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Sachin Tendulkar prays for Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, Siachen avalanche survivor

Sachin Tendulkar called Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad as a fighter and braveheart.

Salute to the courageous soldiers who lost their lives in #SiachenAvalanche
Sachin Tendulkar (above) tweeted: Salute to the courageous soldiers who lost their lives in #SiachenAvalanche © IANS ( File Photo)

Sachin Tendulkar has tweeted that his best wishes are with Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was found 35 feet under ice cover at Siachen glacier. Tendulkar took to the social media website saying that he salutes the courage and bravery of soldiers who have lost their lives in Siachen Avalanche. Tendulkar has often expressed his opinion on issues concerning the nation in recent times particularly after having retired from international cricket. Koppad has been kept on a ventilator in the ICU at the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Delhi. “The soldier’s condition remains the same. He is critical, and we are taking best care of him,” a doctor at the hospital told IANS. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar launches ‘Aster SafeRoads i#pledge’ campaign

A medical bulletin released by the hospital later said the soldier “continues to battle the odds”. “…his medical condition remains very critical. He remains ventilator dependent since arrival,” a statement from the hospital said. “The medical team treating him at R&R Hospital is monitoring his situation continuously and is treating him with best expertise and resources available in the world,” it said. Asked how the soldier was saved in the extreme conditions, the doctor said they cannot comment on how he was saved, as they have no account of what exactly happened.  “Only when Lance Naik Koppad gains consciousness we will be able to get an account of how he managed to survive,” the doctor told IANS. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar delivers motivational message to kids in Daryapur

Koppad and nine other soldiers were swept away by an avalanche at the Siachen glacier on February 3, at an altitude of around 19,500 feet. He was found on Monday, miraculously alive. The soldier was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was also severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycaemic and in shock. He has pneumonia and his investigations have revealed liver and kidney dysfunction. But there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bone injuries to him. The soldier is being treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons. He has been given fluids and drugs to bring up his blood pressure.

(With inputs from IANS)

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