Video summary
The video centers on a deeply emotional tribute honoring the sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Rishabh Sharma, an elite pilot from the Indian Army who lost his life during a historic night flight mission. The narrative unfolds through heartfelt testimonials from his family and colleagues, revealing that he was not only a skilled aviator but also a devoted father whose final moments were marked by extraordinary bravery. During a pioneering route test involving weaponized helicopters, the aircraft encountered a critical issue where its rear rotor became entangled in a wire, causing it to lose balance. In a split-second decision, Colonel Sharma deliberately maneuvered the helicopter to crash in a way that minimized impact, ensuring the safety of his crew and civilians below, even though he knew it meant his own death. His actions exemplify the core military ethos: prioritizing the nation's honor and welfare above all else, followed by the well-being of those under one's command, and finally personal safety.
The emotional weight of his sacrifice is further illuminated by intimate stories from his family, particularly his young daughter who witnessed her father's last moments. On the night before the attack, she spent her final hours sleeping beside him after being unable to rest due to anxiety about his impending departure. Her mother, who had already been raising a toddler alone following the loss of her husband in 2009, continues to raise their children with unwavering resolve, often saluting photographs of her late spouse and expressing her desire for her daughters to follow in his footsteps by joining the armed forces. The family's grief is palpable yet transformed into inspiration; they chose not to cry openly during his final farewell but instead celebrated his life with songs he loved and messages reflecting his motto. Even at a tender age, their children understand that their father became a "star" living among the gods, a concept that helps them process the tragedy while honoring his legacy of supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Beyond the personal tributes, the event highlights how educational institutions like L Pro International School are actively fostering patriotism and heroism among youth by sharing such powerful narratives. The presence of former NDA cadets and aviation experts underscores the importance of channeling youthful energy toward national service, especially in an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming fields like aviation. Experts emphasize that while technology advances, the human spirit of courage and selflessness remains indispensable, urging young people to dream big and dedicate their talents to serving India. The gathering concludes with a collective pledge of loyalty to the nation, echoing slogans like "Long live Mother India" and affirming that true heroes are those who give everything for the greater good, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who witness their stories.
Read the full video transcript
[MUSIC]
NOT DONE [SCREAMING] DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE
[MUSIC]
When I Got to Know That My Father Was
Martyred
I didn't even know the meaning of the name Martyred before.
I didn't even know
my father was in a line of duty
where death is death is a part of his
[music] job.
When you came to know that Colonel MN Rai
is no more. So what was in your mind then that
you would say that all this war was orchestrated?
My only [musical] motive was
not even a motive but I just wanted to say that war
cry to give him the best farewell possible.
The Best Way a Daughter Could Have Met Her Father
for the Last Time. Scene Her [music] Seen Him
for the last time. He didn't laugh after the End of Course of Wall
Cry. But I am pretty
sure that wherever you were at that time,
you would have smiled, you would have been
shining a lot. Sir,
my father had a last WhatsApp status.
Play your role in life with such intensity
that the applause continues even after the curtain falls.
Quanti told me that when
Pranjalal came home for the last time, we three decided like this that we will not
cry
and we will give him the best farewell
possible. We wanted to send him of the way he
grew we the whatever song he was liking
the most and fill he let him go chad credo
and motto goes like this
the safety honour and welfare of the country come first always
and every time
the honour welfare and comfort of the man you
command come next
your own is comfort and safety come last always
and every time whenever we are we
youngsters now we see a bit of prankster in all of them so I was
really happy to meet
so many youngsters.
It is amazing that the [music] the key persons
in the school are emotionally and practically
involved in this
heroic session.
You're wearing this maroon barre. It's
worn out by everything. Who gave you this to wear?
This Naga Regent.
Given by the Naga Regiment. very good. She was
just two and a half months old but her
father came last time that.
Now I will call his mother also on the stage. Come.
Since he was two and a half years and two and a half months old, she has been both his
mother and father. She is
also taking care of herself. I
want to send him to the army.
And its mischief is enough. But most of the time she keeps
saluting my father after seeing the photo. The decision to join the
army is
that I will join the army. I will live like Papa.
His father's [nasal sound]
regiment is 3 Para which is
one of the specialized regiments.
He thought she used to roam outside on the road
in the colony. So mom, everyone's father takes them for a ride on the scooter.
Mom, where is my father? When will you come?
I used to get emotional and postpone it a bit. Then she used to
explain to him, son, father has been martyred for the country. We have someone who had seen her
father fighting
with the terrorists. When you get hit by a bullet,
you don't realise it at that time. It takes 20 to
30 seconds to realize. I was
bleeding continuously. I didn't know what had happened to
me. I came to know after going to the hospital that
I had been shot. No one
knows how brave we are
until life puts us in that moment.
I also did not know how to
handle this situation.
You to share one of your favorite moments with
your father.
The last night before the attack, some
guests were there at our home, my Tai ji and
my cousin. So my father told me to go sleep with them.
So I vented.
I couldn't sleep at night. So I got up and
I went to my father and I slept on his side.
And in the middle, mom woke up
and she said, when did Neha come? So mom said that he
cannot sleep without you.
And that was the last night. I mean, my father is
gone but God gave me every chance to live with
him. [Music] I'm very grateful to the
school for organizing such a kind of event.
[Music] And by seeing all these
kinds of events, we feel like their
sacrifice [Music] does
n't go in vain.
Today the session is dedicated to Lieutenant
Colonel Rishabh Sharma who was one of the initial
pilots of Indian Army who
flew Weapon Integrated Helicopters. The
saints and soldiers are created from above.
We cannot stop them. He will definitely leave the
house.
When this incident happened, one naturally wondered
what would happen to the mother? All the mothers sitting here can
understand. But my Guru
came to meet me at home and
he said, son, saints, reformers and soldiers
come from above.
Night flying was taking place on the night of 25th January and this
night flying was being done on a particular route
which had never been done before. There was a wire
in the middle in which the rear router of the
helicopter got stuck and the helicopter
lost its balance. He made it a
point to fall at a place and in such a way
that there is minimum impact. I never
saw him sad after he joined the army. So
this school, L Pro International School, has
made a new beginning. So these people
invited me here and I was
very excited. [MUSIC]
When Papa Came Home Last Time Wrapped in the
Tri-Color. What was going on in your mind?
So I was playing in the ground with a
friend of mine and I accidentally told him that I heard that
your father is no more. So I
went to my uncle.
I asked him why was everyone so sad
today?
So he answered that
your father has become a star now? He will be
living with the Gods now in the cloud. I
Realize He Said Much Later When I Was
About 11-12 Years Old, What Has Truly
Happened?
What Our Father Did It Is A Story Of
Bravery And A Supreme Sacrifice For The
Nation. The same place where her mother went in
2009
to get Ashok Chakra and the same place she
died in
26
looking behind the uniform of a soldier is very important
for everyone.
You want to send both your daughters to the army, right?
Why do you want children to go
because I was
very attached to this army mistake and I loved it a lot. So that is why
I still tell my children that they should
also join the army.
[MUSIC]
I really enjoyed being here. I never
imagined that
we would come to such a school in a civilian area and celebrate Papa's story in
this way.
This initiative is real [music]
and should be done more in more schools.
I am very happy that you people have taken forward his heroic saga.
We had taken all the oaths to say Jai Kalika Mata. But
when it came to taking the oath to stay together for life.
Both of us were speechless. We too have
not seen God and today we have
two men among us like God [music]. We
call them on the stage.
I can say with great respect that the
respect that we [music] have been given,
our family members
deserve it more than us. Day One in
the Academy When you are in NDA,
where are you placed? What
is blown up? And what an experience it is
when you are going into it for the first time as a pilot for training.
We get about 10
on the Super Dimona which is a piston
aircraft in the NDA.
So when did you see the fighter for the first time that now we are going
, we are sitting. What was the feeling and
experience like then? Ab Initio fighter
training is done in Hawk aircraft which is of
one year. You are a fighter, the
feeling is out of the world for once you have
tested flight, you will forever walk the earth
with your eyes turned to sky, worlds for there
you have been and there you will long to
return, when there are
multitude of thoughts rushing
through your brain, how do you manage to hold on to that one thought that
will take you to your focus, to whatever
decision needs to be taken at that time, how do
you manage to stay alert in such a situation, we have
a concept of the moment we are
walking through the towards the aircraft,
your personal life leaves behind that, your
professional life will remain professional,
in today's time artificial intelligence has
almost integrated into every field, so if it
integrates into aviation, what will be the
effects on the field of aviation.
[Music]
As we speak there are many advancements which we have
already achieved with regards
to artificial intelligence in aviation. With
great reference I would say that Mr Vikas has done a
job like a true patriot.
It is my honour to [music] be invited
here that the Alpro International School share
my experience and even if I am able to
motivate a single child to be part of the
Indian Armed Forces [music] and even a
smallest change to the future of this
country is the aim for the young generation the
message I want to give is everything is a
part of life. It is very important
to channelize your energy in certain ways so that
you are able to achieve what you are
dreaming of. Long
live Mother India. Long live Mother India.
[screaming] Bharat Mata ki
Jai.