Siachen braveheart: Bronze statue of Hanumanthappa Koppad nears completion

The statue is expected to be installed at his hometown Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district in April

More than a year after he was martyred in an avalanche in Siachen, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad will be immortalised in bronze. A 5-foot bronze statue of the brave soldier is nearing completion and is expected to be installed in April at his hometown in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district.

On February 11, OneIndia had started a campaign for the Siachen martyr and his family. Through our campaign, we reminded the government of promises that were yet to be fulfilled and a memorial for Hanumanthappa was one of them. In a series on Koppad, OneIndia had highlighted how funds were released by the government for the erection of a memorial but the same was caught in red-tapism. The news of Koppad's bronze statue nearing completion comes days after OneIndia's campaign woke those in authority from their slumber.

[Read OneIndia.com's extensive coverage HERE.]

The government had promised a memorial for lance Koppad in his hometown. His statue that is currently being made in Kolhapur, will be placed at his hometown Kundagol's panchayat office. The 5-foot bronze statue depicts Koppad in his complete ceremonial uniform with the rifle. The local MLA, C S Shivalli, along with members of the panchayat office visited Kolhapur to give final approvals for the statue. The bronze statue of the martyr is being made at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh.

The village authorities plan to bring the bronze statue in a procession and install the same in his hometown. Speaking to OneIndia on February 10, the chief minister's office had assured that the memorial will be completed within a couple of months and the bronze statue is the first step towards it.

[Siachen braveheart: We reminded, you responded, Hanumanthappa's wife assured of job]

The villagers had also asked for a Sainik school in his hometown in Hanumanthappa's memory. Acknowledging the request, the state government has appraised the Centre for consideration. Meanwhile, Koppad's wife is awaiting an appointment letter for a government job. While the government's efforts to honour the memory of a braveheart through the installation of a bronze statue is appreciated, Mahadevi Koppad still awaits a job. We hope that the government fulfils its promise made to a martyr's wife soon.

OneIndia News