Sepoy Ganesh Ram SM

Sepoy Ganesh Ram hailed from Gidhali village in Charama tehsil of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, a region known for its resilient people and strong sense of community. He was born on 28 April 1993 to Shri Itwari Ram Kunjam and Smt Jageshwari Bai. Growing up in a household shaped by service and sacrifice, he was deeply influenced by his three elder brothers, all of whom served in the armed forces. Their dedication to the uniform, disciplined way of life, and unwavering sense of duty left a lasting impression on his young and impressionable mind. Inspired by their example, Sepoy Ganesh Ram developed a firm resolve from an early age to follow the same honourable path. This aspiration took concrete shape during his school years, when he remained steadfast in his ambition to join the armed forces. With quiet determination and a clear sense of purpose, he prepared himself both mentally and physically for life in uniform. After completing his school education, he fulfilled his childhood dream by joining the Indian Army in 2011 at the young age of 18 years. He was recruited into the 16 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished infantry regiments, renowned for its fearless soldiers, battlefield valour, and proud legacy of operational excellence. Becoming a part of this storied regiment was a matter of immense pride not only for Sepoy Ganesh Ram but also for his family, who saw in him the continuation of a cherished tradition of service to the nation.

As a young infantryman, Sepoy Ganesh Ram adapted swiftly to the demanding rigours of military life. He embraced training with sincerity and discipline, displaying resilience in adversity and calm courage in challenging situations. His professionalism, sense of responsibility, and unwavering commitment to duty soon earned him the respect of his seniors and the trust of his comrades. Through his conduct and dedication, he exemplified not only the finest traditions of the Bihar Regiment but also the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism that had been instilled in him by his family from a very young age.

Operation Snow Leopard (Battle of Galwan): 15 June 2020

By June 2020, Sepoy Ganesh Ram’s unit, 16 Bihar Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, was deployed in Eastern Ladakh close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as part of Operation Snow Leopard. From early May, Chinese forces began making sustained attempts to block India’s long-established and traditional patrolling routes in the Galwan Valley, triggering a series of tense face-offs. Similar transgressions were reported at Kongka La, Gogra, and along the North Bank of Pangong Lake. Each provocation was promptly detected and resolutely countered by Indian troops on the ground. Simultaneously, continuous diplomatic and military engagements clearly conveyed India’s position that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the LAC was unacceptable. As tensions escalated, senior military commanders of India and China met on 6 June 2020 and agreed upon a phased disengagement based on reciprocal actions. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect the LAC and to refrain from activities that could disturb the prevailing situation. Despite this understanding, Chinese forces blatantly violated the agreement by instigating a violent confrontation on the night of 15 June 2020 in the Galwan Valley.

Recognising the seriousness of the situation and exemplifying the highest traditions of leadership, Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar, personally led a small team to the friction point to engage the Chinese side and ensure adherence to the disengagement terms. During the discussions, a confrontation erupted and quickly escalated into a scuffle, which soon spiralled into a brutal and violent clash. Chinese troops, armed with improvised lethal weapons such as clubs and rods, launched a coordinated assault. The Indian soldiers were heavily outnumbered, and it became evident that the opposing side had come prepared for violence. As the clash intensified, Sepoy Ganesh Ram, along with his comrades, rushed forward to support their embattled fellow soldiers, standing shoulder to shoulder in defence of their commanding officer and unit. The confrontation raged for several hours in extremely treacherous terrain and freezing conditions. During this prolonged and savage hand-to-hand combat, many Indian soldiers sustained grievous injuries. Ultimately, Sepoy Ganesh Ram, Col Santosh Babu, and 18 other brave soldiers succumbed to their injuries and were martyred in the line of duty. The fallen heroes included Nb Sub Nanduram Soren, Nb Sub Satnam Singh, Nb Sub Mandeep Singh, Hav Bipul Roy, Hav Sunil Kumar, Hav K Palani, Naik Deepak Singh, Sep Ganesh Hansda, Sep Chandan Kumar, Sep Chandrakanta Pradhan, Sep Aman Kumar, Sep Kundan Kumar, Sep Rajesh Orang, Sep K.K. Ojha, Sep Jay Kishor Singh, Sep Gurtej Singh, Sep Ankush, and Sep Gurbinder Singh. Aged just 28 years, Sepoy Ganesh Ram exemplified fearless courage, unwavering commitment, and selfless devotion to duty. He laid down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, defending the nation’s honour against overwhelming odds. In recognition of his exceptional bravery, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the "Sena Medal" on 26 January 2021—a fitting tribute to a young soldier who gave everything for the nation.

Sepoy Ganesh Ram Kunjam is survived by his Father Shri Itwari Ram Kunjam, and mother, Smt Jageshwari Bai.