KOTTAYAM: Kottayam has added one more feather in its cap, with the dedication of the war memorial here on Wednesday.
At a solemn function held at the collectorate compound, Revenue Minister K P Rajendran dedicated the first-ever such memorial in the state, constructed in accordance with a Central scheme pursued years ago. The minister said the landmark memorial would not only be a true honour to those who had laid down their lives for protecting the boundaries of the country and the freedom of the people, but would motivate the younger generations to join the Armed Forces of the nation. “Those who are protecting our boundaries now and those who had done so in the past should be honoured with all the respect they deserve”, he said.
Rajendran said that the state was committed to playing its role in extending wholehearted support to the armed and paramilitary forces of the country. Sufficient land had been earmarked for the establishment of a BSF unit in the state in Thrissur.
For the proposed three zonal wings under the unit, land had been identified at Nadapuram. Steps had been taken for adding six more polyclinics in various districts for the benefit of ex-servicemen and their family members, he said.
V N Vasavan MLA presided over the function. District Collector Mini Antony welcomed the gathering and district Zainik Welfare Officer Flight Lieutenant A Kishan presented a report.
District panchayat president T N Ramesan, Kerala Naval Officer-incharge Commodore M R Ajayakumar, Zainik Welfare Director K K Govindan Nair, National Ex-service Congress president M T Antony and others spoke.