Sir,
This has reference to the news item’ Siachen braveheart loses battle for life’ (DE, Feb12,2016). It is really sad that 33-year old Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who remained buried under 25-30 feet of ice in temperatures around minus 50 degree Celsius for six days and who was miraculously dug out alive by the Avalanche Rescue Team at Siachen Glacier, breathed his last due to multiple organ failure at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital at New Delhi after battling for life for three days.The way he was rescued is nothing short of a miracle and the rescue team which carried out the extremely difficult operation in hostile circumstances and extreme conditions of weather battling frequent blizzards and low visibility deserve all appreciation for their commendable job. The name of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has been added to those officers and soldiers who have lost their lives in Siachen Glacier since 1984.Apart from this,many others have been maimed due to frostbite or other accidents.
The fact that Lance Naik Hanumanthappa survived for six days under 30 feet of snow speaks volume about his grit, determination, indomitable spirit and power of endurance. The Prime Minister has rightly called him an ‘outstanding soldier’and said that’no words are enough to describe the endurance and indomitable spirit of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa’ and that the soldier in him remains immortal. Soldiers like Hanumanthappa are the pride of our country and they guard our borders in extreme weather in the midst of so many hardships so that we may live a comfortable and peaceful life. The indebted nation salutes all the brave soldiers who lost their life in Siachen tragedy and pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls of those brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice of their life for the sake of our country and countrymen.
Yours etc……
Ashok Sharma,
Udhampur.
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