Gautam Sarma

Biography

Captain Gautam Sarma was born on 2 January 1982 to Profulla Sarma and Mamoni Sarma. His childhood was spent moving across the country with his father's transferable job, until the family settled in Shillong in 1991. A sensitive and reflective young man with a deep love for literature and nature, he published his first poem, 'Yesterday', in The Shillong Times while still at school. He studied at St. Thomas High School and St. Edmund's College, Shillong, and during these years volunteered with 'Asha', a Shillong NGO, teaching children with special needs — work he found deeply fulfilling. Drawn to a life of service, he won admission to the National Defence Academy and was subsequently commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (8 JAK LI). His first posting took him to Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir, where he served until early 2007. His battalion was then deputed for a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan, during which he was awarded the Commanding Officer's Commendation Card for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty. Returning to Jammu & Kashmir in June 2007, Captain Sarma was posted to Abad Guthur in the USTAD Sector. On 3 June 2007, he led an eleven-man Area Domination Patrol through extremely difficult mountain terrain of jagged hills, deep ravines and narrow tracks. During the patrol he lost his footing and fell into a gorge nearly 105 metres deep. Despite a four-hour rescue effort and an air evacuation, he succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, at the age of 25. Remembered by those who knew him as 'Borphukan' — commander — Captain Gautam Sarma is honoured for his courage, his gentle spirit, and his service to the nation.