It's a rebirth for us, says jawan's wife

"It is a rebirth for all of us," said Mahadevi, wife of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, with a sense of relief as the family reacted to the news of his miraculous survival after remaining buried under snow for six days at Siachen Glacier.
"My husband's grandmother inspired him in his life. Her prayers saved him from certain death in Siachen. It is a rebirth for all of us," Mahadevi, residing at Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district, said. Hanumanthappa, who hails from Karnataka, was found alive yesterday after being buried under 25 feet of snow for six days following an avalanche that had hit his post at an altitude of 19,600 feet where the temperature was minus 45 degrees Celsius.

Mahadevi said the family was going through a painful ordeal after the members came to know of the tragedy, but the news of his survival brought smiles back on faces.
"We were going through a painful ordeal after theavalanche struck...The news of his survival brought smiles backon our faces. We were all crying and almost lost hope. I didn't know what to do - I have one-and-half-year old girl child," she said.
Eshwar, Hanamanthappa's cousin, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting Koppad who is on a ventillator at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi. "What should I say about the gesture Modi has shown toa simple soldier. It is heartening that a person who is Prime Minister of India visited him," he told PTI.

Eshwar also appreciated the concern shown by Army officials who had visited the family members and gave hope of hissurvival.

"The army officials had visited us and instilled hope by saying 'don't worry, nothing will happen. The Army had said will findhim out and retrieve him alive from the glacier," he said.
Eshwar said the entire Betadur village greeted the news of
survival of Hanumanthappa with a sense of relief.
"Some of them were offering prayers in temples for Hanumathappa's survival. They were happy when they realised their prayers have been heard by the Almighty," he said.
Meanwhile, noted Karnataka-based industrialist and MP Rajiv Chandrasekhar has announced he would take care of the travel and accommodation of Hanumanthappa's family in New Delhi.

Chandrasekhar said in a statement said that "all the help thatthe family of the injured soldier requires will be taken careof to assist them in this hour of anxiety and worry." He also prayed for Hanamanthappa's speedy recovery and support to his family in the hour crisis.
"Myheartfelt prayers for a speedy recovery and support to hisfamily at this hour. I salute the soldier and hope he recovers soon," he said.
He also joined the nation in grieving the death of other nine soldiers in the natural disaster.
"Our soldiers of the Indian Armed forces guard thenation at Siachen - the world's highest battleground 24 x7 braving not only enemy hostility but also the harsh andinhospitable weather," he added.