A decommissioned T-55 tank that served in the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars will soon be placed on a dedicated platform at the Kadri War Memorial in Mangaluru. The Indian Army tank was brought to the city from Pune in August last year following a request from Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Until now, the tank was kept on the Circuit House premises, covered with a plastic sheet.
Inauguration Plans
Speaking about the formal inauguration of the exhibit, Captain Chowta told TOI: “We have not yet decided on the date; it could well be Kargil Vijay Diwas or some other suitable day.” He added that most of the civil works have been completed. “The tank has been properly maintained. Painting and other related refurbishing work has been carried out. Henceforth, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) will take care of it,” he further said.
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik stated that the war exhibit will be opened to the public within two months.
Historical Significance
The Kadri War Memorial did not have a heavy armoured vehicle on display until now. The original memorial site, built in 1995 at Kadri hills, was simply an open, dedicated space meant to pay tribute to the armed forces.
The T-55 is a Soviet-designed medium tank that was procured from the Soviet Union during the Indo-Pak war for the liberation of what is now known as Bangladesh in 1971. A similar T-55 tank is also on display at the Manjusha Museum in Dharmasthala.
This addition to the Kadri War Memorial will provide visitors with a tangible piece of military history, honouring the bravery and service of the armed forces during the 1965 and 1971 wars. The tank serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the strategic importance of armoured vehicles in those conflicts.
