Two from Odisha among 20 martyred in Ladakh

BERHAMPUR/BALASORE: Two jawans from the state, Sepoy Chandrakant Pradhan (28) and Naib Subedar Nandu Ram Soren (42) were among the 20 who died in the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh on Monday night.
Chandrakant joined the 16 Bihar Regiment in 2014 and was a resident of Beorapanga, a small tribal village in Raikia block of Kandhamal district. He was posted in Ladakh in February. His family said he had last visited home in December last year and returned on February 16.
“We were shocked to hear about our son’s death,” Chandrakant’s father Karunakar (50) said. He said a Subedar, who was an Odia, conveyed them the message over phone on Tuesday night. “Initially, we did not believe it and scolded the man for saying that our son is dead,” said Bilasini (45), the deceased’s mother who fainted after the man confirmed Chandrakant’s death.
His father said due to the weak mobile network connectivity in their area, Chandrakant would call up once a week. “He was due to call up on Wednesday, instead we got to hear the news of his death,” said Karunakar. In his last call, Chandrakant, the eldest son, advised his family members not to step out of home unless necessary owing to the Covid-19 situation.
“He was the only earning member in the family,” said his sister Sandhy (23). “My brother has always inspired me to join the Indian Army to protect the country,” said his younger brother Nabakishore (19), who is studying in Plus II.
“We are deeply saddened as one of our sons have died. At the same time, we are proud of him for sacrificing his life for the country,” said Bijay Pradhan, one of his friends in the village.
Nandu, a resident of Badachampauda village under Rairangpur block of Mayurbhanj district, had joined the Army in 1997 and was posted as Naib Subedar in the 16 Bihar regiment. He is survived by his wife Laxmi Majhi (40) and three daughters – Ganeswari (15), Manasi (11) and Sonali (6).
Nandu’s elder brother Daman said he got the message from a senior in the Bihar regiment and his friend, Mahendra Nath Mahanta.