You have to hand it to the former British tea-planters of Munnar. They successfully raised a host of tea plantations from scratch — today the hub of Munnar’s flourishing tea industry — and fought a war as well. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 saw no less than 18 of them enlist for war service. Many more followed in the next few years. Only a skeleton staff remained to man the sprawling tea estates, some of which were still in their infancy. Yet, this small group worked tirelessly to raise war funds and gifted large quantities of tea to the armed forces. Soon an RAF convalescence station was established in Munnar for war casualties, the hill resort’s salubrious climate being conducive to speedy recovery. In 1943, the threat of a Japanese invasion of peninsular India loomed large, prompting the planters to prepare to evacuate their families. The Munnar-Kodaikanal road was made motorable to facilitate exit down to Madurai and thence to Tuticorin en route to Colombo from where the families could be shipped back to the United Kingdom. However, the threat did not materialise, much to the planters’ relief. V Day was celebrated with gusto all over the High Range, as Munnar and its surrounding tea gardens are collectively known. The festivities, spread over several days, ranged from parades to parties. To mark the occasion, a huge bonfire was lit atop the Anaimudi just outside Munnar — the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas. From this vantage point, as many as 27 bonfires could be sighted in the neighbouring hill stations — all lighting up the night sky brilliantly to herald the end of the war. Soon, the planters returned from the war to a hero’s welcome and an emotional reunion with their loved ones. Many had been highly decorated. Many bore the scars of war. And sadly, several had made the supreme sacrifice, laying down their lives for their country. A starkly simple war memorial at the entrance to Munnar commemorates them today.
