Rushikesh Vallabh Bhai Ramani, SM

Biography

Major Rushikesh Vallabh Bhai Ramani was born on 8 October 1983. He attended Balachadi Sainik School from 1995 to 2001, securing 85% in class XII with distinction as school captain. He joined the National Defence Academy, Pune, then the IMA, Dehradun in 2004, and was commissioned into 23 Punjab on 11 June 2005. On 7 June 2009, at 1:15 AM, while leading operations near Gulab Post in Kupwara, he detected five infiltrating terrorists. Showing extreme alertness and presence of mind, he immediately reorganised his search and ambush party and engaged them in combat. Despite serious bullet injuries, with total disregard to his personal safety, he continued to fire at the terrorists, killing three before succumbing to twelve bullet wounds to the chest and abdomen. He displayed exceptional courage, devotion to duty, leadership and bravery of the highest order and was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal.