Captain R Harshan died fighting terrorists in Kashmir.

He died saving his men.

He was just 26 years old.

For Harshan, joining the Indian Army was not a spur of the moment decision. It was a dream he carried from when he was 8 years old.

After finishing the 4th standard, Harshan insisted he be admitted to the Sainik School. He took the all-India entrance examination for the 6th standard, and without going to the 5th, he joined the Sainik School at Kazhakoottam, Thiruvananthapuram, in the 6th standard.

"I wanted to join the army but I was rejected at the interview level," said Harshan's father K Radhakrishnan Nair. "So, in a way, I would say I inspired him to join the defence services. With each passing day at Sainik School, his desire to wear the army uniform increased," added the proud father, an advocate.

Image: Captain Harshan's photograph at his home. Photographs: Courtesy Captain Harshan's family, and Shobha Warrier

Also read: The soldier who became a legend

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