Mysore/Mysuru: VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust and Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Mysuru East, had organised a programme yesterday at Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya (MVC Posthumous) Bhawan in city to pay rich floral tributes to CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat and 13 others who lost their lives in IAF helicopter crash in Coonoor, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, on Dec.8.

A large number of ex-servicemen from the Mysuru region and their families, serving Army and Air Force personnel, NCC cadets belonging to all the three wings and the general public attended the condolence meeting.

Group Captain Ajay Dudeja (Retd.), former President and Commanding Officer, Air Force Selection Board, Mysuru and Colonel Srinivas, Administrative Officer of NCC Group Headquarters, Mysuru, lit the traditional lamps and offered floral tributes.

As a mark of respect, two minutes silence was observed by all those present.

Colonel Srinivas, addressing the gathering said, every citizen of our country show solidarity with the Armed Forces on every happy and sorrowful occasion and exhibit their belongingness towards the Armed Forces and martyrs. He said that this august gathering of ex-servicemen, NCC cadets and the general public from all walks of life to pay homage to the departed souls is a classic example.

Gp. Capt. Ajay Dudeja, who also spoke, mentioned the rank and names of all those who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. He lauded the efforts of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association and VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust led by Veteran Sergeant Mandetira N. Subramani, who happens to be the Founder-President of the Trust.

Harish Machia Kodandera, son of a late World War-II veteran, paying homage to the brave hearts said, BIPIN RAWAT essentially meant, “Brilliant Individual Protecting Indian Nationhood by Responsibly Achieving World-class Armed Forces Transformation.”

He further said that the 14 martyrs displayed utmost, foremost and topmost sacrifice in the line of duty upholding the aan, baan and shaan of our nation.

Stating that the CDS was truly a Champion’s Champion, Strategic Thinker and a People’s Leader, Harish said the nation lost a gem amongst men with 13 stars along with him.

Veteran Sergeant Subramani, thanking all those present at the venue, also appealed to all the ex-servicemen fraternity residing in and around Mysuru district, who visit Sqn. Ldr. A.B. Devayya Bhawan, which houses the Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement in Mysuru, to pay their tributes to the departed souls during working hours on all working days till Dec.31, 2021. Deputy Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Mysuru, Dr. Balasubramanya, Vice-President of VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust Shakunthala Subramani, Hon. Secretary of the Trust S. Somashekara, Vice-President of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Mysuru East, Veteran Subedar K.U. Bheemaiah and other office-bearers were present.