Colonel, a diehard soldier: Classmate
A soldier to the core, Colonel Santosh Babu was very keen on joining the Indian Military Academy. He made a second attempt at the Services Selection Board (SSB) when he failed in his first try. Since then, there had been no looking back for this diehard soldier from Telangana.
Santosh joined Sainik School at Korukonda in Vizianagaram district at the age of 10. His roll number was 2865, recalls Commander Lanka Mohan, his classmate.
“Col Santosh Babu had a calm and composed personality. He made people around him comfortable even under the toughest of circumstances,” the Commander remarked. He said Santosh Babu had all the talent to join any of Ivy League colleges abroad, but he chose the uniform.
Lanka pointed out that Santosh participated in every game or sports event. He also tried his hand in all extracurricular activities, be it debates or plays.
Passing out in December 2003 from the famous Fourth Battalion, November Squadron, Santosh was poised to create history but none knew when, where and at that time. At IMA, the alumni of his company were witness to his exploits, which further strengthened Santosh, who was born to lead men on the terra firma. “On the fateful June 15/16 night Col Santosh Babu led his men in the icy heights of Ladakh in eyeto-eye combat with the pernicious enemy. He made the supreme sacrifice to avoid further casualties of his men. He has attained Veergati whilst in action,’’ Commander Lanka Mohan observed.