Sunil Ganapathy, SM

Biography

Major Sunil Ganapathy was born on 14 February 1976 in Chembebellur village of Kodagu district, Karnataka. The son of Colonel Charimanda Ganesh Ganapathy (Retd), who served the nation for 35 years, and Mrs Bhavani Ganapathy, he completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rae Bareli. Born into a military family, he had aspired to serve in the Army since childhood, and his dream came true when he was commissioned in December 1998 into the Artillery Regiment, a vital combat support arm of the Indian Army. A dedicated soldier, he was also a keen sportsman skilled at basketball, and his cheerful, humble and sociable nature made him a favourite among his peers and juniors. After serving with his parent regiment for a few years, he was selected for the Army Aviation Corps and trained as a helicopter pilot, completing his basic course at Jhansi and advanced course at Nasik. He earned his wings in November 2003 and was posted to an operational flying squadron. By August 2008 he was serving with 3 R&O Flight of 666 Army Aviation Squadron, operating Cheetah helicopters. On 15 August 2008, Major Ganapathy, flying Cheetah helicopter Z-1894 with co-pilot Major Padmanabhan KE, was tasked with an operational reconnaissance mission that was diverted to evacuate a soldier, Gunner Narsaiah, trapped in an avalanche at Sarchu in Eastern Ladakh. After successfully lifting the casualty, the helicopter encountered dense, low-based clouds near the Tanglang La pass amid the region's treacherous terrain and rapidly changing weather. Around 1630 hours a serious malfunction led to the aircraft crashing near the pass, and both pilots succumbed to their injuries. For his exemplary devotion to duty, courage and supreme sacrifice, Major Sunil Ganapathy was awarded the Sena Medal on 26 January 2009.