Padmapani Acharya, MVC

Biography

Major Padmapani Acharya was born on 21 June 1968 in Odisha. Though his family hailed from Odisha, they later settled in Hyderabad, Telangana. He came from a family with a strong military tradition — his father, Wing Commander Jagannath Acharya, had served in the Indian Air Force during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. Inspired by his father, Padmapani developed a deep desire to serve in the armed forces from childhood. After completing his graduation, he was selected for the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant as part of the 56th SS course. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, The Rajputana Rifles, a celebrated infantry regiment of the Indian Army. Besides being a skilled and tough soldier, he was an avid reader with a deep knowledge of varied subjects. During the Kargil War, his battalion was deployed in the Dras sector as part of Operation Vijay. Tasked with capturing key heights in the Tololing and Three Pimples area, Major Acharya led his men with conspicuous courage in the assault, pressing the attack despite intense enemy fire and laying down his life in the action. For his exceptional valour, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.