Capt YV Prasad, 1 PARA (SF) is one of the many ‘unknown soldiers’ martyred in operations in Sri Lanka. In this tribute, the author has woven together personal reminiscences of the martyr after compiling titbits from friends and family. An interesting insight into one of India’s Heroes.
Yerramaneni Vijay Prasad (YV) hailed from Vellaturu in Guntur District on the southern banks of Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. In July 1969, he was chosen on state merit as one of the top sixty students to study at Sainik School Korukonda. Since he was in Telugu medium at entry stage, his English tutors Miss Lee and Miss Sally Grub (from UK) had to work hard to make him speak, read and write in English fluently. That was the seeding to his ability to grasp and acquire new skills. He learnt horse riding, painting, cross country, basketball, hockey and football. He was quite lazy and lethargic in attitude and behaviour and was nicknamed ‘Lazy Prasad’ at School. Lazy Prasad surprised everyone by making it to the 56th National Defence Academy (NDA) Merit List. This was the second time that he proved his ability in an open competition.