by Richie Lasrado
Resident Editor, Daijiworld.com, Mangalore
with pics by Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Jan 22: Union minister of state for defence M M Pallam Raju, while on a private visit to the city, paid a condolence visit to the residence of the late Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao on Monday, January 22 noon.

The minister had visited Dharmasthala on Sunday and had stayed overnight in the city, said official sources.

The minister garlanded the portrait of the deceased pilot and took part in  a short prayer which was led by Fr William Gonsalves. Then the minister met and consoled Flt Lt Deepika Dadlani-Serrao, her parents Dr Ramesh Dadlani and Malvika Dadlani and parents-in-law  Lt Col John Serrao and Dr Jessica Serrao. Gregory Serrao and other close relatives were present on the occasion.

He said that the nation had lost a valuable pilot and it was a great loss and requested the bereaved families to bear it with courage.

Later speaking to mediapersons outside the Serrao residence, Raju said the government was making every effort to modernize the defence preperedness and keeping abreast of the times in acquiring state-of-the-art equipment and armament. In spite of best measures to minimize risks, it was unfortunate that such mishaps kept occurring. A court of enquiry would be appointed and cause of the crash would be investigated.

Just before leaving, the minister spoke exclusively to Daijiworld.com and  when told about the family's wish to have the Kuchikad road passing by their house named after the late Flt Lt Serrao, the minister wholeheartedly agreed to endorse such a move and that he would write to the city mayor on the subject. He expressed happiness over Daijworld's initiative in the matter at the media level.

Former mayors Purandardas Kulur and Diwakar, corporator Naveen D'Souza, DCC vice president Ivan D'Souza, Brig Martis and others were present.

• Click here to read the complete coverage of tragedy and funeral