Major Mukund Varadarajan: A Legacy of Leadership and Sacrifice

Major Mukund Varadarajan, an officer in the Indian Army’s Rajput Regiment, is remembered as a fearless leader who placed the safety and well-being of his team above all else.

Posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Major Mukund’s heroism shines through his actions during a high-stakes counterterrorism operation while serving with the 44th Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an era where the term "subordinate" is often used to diminish the value of team members, Major Mukund exemplified a different path. His leadership was not only about winning battles but about ensuring his team returned safely after each mission. His ultimate sacrifice came on April 25, 2014, during a search operation in South Kashmir. With remarkable courage, swift decision-making, and strategic precision, he led his team to eliminate three top-ranked Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, achieving success at great personal cost.

True leadership means protecting your team, even at the expense of personal sacrifice—a quality rare in today’s world. Of late, I have come across leaders letting down their team to protect themselves, yet people like Major Mukund stand as a beacon of selfless dedication.

This Diwali, the upcoming Tamil biopic Amaran will honor his story. Let us draw inspiration from Major Mukund’s legacy and uphold his example of unwavering commitment to one’s team.