Katuri Anantha Chala Ramana- fondly known as KACH Ramana, joined 56 NDA Bravo from Sainik School, Korukonda. Right from early days, he had a creative bent of mind; He was an active participant of declamations, debates, and dramas, excelling in such creative activities. He was a simple soul and always helpful.

Bravo Squadron mates remember him as quiet, unassuming, very helpful, good team member and friend. Some recall him as carefree, careless, stubborn, strong-headed personality. He would not do a thing unless it convinced him. 'The restrictions king without any sin' and enjoyed being on the wrong side. Wild cat Ramana was mostly underground during the academy days.

He was an OC (ordinary cadet) in NDA/IMA and was commissioned into 103 Air Defence Regiment at Bombay. He moved with his unit to Gopalpur, Orissa in 1984 where the present AAD College and Centre was to come up. He was a simpleton in the academy, and as an Adjutant, he had the honour of giving the Guard of Honour to the then Prime minister Mrs Indira Gandhi who visited his station for laying the foundation stone just a few days before her assassination.

Urvinder Singh was with Ramana in the AAD. They did a couple of courses together, and people who were close to Ramana would concede that he made a good friend. Urvinder would define him as different, daring, and even a nonconformist in a good way. He would fall in line only if it appealed to him. He was simply different, which appeared to rub his seniors and even peers. One could say that he was a decent rebel who loved his drink but never crossed the line of abrasion. He was an embedded disruptor with a funny sense of humour. Urvinder Singh would also remember him as one who hated stalemates and loved to challenge the status quo. An inquisitive youngster who one could not buy in till it appealed to his mind, and a simple, calm soldier that meant no harm- truly a man of his own beliefs.

Ramana was selected for attending Long Gunnery Staff Course at Air Defence Wing, School of Artillery, Devlali in 1986. During the course, he was helpful to all the needy colleagues in preparation for their teaching assignments even at the cost of his own assignments, and he earned the title "Professor" from his colleagues. He was retained as Instructor due to his performance in the course. He was a keen billiards and basketball player. In his spare time, he loved reading novels and writing Telugu poems.

Ramana was medically boarded out around 1989. He wrote an article on 'Black Holes' and posted it on the internet in the year 2005. A science magazine from the UK sent an appreciation letter. He passed away in his sleep due to a massive heart attack on 20th January 2019. He is survived by his lady wife Ranganayaki and their daughter, who have settled down in Visakhapatnam. Ramana coached his daughter until she cleared her Engineering entrance exam in 2014. She is now studying her final year in Computer Science in Bangalore and has been selected for Amazon in the campus interview.

Penned with inputs from Bravo mates, Sarat, Satyanarayana, Urvinder and family.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏