Uttarakhand AAP has named him as the party’s chief ministerial face for the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly polls.
Col Ajay Kothiyal (R)
KC, SC, VSM
4 GARHWAL RIFLES
He was born on 26 Feb, 1969 to Inspector General Satyasaran Kothiyal (R), BSF and Smt. Sushila Kothiyal.
After completing schooling from St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun and Kendriya Vidyalaya Dehradun, he was graduated from D.A.V.Post Graduate College Dehradun. He then cleared CDS and joined IMA.
He was commissioned as second Lieutenant into 4 GARHWAL RIFLES in 1992.
In 1994, he went for training in the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS).
He was also part of Op Vijay.
In 2001, then Maj Ajay was part of the first team of the Indian Army that successfully summited the Mt Everest in 2001, under the leadership of Brigadier Krishan Kumar AVSM.
On 12 May 2003, Indian Army had carried out a surgical strike in Pulwama district under the leadership of Major Kothiyal. He was wounded in the operation, in which seven terrorists were neutralized.
He was awarded Kirti Chakra.
He still has two bullets inside his body.
In 2011, he decided to scale the 8th highest peak in the world, Mt Manaslu. No Indian had ever climbed this mountain. Fighting harsh weather and inhospitable conditions, his team unfurled the Indian Flag at the peak of Manaslu on 9th May 2011.
He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal.
In 2012, Colonel Kothiyal led a team of seven female officers from Indian army and successfully scaled the world's highest peak for the second time. Mrs Pratibha Singh Patil, President of India at that time, awarded him Shaurya Chakra.
In 2013 during Himalayan Tsunami at Kedarnath, Col Kothiyal and his team were among the first to reach the affected area. Under his supervision, rescue operation was conducted and Kedarnath was rebuilt and restored to its pristine form.
He started 'Youth Foundation' to assist the aspirants who are financially weak. Many have joined the Indian Army through this NGO.
In 2018, Col Kothiyal took voluntary retirement from Indian Army to focus more on NGO.
He joined the AAP on 19 April 2021.
Thanking
Brigadier Bhupesh Singh Hada
SC, VSM
Force Commander - NSG / 10 PARA (SF)
for his 33 years of devoted service to the Nation
He got superannuated from the Indian Army today.
Brig Hada was commissioned into the Madras Regiment in 1991 after passing out from IMA.
Brig Bhupesh Hada was born on 30 June, 1970 in Bundi, Rajasthan.
His father Shri Vijay Raj Singh Hada was an educationist and a social worker of repute.
After his schooling, he joined the NDA, and later passed out from IMA in 1991.
Afterwards, he joined the Para Commando.
During his 3 decades of distinguished service, he has contributed in various operations like Op Rhino, Orchid, Rakshak, Kargil-Vijay, Parakaram, Falcon and Meghdoot. He has trained extensively with the IAF, Navy, various CAPF and with the armies of friendly foreign countries.
"When he became a colonel, he gave me a beautiful gift, that she will remember him as a brave person who died fighting for his country." Said Smt Santoshi, w/o
Col Santosh Babu,
Mahavir Chakra (P)
16 BIHAR.
Today is 3rd Balidan Diwas of Col Santosh Babu. A thread on him👇🏼
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13th Feb 1983 in Suryapet district of Telangana to Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, a banker and Smt Manjula.
While studying in the Sainik School, Korukonda his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew and he joined 105th course of NDA in 2000.
He was commissioned into 16 BIHAR from IMA in 2004 and his first posting was in J&K.
He was selected to attend DSS College at Wellington and later was deputed in Rashtriya Rifles.
He got married to Ms. Santoshi and the couple had a daughter Abhija and a son Anirudh Teja.
On 13th June, 1997 Capt Manjinder Singh Bhinder of 61 CAVALRY with his wife Jyot-Roop and four years old son Ruskin, went to see the film “Border” in Uphaar Cinema in Green Park area, New Delhi. While the movie was on, the Hall caught fire.
With poor fire-fighting equipment and exit arrangements, people got trapped inside. Capt Bhinder sent his friend Capt Pattu to get outside help, while he decided to stay inside, to help frantic crowd keep calm and take them out gradually in order. He moved 150 lives to safety.
Unfortunately, he himself and his family succumbed to the tragic death that was the fate of many who were trapped inside, as it became difficult to get proper help.
Capt. Bhinder along with his family died a heroic death in the fire that broke out at the Uphaar Cinema in Delhi.
He was posted in Sri Lanka during Op Pawan as a personal bodyguard of an Indian General. Once he was sitting in an open jeep, an LTTE terrorist threw a grenade at the jeep. He caught it and threw it back to the terrorist. The terrorist died.
Due to the grenade explosion his head was blown off into pieces. After this, he was nick-named ‘Cobra’ by his colleagues.
Later in the same Operation, he was assigned to rescue 36 Indian soldiers captured by LTTE. He sailed the river, saved soldiers and killed 39 militants.
Naik Digendra Kumar was awarded Sena Medal in 1993 for his anti-terrorist operations in the Kupwara area of Jammu-Kashmir.
In 1994, his services were appreciated for recapturing the Hazratbal Shrine from terrorists.
“You should feel proud of me. I am contributing something for the nation in this uniform I have worn. Being a company commander at this time is the greatest experience one can have.”
Commissioned on 13 June 1992 into 2 RAJ RIF, and sacrificed his life to Nation on 13 June 1999.
MAJOR VIVEK GUPTA
MVC (P)
2 RAJ RIF
'Vicky' was born on 2nd Jan 1972 in Dehradun to Lt Col BRS Gupta (R).
He got inspiration to join the Army from his father, and was commissioned in 1992
Major Vivek got married to an Army Officer, Capt Rajshree Bisht in 1997.
He was also awarded COAS Commendation for killing Pak terrorist in hand-to-hand combat.
Recognizing his outstanding skills he was soon sent to Infantry School, Mhow, as a weapon instructor.
During Kargil War in 1999, he played a significant role in capturing of Tololing Top.
"When he became a colonel, he gave me a beautiful gift, that she will remember him as a brave person who died fighting for his country." Said Smt Santoshi, w/o
Col Santosh Babu,
Mahavir Chakra (P)
16 BIHAR.
Today is 40th Birth Anniversary of Col Santosh Babu.
A thread on him👇🏼
Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu was born on 13th Feb 1983 in Suryapet district of Telangana to Shri Bikumalla Upender Babu, a banker and Smt Manjula.
While studying in the Sainik School, Korukonda his inclination towards the Armed Forces grew and he joined 105th course of NDA in 2000.
He was commissioned into 16 BIHAR from IMA in 2004 and his first posting was in J&K.
He was selected to attend DSS College at Wellington and later was deputed in Rashtriya Rifles.
He got married to Ms. Santoshi and the couple had a daughter Abhija and a son Anirudh Teja.