Fitting tribute

We wanted the gesture to befit the award, and also serve as a token of homage to my parents,'' says Lt.Gen. B.T. Pandit retd.. This tho...

We wanted the gesture to befit the award, and also serve as a token of homage to my parents,8221; says Lt.Gen. B.T. Pandit retd.. This thought prompted him to donate the plot of land he had been awarded along with his Vir Chakra for a girls8217; hostel. The hostel, situated in Yavatmal, was inaugurated recently.

That is Pandit8217;s hometown, where he was born and brought up before he joined the army. In his illustrious military career, the 1971 Bangladesh War is one important episode. Even more so since his gallant service at that time was recognised with the Vir Chakra. 8220;I was also granted a plot of land in Yavatmal. As I decided to settle down in Pune after retirement, my family and I wondered about the land. We decided that it should be put to some good use 8211; something that would pay appropriate respect to the award I8217;d got, my years of service, and yes, my parents too. They died after I was commissioned into the army,8221; says Pandit.

After thinking it over, the Pandit family decided to have a hostel built on the land. 8220;Children from the neighbouring small towns and villages come to Yavatmal to study 8211; especially for professional courses, as it has medical and engineering colleges. The hostel facilities are not too good, and so this idea made sense8221;.

What Pandit did was donate his centrally-located plot of land to the local chapter of the Rajya Sainik Board about three years ago. The condition was that it would construct a hostel for the daughters of ex-servicemen residing nearby, and who came to Yavatmal to pursue their studies. Accordingly, the Vir Mata Ramabai Pandit Ex-Servicemen8217;s Girls Hostel named in memory of Pandit8217;s mother was inaugurated, with an accommodation capacity of 30. Twenty-five girls are already staying here, and the hostel is looked after by the local chapter of the Board, under the directions of the collector.

8220;Our only clause for re-admittance to the hostel is that the girls fare well in their examinations,8221; adds Pandit, and with this hostel providing a temporary home for those who wish to pursue their studies, it is not too much to ask for.