It’s been a month since Santoshi lost her husband, Colonel Santosh Babu in the Galwan valley clash. Now she has been appointed as a Deputy Collector, by the Telangana government, the Times of India reported. Santosh Babu was among the 20 Indian soldiers killed in the brutal battle in Ladakh on June 15, 2020. The family members rejoiced as Santoshi recently received the appointment letter from Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan.
"Ms Santoshi wife of Colonel Santosh Babu who martyred at India-China border met CM Sri KCR today. Hon'ble CM handed over the appointment letter as Deputy Collector. Later CM had lunch with the family members of Colonel Santosh Babu who came along with Santoshi," Telangana CMO said in a tweet along with a video of the meeting.
She has been gifted a 711-square yard house site in Hyderabad, the estimated value of which is at Rs 10 crore and a five crores ex gratia was also announced. Hyderabad collector Shweta Mohanty handed over documents of the plot to Santoshi. Later, the Chief Minister instructed officials to have Santoshi posted in Hyderabad or surrounding areas.
What You Should Know
- Santoshi, the wife of martyred Colonel Santosh Babu, has been appointed as Deputy Collector in Telangana.
- Santosh Babu was among the 20 Indian soldiers killed in the Galwan Valley clash.
- Now his family and wife get a Rs 10 crore house in Hyderabad and rupees five crore as ex gratia.
The grieving widow, Santoshi, who was initially opting for commercial tax officer post, later changed her mind and sought deputy collector job in Group-I cadre, which was accepted by the state government. She was married to Babu for 10 years and the couple had a daughter Abhigna (aged nine at the time of her father's death) and a son Anirudh (aged four). “When he came back on leave, he went for multiple trips, to temples and other places. When he became a colonel, he gave me a beautiful gift,” Santoshi recalled saying that she is proud of her brave husband who sacrificed his life for the country, The Print reported.
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The 37-year-old Colonel Santosh Babu was the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar unit which was guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the standoff. “I am grieving as a mother, but am also proud and happy that he sacrificed his life for the country. His martyrdom will not go in vain,” his mother Manjula had earlier told The Hindu.
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Feature Image Credit: TOI
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