I have also lost a friend, says Colonel’s father

At times stoic, and at times overcome with emotion, B. Damodar, the father of Col B Santosh Kumar who was killed during a clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh region on Monday, talked about the son he was so proud of, and said that in losing his 37-year-old son, he had also lost a friend.

“Sacrifice is the only gift any person can give to the nation,” B. Damodar said, adding that his son always talked about serving the nation in any way possible.

“Our relationship was of two friends rather than father and son. He used to suggest solutions on how to deal with people. He was always so much more mature than his age,” he added.

On plans that were made for the future, but will not happen now, Mr Damodar told Deccan Chronicle that his son had recently told the family that once his posting in Ladakh is completed, he will come to Hyderabad on a transfer. “He said once he moves to Hyderabad, we should also stay together. We were looking forward to that, that he would finally get to spend time with his entire family, friends and wellwishers which he could not do for long periods of time because of his service to the nation,” the father said. “But now he has given up his life for the country. My dreams have been shattered. But I am very proud of him,” Mr Damodar said.

It was Mr Damodar’s dream of serving in the defence forces which he could not fulfil for various reasons that prompted the father to encourage his son to join the army.

“It was my childhood dream to join the Army but for various reasons I couldn't. But I wished my son to join the force. From class six, he studied at the Sainik School in Korukonda and then later on joined the National Defence Academy and then the Indian Military Academy.”

Recalling his memories of visiting his son once in Jammu & Kashmir, Mr Damodar said that during the visit, he was introduced by his son to his friends and colleagues. “They all congratulated me for having Santosh as my son. I was surprised and asked them the reason. They told me that my son is a ‘wonderful guy’ and all-rounder. He used to inspire, motivate and help them and inculcated positive thinking everywhere he went. They said he was a man with a noble character,” Mr Damodar said proudly. Santosh Babu started as a lieutenant and his first posting was in Jammu and Kashmir. Later he was in the Rashtriya Rifles, then as an instructor at the NDA, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, in Arunachal Pradesh, and in Meghalaya. He also served as an officer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo,

In 2007, he was credited with the killing of three militants who had infiltrated into our country and received appreciation from the chief of the Indian Army. His services were also appreciated by the UN, Mr Damodar said.