Republic Day 2021: Galwan braveheart Col Santosh Babu named for Mahavir Chakra

Colonel B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of 16 Bihar battalion, who led soldiers to evict Chinese soldiers from East Ladakh’s Galwan Valley last June, has been posthumously named for Mahavir Chakra, an official announcement by the Defence Ministry said on Monday. Mahavir Chakra is India’s second-highest military award for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Mahavir Chakra is India’s second-highest military decoration after Param Vir Chakra. Colonel Babu’s name was recommended for the honour by the Indian Army’s top brass.

Days after the Colonel fell in the line of duty, his wife Santoshi was felicitated by the Army on the occasion of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Foundation Day at Officers Mess of Basantar Brigade in Hyderabad.