Want to fight Chinese, says schoolteacher

Coimbatore: Clad in an olive green outfit worn by Army personnel, a science teacher at a government school in Kalampalayam on Monday approached Coimbatore collector K Rajamani with an unusual petition.
“In the event of a war between India and China, I would like to go to Ladakh and join our forces in the war against the Chinese,” C Arasu, the teacher at a panchayat union middle school, said in his petition.
Arasu, 52, said he had been watching and reading news on the standoff between India and China and was inspired to take up the cause. “Today, the younger generation doesn’t think about the nation’s sovereignty. I wanted to send a message to them,” he said.
Arasu said he was a member of the National Cadet Corps in school and college and had undergone training in shooting and handling rifles.
“I got an army outfit made for me before submitting the petition to the collector, as I wanted the message to reach people, especially younger people. Though I’m 52, I‘m strong physically and mentally to fight in the army,” he told TOI.
In his petition, he urged the collector to help him go to the battlefield if a situation arises.
“Even if I don’t get a chance to fight alongside our soldiers, I hope my gesture would send a strong message to students and youngsters,” he said.
Arasu said the collector, on hearing about his wish, congratulated him.