Thursday, 18 JANUARY 2024 | PNS | UTTARKASHI
In latest news from Uttarakhand, the Garhwal Scout rifleman Shailendra Kathait (28) from Kumrada village who died on duty while patrolling the India-China border was given a teary farewell with full military honours. Hundreds of people from the neighbourhood along with his grieving family members and friends paid the last tributes. Earlier, the mortal remains of Kathait had been brought from Srinagar to Chinyalisaur in an army vehicle. As a mark of respect to the deceased rifleman, traders of Chinyalisaur and Pipalmandi closed their establishments and showered flower petals on the vehicle that carried his mortal remains. As the body, wrapped in tri-colour, reached his ancestral home, the people, deep into mourning, gathered around it. His wife Anju Devi became unconscious. At around 11 o’clock, the last journey started. A contingent of 36 soldiers of Garhwal Scout accompanied the army hearse. The eldest son of the deceased soldier Vishal Singh performed the last rites. Among those present during the last rites were the local MLA Sanjay Doval, SDM Brijesh Tiwari and district panchayat president Deepak Bijalwan aside from a number of army officers.
It is learnt from Shailendra’s family members that his two sons Vishal and Vikas are preparing to join the army with his wife having resolved to prepare her sons to step into their father’s shoes.
