Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu were one of the 20 Indian soldiers who were martyred in the violence with Chinese troops at Galvan Valley, Eastern Ladakh.
37-year-old Santosh Babu garu, A soldier hailing from Suryapet in Telangana, was a lion hearted officer who did not allow China to capture an inch of his motherland. Generations to come will remember & cherish his valour. And here's his story:
Just three months ago, Santosh Babu garu had gotten the orders for posting in Home State (Hyderabad), But due to the ongoing lockdown and tensions with China at the border, He couldn't.
Colonel Santosh garu were supposed to come home to Delhi, Where His wife and children live.
Santosh garu were the only child for their parents. Colonel's parents who live in Suryapet in Telangana, said they had been expecting him to come any day now with his wife Santoshi and son and daughter. On Tuesday, as news came of the death of their only child,
Colonel's father B Upender garu said,
"Santoshi and the children were packing to shift to Hyderabad from Delhi, and the children told us how excited they were that we would be nearer. We were aware of the tensions at the border but never imagined this would happen"
Santosh garu were in the 16 Bihar regiment as Commanding Officer. He had been serving in Ladakh for one-and-a-half year.
Speaking about Colonel's last phone call on Sunday evening, His father said,
He seemed concerned about the border tension but he said it could not be discussed as it was a sensitive subject. "I told him to be careful".
His father also said,
"We are under deep shock. We could not believe it when we got to know about our son. I could not believe it as he was very brave. In the last fifteen years, he had been very successful. I immediately asked an officer. Later, several officers of the Army contacted me directly on phone. They said they are making arrangements to get the body from that place to Suryapet".
A father's dream fulfilled by son:
"I could not join the army and serve my country. So I wanted my son to join the defence forces and serve our country though my relatives discouraged the idea."
Colonel's Mother said,
"I am both sad and proud. My son has laid down his life for the country. As a mother I am sad. He was my only son."
He joined the Army in 2004 and was first posted in Jammu and Kashmir.
Colonel Santosh garu had studied at a Sainik school in Visakhapatnam from 1993 to 2000.
His mother said,
"He had made up his mind about becoming an Army man while at school."
In one of the last conversations with Babu, An officer recalled,
Santosh babu garu were thinking about the school admission of his two children in Secunderabad where he was to be posted next. The officer also said, Babu were also looking forward to serving in his home state.
Colonel S Sreenivasa Rao, His fellow Telugu colleague in the army has also said,
"Colonel Santosh was down to earth and not at all aggressive in nature. A very soft-spoken man, always cool and calm. On the whole, a balanced human being."
He also said, Santosh garu were eagerly looking forward to his two-years posting in Secunderabad.
"For any officer in the Army, it is an honour to serve once in their home state. He was also searching for a good school for his children. As Telugu officers, we all used to keep in touch, we respect each other and take care of each other’s personal requests in different locations."
Lt. Col. Mohan Raghav, a senior from Sainik School-Korukonda (The same school from where Santosh garu studied from) said about Santosh garu,
"At a young age, he went on to become a Colonel. That’s an achievement in 15 years of service. That alone speaks for his dedication and hard work."
Colonel Santosh garu, Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation bows in respect for the Martyr.You will remain an inspiration to millions.
