HYDERABAD: Congress MP N. Uttam Kumar Reddy unveiled a statue of the Galwan Valley war hero Colonel Santosh Babu in Kodad in Suryapet district in the presence of the martyr’s parents Bikkumalla Upender and Manjula.
Col. Santosh Babu, commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, was one of the 20 Indian troops who gave their lives in a hand-to-hand battle with Chinese soldiers on June 15, 2020, in Galwan Valley of Ladakh. He was posthumously conferred the Mahavir Chakra.
Speaking on the occasion, Uttam Kumar Reddy said he and the late Col. Santosh Babu were alumni of the National Defence Academy (NDA). He said that the sacrifices made by Col. Santosh Babu and the 20 jawans would forever remain in the hearts of all Indians.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also raised concerns over the continued intrusion into Indian territory. He alleged that China has occupied approximately 1,500 sq km of Indian land. He drew attention to China's audacious attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, falsely claiming them to be part of their territory.
The Congress MP, through the Parliamentary Defence Committee, proposed the establishment of a military museum in Suryapet which he said should be named after Col. Santosh Babu. The museum should serve as a repository of their inspiring life stories, showcasing the valour and sacrifices of Param Vir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra winners.
