SHIMLA: Havaldar Rohit Kumar, a braveheart from the remote village of Taranda in Himachal’s Kinnaur district, has been posthumously awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in a solemn ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
The award was received with teary eyes and proud hearts by his wife, Smt. Bharti Laxmi, and mother, Smt. Krishna Devi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and huge gathering.
Havaldar Rohit Kumar, known for his exceptional courage and dedication, laid down his life during a challenging high-altitude mountaineering expedition at 18,600 feet, conducted under peacetime military operations.
A trained mountaineer and instructor at the Altitude Warfare School, Rohit Kumar was leading a difficult climb on a near-vertical 85-degree slope when a sudden avalanche struck.
In the face of death, he continued to guide and encourage his team, ensuring their safety before he himself was tragically buried under snow and ice — making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
What made this mission even more extraordinary was the feat of laying over 2000 meters of rope on treacherous ice-clad slopes, where even seasoned climbers tread with extreme caution.
Despite battling harsh weather and dangerous terrain, Rohit led from the front — even wearing slippers during parts of the climb, such was his commitment to the team’s progress.
His leadership and valour saved many lives that day, though he could not save his own.
Kinnaur, and indeed all of Himachal Pradesh, is mourning — but also swelling with pride.
Villagers from Taranda and across the district gathered in remembrance, recalling Rohit not just as a soldier, but as a symbol of mountain grit, humility, and unmatched courage.
His sacrifice during peacetime duties reminds the nation that heroes are not made only in the battlefield, but also in the quiet, grueling service to the country that often goes unnoticed.
Rohit Kumar now joins the ranks of India’s immortal warriors — his name etched in the hearts of people who live in the land of snow, where the silence of the Himalayas now echoes with tales of his bravery.
Jai Hind.
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