This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

PHOTOS: Country Prays For Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad's Recovery

PHOTOS: Country Prays For Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad's Recovery
PTI

Even as his condition deteriorates, the nation continues to pray for Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad's speedy recovery.

Earlier today, noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, who has adorned Puri beach with many a creative sculptures, created a five-feet tall model of the soldier who defied death in spite of being buried for six days under 35 feet of snow, after an avalanche hit an army pot in Siachen.

In other parts of the country, candlelight vigils and pooja ceremonies are being organised.

The 33-year-old, who is facing a tough hurdle on his road to recovery is severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycemic and in shock. According to the report, he has been diagnosed with pneumonia, his liver and kidney are dysfunctional, and continues to have low blood pressure. He was rescued from an altitude of 20,500 feet by a team of over 150 soldiers and two canines, Dot and Misha, and was initially declared dead by authorities.

According to reports, doctors treating Koppad at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi have said he is in a multi-organ dysfunction state, and there are evidences of oxygen deprivation in the brain and pneumonia in both lungs. The next 24 hours are critical for Koppad, being treated at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi, according to a report in IBNLive.

IANS reported that Nidhi Pandey, a housewife from Lakhimpur Kheri, 167-km from Lucknow, contacted the helpline of a local news channel offering to donate a kidney to Koppad. Pandey was deeply moved by Hanumanthappa's story.

Here are some photos of people around the country praying for the soldier:

PTI
Lane Koppad is the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.
PTI
School children take part in a candle light vigil for the Indian soldiers who died in the Siachen avalanche in Jammu
PTI
Renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture of Lance Naik on Puri beach for his speed recovery on 10 February, 2016.
PTI
Youth Congress workers perform a hawan in Bhopal for Lance Koppad. Lance Koppad was the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.
PTI
Mumbai dabbawallas pray for Lance Naik's recovery in Mumbai on 10 February, 2016. Lance Koppad was the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.
PTI
Students of Khazani Women's Vocational Institute pray for Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad in Faridabad on February 10, 2016. Lance Koppad was the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.
PTI
People pray for speedy recovery of Lance Koppad who survived the Siachen avalanche in a temple in Ahmedabad on 10th February 2016.
PTI
People pray for Lance Koppad's recovery at Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai on 10 February, 2016.
PTI
Devotees pray for the speedy recovery of Lance Koppad on the banks of the river Ganga in Allahabad. Lane Koppad was the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.
PTI
Youth Congress workers perform a hawan in Bhopal for Lance Koppad. Lance Koppad was the sole survivor of an avalanche that hit an army post in Siachen and killed nine men. He survived for six days, while trapped under 35 feet of snow.

Contact HuffPost India

Also See On HuffPost:

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.