At the IMA passing out ceremony, Harshan showed his parents the large number of civilian visitors, and told them, 'Only you two have come to see me get my commission, but from the northern parts of India, entire villages come.'
His soul might have felt gratified to see the entire capital of Kerala joining the grieving parents. As his body was carried from the airport to his house, thousands of people thronged the road, many women with lit candles waiting to catching a glimpse of the brave soldier. One of their own who had laid down his life for them, for the country.
Chitra cannot forget an incident that happened while she was at the IMA. Harshan took her to the Bali Dan Mandir there and said, 'Amma, look at the names of the soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country. Can you see the message to their mothers? That all mothers should be proud of their brave sons. Amma, you should also be a proud mother when my name appears here.'
On August 15, India awarded her highest peace-time honour for valour, the Ashok Chakra, to her true brave son.
Captain Harshan became the youngest officer to receive the award posthumously in Independent India.
Image: Harshan with his cousin, the last time he came home
Also see: India@60: A year-long celebration
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