Once upon a time

His father died saving the monument, Koregaon Bhima that was built in the memory of Indian soldiers who died fighting for British army against Peshwa...

In a remarkable gesture, family members of the Satoor clan get together on December 9 every year to commemorate the death anniversary of Satoor Sayee Erappa, who served as the official guard in the British government for a record 52 years,

His father died saving the monument, Koregaon Bhima that was built in the memory of Indian soldiers who died fighting for British army against Peshwa, in the Bheel attack in 1827 when he was barely four years old. Given the crisis, four-year-old Satoor Sayee Erappa succeeded his father and was appointed as the official guard of the monument. It was since then that he served the British government for 52 years of his life, protecting the monument from all threats.

Native of Andhra, Erappa joined the British Army8217;s Pioneer Battalion, which later came to be known as Bombay Engineering Group BEG. From being his playground to school to work place, the monument was his life.

Fourth generation descendant of Satoor, Mahendra Venkat Satoor, who now lives in Pune, says, 8220;We have grown up hearing tales of his bravery and honesty. We are proud that we hail from his family. I heard it from my dadaji and would love to pass it on to my grandchildren.8221;

The honesty and dedication to duty that ran in his blood took him to heights with many promotions and recognitions. In his 52 years of service, Erappa was promoted and commissioned as Jamadaar in 1857 and as son 1861. He was recognised as the second-class order of merit, Indian in 1975. He later got the rank of subhedaar major in 1877 and recognition as first class order of merit, Indian in 1978. He retired in the year 1880 and derived pension from the government for four years after which he bade his final goodbye to the world on December 9 at his residence in Kirkee. Since then December 9 is being observed as an important day by the family of Erappa.

8220;The family has grown. We have our relatives in various parts of the world, but this remains an important day for all of us. It8217;s no less than a day of religious importance as we all unite to proudly pay tribute to our brave forefather. Now the place is a restricted area and is maintained by the government. We take due permission from the government agency for the day8217;s process. We perform some puja and a small get together. More than mourning his death, we celebrate our forefather8217;s bravery,8221; says Satoor.

Satoor8217;s wife Lata Mahendra Satoor feels it is an honour being a part of the family that has had such a golden past. 8220;I am proud to be the daughter-in-law of this family. I would encourage my children to imbibe his qualities and take him as role model. Irrespective of the period, his values are still worth preaching,8221; she says.

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Informing the family, Satoor says that many of his uncles and cousins have taken up a career in army. 8220;My relatives are in army and police force serving the nation with same zest as Erappa did. What matters is not what you do and for whom you do it, what is important is how you do your duty.8221;