The megawatt smile that lights up his face is the brightness of his white T shirt. That was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan on his holiday in Hampi this August, wearing an outfit befitting someone who plays football, cricket, basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis and seemingly sharing little in common with the black dungaree clad, highly trained leader of the NSG's Special Assault Group 51 who went down in a hail of bullets, fighting Lashkar terrorists during the siege of Mumbai's Nariman building.
Four of five things he couldn't live without- sleep, food, the TV and of course, movies.
One of his last messages to a close friend was a recommendation to watch Rock On-'an amazing movie.'
Sandeep loved to drive fast, loved Indian and continental food 'at least two non vegetarian meals a day'.
Perhaps a reason why the first thing you would notice about the athlete was the embarrassing admission, 'I've finally gained a bit of weight'.
The product of the NDA's 94th course is an occasional drinker and lives alone in Manesar, Haryana (the NSG headquarters) though his 'friends visit often'.
He works in a 'government job' whose description reveals a wry sense of humour: 'non productive'.
Besides Hindi, English and Bihari which was a must for the Bihar regiment officer, he was fluent in Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.
Friends have written in beneath his photograph. Remarks that are like the little candles of the digital age. 'Sandy...we will always remember....Your laughter...Your lovely smile...Your Bravery, Your Courage, Your Sacrifice.. We all salute you.. Our prayers are with your family.. You will be missed very much... Our Brave Heart .. Our Hero.. Our dear friend...
The 31 year old who listed 'hypocrisy, sycophancy, apathy and a lack of compassion' as major turn offs, leaves behind a grieving family, friends, batch mates.
An unfinished life and an incomplete profile
Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Major Sandeep
7 Bihar Regiment
Patna: Senior Army officers and jawans of Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) at Danapur Cantonment felt proud of the supreme sacrifice made by NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan for the country while fighting terrorists at the Taj in Mumbai on Friday.
Unni was an outstanding braveheart of the 7th Bihar Regiment, they said. He'd been inducted into the Bihar Regiment in June 1999. He was subsequently posted at several vulnerable and strategic places, including J&K and Rajasthan. He always boosted the morale of his colleagues during difficult times, said sources.
Expressing deep shock at Major Unnikrishnan's death, Maj R K Singh of the 7th Bihar Regiment, who is currently posted at Danapur BRC, said that the Army and country as a whole had lost a very bright officer who was just 31. Recalling his association of about four years with him, Maj Singh said, "He was valour and bravery personified. He took challenges seriously."
"When he was posted at a very high altitude in Gulmarg, he proved that he was the best while performing his duty and commanding the forces in the most difficult terrains in J&K and in snowy mountain warfare as well," said Maj Singh.
Havildar Shambhu Nath Jha, who had spent about seven years with Major Unnikrishnan, said that he was the epitome of discipline and courage. Even the commanding officer was all praise for his sense of discipline, said Jha. "He was a popular officer who was loved and adored by his seniors and juniors alike. During the `Ghatak test', the most difficult test of the Army, Maj Unnikrishnan topped twice in these tests earning commendation from seniors. Perhaps this was the reason or his passion for bravery that he opted for the NSG commando service which he joined on deputation in 2006," Jha said.
A tearful Sepoy Ajay Kumar, who spent about six years with Maj Unnikrishnan, said the entire battalion was proud of him.
Danapur sub-area commandant Brig Abhimanyu Raut, BRC commnader Brig P S Rathee, Col Manjit Singh and many other officers and jawans condoled the death of Maj Unnikrishnan and described him as the most upright, dedicated and disciplined officer. "His sacrifice would inspire others to emulate him while fighting the country's enemies," they said.
Bihar Regiment Fondly Remembers Major Sandeep
ranjan@bihartodayonline.com
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