Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu was supposed to come home, he was supposed to shift to Hyderabad with his wife and kids, his parents were supposed to see their son.
But none of that could happen.
On June 16, 2020, the Indian Army had a clash with the Chinese troops and Colonel Santosh was one of the 20 Indian soldiers who was martyred in the violence.
Whilst 43 Chinese soldiers have been neutralized, We have lost our 20 bravehearts.
— SIDDHESH SHETYE (@Sidh_Shetye) June 16, 2020
Even though numbers shows the dominance but martyrdom of 20 heroes cannot be unseen.
Here’s the picture of Abhigna daughter of Colonel Santosh Babu..
Sir you are a hero ❤️ #indiachinastandoff pic.twitter.com/sijQHHCq59
Hardest thing to sink-in of late.
— Santosh Kumar J (@MPsantoshtrs) June 17, 2020
Hope no one would ever go through the trauma that the kids & family going through.Take a bow #Colonel SanthoshBabu garu. Your fortitude will be remembered by this country forever. Heartfelt condolences to the kith of our brave soldiers.#Salute pic.twitter.com/SyC7V2jnc6
Speaking to The Indian Express, his father, B Upender, said:
Santoshi and the children were packing to shift to Hyderabad from Delhi, and the children told us how excited they were that we would be nearer. We were aware of the tensions at the border but never imagined this would happen.
For your supreme sacrifice made for the country generations to come will remember & cherish your valour. Our throughts & prayers are with families of all three bravehearts – Colonel Santosh Babu, Havildar Palani & Sepoy Ojha. My deepest condolences and salute! Rest in peace! pic.twitter.com/Xp4qbEKwqA
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) June 16, 2020
The son of Telangana soil Colonel Santosh Babu was a lion hearted officer who did not allow China to capture an inch of his motherland
— Y. Satya Kumar (@satyakumar_y) June 16, 2020
Generations to come will remember & cherish his valour
The entire nation bows in respect for the Martyr
Vande Mataram!🙏
#IndiaChinaFaceOff pic.twitter.com/9LqekK9CVm
Meanwhile his mother told the press:
He had made up his mind (about becoming an Army man) while at school.
My heartfelt condolences to Colonel Santosh Babu and 2 soldiers who made the Supreme Sacrifice in action at the #GalwanValley
— Harish Rao Thanneeru #StayHome #StaySafe (@trsharish) June 16, 2020
My thoughts & prayers are with the families of martyrs. You will remain an inspiration to millions 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/N5SaAbTgPP
Commanding Officer, 16 Bihar, Colonel Santosh had studied at a sainik school in Visakhapatnam from 1993 to 2000.
COLONEL SANTOSH BABU
— Vikas Manhas (@manhasvikas41) June 16, 2020
16 BIHAR
has left behind
his wife Ms Santoshi
daughter Abhigna (9)
son Anirudh(4)#Ladakh #knowyourheroes pic.twitter.com/uTyzRtQ2cC
PHOTO:
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) June 16, 2020
Indian Army’s Colonel Santosh Babu who was killed in clash with Chinese troops.
via @asifsuhaf pic.twitter.com/pqhyeWmjmB
In another interview given to Hindustan Times, his father said that it was his dream to become an Army man. But he couldn’t and his son fulfilled his desire.
I wanted to join the army in my student days. But somehow the family circumstances did not permit me. I realised my dreams through my son.
Both his parents said that while they were devastated, they were also proud because their son laid down his life for the country.