I write this article, resting all my wit and hope in the belief that prayers work. I wish that they really do. Because Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad needs all our prayers. We can recollect that this soldier of 19 Madras Regiment was rescued alive on Monday night after being buried 25 feet under tonnes of snow and ice for 6 days.
A medical bulletin released by the army hospital states, “His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care. He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan. There is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs. His multi-organ dysfunction state continues unabated.” Doctors also say that Hanamanthappa is severely dehydrated, hypothermic and in shock. Liver and kidney problems have also added up to the existing problems. He has been placed on a ventilator to protect his airway and lungs in view of his comatose state”
Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad belongs to a farming family of Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district. Lance Naik Koppad always wanted to join the Army. He came up the hard way, attending high school at Aralikatti village by walking 6 km every day. And, despite being rejected thrice in the Army recruitment rallies at Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, he kept on trying and finally managed to get into the 19 Madras Regiment 14 years ago.
Four years ago, Lance Naik Koppad married Mahadevi and has a two-year-old daughter, Netra. His bravery can be weighed by his determination to stay alive even under the extreme conditions in which human survival was considered to be impossible. We hope that this miracle continues and he wins his battle of life against death.
In the meantime a woman from Uttar Pradesh has offered to donate a kidney to save Koppad. Nidhi Pandey, a housewife from Lakhimpur Kheri said that she wished to donate a kidney to the brave heart soldier who is battling for his life.
——————–
Leave a Comment