June 18, 2020
2 mins read

Nation Bids Adieu To Colonel Santosh Babu

Nation and Indian army bid adieu to the brave Colonel B. Santosh Babu, who sacrificed his life to the nation amid the violent encounter with Chinese troops in Ladakh on Monday.

The mortal remains of the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment were consigned to flames with full military honours in his home town Suryapet as thousands paid glowing tributes to the braveheart.

Santosh Babu’s father B. Upender performed the last rites assisted by the martyred officer’s wife Santoshi who was carrying their four-year-old son in her arms.

Colonel B. Santosh Babu.

The Colonel’s nine-year-old daughter, Manjula, other relatives and friends bid tearful adieu. Public representatives, political leaders, Army officers and others presented the last salute to the warrior.

People lined up on either side of the road and showered petals from rooftops on the bedecked Army vehicle carrying the body of the martyred Colonel wrapped in the national flag.

There was an outpouring of patriotic sentiments as people poured on the streets to bid adieu to the martyred officer. Slogans of ‘Santosh Babu Amar Rahe’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Matram’ rent the air as the funeral procession which began from Santosh Babu’s house passed through various parts of the town to reach Kesaram on the outskirts.

Earlier, personnel from 16 Bihar Regiment presented a guard of honour before the coffin was carried on to the Army vehicle for the funeral procession.

Colonel B. Santosh Babu.

Telangana minister Jagdish Reddy, State Legislative Council Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy, State Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, BJP state president Bandi Sanjay, Nizamabad MP D. Aravind, Congress leader and Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkatreddy, Army officers and top police and civil officials paid the tributes.

Army along with Suryapet district administration and police made elaborate arrangements keeping in view the norms to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Santosh Babu and 19 other soldiers were killed in the clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh on Monday.

His body was brought to Hyderabad on Wednesday night. The mortal remains were received by senior government officials and military personnel of headquarters, Telangana and Andhra Sub Area with full military honours at Hakimpet Airport Station.

Colonel B. Santosh Babu.

Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and ministers K.T. Rama Rao, Malla Reddy, Mohammed Mehmood Ali and Jadish Reddy and senior Army officials paid their last respects.

Santosh Babu an alumnus of Sainik School Korukonda and National Defence Academy, got commissioned into the Bihar Regiment from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and went on to complete the prestigious Defence Service Staff Course from Wellington before taking over the command of his Battalion.

Also Read-Modi: Deeply Grateful, Will Work To Promote Global Peace

Previous Story

Modi: Deeply Grateful, Will Work To Promote Global Peace

Next Story

Karnataka Observes ‘Mask Day’ To Spread Covid Awareness

Latest from DEFENCE

Colombia backs India on terror

The change in tone from Colombia is seen as diplomatically significant, especially given its forthcoming role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In a diplomatic correction welcomed

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan

India clears stealth fighter project

New execution model paves way for private sector involvement in India’s ambitious stealth aircraft programme; Army showcases next-gen drone warfare systems. In a landmark decision bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath

Tharoor sparks another Cong-BJP slugfest

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparks internal backlash over comments praising India’s security posture abroad, exposing fresh factional fault lines within the party’s top leadership. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has again found

New India Shakes Old Powers

The West’s anxiety isn’t just about India’s growing power – it’s about what that power represents: a world order that no longer centres on Western approval…writes Pradeep Ramlall How India silenced Pakistan
Go toTop