TEZPUR, Aug 3:Arunachal Pradesh today finally thanked, in real terms, Wing Commander Mandeep Singh Dhillon, Flight Lieutenant Pramod Kumar Singh and Sergeant Rajendra Yashwant Gujjar, who sacrificed their lives while on a rescue mission to evacuate stranded people in the state due to floods and landslides on July 4 last.

The three IAF personnel were based at the Air Force Station, Tezpur and were members of the elite ‘Hovering Angels’. Wing Commander Dhillon, in fact, was the Commanding Officer of Hovering Angels and one of the best pilots.

In an emotional event held at the Air Force Station here today, Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Public Health Engineering & Water Supply, Information & Public Relations and Printing and Parliamentary Affairs, Bamang Felix not only conveyed the gratitude of the state government headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu but also of the 14 lakh-strong people of the entire state.

An IAF chopper (Advanced Light Helicopter) manned by the three aircrew was evacuating people from Sagalee in Arunachal Pradesh on the fateful day. After making five sorties to Naharlagun Helipad it was returning to base late afternoon when it went missing at about 3.50 pm. Two days later the wreckage of the chopper along with dead bodies was located near Hostalam village, about 30 kms from Itanagar.

“Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, I come here today on behalf of my Chief Minister Pema Khandu and 14 lakh people of Arunachal Pradesh to pay our glowing tributes to the great heroes of Indian Air Force, who sacrificed their lives when they were on a mission – a mission to rescue our people from nature’s wrath,” Felix said to a painful silence despite the presence of hundreds of IAF personnel, who are still struggling to come out of the shock of losing a near and dear comrade.

True to the announcement made by Chief Minister Pema Khandu only a couple of months ago, Felix today handed over a cheque of Rs 50 lakhs each to the next of kin of the departed soldiers. The cheques were handed over to Air Officer Commanding (AoC), Air Commodore KVR Raju.

“The true sons of the soil were not deterred by inclement weather that came their way. They airlifted hundreds of stranded people of our state to safer locations before the tragedy struck like a bolt from nowhere. The survivors who were airlifted by these heroes are yet to overcome the shock while lamenting that they didn’t even get the time to thank their saviours. People of Arunachal Pradesh will always remember them and be indebted forever,” Felix said.  

Felix, who is also the state government spokesperson, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family members, who couldn’t make it to the solemn event due to their preoccupations. He said, “We can understand the whole range of emotions that the bereaved family members must be going through right now. While we pay our heartfelt respect to the heroes, we stand by you at this tragic hour to express our profound condolences for the irreparable loss you have to endure with.”

Appealing the bereaved families and the IAF not to take the token amount otherwise, Felix said, “Although this small amount will never match the supreme sacrifice these heroes have made, I would most humbly request the bereaved families to accept this as token of love and appreciation from the people of Arunachal Pradesh.”

He also expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Air Force for time and again helping the state whenever approached.

“Without your support, mitigating the flood situation wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you again,” he added.

Air Commodore KVR Raju thanked the state government, particularly the Chief Minister, for personally conveying his gratitude to the IAF and paying rich tributes to the departed officers.

“Though the Hovering Angels will miss its three members, especially a Commanding Officer in Dhillon, but Hovering Angels will always be there for Arunachal Pradesh when the need be. That’s a soldier’s promise,” he said.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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