Galwan hero Colonel Santosh Babu's father disappointed with Mahavir Chakra
What's the story
The father of late Colonel Santosh Babu on Monday said he was not 100 percent satisfied with the Mahavir Chakra posthumously awarded to him for his acts of gallantry against the Chinese attack in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.
He further said that his late son should have been honored with the prestigious Param Vir Chakra.
Honor
'Should have been named for the Param Vir Chakra'
"It is not that I am unhappy. But I am not 100 percent satisfied with the Mahavir Chakra award. There is scope for honoring him in a better way," Babu's father Bikumalla Upendra said.
"My opinion is that Colonel Babu should have been named for the highest military award Param Vir Chakra for the gallantry he displayed while discharging his duties," he added.
Information
Colonel Babu died in the fierce combat in Galwan Valley
Colonel Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar regiment, was among 20 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the hand-to-hand combat on June 15, 2020, in the Galwan Valley, one of the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.
Challenges
My son and his men fought barehanded: Upendra
Upendra said the valor shown by his son had inspired people, including those working in the defense forces.
He said, "Babu overcame the challenges posed by the climatic conditions of the area where he was posted and fought with Chinese troops."
"My son and his men fought barehanded. He proved that India is stronger than China by killing more enemy soldiers," he said.
Information
Got nothing more that departmental benefits from Centre: Upendra
According to Upendra, Colonel Babu's family did not get anything more than departmental benefits usually given to families of martyred soldiers from the Centre. The Telangana Government had given Rs. 5 crore ex-gratia to Babu's family, Group-I post to his wife, and a residential plot.