Man tattoos 631 names and portraits of fallen soldiers, freedom fighters; earns 'Living Wall Memorial' title
On August 15, 2024, as India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, the occasion has become synonymous with long weekends, celebrations in your society, and dress in one of the three colours in the flag. But a few stand out in their wish to honour the day in a profoundly meaningful way. One remarkable individual from Uttar Pradesh chose to commemorate the sacrifice of 631 fallen soldiers by tattooing their names on his body, ensuring their bravery is forever remembered.
Abhishek Gautam hails from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.
His remarkable journey of remembrance began after a transformative trip to Leh-Ladakh. There, he was deeply moved by the stories of soldiers who gave their lives during the Kargil War.?The impact was profound, especially after witnessing the Indian Army save a friend in a critical moment.
Check out his interview with IANS here:
Inspired by these experiences, Gautam dedicated the following year to researching the names of Kargil martyrs and reaching out to their families.
Gautam's tribute took shape when he found a tattoo artist in Delhi who helped bring his vision to life.?
"My connection and affection began during the Leh-Ladakh ride, where I learned about the Kargil martyrs and their heroic tales. I reflected on their lives and compared them with their families, which made me realise the immense effort and bravery they demonstrated. This led me to think that we should also do something to honor them," Gautam explains.
In an interview with IANS, Gautam shared his motivation: "The way they protect our country, I also want to show my love toward them. And in today's day and age, the symbol of love is a tattoo."
Gautam started with the names of 559 Kargil soldiers and gradually added more names, including historic figures who played key roles in India's fight for independence.?
His extraordinary act of patriotism, which now includes the names of 631 soldiers and portraits of iconic freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Bhagat Singh, and Swami Vivekananda, has earned him a place in the India Book of Records as a "Living Wall Memorial."
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