He led from the front, was the first to be hit

Updated On: 28 July, 2009 08:09 AM IST | | Anshuman G Dutta

Major Padmapani Acharya, a Mahavir Chakra awardee, couldn't live long enough to see his daughter. He died just days after his 30th birthday at Kargil

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He led from the front, was the first to be hit

Major Padmapani Acharya, a Mahavir Chakra awardee, couldn't live long enough to see his daughter. He died just days after his 30th birthday at Kargil

Major Padmapani Acharya

He believed in the teachings of Bhagwad Gita and was inspired by Arjun. And just like his brave mythological mentor, Major Padmapani Acharya, a Mahavir Chakra (MVC) awardee, too fought with valor until his last breath at Tololing Hills.

On June 21, 1999, Wing Commander (retd) J Acharya, the doting father, sent his son a birthday card that said, "Do well". But just after seven days, the Army called up with a message: "Your son fought bravely. He created history but is no more."u00a0 "We celebrated his 30th birthday while he was fighting the enemy in the mountains.

We had no idea he had moved to a war zone. His wife Charulatha was pregnant and three months after his death, she was blessed with a daughter," said Wing Commander (retd) J Acharya in a heavy voice.

Major Acharya was commissioned into 2nd Rajputana Rifles (RAJRIF) in 1993 and within a short time he became one of the best leaders in his unit. His abilities to motivate his men earned him the title 'Sutradhaar' and he lived up to the honor even in his last moments.

"Major Padmapani Acharya was a brave soldier for whom duty came first. For him, bravery was not limited to fighting alone but extended to the way a man carried out his responsibilities with determination," said a senior Army officer, who had served with the braveheart.