V.N. Parameswaran Pillai
Encyclopedia
Maj Gen
V.N. Parameswaran Pillai OBE (Velayudhan Pillai Narayana Pillai Parameswaran Pillai) was the last GOC
of the Travancore Nair Army. He took command in 1945 and oversaw the partial absorption of the Travancore Army in to the Indian Army
. He was allowed to retire in 1949, when the unified Travancore-Cochin forces were disbanded. He is best remembered as a resourceful soldier who was meticulous in maintaining the decorum and formalities.
Sri. Pillai was born in Arayoor, Neyyattinkara Taluk
. He didn't receive much of formal English education, and therefore first joined the Travancore Nair Army as a Sepoy
. But through his hard-work, he achieved an enviable educational background and at the same time, rose through the ranks of the army, finally becoming the GOC. His subordinates affectionately called him GOC Kuttan Pillai. He remains as the only officer from the TNA to receive the Order of the British Empire
honour from the Queen.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
V.N. Parameswaran Pillai OBE (Velayudhan Pillai Narayana Pillai Parameswaran Pillai) was the last GOC
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
of the Travancore Nair Army. He took command in 1945 and oversaw the partial absorption of the Travancore Army in to the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. He was allowed to retire in 1949, when the unified Travancore-Cochin forces were disbanded. He is best remembered as a resourceful soldier who was meticulous in maintaining the decorum and formalities.
Sri. Pillai was born in Arayoor, Neyyattinkara Taluk
Neyyattinkara
Neyyattinkara is municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Neyyattinkara in Malayalam literally means the shore of Neyyar River. Neyyar River flows from Agasthyarkoodam , the highest peak in southern end of the Western Ghats. The taluk has a total...
. He didn't receive much of formal English education, and therefore first joined the Travancore Nair Army as a Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
. But through his hard-work, he achieved an enviable educational background and at the same time, rose through the ranks of the army, finally becoming the GOC. His subordinates affectionately called him GOC Kuttan Pillai. He remains as the only officer from the TNA to receive the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
honour from the Queen.