Major Sylvester Ratnam: The Martyr

Tom Thomas –

WHEN YOU GO HOME TELL THEM OF US AND SAY
“FOR YOUR TOMORROW, WE GAVE OUR TODAY.”

These poignant words are etched on the base of a statue that one can see in central position as one enters the gates of St Joseph’s Boys High School, Museum Road Bangalore.  This 175-year-school had a War Memorial erected decades ago in memory of the old boys of the school who had died in the 1914 war. Over time, there have been recent additions.

One of the entries reads “Major Sylvester Ratnam”.  2nd August marks 20 years of his martryrdom for India. This is his story.

Major Sylvester Rajesh Ratnam was born on 31st Dec 1972  in Bangalore to Mr. Rajkumar Ratnam and Mrs. Hemala Ratnam. He was a student of Bangalore’s St Joseph’s Boys High School and graduated from Christ College in Bangalore. Nicknamed as “Silly” by his friends, Maj Sylvester was a very jovial person and was very popular among his friends and comrades.

Maj Sylvester’s father served as a police officer and his grandfather had served with Indian Air Force. Maj Sylvester always had a dream to serve in the armed forces and he continued to pursue his dream after his graduation and also during his brief employment with Jet Airways. Finally, his ardent desire came true when he was selected to join the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai and passed out on 05 Sep 1998. He was commissioned as Lieutenant into 21 Jat of the famed Jat Regiment known for its gallantry and various battle honors.

He was a dynamic and highly motivated officer, who always led his men with tremendous dedication and zeal. He soon gained expertise in battle craft skills and evolved into a committed soldier and a fine officer. His unit 21 Jat moved to Jammu and Kashmir in Oct 2001 and he also got promoted to the rank of Major.

Operation Parakram: 02 Aug 2002

On 2nd August 2002, Maj Sylvester’s unit was engaged in an encounter with militants in the Keran Sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Maj Sylvester swung into action and took measures to protect other soldiers from the militants. He managed to push some of the soldiers into a bunker before falling victim to a shell from the enemy firing. Maj Sylvester was martyred but showed exemplary courage and leadership in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.

Major Sylvester Rajesh Ratnam is survived by his mother Hemala Ratnam and sister Dr. Joseline Ratnam.

Major Sylvester’s mother, Hemala, lost her husband few months before she was to lose her only son.  In fact it was for the funeral of her husband that Hemala last saw her son.   Her son helped her design the tombstone of the grave of his late dad, post funeral.  He last spoke to his mom for an hour two days before he was to lose his life.  His final words to her were, “Mom, I love you, I miss you. I feel bad you are living alone after Dad’s death. Shall I resign my job and come and be with you?” She could barely hear him over the phone with the heavy sounds of artillery and combat in the background, but re-assured him to carry on with his duties and that she would be fine.

They lived at Thippasandra, next to Indiranagar, my neighbourhood, maybe that is why this story of his martyrdom seemed so personal to me.  He went to the school my sons attended, he walked the roads we walked on, all the while harbouring his desire to serve his beloved country.  On a visit to the War Memorial in Delhi , he told his mom, “ One day my name will be etched on it.”  These words seemed prophetic.

Twenty years after the loss of her son, Hemala keeps up a positive spirit and cheerful demeanour.  After his death, she spent a lot of time weeping, unable to accept the harsh reality and the then Parish Priest of the Church she used to visit, told her to try and forget  her pain by serving others – the underprivileged and offer her sufferings to God.

This advice caused a turnaround in her, slowly but surely.  She joined and dedicates a lot of her time to the Vincent de Paul Society at Resurrection Church and attends Mass daily. The Vincent de Paul society takes care of the needs of the poor and underprivileged for their requirements from housing to education and even medical. She is an indefatigable social worker. It is almost a full time job looking after the needs of those who need help.  Maybe in all these travails, she sees her  son in those she serves. I spoke to her in the writing of this article, and am quite frankly inspired at her inner strength,  Even after having just undergone knee replacement surgery, I can feel her positive strength over the phone.

There is a bust of his installed in the center of the small park in Thippasandra, the area he lived in.  The park is called the Major Sylvester Ratnam Memorial Park.

In thinking of Major Sylvester Ratnam’s life which was given to save others in his regiment, and really, ultimately, for us, we salute him.  He could have led a comfortable life away from the services, but he chose to serve his country and give his life as the ultimate sacrifice.

The words of St Paul come to my mind about this brave soldier:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7

Yes indeed Major, you fought the good fight for all of us. We remain ever indebted to you, and the countless others who have laid their lives down in service of the nation so that we can have a better tomorrow.

Postscript: Recently while watching a movie with my son on OTT, “Major” which is a biopic based on the life of another Bangalore-based martyr for our country, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who lost his life in the aftermath of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, I am moved almost to tears.  Maybe again it’s because Major Sandeep went to a school in the nearby neighbourhood, the Frank Anthony Public School, and lived close by too- a beloved only child of his parents- that his loss seems so close and personal.  He was moved to join the services by seeing in childhood the examples of those Officers serving the country, who presided over various school functions.  This sparked in him the desire to join the services, against the wish of his father.  The day after I watched this movie while driving my son to school in the morning, we were passing by the ASC area, and I asked him, my heart in my mouth ‘Son do you want to join the services?’

His reply is a story for another day.