Martyrdom of Major Acharya commemorated with coffee table book

The martyrdom of Major Padmapani Acharya, awarded the second highest Indian military honour Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his valour in the Kargil War, was commemorated with the launch of a Coffee Table Book here.

Major Acharya, a resident of Hyderabad, commissioned into 2 Rajputana Rifles, led his company in the Kargil war.

He placed his call for duty and service to the nation above his life and made the supreme sacrifice on June 28, 1999 while leading a platoon to capture Tololing through raining artillery shells from the enemy, a defence release said today.

The Coffee Table Book was jointly launched by Major General N Srinivas Rao, General Officer Commanding, Telangana Sub Area and Major Acharyas daughter Aparajita, who was born three months after his martyrdom, it said.

"The book documents the collection of his letters to home, some photographs and a brief write up on his life," said Aparajita.

"Major Padmapani Acharya led his men through the enemy fire and artillery shelling and made supreme sacrifice to accomplish the mission assigned to him.

He is not only a role model for the soldiers, he is a role model for the nation," the release quoted General Srinivas Rao as saying.