Inspiring Story of Captain Anshuman Singh, who was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously
Inspiring Story of Captain Anshuman Singh
who was awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously
Recently, the Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted the 2024 Defence Decoration Ceremony to honor the brave soldiers of our nation. Among these heroes was Captain Anshuman Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery in Siachen.
His wife Smriti and mother Manju received the prestigious award from the President on his behalf. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
A Tribute to Bravery
President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Kirti Chakra posthumously to Captain Anshuman Singh of the 26th Battalion, Punjab Regiment, Army Medical Corps. Captain Singh displayed extraordinary courage and resolve during a massive fire incident, saving many lives without regard for his own safety.
Words of a Loving Wife
VIDEO | Captain Anshuman Singh was awarded the Kirti Chakra (posthumous). It was an emotional moment for his wife Smt Smriti who accepted the award from President Droupadi Murmu.
“I would die with a brass on my chest. I would not die an ordinary death”: A shattered but proud… pic.twitter.com/NyhcyUQmA3
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 6, 2024
As she received the honor, Captain Anshuman Singh’s wife, Smriti, spoke with a heavy heart. She shared, “Captain Anshuman was incredibly capable.
He often said, ‘I want to die taking a bullet to my chest. I don’t want to die like an ordinary person, unknown and unnoticed.'”
Her words echoed the profound bravery and selflessness that defined Captain Anshuman Singh’s life, a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country.
The Sacrifice of Captain Anshuman Singh
On the morning of July 19, 2023, tragedy struck the Indian Army at the Siachen Glacier.
A devastating fire broke out due to a short circuit in the ammunition bunker, engulfing several tents and trapping many soldiers.
- Amidst the chaos and flames, Captain Anshuman Singh, without a thought for his own safety, leaped into the fire to save his comrades.
- His bravery saw him rescue three soldiers, but he was grievously injured in the process.
- Despite being airlifted to Chandigarh for treatment, the severity of his burns claimed his life.
A Grieving Family from Deoria, Married Just Five Months Ago
Captain Anshuman Singh had married just five months before the incident, on February 10, to Smriti Singh, an engineer working for a multinational company in Noida. Merely 15 days before his tragic end, he had been deployed to the Siachen Glacier as a Regimental Medical Officer with the 403 Field Hospital of the Punjab Battalion. His family hailed from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, while his wife was from Pathankot.
From Pune to the Indian Army: A Journey of Dedication
Captain Anshuman Singh’s journey began at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, where he completed his MBBS.
Following his education, he joined the Army Medical Corps and was first posted at the Military Hospital in Agra after training.
He served as a Medical Officer for a battalion stationed in the Poonch sector of Kashmir before his deployment to Siachen. His father, Ravi Pratap Singh, had also served in the army as a Junior Commissioned Officer.
Honoring a Hero: Compensation and Recognition
In the wake of Captain Anshuman Singh’s sacrifice, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, announced a compensation of ₹50 lakh for his family and a government job for one family member.
Additionally, a road in Deoria district was to be named in his honor.
The story of Captain Anshuman Singh is a testament to extraordinary bravery and selflessness, a heart-wrenching reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by our soldiers and the enduring pain of their families.