Udupi: Leaders, Locals Bid Tearful Adieu to Valiant Soldier Upendra
Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 31: A large number of locals gathered at Bailakere in Malpe near here on Saturday December 31 to bid a tearful farewell to their hero Upendra Kumar who lost his life in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, while fighting a gang of robbers.
23-year-old Upendra, who was in the 22nd infantry signal regiment of the Indian Army lost his life on Thursday December 29. His body was brought to his hometown on Saturday for the last rites.
The body arrived by flight at Bajpe Airport and was then taken to Malpe by vehicle.
The ceremony was led by district Armed Reserve inspector M M Yadavad. The police gave a ceremonial salute and fire three rounds in the air as a mark of respect.
Local leaders too paid tributes and placed wreathes on Upendra's body.
Among those present were MLA Raghupati Bhat, ADC Kumar, ZP CEO Prabhakar Bhat, ZP president Dattavali Shankar, MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik, entreprenuer Pramod Madhvaraj, tahsildar Prasanna, district BJP president Udayakumar Shetty, circle inspector Girish and others were present.
Upendra had joined the Indian Army about four years ago. He was posted to Jammu and Kashmir as well as Madhya Pradesh during his service. He lost his parents early in his life and was staying with his uncle Somayya.
He is suvived by his three brothers, two of them elder to him. He had last called home on Sunday and had said that he would be home January 15.
As a mark of respect, the locals observed a voluntary bundh on Saturday.
Oscar Fernandes Visits Family
Prior to the arrival of the body, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes met Upendra's family and expressed his sympathies.
As the family is poor, he also assured them of all assistance from his side.
He spoke to the family members who expressed their grief on losing their loved one.