The overwhelming gratitude that the nation owes to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the NSG Comando who lost his life in the Mumbai operation, came pouring out on websites on Saturday. While many Puneites joined the community titled ` We Salute you Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’ on Facebook, the brave and gallant officer had another deep connection with the city-he was an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Speaking about his days at the National Defence Academy Maj Pratap Singh PRO, NDA, said, “Sandeep was a member of the Oscar Squadron and a pass out of the 94th Course. He was a member of the social science stream.” While none of his lecturers at the NDA were available for commments regarding his days at the institution, amongst the many quotes that have been found on the various blogs there is a glowing one is from his principal C Browne, who taught him Math and Physics in Class 10. Writing on the community site Browne said, “Maj Unnikrishnan was an outstanding student. He finished studies here way back in 1995. Besides this, he was also a fantastic athlete. He was a genuine all rounder. In fact most of his records had remained unbroken for a long, long time. He was the house captain and loved by all. Ever since he was a boy, he wanted to join the Army. He even wore his hair like the commandos in the army did.”
Along with rich tributes and heartfelt thanks, there is also the anger felt by his friends and admirers all over the country against the slackness of the way the country is run by powers that be. While one wall post said, "I go down on my knees before you Maj Sandeep for giving up your life so that me, my family, my country can live on." another vocifered, "I feel sorry for the braveheart who sacrificed his life. I feel it was not worth it coz our politicians are real cowards and incapable of giving the real honour to such brave soldiers. All they can do is provide money to the family of deceased -- as if money can buy everything". Also on the site was a call to light a candle in tribute to the memory of the courageous soldier. Yet another said, "May God give Sandeep's parents the courage to face the rest of their lives without their braveheart son. I must warn them that this nation has a very poor track record in remembering its heroes."
Unnikrishnan lost his life battling terrorists at the Taj hotel on november 28. He was the only son of an ISRO official K Unnikrishnan, and was commissioned into the Bihar regiment in the year 1999 and was deputed to the NSG in 2007.
Earlier he had also been a part of various insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Whilst leading an assualt on the terrorists he arranged for the safety of his own men and then charged behind the terrorists before being shot by them...
Rohan Swamy
Posted: Nov 30, 2008 at 0156 hrs IST Pune
Tribute to National Defence Academy alumnus Unnikrishnan
Publication of Tributes in the blog: Veterans Salute Sandeep. Readers kindly email tributes to reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com
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