Leaders, Armed Forces pay tribute

Kashmir Times. Dated: 2/12/2016 12:18:26 PM

NEW DELHI, Feb 11 (Agencies): Leaders cutting across party lines paid homage to braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad who died today, three days after being miraculously rescued from beneath tonnes of snow in Siachen Glacier, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the soldier in him would remain "immortal".
The 33-year-old soldier of the 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment was extricated alive six days after an avalanche hit his post at a height of 19,600 feet burying him under heavy layers of snow. The news triggering a wave of sympathy from across the country, as people prayed for his recovery.
His death today plunged the nation into grief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Koppad's demise and in his tribute said the soldier in him "remains immortal."
"He leaves us sad & devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanamanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India," Modi tweeted.
President Pranab Mukherjee in his condolence message said, "I am deeply sad to learn about the passing away of your son, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad. Lance Naik Koppad was a hero who demonstrated exemplary will power and courage in the face of adversity. He made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty."
Vice President Hamid Ansari too joined in paying homage to the Siachen braveheart.
"A survivor of the mishap at Siachen, he had come to symbolise the grit, determination and the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces," he said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi also expressed deep shock and profound grief over the death of the fallen hero.
"During his life, the braveheart son of India united the entire nation in praying for him and has every citizen grieving for him today," she said.
"He fought till his last displaying utmost valour, courage and determination, which is the hallmark of our Armed Forces," she said in a message extending her deepest condolence to Koppad's family and loved ones. He is survived by his wife Mahadevi Ashok Bilebal and two-year-old daughter Netra.
Koppad's body in a coffin wrapped in national colours, was later kept at the Brar Square of the Delhi Cantonment, where several leaders like Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and top brass of the military including the three Service Chiefs, paid their respect by laying wreath on it.
Several civilians had also gathered at the Square to pay tribute to the hero, whose miraculous survival had left the nation in awe.
"In his life and his passing Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has shown the world the meaning of perseverance & courage," Rahul tweeted.
He further wrote on the micro-blogging site, "His extraordinary spirit and tenacity, till the very end, is an inspiration for all. My thoughts & prayers are with his bereaved family."
Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh condoling the death of the soldier said "soldier in him will continue to inspire generations."
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also condoled the passing away of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who was admitted to the Army's Research & Referral Hospital here.
In her message, Mahajan said, "I am pained to learn about the sad and untimely demise of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, today. In his death, we have lost one of the bravest soldiers of our country, who was always ready to stand vigil at the border in the most horrible terrain.
"Lance Naik Hanamanthappa truly lived up to the glorious tradition of valour and sacrifice that our soldiers represent. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of his family."
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his condolence message said, "Saddened to know that Lance Naik Hanamanthappa our brave soldier is no more. May god give his family the strength to bear this great loss."
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said he was a "braveheart martyr".
"Human endurance tested in the service of the nation. India is one with the grieving family," she said in her tweet.
Labour & Employment Bandaru Dattatraya said that he was a "brave son of India".
"We will fully support his family and we should dedicate ourselves to the services of the nation taking lessons from Hanamanthappa," Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too joined in paying tribute to the Siachen braveheart, whose death today left a nation grief-stricken.
"Saddened by news of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. Brave soldier gave supreme sacrifice for the nation. Salute to him & his colleagues who died," Banerjee tweeted.
Kumar said, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa. Condolences to his family and loved ones."
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje described Koppad as a "veer jawan".
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the people of India will proudly remember him as a fighter and a soldier.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condoled Koppad's demise and described him as a great soldier of India.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya condoled the death of the brave soldier.
While in a tweet former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said, "Another miracle could not happened. Sad to hear that Lance Naik is no more. May his soul rest in peace".
Hanumanthappa set an ideal for the young generation in the service of the nation, Telangana Congress MLC and former AICC Secretary P Sudhakar Reddy said.

 

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