M'lore City road renamed after Flt Lt Ronald

The Kuchikad Road at Kulshekhar in the city was renamed as ‘Flight Lieutenant Ronald Kevin Serrao Road’ on Sunday as a gesture of gratitude to the valiant Indian Air Force officer, who lost his life while practising bombing exercises at Pokhran ranges in Rajasthan on January 18, 2007. The programme was organised jointly by the Dakshina Kannada District Ex-Servicemen’s Association in association with Mangalore City Corporation.

 Speaking on the occasion, MLA N Yogish Bhat lauded the contributions of soldiers and officers in safeguarding the country and stressed the need to inspire the youth to join defence forces.

Making a suggestion to name the ground at Kalpane after Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao and hold regular cultural programmes, he assured to extend all help in this regard.

Mangalore Diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza saluting the parents of Flt Lt Ronald Serrao and his wife Flt Lt Deepika Dadlani called upon the youth to get inspired from the IAF officer who laid down his life for the country.

Mayor Shanker Bhat regretted that many parents are keen on making their children either doctors or engineers, but very few motivate their children to join the defence forces. “Naming Kuchikad Road in Kulshekar after Flt Lt Ronald Serrao is a small deed. Perhaps, a major road should have been named after the officer,” he opined.

Air Vice Marshal Karnik called upon the parents to motivate their children to join the defence forces.  “If you have second thought in taking a decision, remember Lt Col John Serrao and Dr Jessica Serrao (Flt Lt Ronald’s parents),” he said.

Lt Col John Serrao while welcoming the gathering thanked all the persons responsible in renaming the road after his son while Col N Sharath Bhandary read out Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao’s achievements.

“Apart from securing the President’s Medal for scoring 99 per cent in English in CBSE, Ronald bagged the President’s Silver Medal in National Defence Academy (NDA) and Best Air Warrior award of the Indian Air Force,” he said.

Flt Lt Ronald’s wife Flt Lt Deepika Dadlani, District Ex-Servicemen’s Association President Radhakrishna Shetty, Corporator Mariamma Thomas and Advocate Ivan D’Souza among others were present on the occasion.