second time that he got the honour of participating in such a celebration, the earlier one being the 40th anniversary fete in 1985.

During his previous visit, President Mikhail Gorbachev presented him a medal, which he keeps as a prized possession. Besides, he was among the few in the august gathering of representatives from more than 80 nations to be allowed to address the gathering on behalf of the Indian delegation.

This time, the Russian President gave him a specially designed wristwatch and a collection of photographs of Georgy Zhukov, who led the Russian Army to victory in the war. Security was tight and the celebrations were restricted as all the leaders were in the high-risk category.

Sharing his proud moments with media representatives here on Tuesday, Mr. Mudaliar said Maj.Gen. Bikaram Singh Kanwar (retd.) was the other war veteran from India to participate in the celebrations. A big contingent from the United Kingdom and the United States also participated. When world leaders paid their respects to war heroes, he said his memory went back to the days when he witnessed some of the most gruesome attacks of German planes, including bombing on a convent school in Bristol, where he was working as a maintenance engineer in the Bristol Aircraft factory.

Mr. Mudaliar now runs an automobile spares manufacturing factory in the city.

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