Sandeep’s parents visit his alma mater

Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service Dehradun, December 16, 2008

On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi, parents of National Security Guard (NSG) Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was killed in the Mumbai terror attacks, visited the IMA and laid wreaths at the war memorial in the south block. Dhanalakshmi, mother of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, pays homage to the martyrs at the War Memorial in IMA on Tuesday.

Dhanalakshmi, mother of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, pays homage to the martyrs at the War Memorial in IMA on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

“I feel a little nervous in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) as this is the place where he was commissioned into 7 Bihar,” K. Unnikrishnan penned down these words in the visitors book at the war memorial here today.

The visit was a quiet affair as per the instructions of the couple. The IMA Commandant Lt Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana also laid a wreath at the memorial.

An emotional K. Unnikrishnan, a former ISRO officer, while recalling the memories of his son as an IMA Gentleman Cadet said, “From the beginning, Sandeep was determined to be an

Infantryman. At his passing out parade, Sandeep was so busy in getting his arrears cleared that he even had to skip his lunch at the IMA.”

Later, the parents of Major Sandeep visited the room in which their son stayed during his training here.

IMA Commandant Lt General Rajinder Singh Sujlana said that Major Sandeep was a brave son of the nation. He added that Sandeep was an outstanding officer and has stood by the credo of the IMA which reads, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease, comfort and safety comes last, always and every time.”

After passing out of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Sandeep joined IMA in July 1998. In the academy, he was a sports lover and was a member of football team. He got commissioned into 7 Bihar on June 12, 1999.

He had extensive exposure to counter insurgency operations having two tenures in Jammu and Kashmir. He also served in high altitude area and was deployed with his unit in Rajasthan during Operation Parakram. He volunteered for elite NSG and joined as member of Special Action Group.
Sandeep’s parents visit his alma mater