By SSP KUPWARA, Kashmir
“I know colonel Santosh
As a person grounded to reality
He was passionate about social and political developments and like an intellect had deep insight
He would believe in the role of his institution in changing the outlook of society
He wanted to do something for changing the mindset of public towards the army and would indulge in certain activities strange to his institution
He organised trekking tours with youth and would often talk of integrating the army occupied scenic spots with those areas quite known on tourism map
He would see a great potential in tourism and believed army could lead in promoting tourism in border areas particularly those on LC
He had made a beautiful documentary on the scenic spots of Lolab valley
He had not only an eye for beauty but he had also a heart of a gentleman
He wanted to change the outlook of his forces and make them morale and humane
He would organise brainstorming sessions with troops and would invite general public to deliberate on the ills of society
A morally upright person he would bring people of expertise for interaction with troops and public
Sessions on attitudenal transformation would be organised and the result was a cordial relationship with the other agencies and public at large
He would believe in the process of change he felt was emerging in the society
He would offer a helping hand to the needy
A great Samaritan people would expect help from him and he would always acquiesce
As a soldier he would lead from front
He had great stamina and would walk uphill like on Plains
He had a carved out physique of Bruce lee yet he was soft in demeanour
He possessed a smiling countenance and mesmerising personality and
He would never look fatigued and give thums up to whatever assignment
A brave soldier and a great buddy he would always invite to his camp for meals and sight seeing
In the operation which consumed his life he never looked back
He pursued and pushed the militants
He wished to bring laurels to army and brought it with supreme sacrifice
I salute his personality
And wish him paradise
I have lost a brother
RIP Santosh”