After more than three years of arduous effort, the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Telangana, has compiled a definitive record of the names and galabr deeds of the personnel of the State armed forces.
Titled ‘Bold and Brave: Honoring Telangana’s Heroes of Valor, Sacrifice and Pride’, the book is an initiative of Colonel Ramesh Kumar, Director, Sainik Welfare and chronicles the bravery of over 50 commissioned officers and other ranks in various wars fought by India.
In a fitting tribute, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy officially launched the compendium on Friday, coinciding with Armed Forces Flag Day. Beyond celebrating heroism, the book offers readers a deeper understanding of military service, highlighting the discipline, etiquette, and unwavering spirit of service essential to leading troops in both peace and war.
Records of the Sainik Directorate of Social Welfare show that nearly 50 personnel from the erstwhile unified Andhra Pradesh and those later settled in Telangana have been honored with gallantry awards. These include the Ashok Chakra awarded to Lieutenant Colonel G. Krishna Iyengar, three Maha Vir Chakras to Major General C. Venugopal, Air Vice Marshal CV Parkar and Major Padmapani Acharya (posthumously). Additionally, 18 received Vir Chakras, five Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras.
Inspiring the youth
talking to The HinduColonel Ramesh Kumar said: “Through this compilation, I aim to commemorate the brave deeds of these soldiers and pay tribute to their families, who continue to embody resilience and pride. By tracing their journeys, from childhood to military service and even life after retirement, I hope to inspire today’s youth to consider a life of service in the Armed Forces and encourage parents to support their children in this noble pursuit.”
He added that over the past three years, he meticulously identified bravery award winners by reviewing official records, contacting officers and staff of various regiments, scouring social media and verifying online accounts. “I wrote to their units and headquarters, interviewed almost all of them, and documented detailed life stories, including family background, education, college, motivations for joining the Armed Forces, and the rigors of their training,” he said.
Notable contributions
The book also highlights the notable contributions of officers and soldiers, whether on the battlefield or during calamities or natural disasters. Among them is Army Havildar A. Somaiah of the Hyderabad Artillery Centre, who, on the night of September 27-28, 1954, saved dozens of passengers when an express train heading to Kazipet was swept away by the swollen Yashwanthpur river after a bridge collapsed.
Another inspiring story recounts the courage of Major Md. Ahmed Zaki of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment during the Indo-Pak War of 1965. The book also refers to the heroic roles of Lieutenant BVR Rao of the Gorkha Rifles (Vir Chakra), Squadron Leader Farokh Jehangir Mehta (Vir Chakra), Major Padmapani Acharya and Air Marshal Parkar, among dozens of other war heroes.
The reactions of those honored for their bravery and their families have further motivated Colonel Ramesh Kumar in his work. Aparajita Acharya, daughter of Major Padmapani Acharya, said: “Though he is no longer physically, he lives in me and his spirit in all of us.” Vir Chakra awardee Lieutenant General Zaki said, “Soldiering is in our blood. My brothers are Brigadier MM Zaki (Mechanized Infantry) and Group Captain MH Zaki (Fighter Pilot).” Half a dozen of his close relatives still serve in the military.
Ashok Chakra awardee Hav Somaiah’s children, now settled in the United States and Australia, remember him as a devoted father who valued education and righteous living. Air Marshal Cecil Parker (Mahavir Chakra, Vayusena Medal) recalled: “I used to admire the British Air Force planes that took off and landed on the airstrip in front of our school and developed a passion to join the Air Force. Although my father was initially reluctant, my mother secretly gave me 28 rupees of her savings to help me apply.”
Lieutenant General K. Surendra Nath, former commander of the Army Training Command, described the experience of Colonel Ramesh Kumar. Bold and brave as “a moving tribute to the brave heroes of Telangana, extolling their courage, valor and sacrifice in the defense of our nation.”
Published – December 6, 2025 10:25 am IST
