Bhoota Venkata Ramana was one amongst the three soldiers martyred in the terror attack in Kashmir yesterday morning. The 38 year old soldier from Visakhapatnam was a resident of Kancharapalem is survived by his wife, two children – a nine year old daughter and a primary school-aged son – and parents.
A pall of gloom has reportedly descended in the city with grief-stricken loved ones mourning the loss of the Indian Army jawan. As news broke, people from across the city thronged to the house to mourn the loss of this soldier. Venkata Ramana has been serving in the Indian Army for the last 18 years and his brother Appala Raju is also a soldier.
Ramana’s mother Ramulamma and wife Anitha remain inconsolable. His father Kunchalam, a farmer, reportedly said, “My son had laid down his life for the country. I heard two terrorists were gunned down. If it was only two terrorists who had participated in the attack and those two were gunned down, the reply by our Army men is befitting.”
His younger brother B Koteswara Rao mourns the loss too, “For my brother, duty always came first. Last time, Venkata came home, he told us that he could never spend a quality time with the family. Citing that his retirement was due after three years, Venkata had said he would spend his entire time with the family members and his two children. But, the fate had other plans for him.” He adds, “Post me in the border. I don’t want any salary or compensation. I want to destroy those terror camps. I am not scared of dying for the nation.”
The mortal remains of Venkata Ramana are expected to arrive Saturday morning from Jammu.
