M Saravanan, VrC

Biography

Major M Saravanan was born on 10 August 1972 in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Adhi Mariappan. Following in his father's footsteps, he studied at various Kendriya Vidyalayas and at St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli, before graduating from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, in 1995. He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of The Bihar Regiment. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Major Saravanan commanded the Charlie Company of 1 Bihar in the Batalik sub-sector. On 29 May 1999, he led an assault on the heavily fortified enemy position at Point 4268 on the Jubar Ridge. Charging through intense enemy fire at the head of his company, he killed several of the enemy at close quarters before sustaining fatal injuries. His body was recovered thirty-seven days later. For his exceptional courage, inspiring leadership and supreme sacrifice, Major M Saravanan was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.