On return from the National mission "Antarctica Expedition" Ganesan was keen to stay at Chennai and restore the lost contacts which happened because of his about one and half years of absence from the civilisation. But HQ MEG &Centre, to which Ganesan belongs was looking for a suitable leader for the forth coming "President's Colours Presentation Parade ". Both the requirements had their own importance. Giving due attention to Ganesan's personal requirements he was permited to stay in Chennai for about six months and then was posted to MEG &Centre to conduct the forth coming President'sparade.
For a true soldier like Ganesan being with troops especially during their initiation into Army is like "tasty fruit slipping into milk &honey". How happy would be when a struggling fish on the floor suddenly thrown into deep sea. Great !Great !Greatest moments of his life to engrave his name for ever in the history of Madras Engineering Group & Centre and through them into the history of Indian Army. Power always corrupts unless it is accepted as a humble service to an authority. An authority not concerned with success or failure ;only with right or wrong. With out a moral yardstick constantly applied to action, the posession of power, large or tiny is always subject to misuse. The appointment of Battalion Commander is the moral responsibility empowering him to shape and guide the destiny of about 2500 persons at a time out of which about 1500-2000 would be in their teenage. The greatest treasure springs from the control of desiers and non craving. "Bow to the Will of Providence" is a golden saying. As their elder son Arvind was to appear in 10 th std in March 1990, leaving the family at Madras Ganesan moves to Bangalore and takes over command of Training Battalion -1.in September 1989 perhaps to establish himself with the history of Madras Sappers.
Leaders attitude to power will determine his attitude to people. If his passion is power, he will use people as pawns, if his passion is for people and to do the best for them, he will use his powers to give them the benifits that are their due. He will govern with compassion and concern.
This was a unique photograph of a recruit having food with Commandant, MEG &Centre and his Battalion Commander equally seated. The Sub Maj is standing and watching. This is self demonstrative to show Colonel Ganesan's style of Command. Concience oriented Ganesan takes stock of the situation and plans his activities in a calm, quiet and dispassionate manner. His daily routine were of such nature that one can communicate not only with words but through ones conduct gesture and quiet confidence. Leadership of the prophets and the great teachers of mankind is far more effective than that of conquerors and emperors. Emperor Ashoka's decision to through the sword after the battle of Kalinga was not the regret of a man moved by the passing emotion but meaningfull cotributions of a man who was conciously aware of the sorrow he had caused. After all true conquest consists of the conquest of mens hearts by the laws of duty and piety.
His three years of Command was filled with greatest events that cannot be easily eraced from the history. Presidents colours presentation, winning Best marching contingent in the Republic day parade of 1991. winning Southen command best marching contingent in Army day parade, Farewell parades to Lt Gen DSR Sahni. Lt Gen C A Berretto, Brig S N Endley are few to quote. Ganesan took pride in commanding Parades.
With all his activities he never missed his early morning yogas, and physical excercise to keep himself fittest.
Time and tide wait for none. Ganesan was 50 by then. His promotion board was not likely to be held in the near future. If so he will retire in 52 age. Perhaps AHQ thought that it is better to give him the satisfaction of retiring from home ground, Ganesan was posted as Additional Chief Engineer, Chennai Zone in september 1992. For a true soldier "Fare well to Arms" will be very very painfull as he would not part with the olive green uniform. In order to let him fade away from the olive green perhaps he was posted to a semi military organisation.
A be fitting momento was prepared for Ganesan showing his National mission, Parades and supreme of that his Thundering words of Command, "Parade , Salaami Shashtr"
Ganesan left MEG&Centre on 02 october 1992 and bid Farewell to his beloved Training Battalion 1.
Ganesan retired from Army on 31 July 1994.
born and brought up in rural back ground.Sannanallur, a village at the cross junction of Nagappattinam-Kumbakonam road and Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai road.Studied at elementry school, sannanallur, Board high school, Nannilam, Annamalai plytechnic, Chettinad. Served in PWD of Tamilnadu Govt 1961-63.selected for Army service in 63.Adventurous and unblemished service for 30 years. Stood first in B.Tech at the college of Military Engineering,Pune, Maharashtra. Selected as India's mission leader to Dakshingangotri, Indian Antarctic Resarch Station, at south pole, Antarctica, 1987-89, and spent 480 days at the icy continent. Awarded Vashisht seva medal by the President of India,1994. Retired from Army 1994.Running a psycho-adventure foundation since then.
