AMN /
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President, Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have condoled the passing away of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad.
The Lance Naik breathed his last at 11.45 am today at Army’s research and referral hospital in New Delhi. He had slipped into a deeper state of coma this morning and was extremely critical with worsening multiple organ dysfunction.
His circulatory shock was refractory to all drugs in maximum permissible doses and his kidneys remain non-functional. The Lance Naik was on maximal life support with aggressive ventilation and dialysis.
In a message to his mother, Basamma Koppad, the President has said, “I am deeply sad to learn about the passing away of your son, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad.
“He 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. In this moment of grief, the sympathies and condolences of the entire nation are your family and you. The nation shall always remember Lance Naik Hanumanthappa for his bravery and indomitable spirit”, president said.
In his message Vice President, Hamid Ansari said “I am extremely saddened to learn of the demise of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad earlier today. A survivor of the mishap at Siachen, he had come to symbolize the grit, determination and the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces.
The role of the Army rescue team and the doctors and staff of the Army (Research & Referral) Hospital in making the valiant effort to save Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad have been commendable.
I join the nation in praying for eternal rest for the departed soul and in offering solace and fortitude to the members of the bereaved family.”
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. In this moment of grief, the sympathies and condolences of the entire nation are your family and you. The nation shall always remember Lance Naik Hanumanthappa for his bravery and indomitable spirit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message said that the death of the Lance Naik has left the country sad and devastated. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the soldier in Hanumanthappa remains immortal. The Prime Minister said, he is proud that martyrs like Hanumanthappa served India.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also expressed deep shock and grief at the passing away of Hanumanthappa. In a message, Mrs Gandhi said, the Lance Naik fought till his last displaying utmost valour, courage and determination.
Lance Naik Hanumanthappa was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented when was evacuated to the army’s base camp at Siachen Glacier. He was flown to Delhi from Siachen Glacier on Tuesday morning in a special air ambulance and admitted to the Hospital. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa was miraculously found alive after remaining buried under huge mass of snow for six days at Siachen Glacier.
Coming from a farming family in Dharwad district of Karnataka, Hanumanthappa came up the hard way and attended high school by walking six kilometre every day. Despite being rejected thrice in the Army recruitment rallies, he kept on trying and finally managed to get into the 19 Madras Regiment 14 years ago. With his passing away, he has shown the world his courage and perseverance. He will always remain a hero to many in uniforms those who live and die for the motherland.