After more than three years of painstaking effort, the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Telangana, has compiled a definitive record of the names and gallabr deeds of armed forces personnel from the State.
Titled ‘Bold and Brave: Honouring Telangana’s Heroes of Valour, Sacrifice and Pride’, the book is an initiative of Col. Ramesh Kumar, director of Sainik Welfare and chronicles the courage of over 50 commissioned officers and other ranks across various wars fought by India.
In a fitting tribute, the compendium was officially launched by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday, coinciding with Armed Forces Flag Day. Beyond celebrating heroism, the book offers readers a deeper understanding of soldiering, highlighting the discipline, etiquette and unwavering service ethos essential for leading troops in both peace and war.
Records from the Sainik Welfare Directorate show that nearly 50 personnel from the erstwhile unified Andhra Pradesh and those who later settled in Telangana have been honoured with gallantry awards. These include the Ashok Chakra awarded to Lt. Col G. Krishna Iyengar, three Maha Vir Chakras to Major General C. Venugopal, Air Vice Marshal C.V. Parkar and Major Padmapani Acharya (posthumously). Additionally, 18 were awarded Vir Chakras, five Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras.
Inspiring the youth
Speaking to The Hindu, Col. Ramesh Kumar said: “Through this compilation, I aim to commemorate the courageous deeds of these soldiers and pay tribute to their families, who continue to embody resilience and pride. By tracing their journeys, from childhood to military service and even life after retirement, I hope to inspire today’s youth to consider a life of service in the Armed Forces and encourage parents to support their children in this noble pursuit.”
He added that over the past three years, he meticulously identified gallantry award winners by combing through official records, contacting officers and personnel from various regiments, exploring social media and verifying accounts online. “I wrote to their units and headquarters, interviewed nearly all of them and documented detailed life stories, including family backgrounds, schooling, college, motivations for joining the Armed Forces, and the rigours of their training,” he said.
Remarkable contributions
The book also highlights remarkable contributions of officers and soldiers, whether on the battlefield or during natural calamities/ disasters. Among them is Army Havildar A. Somaiah of the Artillery Centre, Hyderabad, who, on the night of September 27-28 in 1954, saved dozens of passengers when an express train en route to Kazipet was swept away by the floodwaters of the swollen Yashwanthpur river following a bridge collapse.
Another inspiring story recounts the courage of Major Md. Ahmed Zaki of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The book also references the heroic roles of Lt. B.V.R. Rao of the Gorkha Rifles (Vir Chakra), Squadron Leader Farokh Jehangir Mehta (Vir Chakra), Major Padmapani Acharya and Air Marshal Parkar among dozens of other war heroes.
Reactions from gallantry awardees and their families have further motivated Col. Ramesh Kumar in his work. Aparajita Acharya, daughter of Major Padmapani Acharya, said, “Though physically no more, he lives in me and his spirit in all of us.” Vir Chakra awardee Lt. Gen. Zaki noted, “Soldiering is in our blood. My brothers are Brigadier MM Zaki (Mechanised Infantry) and Group Captain MH Zaki (Fighter Pilot).” Half a dozen of his close relatives still serve in the armed forces.
Ashok Chakra awardee Hav Somaiah’s children, now settled in the US and Australia, remember him as a devoted father who valued education and righteous living. Air Marshal Cecil Parker (Mahavir Chakra, Vayusena medal) recalled, “I used to admire British Air Force aircraft taking off and landing on the airstrip opposite our school and developed a passion to join the Air Force. Though my father was initially reluctant, my mother secretly gave me ₹28 from her savings to help me apply.”
Lt. General K. Surendra Nath, former Army Commander of the Army Training Command, described Col. Ramesh Kumar’s Bold and Brave as “a poignant tribute to Telangana’s valiant heroes, extolling their courage, valour and sacrifice in the defence of our nation”.