Odisha Village Honours Galwan Martyr Chandrakanta Pradhan on Fifth Anniversary of Sacrifice

Bearpanga, Odisha, June 18, 2025: A Requiem Mass was celebrated on June 16 by parishioners of Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia, in Bearpanga, a village in Odisha's Kandhamal district, to honour the memory of martyr and son of the village, Chandrakanta Pradhan.

Chandrakanta was the only Catholic soldier among the 20 Indian troops who lost their lives during the violent skirmish with Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020. The celebration marked the fifth anniversary of his death, commemorating his ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

Around 500 faithful, including four Catholic priests and four religious nuns, participated in the Holy Mass, which was presided over by Father Pradosh Chandra Nayak, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.

In his homily, Father Pradosh recalled Chandrakanta’s deep Christian faith and unwavering patriotism.

“Jesus himself showed compassion and concern for his own people and city, and Christians can follow his example by working for the good of their nation. Love of Jesus and devotion to Mother Mary led Chandrakanta’s patriotism, which resulted in him sacrificing his life for India,” Father Nayak said. "His sacrifice brings great pride and honour to the Church in Odisha."

Born on March 2, 1992, Chandrakanta Pradhan was the third of five siblings and the only son of Gaura Chandra Pradhan and Maloti Pradhan. One of his sisters, Anita Pradhan, is a nun with the Daughters of Charity. He was a soldier in the 16 Bihar Regiment and was killed in the fierce hand-to-hand combat with China’s PLA forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020.

Following the Mass, attendees from various faiths — including priests, nuns, government dignitaries, and veteran soldiers — participated in a procession to Chandrakanta’s memorial, chanting “Chandrakanta Pradhan Amar Rahe” (Let Chandrakanta Pradhan remain immortal). On reaching his memorial, Chandrakanta's statue was garlanded by several attendees.

"Chandrakanta is not only my son; he is the son of Kandhamal, Odisha, and India,” Gaura Chandra Pradhan, his father, remarked during the event.

Lalit Kumar Pradhan, president of the Veteran Retired Soldiers Block Association, added, “He is dead but alive in the hearts of every Indian.”

Local sarpanch Ashok Kumar Pradhan stated that he has urged the state administration to honour the memory of Chandrakanta by naming a village road and key village infrastructure — including a proposed Jio mobile tower — after him.

“Chandrakanta is now an inspiration and model to the youth of the region. He made the ultimate sacrifice, etching his name in the annals of Indian history as a martyr who stood firm against aggression,” Ashok said. “May his sacrifice be forever honoured as the nation salutes him today.”  

The commemoration served as a powerful reminder of Pradhan’s valour and the collective pride and grief carried by the members of his native village, five years since the Galwan clash — one of the most serious military conflicts between India and China in decades.

By Fr. Pursuottam Nayak