Service No : IC-13413
Date of Birth : October 15, 1940
Place of birth : Coimbatore (TN)
Service : Army
Last Rank : 2nd Lieutenant
Arm/Regt : : The Grenadiers
Operation : Op Leg Horn
Awards : Maha Vir Chakra
Martyrdom : October 20, 1962
2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao MVC
2nd Lieutenant Gopal Krishna Venkatesa Prasanna Rao hailed from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and was born on 15 Oct 1940. Son of Dr TAGK Rao, he did his initial schooling in Board High School at Sulur in Tamil Nadu. Later he studied from PSG Arts College at Coimbatore and Madhura College at Madurai. He was inclined to join the Armed Forces since his younger days and continued to follow his passion while growing up.
Eventually, he got selected to join the Army and was commissioned as an officer on 10 June 1962 at the age of 21 years. He was commissioned into 4 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry regiment with a rich history of gallantry and battle honours. Very early in his service career, he got involved in the thick of operations as border tension arose with China in 1962. As the situation in the north east worsened and war looked imminent, 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao's unit 4 Grenadiers was inducted in the north east in the year 1962.
Indo-China War: 20 Oct 1962
During the 1962 Indo-China war, 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao''s unit 4 Grenadiers was deployed on the Khinzemane Sector of the NEFA sector. The unit troops were deployed at a forward area near Nam Ka Chu river. After the Chinese incursion at Dhola post in Sep 1962 and subsequent developments, 4 Grenadiers battalion was ordered to withdraw from the forward posts in NEFA. As a result, a withdrawal plan was put into action and the troops were deployed to facilitate a safe withdrawal of men and material. The Chinese, approximately a company strong, had established themselves on the opposite bank of the Nam Ka Chu river and had cut the withdrawal route by dominating the track leading back to Hathung La. 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao was functioning as a Company Commander of a company that was given the responsibility to facilitate a safe withdrawal of troops.
On 20 October 1962, 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao's defended locality was shelled,' and heavily assaulted by an enemy infantry battalion supported by mortars. Although greatly outnumbered, 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao led his company to withstand repeated enemy attacks. To make the matters worse, the enemy mortars had destroyed the bridge over the Nam Ka Chu river. In spite of being cut off, 2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao continued to fight gallantly along with his men. As the situation demanded, he even took charge of a light machine gun and continued to hold the position. However during the fierce exchange of fire, he got seriously injured and was martyred.
2nd Lt GKV Prasanna Rao during the operation showed outstanding gallantry in the face of the enemy with utter disregard to his personal safety and laid down his life in the line of his duty. He was given the gallantry awarded “Maha Vir Chakra” for his raw courage, fighting spirit, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.
Chandrakant b p rao
2022 at 9:55 amHe was my cousin .my uncle was living in Sulfur as doctor . My brother was under officer while in college IN N.C.C.Our family is proud of him.I served in I.A.F for 18 years as non commissioned rank.
Maj Gen Sudhir Vombatkere
2022 at 9:55 amPrasanna was well known to me, as we were together in Imphal Company in IMA, for 18-months, I being one course junior to him. // I marched alongwith his Course and saw him for the last time on 11 June 1962. While I was still in IMA, in my final term, we got the sad news that Prasanna had been killed in action, but were so proud that he had been awarded MVC. // I had been searching for his relatives, but only yesterday was I able to find this.// SALUTES TO MY DEAR PRASANNA! YOUR MEMORY INSPIRES!! JAI HIND!!
Brig Shekhar
2022 at 9:55 amI just spoke to Mr Srinivas Roa. His uncle 2Lt GVP Rao made the supreme sacrifice while fighting the Chinese in 1962. My salute to the great soldier. When ever I will be in Pune, will surely visit the family of the great warrior to pay my sincere Regards. Jai Hind
Anirudh
2022 at 9:55 amVery proud of my grandfather and my family, lots of respect and I’ll always look upto him.
Rhea Jaggi
2022 at 9:56 amSo proud of this heroic and valiant soldier. Lots of respect.
Srinivas Rao
2022 at 9:56 amPls visit us when u cm to Pune
Colonel R RAMA RAO (Veteran)
2022 at 9:56 amI am honoured and proud to be a part of his family. My sister is MVC Lt GVP Rao’s brother’s daughter in law.
Inspiring, motivating and guiding.
You and your sacrifice will always be remembered, Sir.
Salute!
Colonel Amar Patil,VSM…JAK RIF
2022 at 9:56 amGVP Rao was my coursemate.We were both from 14 NCC Course.We were good friends in IMA Dehradun.We are extremely proud that you proved your gallantry of highest order to face Chinese Army assaults in determined manner.
Srinivas Rao
2022 at 9:57 amYes
I am proud of my Uncle
My address
Srinivas Rao
The Groove
C 502
Dutt Mandir rd
Wakad
Pune 57
M 9604929090
Brig A N Suryanarayanan
2022 at 9:57 amPrasanna, my college friend and coursemate. You are a rare breed who hadn”t even seen your first pay slip and had moved from Delhi and proved your worth with just 4 months of service. Unfortunately, i tried to get in touch with your elder brother for many years but could not get the address .