By Ewen McRae
Retired Indian Army Major-General Ranjit Nadkarni has for years marched in Anzac Day commemorations, proudly wearing the medals of 38 years of service.
But a burglary at the 72-year-old’s Delahey home has robbed him of his precious medals and his “identity”.
“It gives me a lot of pride to wear my medals on Anzac Day – we are always respected when we march” he said.
“It is all part of the common history between Australian and Indian forces … the Indian army had a brigade that fought at Gallipoli.
“Without my medals who is going to recognise me on Anzac Day? Without them, I’m just another old man.”
Thieves smashed through the back door of Mr Nadkarni’s house some time on July 14 while he was out for dinner.
A number of items were stolen, but it was a briefcase that held his most treasured possessions, including the medals, that hurt the most.
He is desperate to see them returned.
“Those medals represent many years of service … they are not things that I can replace,” Mr Nadkarni said.
“They’re really of no use to anybody – that is what troubles me. What are you going to do with them? They only mean something to the person who has earned them.”
Mr Nadkarni had a distinguished career in the Indian Army from late 1965 until 2004, including time spent in active conflict in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 and commanding forces along the India-China border and in the Kashmir region.
He also served in a number of counter-terrorism operations.
“One of those medals is for distinguished service, which was given to me by the president of India,” Mr Nadkarni said.
“There’s also two war medals, two medals for counter-insurgency operations and a number of service medals.
“They all have my name printed on the circumference, so they’re quite unique.
“The medals mean everything to me because I have earned every one of them.
“They were not just given to me – I earned them through a lot of hard service in hard conditions.
“To serve in the Indian army means a lot to me, because in India the army is called out for a lot of work. There are natural calamities that the army works on, and then counter-insurgency operations where the army has been deployed, so I’ve done the full gamut in my time and it’s been inspiring work.”
Mr Nadkarni moved to Australia with his wife after he retired in 2004 and has marched with Indian veterans on numerous Anzac Days.
He said the camaraderie and bonds between the Indian and Australian forces were strong, but without his medals the day would lose its lustre.
Mr Nadkarni’s briefcase was found the day after the robbery in a park in Delahey, but it had been burnt.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have information to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
