Maj Padmapani Acharya

Maj Padmapani Acharya

Maj Padmapani Acharya was born on 21 June 1968 in an Air Force family originally belonging to Odisha, but settled down in Hyderabad, in Telangana. Maj Acharya was married to Charulatha, who was pregnant with Aparijita, their daughter when her husband was martyred in 1999. Major Acharya’s father, Wg Cdr Jagannath Acharya, is a former wing commander of the Indian Air Force and had served during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.

Maj Acharya’s brother Padmasambhav Acharya was a captain in the Indian Army in 1999 and was a part of Operation Vijay in Kargil. Mrs. Vimala Acharya, the mother of Major Acharya, is a social worker and recalls her son as a jovial person and a voracious reader.

Battle of Tololing: 28 June 1999

Just a week after his birthday, on June 28, 1999, Indian Army’s 2nd Rajputana Rifles was assigned the task to take possession of the enemy bunker at the Tololing Top as it was a dominant position overlooking the Srinagar – Leh Highway (NH 1D). The success of the battalion hinged on the early capture of this position. The Battle of Tololing was thus, one of the pivotal battles in the Kargil War.

Unfortunately, the assault company suffered a large number of causalities owing to heavy artillery attack by the enemy forces. But this didn’t deter Maj Acharya from going ahead with his assigned mission. Unmindful of his own safety, Maj Acharya took the reserve platoon and led it through raining bombardment. Some of his men were seriously injured but he continued to encourage them and charged at the enemy with the remaining soldiers. He himself crawled up to the enemy bunker and lobbed grenades. When he was severely injured and unable to move, he ordered his men to leave him and attack the enemy while he continued to fire. After a night-long fierce hand-to-hand battle, the battalion succeeded in recapturing Tololing top, thus turning the course of Kargil War. Maj Acharya, however, succumbed to his injuries after completion of the mission.

Maj Padmapani Acharya was awarded nation’s second highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra” for his outstanding bravery, unfaltering leadership, and supreme sacrifice. He is survived by his father an Air Force veteran, Wg Cdr Jagannath Acharya, mother Mrs. Vimala Acharya, wife Mrs. Charulatha Acharya and daughter Aparijita.