A s K. Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi stood on the first step of the Hut of remembrance at the National Defence Academy (NDA) on a quiet Saturday morning, words of their son, martyr Major Sandeep almost came alive: "I would die like a lion and one day you would see my name at this place…."
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, member of the elite NSG commandos, lost his life fighting terrorists at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on November 28. Sandeep was an NDA pass out of 94 th (July 1995-May 98) course. Sandeep`s parents visited NDA on Saturday to lay a wreath at `Hut of Remembrance` where Sandeep`s dream has come true. His name has been added to the existing list of 264 NDA pass outs who laid their lives for the nation.
As an NDA officer was going through the formalities of wreath-laying, K Unnikrishnan recalled his sons memories. He told the officer, "We visited NDA for at least ten times and every time Sandeep showed us this place. He used to say, 'I wont die a dog`s death. If it happens cremate me at the municipal crematorium. I will die like a lion and my name will be carved forever at this hut.' He lived to his words."
Later while speaking to the media at Oscar Squadron where Major Sandeep spent three years of his cadet life, K Unnikrishnan recalled his son as a `born soldier`. He said, "I wanted him to pursue engineering, but he was determined to join the NDA. He did it in the first attempt. NDA was his second home. Sandeep sacrificed his life answering the call for love and dedication for the nation to which he responded. If I were in his position I would have done the same thing and fought with the nation's enemies."
While K Unnikrishnan was speaking, his mother Dhanalakshmi could not hold back her tears and was unable to speak even a few words. `Mother has lost her friend`, was all Sandeep`s father could comment.
Posts
